‘My acne nightmare started when I fell pregnant– but here's how I cleared my breakouts'

‘My acne nightmare started when I fell pregnant– but here's how I cleared my breakouts'If you’re pregnant and wondering what you can do to clear acne, our beauty lead shares everything she’s learnt after surrering horror breakouts herselfNewsZoe Cripps Head of beauty, fashion and shopping14:51, 03 Apr 2026Updated 14:52, 03 Apr 2026This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreView 4 ImagesZoe has clear skin until a few weeks into her pregnancy(Image: Mirror)For most of my adult life, acne hasn’t been something I’ve had to think about. Except for some hormonal breakouts in my teenage years, and some minor congestion issues in my adult years, I’ve been somewhat blessed with a clear complexion. That, however, changed the moment I became pregnant.It’s a problem many newly pregnant women know well. One day, you’re in your happy baby bubble and the next, you’re reminded that all of those extra hormones don’t come without several less-than-desirable downsides. Aside from the bloating and the constant hunger (or the sickness for many), acne often rears its ugly head. For me, the promise of the pregnancy glow was a lie.At around four weeks pregnant, I started to feel my skin texture changing. It no longer felt smooth but rough and bumpy, as if every single pore along my jawline was clogged. That bumpy texture extended down my chest and back.For a few weeks, the texture was my only problem. Next came the spots. Those blocked pores started to get inflamed, causing painful cysts and whiteheads that popped up fresh every morning. Picking, as it usually does, only made the problem worse. Spot stickers became my best friend, and harsh lighting got the brunt of my pregnancy anger. The worst of my breakouts happened at around the 12-week mark, just before my first trimester wrapped up.READ MORE: The exact LED face masks celebrities swear by – from Molly-Mae to Victoria BeckhamView 4 ImagesThe bumpy, rough sk...