Pregnant women often report an increase in acne outbreaks not only on the face but on the chest and back as well. In an effort to properly prepare for the growing fetus, the female body goes through many changes.
The two primary female hormones at work in every woman’s body are progesterone and estrogen. During pregnancy, progesterone becomes the dominant hormone, taking on new roles as the fetus develops. Progesterone is more androgenic than estrogen, which basically means it is more like the hormones found in men. Increased progesterone during pregnancy causes the sebaceous glands to produce more sebaceous oils than normal. Once these oils, combine with dead skin cells and dirt become trapped in pores acne appears.
