When should pregnancy acne disappear is one of the questions often asked by pregnant women who long ago passed out of the teen acne phase. Instead just as they are reaching the point in their pregnancy where they are feeling great, their complexion seems to regress several years. Suddenly the hormonal changes begin manifesting in acnes.

The answer to the question is that each woman’s body responds differently to the hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, therefore only time will tell. However, this acne is NOT a sign of uncleanliness or lack of hygiene. It’s just the raging hormones.

Again each woman responds to these hormonally-induced acne breakouts differently. Some women will only experience mild outbreaks, similar to the typical once-a-month breakouts seen pre-pregnancy. Other women, unfortunately, will find their normally clear complexion breaking out for the entire pregnancy.

For younger women and girls who were still experiencing facial acne, pregnancy can actually worsen the acne breakouts. And while facial acne might make an older woman seem a bit younger, no woman is excited about pregnancy acne. However, it’s just one of the side-effects of being pregnant.

However, just because the appearance of acne may be a predictable part of being pregnant, their appearance and thus their impact can be greatly lessened. A good skin care regimen can go a long way towards alleviating the problem and even help the outbreaks disappear. If these easy steps are not a part of your skin care routine, this may be a great time to begin caring for your complexion.

First of all, choose a gentle cleansing facial soap or liquid cleanser. Twice a day, use the cleanser to remove excess oil, old makeup and dirt. Do not overuse any facial cleansing product, as this will dry out your complexion and actually cause an increase in acne-like breakouts.

After cleansing use a mild astringent if your skin has been noticeably oily in the T-zone areas (the forehead, nose and chin). Otherwise a light application of an oil-free moisturizer might be more appropriate.

Because a pregnancy complexion is more sensitive, you would be wise to avoid using any acne medication. They can have unexpected affects on your skin, as could any prescription acne medications that you might have been taking before you got pregnant. In fact, if you are taking such a medication, you should stop the minute you suspect you are pregnant. Continued use could be harmful to both you and your baby.

Usually between the second and third trimesters most women experience a clearing of their complexion, thus answering the question for them of when should pregnancy acne disappear. For others you will have to wait until you are holding your baby in your arms before you see the disappearance of the acne. Until then, all you can do is practice a good skin care regimen and avoid touching your face more than absolutely necessary.