You must have heard of the 'glow' during pregnancy. But instead of the pearly, motherly glow, you observe skin breakouts during pregnancy. The skin feels dry or excessively oily than it normally is. And to add to your agony, you observe skin rashes around the body making you feel all itchy and annoyed. "Why me?" is a question you repeatedly ask yourself while looking in the mirror. Is it just a myth that women tend to have beautiful skin when pregnant? Or is it just you who is suffering from these agonizing breakout problems during pregnancy? As a teenager you certainly did not suffer from acne problems and now suddenly during pregnancy you face this skin condition. This makes you wonder if it is normal to suffer from acne and skin breakouts when pregnant. Well, leave all your worries to rest as it is very normal to have this problem and is a common complaint among pregnant women. What Causes Breakouts During Pregnancy? There are many lucky women who find their skin troubles just vanish into thin air when pregnant. However, there are a few unlucky ones who have to deal with skin problems during pregnancy. So, what causes breakouts during the pregnancy period? The hormonal changes occurring in the body lead to these skin breakouts. Higher levels of androgen hormones during pregnancy can cause sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. This excess sebum (skin oil) causes blockage of the pores and allows bacteria to multiply. Thus, in the end, it causes skin inflammation and acne breakouts. These skin breakouts can either be mild, moderate or severe in different women. When Do Breakouts Occur During Pregnancy? In most cases, breakouts in pregnant women generally occur during the first three months. This is the time when hormones are on a roller coaster ride. This causes breakouts during the first trimester. However, these skin breakouts can occur anytime during pregnancy and in some cases, even after pregnancy. Do Breakouts Get Worse During Pregnancy Or Resolve With Time? Breakouts resolving or getting worse during the course of pregnancy depends on the levels of hormones. If the androgen levels increase in the body, the acne breakouts will worsen. It may even worsen, if one does not drink enough water during pregnancy. The hormonal secretions and toxins in the body are not diluted by water and passed out through urine. Thus, it is important to drink plenty of clean, fresh water during pregnancy, especially when you are having skin breakouts. Will Breakouts Clear Away During Pregnancy? The clearing away of breakouts in a pregnant woman depends on the levels of hormones in her body. In some, acne will improve as the pregnancy progresses towards the last trimester. This is because levels of estrogen increase with time. Few women find that their skin clears off after a few months of childbirth. And some women who never had skin breakout problems during pregnancy, suddenly find acne eruptions on skin after childbirth. This is all because of the sudden decline in estrogen levels in the body. Each woman is different and thus, their biological processes too differ. What is the Treatment for Breakouts During Pregnancy? In order to control acne during pregnancy, you need to wash your face with a good facial soap. You should wash your face once in the morning and once before going to bed. This will help remove excess oil without drying your skin. You can speak to the doctor and use medications that help treat acne during pregnancy. Do not take any medication without the advice of a doctor. Medications may have ill effects on your growing fetus. Apart from medications, many over the counter ointments and creams for acne can be applied. These include products containing benzoyl peroxide, etc. However, salicylic acids are not found to be safe to use during pregnancy. Thus, it is better to consult a doctor before using these products. Prevention of breakouts during pregnancy includes washing your face two times a day. Use fragrance free, oil free cleansers to wash your face. You should rinse your face with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel. A non-medicated astringent will help remove excess oil. Always apply an oil-free moisturizer on your face to prevent dry skin. If a woman faces persistent skin breakout problems during pregnancy, she should consult her doctor for help.