Do you ever see those Clearasil or Oxy 10 commercials with the teenagers who have perfect skin and a big smile on their faces? They say that using that product gave them perfect skin. These over-the-counter acne treatments don't seem like they could be dangerous to anyone, but if you're pregnant, there are a few things you should know. There are many treatments for acne that are safe to use while pregnant. Many of these treatments are natural and can be found right at home. On the other hand, pregnant women should stay away from many manufactured goods. First, it should be said that most women get some acne while they are pregnant. During the first trimester, when the body is getting ready to take care of two people, hormone levels rise, which makes the body make more oil. Because of this, acne gets worse. The good news is that this usually goes away by the second trimester, when hormone levels in the body start to stay the same. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are the two ingredients that are most often found in acne treatments. Tests have shown that benzoyl peroxide is safe for women to use while they are pregnant. But it has also been found that salicylic acid taken by mouth, like in a pill, has been linked to some birth defects and may make pregnancy more difficult. When choosing a product, women should be careful because most products with benzoyl peroxide also have salicylic acid. So what about putting salicylic acid on the skin? It hasn't been proven that it will cause birth defects or problems during pregnancy, but as a pregnant woman who now knows that taking salicylic acid by mouth could be dangerous, do you really want to take that chance? Retinoid, oral retinoid, and Accutane are acne treatments that doctors have told pregnant women to stay away from. Retinoid is a type of Vitamin A that can harm unborn babies by causing birth defects. There is no proof that putting retinoid on the skin is bad, but why take the chance? There are many safe and natural ways for a stressed-out new mom who wants to treat her skin to get rid of acne. Of course, women should talk to their doctor or obstetrician before starting any new treatment. Echinacea, lavender essential oil, and tea tree oil are all safe products that mothers can put on their skin. But there are also even easier ways to stop them from spreading. One of the easiest things to do for extra care is to keep your skin clean by washing with soap and rinsing with warm water to get rid of any soap that may have stayed behind and could cause blockages or breakouts. After you wash and rinse your face, don't pick or pop pimples to keep scars from forming. It's also important to note that diet is a big part of getting rid of acne. During pregnancy, a woman's diet should have a lot of fruits and vegetables. Not only will this help clear up acne, but it will also help the baby grow and develop in the right way. Apples and blueberries are both full of antioxidants, which makes them great fruits to eat to stop outbreaks from happening again. There are also some treatments that can be done at home. If you put a warm oatmeal mask on your face for 15 to 20 minutes without adding anything else to it, blemishes may start to go away in as little as a few days. You could also cut a lemon in half and put each half on your acne. Spots can be treated and kept from coming back with uncooked natural oatmeal, garlic, olive oil, mashed potatoes, and even warm sugar water. So, moms, if you get those annoying breakouts while you're pregnant, be patient, try natural remedies, eat a healthy diet of low-fat, preservative-free foods, and stay away from all those manufactured products that claim to clear up your face in five days or less.
