Treating pregnant clients continues to be a confusing and often scary idea for many skin care professionals. It is important to thoughtfully put together the perfect treatment and homecare plan for pregnant clients, but before doing so, professionals must understand what happens to skin when conceiving a child. This general information can help the professional make more informed decisions on what they recommend to their clients. When a client is pregnant, they are most likely experiencing increased blood flow, oil production, and melanin stimulation. Out of these changes, various skin conditions can arise or become worse. The most common ones are acne and hyperpigmentation. 

INCREASED ACNE

Since topical and oral retinoids are notoriously off limits for all nine months of pregnancy and breastfeeding, professionals need to get a bit more creative with acne management. Some experts believe low-dosage retinol and retinyl palmitate might be safe, but it is still usually better to avoid them altogether until there is more clear-cut safety evidence. Even bakuchiol, a trending ingredient coined the pregnancy-safe retinol alternative, does not have enough studies to definitively pinpoint its effect on fetuses. Instead, products with pregnancy-safe ingredients like azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc, beta glucan, colloidal silver, and stabilized vitamin C are great ways to supply pregnant, acne-prone skin with antiseptic, healing, and anti-inflammatory benefits.