During pregnancy, increased production of progesterone and estrogen causes a lot of changes to the skin tone and pigmentation in an expectant mother. Your hormones tend to make your skin oily, causing eruptions in the form of acne and also darkening of the skin around the eyes, nose and cheeks. Glycolic acid acts as an exfoliant by repairing damaged skin, thereby rendering a youthful glow to the skin. It is said that regular use of over-the-counter products with glycolic acid help to counter skin-related issues during pregnancy. In this article, we are going to discuss whether glycolic acid is truly safe during pregnancy or not. Read on to find out everything that you need to know.

Read More:Is Your Skin Changing During Pregnancy?

In this article:

How Does it Work?
Is Glycolic Acid Safe to Use When Pregnant?
Benefits of Glycolic Acid During Pregnancy
Side Effects of Glycolic Acid During Pregnancy
Safety Measures to be Taken
When Should You Consult the Dermatologist?

Glycolic acid is extracted from sugar cane. It is a part of the group of active compounds called aha’s (alpha hydroxyl acids). It has the smallest molecules in the group, which penetrate deeply into the skin and make it an excellent moisturizer and exfoliant to treat blackheads, acne, and dullness and reduce fine lines.

How Does it Glycolic Acid work on your skin?

Glycolic acid contains tiny agents which eat the glue between cells. It loosens the gluey structures and binds the dead skin to the epidermis (topmost layer of the skin). The acid reacts with the top layer by breaking down the sebum and the other substances that bind the cells. Dead skin cells are eroded and reveal a youthful, brighter and smoother skin. This acid also moisturizes the skin that has been exfoliated.

Read More:Top 7 Annoying Pregnancy Skin Issues and Remedies

Is Glycolic Acid Safe to Use When Pregnant?

Topical applications of glycolic acid in the form of lotions and creams with a concentration of 10% are absolutely safe to use during pregnancy as well as breastfeeding. The effect of the acid is restricted only to the upper layer of the skin and does not penetrate into the bloodstream. However, doctors state that complications can arise due to the chemical peel treatment during pregnancy, which poses a risk of inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Read More:Red Dry Skin on Face During Pregnancy: Causes and Remedies

5 Amazing Benefits of Glycolic Acid During Pregnancy

Here are the benefits of glycolic acid during pregnancy that you should be aware of so that you can reap the maximum effects of this.

Decreased Pigmentation

Pregnant women might face the problem of blotched pigmented skin. The products containing safely measured concentrations of glycolic acid penetrate into the dermis and prevent the development of unclean spots and wrinkles.

Excellent Exfoliant

Glycolic acid dissolves the dead skin clearing the blocked pores and exfoliates the skin to reduce blackheads.

Perfect Moisturiser

Glycolic acid moisturizes the exfoliated skin to lend it a glowing effect.

Acne Remover

Glycolic acid is an effective treatment for acne during pregnancy. Sebum, as well as blockages of dead skin cells, results in cystic acne which can be treated with glycolic acid.

Prevents Premature Ageing

Glycolic acid intensifies cell turnover, making them strong and improves elasticity. This reduces the fine lines on your face, making the skin look healthy and reduces premature aging.

Side Effects of Glycolic Acid During Pregnancy

High concentrations of glycolic acid could have some prominent side-effects, it is important for you to be aware of these side-effects so that you can avoid them and not get affected during pregnancy. The side effects are as follows:

Irritation of Skin

You might experience sensitivity to sunlight, burning sensations, pain, itching as a side effect or redness of the skin and develop scars due to the use of acid.

Issues with Skin Pigmentation

Higher usage of glycolic acid during pregnancy might cause abnormal skin pigmentation. Eventually, it degrades the quality and tone of the skin resulting in uneven spots.

Safety Measures to be Taken

It is always recommended by doctors to stick to products that have glycolic acid with a concentration of 10% or less, but not more. It is also highly recommended to avoid chemical peel treatment of glycolic acid during pregnancy because it could cause severe deterioration in the skin tone and quality.

When Should You Consult the Dermatologist?

Although over-the-counter products with glycolic acid are safe to use during pregnancy, you must consult a dermatologist to avoid any side effects. If you have sensitive skin, then it is always ideal to rule out harmful side-effects.

Therefore, to conclude, glycolic acid could be beneficial to your skin problems during pregnancy. However, it is best to use it after properly consulting your dermatologist. Pregnancy could bring some skin issues but they can be tackled with home remedies too, so make sure you are thoroughly informed before using chemical products.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc3114665/