Is Glycolic Acid Safe During Pregnancy?

Glycolic acid is an active compound in several over-the-counter skincare products. However, you might be wondering if it is safe to use glycolic acid during pregnancy.

Pregnancy hormones make expecting women more susceptible to acne, dark spots, and melasma (brown or blue-gray patches around the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin). In such cases, you may want to try medicated topical treatments, exfoliation, or a chemical peel to help your skin. But, not all products are safe to use while pregnant.

In this post, we address several frequently asked questions about using glycolic acid in pregnancy and other natural pregnancy-safe acne treatment options.

What Is Glycolic Acid?

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Glycolic acid is a naturally occurring alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that is found in sugarcane (1). Due to its skin-penetration properties, glycolic acid is used in skin care products and chemical peels to treat wrinkles, acne scars, and hyperpigmentationⁱA term used to describe dark patches on the skin because of additional melanin production.  (2).

How Does Glycolic Acid Work In Treating Acne?

Acne usually occurs when the skin pores are clogged with dead skin cells. Upon application, glycolic acid reacts with the upper layers of the skin and dissolves the lipids that bind the dead skin cells together, thus clearing the pores and reducing acne.

It also inhibits tyrosinaseⁱAn enzyme responsible for managing melanin production. , which can suppress melanin production, leading to skin lightening for women who have melasma (2). Thus, glycolic acid is one of the common skincare ingredients in acne treatment products.

Is Glycolic Acid Safe During Pregnancy?

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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) approves the use of over-the-counter topical creams containing glycolic acid (3). It is deemed safe as a minimal amount of glycolic acid is likely to be absorbed into the bloodstream (4).

Lily, a blogger, explains how she included glycolic acid in her skincare regimen while she was pregnant. She shares, “I’m currently using low doses of glycolic acid on a reusable cotton pad to gently exfoliate my face, neck, and decolletage once per week. My skin absolutely loves this step, and feels smooth and more alive afterward. I find it has the added benefit of also helping with pigmentation and acne that develops during the trimesters (i).”

Studies on rats showed some adverse effects on the fetus when exposed to 300-600mg of glycolic acid daily (which is a much higher dosage than used in humans) (5). There are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women to quantify the safety of glycolic acid during pregnancy. Therefore, exercise caution and consult your doctor before incorporating glycolic acid into your skincare routine.

Did you know?

Glycolic acid is classified as a pregnancy category N drug, meaning its safety during pregnancy is unknown. Thus, it is vital to read labels and consult a doctor before using OTC products containing glycolic acid during pregnancy (8).

Are Glycolic Acid Peels Safe During Pregnancy?

Glycolic acid peels are contraindicated during pregnancy (6). It is because the glycolic acid concentration in the products used for chemical peels may be high and could have adverse effects. Thus, it is best to exclude chemical peels from your pregnancy skincare routine (6).

What Are The Side Effects of Glycolic Acid During Pregnancy?

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There are no studies to evaluate the effect of glycolic acid on the developing fetus. However, lower doses of glycolic acid (1 and 3mg /cm2) caused erythema (reddening of the skin) and eschar (a dark swab of dead skin), whereas higher doses (5 and 7mg/cm2) caused redness, edemaⁱSwelling due to the accumulation of fluids in the body’s tissue. , and necrotic ulcerationⁱAn open sore or wound characterized by dead tissue around the ulcer. , according to one study on humans (7).

Using glycolic acid and other chemical peels during pregnancy may cause irritation, stinging, burning, and itching. Also, some studies demonstrated that the damage caused by glycolic acid could increase by the dosage and the duration of exposure. It also enhances the UVB-induced skin damage (6).

When Should You Consult A Dermatologist?

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Normal to moderate acne and hyperpigmentation are common during pregnancy, and they subside once your hormones come to a normal range after the pregnancy. But if you have a high degree of acne or hyperpigmentation, visit your dermatologist and discuss the course of treatment specific to your skincare concerns.

Creams containing glycolic acid are usually well-tolerated, but if you are experiencing redness and itching, then stop using the cream and tell your dermatologist about it.

What Are The Alternatives Ways To Deal With Acne During Pregnancy?

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It is important to prioritize skincare during pregnancy by following pregnancy skincare tips. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends these safer alternatives to treat acne during pregnancy (3).

• Use a mild cleanser and lukewarm water to wash your face twice daily.

• Sometimes, the sebum in the hair can also cause acne during pregnancy. If you have an oily scalp, shampoo every day and try to keep your hair away from your face.

• Do not pick, squeeze, or tweeze the pimples as it could result in acne scars.

• Avoid oil-based cosmetics and moisturizers.

Quick tip

Identify the food item that triggers a flare-out and try to avoid it. Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet to prevent acne during pregnancy (9).

Pregnant women undergo many skin changes, including acne outbreaks or worsening of preexisting acne. Medications and skin treatments are available for managing the condition, but you should discuss them with a board-certified dermatologist before opting for any. The infographic below lists some pregnancy-safe medical treatments for acne and suggests some tips to manage the condition at home.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

This post is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for a doctor’s consultation. Do not use any medication without talking to your doctor.

Illustration: Is Glycolic Acid Safe During Pregnancy?

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Acne during pregnancy though quite common during pregnancy may be distressing to a few women. Here are some tips for home management and treatment of acne in pregnancy.