What should you know about pimples in pregnancy?

Pregnancy-related hormonal shifts may increase oiliness and make pores block more easily. Pimples can appear on the face, chest, back, or other areas and may come and go. A clinician should also consider folliculitis when bumps are itchy, uniform, or centred on hairs. Acne that starts during pregnancy is not a reliable sign of the baby's sex or health. For background, see Acne, Hormonal Acne, and Pimples.

Use a gentle cleanser, lukewarm water, and a non-comedogenic moisturiser. Avoid picking, harsh scrubs, and layering several active products at once. Before using any acne cream, wash, supplement, peel, device, or oral medicine, tell the prescriber or pharmacist that you are pregnant or trying to conceive. They can check the ingredient, strength, and location of use and suggest an appropriate option. Do not restart an old prescription without that review. LED Light Therapy may be discussed, but pregnancy-specific advice is still needed.

Contact your maternity or dermatology team if acne is widespread, painful, scarring, affecting sleep, or causing distress. Seek prompt care for rapidly spreading redness, warmth, severe swelling, fever, or feeling unwell. A sudden severe eruption with other new symptoms also merits medical assessment rather than self-treatment.

Ask which ingredients and treatments are suitable at your stage of pregnancy, what to stop, and how long to try a simple routine. Mention all medicines, supplements, allergies, prior acne treatments, and whether bumps itch, hurt, or scar.