Hormonal Acne
1 min read

Hormonal Acne During Pregnancy: Causes, Treatments, and What to Use Instead

What's Actually Behind Your Breakouts — and How to Support Your Skin During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Hormonal Acne During Pregnancy: Causes, Treatments, and What to Use Instead

Pregnancy hormones can trigger unexpected breakouts. Here’s what causes hormonal acne and the skincare ingredients and products that can help support clearer skin.

Back to blog

Understanding Hormonal Acne During Pregnancy and Postpartum

If you're waking up to deep, painful bumps on your face during pregnancy or postpartum, you are not alone. Hormonal acne is different from the surface whiteheads you might have had as a teenager — it's usually deeper, more inflamed, and directly linked to what's happening inside your body.

The good news is that understanding what's driving your breakouts makes it much easier to treat them. Whether you're navigating your first trimester or finding your footing postpartum, this guide will help you make sense of what's happening — and what to reach for.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before changing your skincare routine during pregnancy or postpartum.

What to Know

Hormonal acne isn't about having "dirty skin." It's driven by internal shifts in your body — and many of the most common treatment ingredients are ones Sorette® recommends avoiding during pregnancy and postpartum.

What Causes Hormonal Acne?

Hormonal acne comes down to how your body's chemical messengers interact with your skin. During pregnancy, massive hormonal surges — particularly in the first trimester — can trigger breakouts. Postpartum is another major trigger, as your body works to find its new normal after birth.

Androgens, hormones produced by everyone, tell your skin glands to produce more oil when levels rise. That excess oil mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria, clogging pores and leading to deep, painful cysts. Stress compounds the problem — cortisol can act like androgens, pushing your skin to overproduce oil. Diet plays a role too. Foods that spike blood sugar raise insulin levels, which can drive more oil production and worsen breakouts.

Common Treatments — and What to Use Instead

Standard dermatology offers strong options for hormonal acne, but many aren't appropriate during pregnancy or postpartum. Retinoids like Retin-A and Tretinoin are commonly prescribed, but they appear on Sorette®'s No-Go List™ due to potential risks during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The good news is that effective Sorette Approved™ alternatives exist. Azelaic acid safely fights bacteria and inflammation and is one of the most well-regarded options. Salicylic acid is acceptable at low concentrations — up to 2% for face products and 1% for body products, in line with Sorette's screening criteria. When in doubt, keep your routine simple and look for Sorette Approved™ products that have already been reviewed against these standards.

Holistic and Lifestyle Approaches to Hormonal Acne

Some of the most effective support for hormonal acne comes from lifestyle, not just skincare. An anti-inflammatory diet is a strong starting point — focus on whole foods and avoid blood sugar spikes from sugar and refined carbohydrates. Eating protein, fat, and fiber at every meal helps keep insulin levels stable, which can reduce the internal triggers behind breakouts.

Sleep and stress management matter too. Sleep is when your body regulates cortisol, which directly influences oil production. During pregnancy and postpartum, quality sleep can feel out of reach — if it is, focus on small moments of rest during the day. Gentle walks, stretching, and simple breathing exercises can all help support your skin and your overall wellbeing. And when it comes to your skincare routine, less is more. Stop over-exfoliating, avoid harsh chemicals, and resist the urge to pick — hormonal cysts are deep, and squeezing them pushes infection further and causes scarring.

Barriersmith: Lipid Treatment Cream

Cool as a Cucumber

Barriersmith: Lipid Treatment Cream

Clear Pure Radiance Oil

True Botanicals

Clear Pure Radiance Oil

Hydralixir: Quenching Gel Serum

Cool as a Cucumber

Hydralixir: Quenching Gel Serum

Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask

KORA Organics

Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask

What Not to Do When Treating Hormonal Acne

When breakouts feel persistent and frustrating, it's tempting to go harder — stronger products, more exfoliation, more steps. But with hormonal acne, especially during pregnancy and postpartum, that approach almost always backfires.

Avoid over-exfoliating. Scrubbing raw skin damages your barrier and makes acne worse, not better. Don't pick — hormonal cysts are deep, and squeezing them pushes the infection further and causes scarring. And steer clear of products with harsh chemicals or strong fragrances. Gentle, consistent, and simple is always the better approach. If natural remedies and a considered routine aren't making a difference, or if your acne is severe or causing scarring, it's time to see a dermatologist. You don't have to figure this out alone.

Supporting Your Skin Starts With the Right Products

Managing hormonal acne during pregnancy and postpartum takes patience and consistency. It's about listening to your body, keeping your routine simple, and reaching for products that have already been reviewed against a standard you can trust. Sorette Approved™ products are vetted against the No-Go List™ so you don't have to sort through ingredient lists alone.

Recovering healthy skin doesn't happen overnight — but the right routine, with the right products, makes all the difference. Browse Sorette Approved™ options in the shop to get started.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Sorette Approved™ is not a safety certification, medical endorsement, or guarantee. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions related to your health, your children's health, pregnancy, or infant feeding journey. Read our Standards here and full disclosure here.

Divider Icon

Recommended Reading

Is Retinol Safe During Pregnancy?

Is retinol safe during pregnancy? What dermatologists and doctors say, plus breastfeeding, trying to conceive and retinoid-free swaps.

Read More
November 10, 2026 Breastfeeding Fertility Pregnancy Skincare The Sorette Standard
A Mindful Mama Morning: True Botanicals x Sorette at the Bedford Post Inn

Yoga, brunch and babies at the Bedford Post Inn to celebrate the True Botanicals x Sorette Mindful Mama Belly +...

Read More
November 04, 2026 Brand Spotlight Events Pregnancy
The Sorette Approved™ Holiday Gift Guide for Moms and Moms-to-Be

Eight Sorette Approved™ gifts for moms and moms-to-be, from $14 stocking stuffers to the splurge she'd never buy herself.

Read More
November 04, 2026 Gift Guides Postpartum Pregnancy Seasonal

Join us on our Mission

Honest guidance, expert insights, and curated picks — made to support your journey without overwhelm.