Hellobee Boards

My OB said proactiv is fine because it's main ingredient is benzyol peroxide. You want to avoid anything salicylic acid in it.

@yellowbird: I second proactiv. My ob said that she used it all through her pregnancies so I used it no worries. Salicylic acid is a no though.

I really wanted tea tree oil or witch hazel to work for me but it wasn't effective.

Coconut oil or Argan oil...both worked really well for me on pregnancy acne or anytime I have a breakout. I was actually shocked how well they worked compared to other acne products like Benz peroxide, salicilic acid, etc. Plus they make your skin feel great too!

I feel your pain, big time. Huge acne flare up at 5 weeks and now, at 16 weeks, just barely starting to improve. Ugh.
I have problem, sensitive, allergic skin normally but this has been insane! So, things I've tried and what works best for me:

Salicylic acid topical spot-ons: My OB said the OTC variety of this (<2%) is perfectly safe. Tried, did not help, dried out my skin more. I have no tried benzyl peroxide, also safe per my OB, because I do not tolerate this well normally.

Face wash w/ tea tree oil: I think for most people, this would be great right now. But I used tea tree oil topically for years until I developed a sensitivity to it. Tried it again, still 'burns' my face and makes it all worse.

Nourish Organic face wash and moisturizer: I decided to take the "less is more" route, and this did help some. This line is very gentle and organic. I only used the wash and the heaviest moisturizer. Two problems came up...1) I need a heavier moisturizer and 2) I developed an aversion to the (very mild) scent. Go me. I still use the wash once daily but changed the moisturizer to...

Coconut oil: Biggest help so far!!! Great healing/antibacterial/extra moisturizing properties! This is my go-to twice daily moisturizer. I use an organic, cold pressed, unrefined variety. Highly recommended!!

Witch hazel (w/ rose water): I like this and still use when I'm going through and "oily" couple of days, but if I use too much, I get super dried out and start burning/flaking.

Everyday Coconut facial scrub: Just started using in the evening this week. Gentle, natural, minimal ingredients scrub, helps exfoliate all the flakies I've had soooo many issues with. Also feels very moisturizer afterward! So far I like this, but the jury is still out.

Good luck! My experience is, less is more, gentle is better, fewer ingredients is better.