Even now, despite the fact that I haven't been pregnant or breastfeeding in quite some time, I am still more prone to hormone-related outbreaks now that I'm a mommy. My experiences are far from unusual; many moms begin getting adult acne during or after pregnancy. I still use tea tree oil to keep this pesky and unattractive condition at bay. If you're interested in using tea tree oil to treat pregnancy-related acne, here's the scoop on its safety and efficacy.
Does It Really Work?
Before you invest your time, money, and health in an acne treatment--particularly during pregnancy--you'll want the low-down on whether or not it actually works. Tea tree oil absolutely does work, according to current scientific consensus. Several well-designed studies have found that tea tree oil gels work as effectively as benzoyl peroxide formulas (such as Oxy-5) as a treatment for acne. This natural solution is actually a more viable treatment than conventional alternatives.
How to Use It During Pregnancy
Before using tea tree oil during pregnancy, get the go-ahead from your doctor or midwife. Currently, there is no reason to suspect that it could harm the health of pregnant women or developing fetuses, but it's always best to err on the side of caution. Once your practitioner okays it, either purchase a 5% tea tree gel from your local pharmacy, or create your own product at home. Simply fold 5 mL of tea tree oil into 95 mL of aloe vera gel or noncomedognic moisturizer. Apply this solution once daily.
What to Expect When You're Expecting Acne Relief
During pregnancy, it's hard to anticipate how well your skin will respond to any acne treatment. Its effectiveness and speed will depend on the severity of your acne, your stage in pregnancy, and any other treatments that you use. In general, you can expect to notice some improvement in your acne symptoms within two weeks. After one month of daily treatment, your outbreaks will be far fewer and milder. You can also expect your acne to improve (but not entirely disappear) at the end of your pregnancy.
Safety for You and the Baby
During pregnancy, even the mildest of medicines can seem alarmingly dangerous. Although there haven't been any long-term, well-designed studies evaluating tea tree oil's use during pregnancy, most available evidence suggests that it does not increase the risk of birth defects, preterm labor or other pregnancy complications when it is used appropriately. The most common side effects of tea tree oil include mild burning, peeling or itching of the skin. However, you should never--under any circumstances--take tea tree oil by mouth. Oral tea tree oil is extremely toxic and may cause fatal problems for you and your unborn baby.
If you use tea tree oil products cautiously and under the guidance of your prenatal health care provider, it's likely to provide an effective, holistic solution to acne, with fewer risks to you or your baby than pharmaceutical products. For more information about tea tree oil, visit the University of Maryland Medical Center or the National Institutes of Health.