As a mother of two small kids who struggled with acne during pregnancy, I understand how difficult it can be – and I get why you might wonder why these outbreaks are occurring.
One thing that you might be thinking is if the cause of your acne is your prenatal vitamin? But is that truly the source of the flare-up?
Prenatal vitamins are typically not the primary source of acne. Instead, it’s a fluctuation of hormones during pregnancy paired with poor diet and hygiene. However, certain prenatals can exacerbate the issue, especially those containing too much vitamin A, B6, B12, biotin, iodine, dairy, and soy.
Prenatal Vitamins Causing Acne – Fact or Fiction?
When a woman’s pregnant, her body goes through a lot of changes – trust me, been there, done that. Unfortunately, many changes, such as constipation, excess bloating, and headaches, aren’t positive. Another common occurrence is acne.
Sudden acne flare-ups are common during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. That is because the body produces excess natural oils, which lead to clogged pores and blemishes.
However, some women might not know that hormonal changes are the main culprit of acne during pregnancy. Thus, the myth of prenatals causing acne arose.
The fact of the matter is that prenatals are likely not the reason for your acne breakouts. Yet, the wrong prenatals can cause the issue to worsen. It all depends on the ingredients found in the prenatal vitamin.
The Link Between Prenatal Vitamins and Acne
While prenatals likely won’t be the sole reason for your breakouts, certain ingredients can cause the issue to worsen. Here are some of the main ingredients found in prenatals that can cause acne issues:
Too Much Vitamin A, B6, and B12
Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for mom and baby during pregnancy. It helps build the growing baby’s immune system while lending a helping hand to their skin and eye development. It’s also filled with antioxidants to help reduce skin inflammation, which benefits acne flare-ups.
Yet, too much vitamin A can be harmful – especially for your skin. Excessive vitamin A consumption can dry out the skin, leading to a worsening acne problem.
Vitamin B6 and B12 are essential B vitamins for mom and baby. They help to develop the baby’s brain and nervous system while reducing morning sickness and improving energy levels for mommy.
Needless to say, vitamins B6 and B12 are crucial for pregnant moms. However, research has shown that too much vitamin B6 and B12 can cause acne or worsen current acne situations.
Biotin
When it comes to biotin, there are a lot of “ifs.” Some research claims it’s good for the skin, while others mention avoiding it like the plague. So, what’s the honest answer?
While researchers are still trying to identify the link between biotin and acne, one thing remains true: biotin hinders the absorption of other vitamins that are beneficial in fighting off acne breakouts.
That said, if you’re concerned about your acne during pregnancy, biotin might not be an ingredient to invest highly in.
Iodine
Iodine is essential during pregnancy, as it creates the thyroid hormones for mother and baby – which is critical for a growing fetus’s brain development.
But too much (over 1,100 mcg a day) can spell trouble for your acne-prone skin. Even the clearest skin can become riddled with blemishes after consuming too much iodine, which is why it’s frequently referred to as a “potent acne trigger” often used in acne-related research.
Soy
Does your prenatal vitamin contain soy? Then you might be doing more harm than good. There are actually a few reasons why soy can be detrimental to your skin, leading to more breakouts:
- Hormonal disruption. Your hormones are already out of whack during pregnancy. But with the addition of soy – which is loaded with isoflavones (estrogen) – you can cause a further disruption that leads to more acne.
- Digestive disruption. Soy can be challenging to digest, leading to digestive tract inflammation. Eventually, that leads to facial inflammation, resulting in a flare-up.
- Allergies. Many individuals are allergic to soy. And while a soy allergy can result in many symptoms, a big one is inflammation on the inside and outside of the body – aka, your face breaking out.
Dairy
Prenatals containing dairy may also disrupt your skin, causing acne flare-ups. There has been a lot of research conducted on this issue. Dairy can cause acne in two ways: the hormones in the milk may cause a change in your hormones or cause your insulin levels to rise, both of which result in more acne.
Do Prenatal Vitamins Help With Hormonal Acne?
Prenatal vitamins can help your hormonal acne improve, but you need to find the right one.
For instance, the prenatal vitamin should have the correct amount of skin-happy ingredients like vitamins A, B, E, zinc, and biotin.
You’ll want to avoid the ingredients that may cause acne flare-ups, such as the ones listed above – biotin, iodine, and certain vitamins in high doses.
5 Best Prenatal Vitamins For Acne Prone Skin
Prenatal vitamins are essential while pregnant. So, you shouldn’t go without them because you’re worried about acne breakouts. But if you want to be sure you don’t end up with worsening issues, consider one of these top five best prenatal vitamins for acne-prone skin.
- Olly Prenatal – This prenatal comes with a deliciously sweet, citrus flavor that’s gentle on the tummy – a must for pregnant women, especially those suffering from morning sickness. The best part is that they come with all the must-have vitamins but no biotin or iodine.
- Mama Bird Prenatal – This top-of-the-line prenatal is packed with nutrients for mom and growing baby, but there is no iodine or iron, making it an excellent solution for acne-prone parents.
- Mamas Select Prenatal – This complete multivitamin has a yummy orange flavor that won’t irritate sensitive stomachs. It does not contain biotin or iodine, making it a good choice for acne-prone moms.
- Whole Earth Prenatal – 100% vegan and easy to swallow, there’s lots to love with this vitamin. And, for those with acne, you’ll appreciate knowing there is zero biotin. Yet, this vitamin contains iodine for those who want or need it.
- TheraNatal Prenatal – These soft-gel vitamins come with all the essentials. It does not contain biotin but has iodine for those who need or wish to take it.
Do Prenatal Vitamins Impact Hormones?
Prenatal vitamins impact hormone levels in a positive way, which is one of the reasons why they’re essential to take during pregnancy.
Vitamin D can successfully balance hormones. Vitamin C promotes liver health, which breaks down certain hormones like estrogen, leading to a more balanced hormonal system – especially during pregnancy.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also beneficial to your pregnancy hormones. They have the added perk of being a powerhouse for brain development for the fetus, too.
Does Folic Acid Cause Acne?
Folic acid (vitamin B9) can be tremendously beneficial to acne-prone skin. Although, it must be taken in the right amounts.
Too much folic acid (over 1,000 mcg a day) can lead to dried-out skin and irritation, both of which can worsen current acne problems.
Some individuals are also sensitive to folic acid. So, if you notice outbreaks after starting a folic acid regime, it may be an issue of sensitivity.
Does Iron Cause Acne?
Too much iron in the system (more than 45 mg per day) can cause acne flare-ups.
This is primarily driven by disruption of the gut flora in the digestive system, leading to inflammation inside and out. It also feeds Candida, a yeast that can cause acne breakouts.
The other issue is that iron causes the oxidation of PUFA (polyunsaturated fat), causing lipid peroxides that add toxins to the body. The addition of toxins can lead to added acne breakouts.
How to Avoid Acne While Pregnant
Before you run off to buy an acne-friendly prenatal vitamin, I wanted to share a few of my top tips for avoiding acne while pregnant. (After all, mom brain may have led you to forget some of these simple tricks!)
- Choose the right prenatal – Opt for prenatals that contain acne-fighting vitamins A, D, E, and zinc. Ditch the ones with excess amounts of biotin, iodine, and iron.
- Avoid triggering foods – Try to stay away from foods that are likely to trigger acne, such as soy, dairy, and highly processed or sugary items.
- Choose acne-fighting products – Always opt for products designed for acne, including face washes, lotions, and makeup.
- De-stress – Stress can cause flare-ups, so start a regime that allows you to de-stress. Morning yoga, anyone?
- Get enough sleep – A good night’s sleep is truly beneficial for a mom and growing baby in many ways, but one big perk is that it can tame acne breakouts. Yes, please!
