Skincare Products: What can I use?

I know I have to steer clear of anything with Benzoyl Peroxide for acne; its just that while it started to clear up on my back; it's come back and now on my face in my third trimester!  What acne products can I use?  Can I use Salicylic Acid products?  Thanks for any advice!

I see no one else has definitive answers for you, so I'll chime in. I seem to remember that Salicylic Acid products are a no-no during pregnancy. I have read so much that I am not sure which book/web site i read that on, but it is sticking out in my head. However, I don't have any alternatives for you either. Not very helpful I'm afraid.

Although not tested during pregnancy and cleared as Safe you may want to try Tea Tree Oil and Witch Hazle. Was your face with an all natural soap. YOu can go to the Farmer market and find homemade soaps there.  You can also google Tea Tree Oil, Wich Hazel Mixtures for your face.

I use All natural products that were either made locally or things I mixed myself. I still have acne but not on the level I had in the past.

Denise

Since most acne, even during pregnancy, is caused by bacteria in the pores, I  recommend a simple anti-bacterial soap like Cuticura.  Using this with an exfoliating facial sponge will help out a lot.

In addition, I've read (but confirm with your doctor) that products with glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids are safe for pregnant women.  These help with exfoliation and keeping the pores clear of dead skin cells.

Tea tree oil is a great natural treatment for acne, and should be safe as well.  It can be used in it's pure form for blemish treatment, or diluted for a facial rinse.  You might also look into clay masks - these are great for getting impurities out of the pores, and are natural and safe (St. Ives makes a great one that's very affordable and available at most drugstores like Walgreen's).

In addition, I've read that benzoyl peroxide is safe during pregnancy, but salicylic acide is not.  You should verify this with your doctor as well.

You might also want to check out this website:

http://www.beautedemaman.com/

Good luck!

Just a thought about Benzol Peroxide.  BP is a sensitizer. That means that one day you could wake with a nasty reaction to the product. The difficul thing is once your body is sensitive to it there's no turning back you cannot use the prodcut any more.

I know this is a FACT for BP. I used BP for nearly a year with awesome results.  My face was a clear a healthy toddler.  Suddenly my skin started to itch and pill..so I quit using the make up I was using.  That didn't stop the itching though. I would scratch my face constantly.  So I stopped eating certain foods.  Then one morning I woke up an my face was swollen so badly I couldn't see.  I had eaten seafood the night before..my mom wanted to take me to the doctor because she thought I was allergic to shellfish.  Well the same thing happened again a few days later, mind you my face was still itching and pilling.  I was lucky enough to run out of my acne treatment, and my face stopped itching. I didn't swell up durning the entire time I was out. I bought more when I got a chance and BAM!! My face was swollen so badly my I could barely see..and my skin was peeling. That told me right then what the problem was.  I was soo sad to find it out too, because I loved my clear skin.  Other acne medications did nothing for it. 

So I went years without a good solution until I found TTO.  My face is much clearer..but its not perfect.  In some studies its been shown to almost as effective as BP, but without the sensitizing side effect. 

 

HTH.

thank you everyone!  I think I've used BP products before and never had a reaction.  i'll do a spot test to make sure.

Hi, I suffered from really bad acne for the longest time. I had it pretty much on my face and rarely anywhere else. THen  the owner of a gym I went to In Georgia intodruced me to Arbonne. I have been using it for a year and a half and my skin is 95 percent better. They have a skin care line for just acne but they also have a not so basic line as well, that is what I use. All the products in it are all natural and no harsh chemicals. I think the harsh chemicals in the usual acne products was making my skin worse.  I still get one or two every once in a while but my face is so much better than what it used to be. Just thought I would share that info. Good luck. 

Tea Tree Oil!!! The Body Shop sells some good products for acne prone skin. I use the foaming facial cleanser and the night lotion. Its natural, safe, and really works! Or if you wanted, you can also pick up a small jar from your drug store or pure tea tree oil, and mix it with water. You dont want to put 100% on your face, it will burn really badly. Use this as a toner. It works wonders even on sensative skin!

Kiehl's has a really nice tea tree toner that I use every night before bed...

I just found out that you cannot use Tazorac or Retin A. Dammit! You can use glycolic acid. I hope I haven't already harmed my baby. I've been using it for a long time and now I'm 4 weeks pregnant. Do you think I will be ok if I stop now?

nenewa- you'll be fine! I was using that stuff until my fifth week, because that's when I found out I was pregnant- and then I stopped of course- and everything looked fine on the sonogram. for now; concentrate on getting enough folic acid for baby's neural development.

your concern and your learning is already making you a wonderful mom. Take each day at a time and don't overwhelm yourself. And we are all here for you!