TL;DR – Most acne face washes are fine in pregnancy, as long as they don’t contain retinoids. Rinse-off benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid cleansers are usually low-risk, but you should still always check ingredients and talk to your doctor if unsure.
When you get pregnant, it can be one of the most amazing times of your life. Your body gets ready to create a brand new life and, perhaps unsurprisingly, your skin changes. Sometimes it’s that ‘glow’ that expectant ladies get, however, for less fortunate others, it can mean too much oil, clogged pores and breakouts. The question – can you still use acne face wash – rears its head.
You might have already been using one or just be thinking about one now – because of those skin changes. In this article, we look at whether it’s ok, or not. The short answer? It depends on what’s in the one you’re using.
Why Pregnancy Can Make Acne Face Wash Unsafe to Use
When you get the good news about the sound of tiny footsteps being in your future, using an acne face wash becomes less about whether it will irritate your skin, and more about if it will hurt your new baby. The thing is, your hormones change a lot during pregnancy, which is basically why acne can get worse – and at the same time, certain ingredients go from ok, to unsuitable.
That doesn’t mean you have to abandon your routine. It just means you need to check what you’re using before you put it on your skin. Some acne treatments carry very clear warnings against using them during pregnancy, particularly when talking about oral medications and prescription retinoids.
But when it comes to cleansers, the guidance on the subject can feel less obvious. So, to clear things up, here are the ingredients you need to think about.
- Benzoyl peroxide – It’s considered low risk because only small amounts are absorbed through the skin and it’s rinsed off afterward. It’s regarded as acceptable in topical use during pregnancy, but it’s still something you should confirm with your GP or midwife.
- Salicylic acid – In high doses, salicylic acid isn’t recommended during pregnancy, but that only usually happens when it’s taken orally for inflammation or pain. When used topically, it’s the same as benzoyl peroxide, but only when it’s a cleanser, rather than something like a leave-on peel that sits on the skin for longer.
- Retinoids (including retinol) – Topical retinoids are generally not recommended while you’re pregnant. While you’re not going to absorb much of over-the-counter products, there’s still a risk, as retinoids can affect fetal development, even when not much is present.
How Should I Deal With My Acne During Pregnancy?
Instead of immediately throwing all your acne skin care products in the trash when you’re expecting, it’s much better to take a measured approach. It’s your child’s safety we’re talking here, so be sure to:
- Read the ingredient list carefully – Don’t rely on marketing terms like “gentle” or “dermatologist tested.” Look specifically for active ingredients.
- Only use rinse-off formulas – Products you wash away after 30–60 seconds generally result in less absorption than leave-on treatments.
- Don’t use other harsh actives – Being pregnant makes your skin more likely to react, so you should do your best to avoid using more than one acne product at the same time.
If you’re still not sure which way to go, it’s probably advisable to go and talk to your doctor, as they’ll be able to give you the best healthcare advice. The advice we’re giving here is general, so it might not apply to you, and a doctor can give you a definitive answer.
Check Your Acne Face Wash Ingredients – Always
So, in summary, you can often keep treating your breakouts with your usual product, but only if they don’t contain retinoids. Sure, you still need to be careful when using benzoyl peroxide or salicylic-acid based options, but generally speaking, they’re not going to cause your new baby too many issues in small amounts – even if they do get into your bloodstream.
When in doubt, just try and simplify things. A gentle routine that includes carefully checking the ingredients you’re putting on your skin is usually enough.
