While many of us look forward to that pregnancy “glow” everyone gushes about, it’s unfortunately not a universal truth. During her first pregnancy, Kelly Clarkson confided to Ellen Degenerous, “Everybody tells you you glow and your hair is pretty and your nails are pretty. That is total crap. My nails are short, my hair still falls out—it’s not all lush and beautiful—and I have no glow.”

The truth is, everyone’s body reacts to the hormone changes differently. And for some of us, that means the return of acne. Yep, pregnancy can be a lot like puberty in many ways, so you may be forced to spend time taking extra care of your skin. However, many skin care products targeted for clearing acne contain harsh ingredients that are anything but natural. That’s where Belli Skin Care comes in.

Discover the OBGYN recommended skin care brand for treating acne while pregnant | BabyNames Blog

Belli’s tagline is “Picky for a Purpose,” with products that are free of artificial dyes, fragrances, and other potentially harmful ingredients. Why does this matter? Small amounts of skin care ingredients are absorbed into the bloodstream with each application. During pregnancy, this is a major factor to consider, since those chemicals can pass into the baby’s circulation— and yes, they can pass through the placenta. With so many ingredients in all of the rest of the products we apply— there’s makeup, body wash, powders, sunscreen…— do yourself a favor and pick a brand that’s OBGYN and dermatologist recommended.

Discover the OBGYN recommended skin care brand for treating acne while pregnant | BabyNames Blog

If you’re battling acne during your pregnancy, the Belli Anti-Blemish Facial Wash is perfect for daily cleansing. It contains lactic acid, which is already found naturally in the body and gently cleanses and exfoliates the skin. Lemon peel oil works as an anti-bacterial to prevent future breakouts as well as brightens your complexion (so you can achieve that glow!). Green tea extract and cucumber provide antioxidants to nourish and protect the skin so that it doesn’t dry out or feel irritated.

Discover the OBGYN recommended skin care brand for treating acne while pregnant | BabyNames Blog

Need to hone in on pesky pimples? The Belli Acne Control Spot Treatment lets you target problem areas for relief of redness and inflammation with colloidal sulfur, tea tree oil, and calming chamomile. After cleansing your face, pump a pea sized amount onto your finger and place directly over your blemish. It absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy *OR* dry feeling, and helps clear current breakouts and prevent new ones.

Discover the OBGYN recommended skin care brand for treating acne while pregnant | BabyNames Blog

Choosing the right skin care products during pregnancy will not only help you pamper yourself when you need it the most, but also keep baby safe.

Check out Belli Skin Care on their website, and get 20% off storewide with the code BLIMOM20 (code expires 5/3).

Miranda Mendelson (she/her) has a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Northridge with a minor in Women’s Studies. She is an owner/partner in BabyNames.com and daughter of founder Jennifer Moss.

Miranda is a long-time beauty influencer and entrepreneur, authoring her own blog and social media channels under SlashedBeauty.com.