September 15, 2022

Best Facewash for Pregnancy Acne

Pregnancy comes with dozens of rules about what is and isn’t safe to put in and on your body while your little one is growing inside. To ensure you find a product that is both safe AND effective at battling pimples and blackheads, we’ve done the research on the best facewash for pregnancy acne. Our top pick is TreeActiv’s Charcoal Acne Eliminating Face Wash with activated charcoal to draw out bacteria and toxins.

Our Top 5 Choices for Best Facewash for Pregnancy Acne

  • TreeActiv Charcoal Acne Eliminating Face Wash
  • Cetaphil Pro Oil Removing Foam Wash
  • Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream
  • Acure Organics Brightening Facial Scrub
  • Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser
TreeActiv Charcoal Acne Eliminating Face Wash ($39.99) 

50% off on Amazon! ($24.99)

Best All-Natural Product

TreeActiv Charcoal Acne Eliminating Face Wash uses Sulfur and Activated Charcoal along with natural exfoliants to refine pores and deeply cleanse the skin. These natural products are plant-based and non-toxic, so you can be sure that both you and your baby are getting only the best ingredients. 

The secret to success for this product is the activated charcoal, which removes toxins and poisons from the body. Its detoxifying properties latch onto impurities, dirt, and excess oil to remove them without disrupting the skin’s outer layers.

Consumer Review: "I truly am blown away by this product. I have always had hormonal, cystic acne since my teenage years…I came across TreeActiv and my skin has truly never been better. It's amazing to see the power of all-natural ingredients."

Pros

  • Contains Sulfur Powder to penetrate and unclog pores
  • Leaves skin feeling soft & smooth
  • Contains Vitamin C to strengthen the skin

Things to Consider

  • May not be suitable for those with very dry skin
  • Contains sulfur

Best Feature

The activated charcoal in this face wash is the distinguishing ingredient that effectively draws out bacteria and toxins from the skin.

Price 

Recommendation

Great for daily use during pregnancy for those with oily or combination skin. 

Cetaphil Pro Oil Removing Foam Wash

Best for Oily Skin

The Cetaphil Pro Oil Removing Foam Face wash removes oil impurities and makeup while reducing oil and shine. It contains licorice root extract and zinc to soothe irritated skin, and is specifically made for those who are prone to acne.

Consumer Review: "I’ve been using it for about a year now and it has helped with my acne a lot. Since it’s a foam it feels very light when washing my face.”

Pros

  • Hypoallergenic and paraben free
  • Gentle enough to use daily and with prescription acne treatments
  • Helps maintain the healthy pH balance of the skin

Things to Consider

  • Can be very drying, so it is not recommended for those with dry or sensitive skin

Best Feature

The licorice root extract and zinc technology are designed to soothe irritated skin while seriously knocking out excess oil.

Price 

  • Price: $24.71 for a 3-pack (8 oz bottle, $1.03 per oz)

Recommendation

Great for those with oily skin whose pregnancy has intensified the problem.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream

 

Best Night Cream

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream can be added to your nightly routine to lock in moisture while still reducing the appearance of oily skin. It’s a balanced formula that will help you keep your skin’s natural balance during all the hormonal changes that come along with pregnancy.

Consumer Review: "It feels great when applied to my face. Not too sticky and feels fresh."

Pros

  • Oil-free; paraben-free; fragrance-free; colorant-free
  • Contains potassium to provide immediate and lasting hydrating effects
  • Lightweight and doesn’t feel sticky

Things to Consider

  • At $20.59 per oz, it’s the most expensive on our list
  • Cucumber scented

Best Feature

Hydrating ingredients like imperata cylindrica root extract, antarcticine & cucumber—while they may be hard to pronounce—deeply nourish skin and seal in moisture.

Price 

  • Price: $35 (1.7 oz bottle, $20.59 per oz)

Recommendation

Add as part of your nightly skincare routine to lock in moisture without adding excess oil.

Acure Organics Brightening Facial Scrub

Best Facial Scrub

This brightening facial scrub uses sea kelp, lemon peel, and French green clay to exfoliate and cleanse while also softening and detoxing skin. Madonna lily brightens your face to leave your skin feeling clean, shiny, and youthful. 

Consumer Review: "Its name 'brightening' lives up to its name. My skin looks great…and it feels so soft afterward."

Pros

  • Suitable for all skin types
  • 100% vegan 
  • Certified cruelty free

Things to Consider

  • Not meant for daily use

Best Feature

This exfoliating scrub uses tough but gentle ingredients to leave your skin looking and feeling brighter and more youthful.

Price 

  • Price: $6.79 (4 oz per bar, $1.70 per oz)

Recommendation

Best used 1-2 times per week when you need a “pick-me-up” for your skincare routine.

Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser

Best Budget Product

Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser removes impurities without stripping skin of its natural moisture. It's infused with Chamomile and Calendula Extracts to add a calming and refreshing feeling to your skincare routine.

Consumer Review: "I love how light, fresh and sweet it smells. The way it cleanses reminds me of baby wash but it doesn't dry my face out."

Pros

  • Gentle and suitable for all skin types
  • No dyes or synthetic fragrances
  • 100% tree-free, recyclable paper carton

Things to Consider

  • Strong scent
  • May leave skin feeling tight or dry

Best Feature

The Honest Co. is known for its hypoallergenic, ethically sourced products. It’s a great option for those who want vegan products.

Price

  • Price: $12.99 (5 oz jar, $2.60 per oz)

Recommendation

It’s a great choice for those who need an all-natural skincare product on a budget.

How to Choose the Best Facewash for Pregnancy Acne

If you need a new facewash to help battle pregnancy acne, the ingredient list should be the first thing you consider. 

Look for products that:

  • are gentle on skin
  • use natural ingredients
  • contain 2% or less salycylic acid
  • do not contain pure or high-concentration essential oils

You should also consider your regular skin type, as well as how your skin has changed during pregnancy. Is it more oily? My dry? Choose a product that suits your needs now, versus what your pre-pregnancy skincare needs may have been.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is…pregnancy can come with a lot of unwanted side effects, including pregnancy acne and postpartum breakouts. Your body (and your skin) are changing, and that means you may need to change up your skincare routine, too.

Look for a facewash that contains effective natural ingredients, like the TreeActiv Charcoal Acne Eliminating Face Wash.

Here are our picks for the best facewash for pregnancy acne:

If you’re looking to totally revamp your skincare routine post-baby, click here to check out more products from TreeActiv.

Written by TreeActiv Team