Hellobee Boards

I just drank a lot of water. Try fresh aloe?

My OB did not discourage the use of any over-the-counter products . . . his question to me was *are you going to ingest it? if not, and it's non-prescription strength, you're gonna be just fine.* So, while I have not used anything with retinoids/Retin-A in it (even though I love that stuff!), I still used my regular blemish cream to combat the early breakouts. Definitely talk to your OB . . .

However, an alternative would be to use one of the heat treatment options, like Zeno, which would be a totally non-chemo way to go. I used both topical (sparingly) and my Zeno for best results.

@owlwho: Yes! Benzoyl peroxide was okayed for me last time if it was 10% or less. I know that clearisal (sp!) has a tube of ance cream that has benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient

I used salicylic acid toner to spot treat...my OB said it was ok!

@sulli301: My OB. I don't remember what it was, but I'm sure your OB could tell you something good.

@artbee: great thanks!! I didn't have much pregnancy acne last time around but this time I am only 4 weeks & already have had 3 painful pimples!! It was one of the first signs that was telling me I'd better take a test

@sulli301: 3 pimples is nothing- my whole face was broken out! It was awful. It was also my first pregnancy symptom. Yuck. And it's so early in pregnancy that I didn't want to tell people, so I couldn't blame it on the baby.

I switched to using raw african black soap, and I'm amazed at the difference it made in my skin. Not just for my face (though it completely got rid of acne), but I used it in the shower too. My skin just looked so much healthier!

I have the regular/original Acne Clearing Device and just buy replacement tip cartridges when needed (pretty rare). If I didn't have that, I would totally go for the Hot Spot.

My derm gave me a glycolic acid wash. I've had the best skin ever during my pregnancy. I also drink at least 4L water daily.

@c.sassy: I've never heard of that! Interesting!

@MsLipGloss: awesome! thanks! If it is getting worse I will look into it

I broke out a TON in the first trimester. My ob also okay'd anything that's over the counter, so I've been trying a few things. I'm 20 weeks now and things are starting to look better (finally!).

Witch Hazel is a natural astringent that's awesome. Also I used toothpaste

I had TERRIBLE skin first trimester and it's still not that great but better so I can sympathize. The "safe" products I found that helped a lot:

- Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion & Mario Badescu Crying Cream - I came across both of these a few times in my first trimester quest for help too and found the Buffering Lotion especially helpful for those deep, under-the-skin bumps! Safe for pregnancy.
- Tea Tree Oil - I had a huge bottle of tea tree oil and one day remembered it's a great astringent. I still have to moisturize every day w/thick cream for my eczema and dry skin, but then I go over the breakout areas with tea tree oil and it made a huge difference in preventing more breakouts! I'm now almost out of the bottle and need a 2nd one!

HTH!

I've been struggling with this. Didn't have great skin before, although I did a round of accutane about a year before we got pregnant so my skin had been better than usual.

Right now I'm trying a tea-tree oil face wash, and a sulfur mask (almost nightly). Last night I went to bed with the sulfur mask on as a spot treatment (really attractive, let me tell you) on two big ones, and they have definitely decreased in size/swelling. So I'll keep trying this routine for a bit. Still trying to find what works best though!

make-up definitely makes it worse for me. I don't wear very much- just a light, oil-free tinted moisturizer and some bronzer & blush, but my skin always feels worse when I get home at night after work.

I went to an all natural skin care place before I got pregnant and back when I mc'd because my skin has been horrible!

She recommended this and I love it! Plus it's cheap

http://www.amazon.com/Facial-Cleanser-Black-Butter-Ounces/dp/B003B2FMMK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hpc_1

My skin went absolutely insane with pregnancy. I used to have quite lovely skin, but since I got pregnant I have broken out with terrible cystic acne all over my whole face like nothing I've ever had before in my life.

In the past two weeks it has really started clearing up significantly. I attribute the clearing to three main things: (1) I started using the Olay Pro X brush to wash my face with a gentle cleanser every night. (2) On the advice of my doctor, I started using 2.5% benzoyl peroxide topically. I had been avoiding using anything, but once my doctor suggested this and I read some of the studies on it I felt more comfortable. It has made a MASSIVE difference (3) I use the Body Shop's tea tree oil toner.

Nearly all my blemishes have cleared up now, and my skin looks pretty good (not great, but getting there) when I have makeup on. Without makeup is a whole different story, as the pimples left behind nasty red marks all over my face.....they will fade, but it will take time, especially with all the wackiness that goes on with pigmentation during pregnancy.

I've had bad skin since I was a teenager, and I actually feel like my skin has IMPROVED since I became pregnant! Weird, huh?

Anyway, has anyone else tried Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick? I have been using this for several months and really love it. I put it on all my trouble areas twice a day, and it really works well. It's all natural ingredients of course.

@aprk @pepper: I know! I've been using it for a week 2x a day. At first it brought things to a head but now everything is clearing up!

@ladybee: I just ordered it - can't wait to try.