Acne!

[MelB2014]

I am 20w with my first child and throughout the whole pregnancy so far I have regressed back to my teenage years with a big ol' dose of acne.

Not only is it on my face (particularly around my jawline and on my neck) my back, shoulders and the top of my arms are absolutely covered in it. I have never had acne like it on my back.

The pharmacy were very reluctant to advise me that I could use anything on it at all. I'm exfoliating, using oil free moisturiser etc but it makes no difference whatsoever.

Whilst I can cover the ones on my face with makeup, the ones all over my back and shoulders are really sore and look so awful I don't want to wear anything that shows them. With my third trimester being over the Summer and the fact I'm already overheating regularly I could really do with feeling confident enough to wear strappy tops.

Has anyone else had the same problem and have you found any solutions that are safe for baby?

Before I got pregnant my skin was pretty good

Yup!! I got to the point I was joking that you could read a whole Shakespeare play in braille on my chin and neck! Really big sore almost cystic at times spots, tiny little pointy spots, spots that could feel but never quite matured into full spottage... you name it. Horrible. I suffer a little spots anyway, but my goodness the flair up toward the end of my first tri and at the start of my second trimester was horrible. Seems to have abated somewhat now though (I'm 33w)... you wait, I'll sprout a biggy for that now!! I've just been trying to moisturise more, and using a facewash that doesn't dry my face out too much, but I'm not sure if it's that or if they've naturally just diminished. Hope you find a solution that works for you. Sending you hugs.

I had the same with my last pregnancy and I'm now 15 weeks and starting to get some on my shoulders again. They were very sore massive big spots. Cyst like just like bogwoppit. I spoke to midwife last time round and they really didn't have much advice to give me really. They cleared up once my daughter was born though. I had her in August and, like you, had to cover them up during the summer months. It wasn't pleasant. But, like everything else pregnancy related... It's not forever. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. I really really do feel your pain xx

16 plus 2 today.

Forehead
Sides of cheeks
Entire hairline
Jaw
Chin
Tops of shoulders
Chest
Cleavage
Upper arms

Im glowing with the glow of approaching motherhood. Not.

I could be quite spotty before pregnancy and have found that it hasn't got any better. I take suggested supplements, drink plenty and eat as well as baby allows (done this before pregnancy too).
I have found with my spots in the past that the sun can kind of dry them up. So although I never really feel like it as soon as I can, I let them see the sun. Plus a little tan makes everyone feel better I think.
I am anticipating the so far eluding "glow".... and nice weather lol

I'm the same. Not much to be done about it I suspect. You might find a little (not too much) sunshine helps it actually. Don't overdo it, but ten-fifteen minutes in non midday sun is fine.

I managed my face ok with some nice posh cleanser/toner/moisturiser, but I've given up on my back.

I too await this mythical glow. I suspect it's a con...

I'm only 9+3 and I have acne on my jawline, neck and back/shoulders! The rest of my face is currently beautifully clear. Pre preg I used to get the odd chin spot at certain times of the month. I know what you mean about not feeling like you can wear strappy tops now the summer is coming. I also think the glow us a myth.

Sorry OP no advice, just a moan lol x

I know this is terrible but I just burnt the bastards off on the sunbeds mine are loads better now. I had loads on my chest and shoulders and it might be just coincidence but they're better since the cancer causing intervention. UV light is antibacterial, and spots don't look as bad darker skin as they do on my glowing white skin. All my big nasty ones have gone, and I had shitloads. At 12 weeks I had a veiny chest covered in massive swollen whiteheads it was disgusting.

On a serious note I haven't actually burnt myself I've just been going on for 6 mins 2 times a week, slapping aveeno everywhere. I blobbed quinoderm on particularly nasty brutes. I've started exfoliating now that they're better but I don't think you should use anything that scrubs on stuff thats swollen and infected. I always imagine that your ripping open little spots and spreading the bacteria everywhere. I think chemical exfoliators are good but I haven't used them because they make your skin more sensitive to UV light.

I am well aware that I am increasing my chances of getting skin cancer through being vain. But I do think it works. And I have quit smoking. This is my poor attempt at justification.

What are you exfoliating with?

Thanks ladies, sorry that you're all having the same problem but I feel a bit better that I'm not just a freak! My face is fairly spot free apart from around my jawline which is just very odd. I'm just exfoliating my back with some soap and glory sugar scrub a couple of times a week plus some gentle exfoliant for my face, so nothing horrendous.

If the sun comes out I will try and sit out in it for a bit and see if it helps. Alas there's no chance of me getting a tan to cover them up, I am whiter than white and don't tan. If i went on a sunbed I would burn in around 30 seconds.

I too have begun to think that the 'pregnancy glow' belongs in the same category as the tooth fairy... so far all I feel is chubby, spotty and tired.

Hi.
I had this until about 20 weeks when it suddenly cleared itself up. I still get the odd spot on my jawline/chin but that's probably the same as I got pre-pregnancy.
I stopped using any expensive products, especially on my face. I ditched all my Clinique and elemis that was part of my routine before and have been using clearasil and Body Shop tea tree products. I don't know if this is what has made the difference or if it's purely down to hormonal changes but I've definitely seen a vast improvement. I'm 35 weeks now and my skin isn't concerning me at all.
Good luck x

Snap, came on in the 3rd trimester all on my chin. It's horrid, spotty and dry!

Never usually get this when not pregnant. Hoping it will go after baby is born

31+5

I suffered with bad hormonal acne before pregnancy and was prescribed DUAC antibiotic acne cream. I was told by July doctor that it's safe to continue throughout pregnancy and my skin has never been clearer! Go to your docs, you never know you could get the same cream x

*my

Tea Tree Oil has been my saviour for my chin, jawline and shoulder spots throughout this pregnancy. Think I picked a small bottle up in a big supermarket, maybe Tesco, but superdrug also sell it.

It's on the safe list for essential oils in pregnancy and I have put a bunch of drops in with my regular face moisturiser. Still get the odd little spot, but they dont turn all huge and nasty. Also have some dilute stuff that I get DH to pop on any owie ones on my back...

After putting up with horrendous skin from 17 - 35 weeks last week I caved and went to the doctor. Prescribed Bezoyl Peroxide, which has no ill effects on the baby, and a week later the improvement is marked.

My skin has been getting a bit worse since I got pregnant (I'm only seven weeks), but it's never been exactly perfect.

It gets a bit better when I make an effort to keep my hair out of my face, use skin products designed for teenagers, and when I use - sparingly, and only once every few days - benzoyl peroxide gel (2.5% I think or 5% I can't remember).