So, you’ve been usingRetin-A(also known as tretinoin) for your acne, and treatment is going well. You like the results you’ve gotten and you’re happy with your treatment.
Then, a little pink line appears on a stick. And you start to wonder. Is it OK to use Retin-A while you’re pregnant? Can it cause any problems for a developing fetus?
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The Safety of Using Retin-A During Pregnancy
Retin-A use in pregnant people has not been extensively or adequately studied. Given its lack of a proven track record for safety during pregnancy, your healthcare provider will most likely suggest you stop using this medication during this time.
That said, the absorption of Retin-A into the body is very minimal. So, if you used tretinoin, realized you were pregnant, and then stopped, don’t worry. It’s very unlikely that the small amount absorbed would do anything to a developing fetus.
In fact, studies on this topic indicate the risk of developing birth defects is no different in parents that use topical tretinoin during early pregnancy compared to those who don’t.
Isotretinoin can cause severe birth defects, and should absolutely never be taken during pregnancy.
Retin-A and other topicaltretinoinmedications likeRetin-A Micro, Renova, and Avita are drugs derived from vitamin A. High amounts of oral vitamin A have been shown to cause birth defects.
If You Learn You’re Pregnant While Taking Retin-A
If you’re on tretinoin and find out you’re pregnant, stop using it and let your healthcare provider know.
Some people find that their skin looks better during pregnancy. For others, being pregnant makes acne all that much worse. If you fall into the latter category, you’ll probably want to continue using some type of acne treatment during these nine months.
Obviously, you need to be extra careful about which drugs you use while you’re pregnant, whether they are topical or oral. Your dermatologist can revise your treatment plan and may recommend some non-drug options for you to try.
Natural Remedies for Back Acne
Better Acne Treatment Choices for Pregnant People
While Retin-A treatment may be out as a treatment option, there are other acne medications that can be safely used during pregnancy.
Your healthcare provider will have plenty of pregnancy-safe suggestions for treating your acne. Some of the most common are:
Treatments for Women With Adult Acne
A Word From Verywell
Acne treatment doesn’t have to stop while you’re pregnant, you just have to use a bit more care while choosing your treatments. If you find yourself pregnant while using Retin-A, stop the treatment and let your healthcare provider know. Rest easy, though, because the chance that the acne medication harmed the developing fetus is very, very low.
Although most OTC acne medications are safe to use during pregnancy, under the utmost of caution you should get your obstetrician’s OK before using them. And, of course, always let your healthcare provider know you’re pregnant before using any prescription acne mediation.
Know that your skin will change postpartum too. If you plan upper body feeding, also let your healthcare provider know so that you can be giving acne medications that are safe during lactation.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Loureiro KD, Kao KK, Jones KL, et al.Minor malformations characteristic of the retinoic acid embryopathy and other birth outcomes in children of women exposed to topical tretinoin during early pregnancy.American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A. 2005;136A(2):117-121. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.30744Browne H, Mason G, Tang T.Retinoids and pregnancy: an update.The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist. 2014;16(1):7-11. doi:10.1111/tog.12075Additional ReadingChien AL, Qi J, Rainer B, Sachs DL, Helfrich YR.Treatment of Acne in Pregnancy.Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.2016 Mar-Apr;29(2):254-62.Tada Y.What Is the Risk of Inadvertent Exposure to Topical Retinoids During First Trimester Pregnancy?The British Journal of Dermatology.2015 Nov;173(5):1117-8.
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Loureiro KD, Kao KK, Jones KL, et al.Minor malformations characteristic of the retinoic acid embryopathy and other birth outcomes in children of women exposed to topical tretinoin during early pregnancy.American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A. 2005;136A(2):117-121. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.30744Browne H, Mason G, Tang T.Retinoids and pregnancy: an update.The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist. 2014;16(1):7-11. doi:10.1111/tog.12075Additional ReadingChien AL, Qi J, Rainer B, Sachs DL, Helfrich YR.Treatment of Acne in Pregnancy.Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.2016 Mar-Apr;29(2):254-62.Tada Y.What Is the Risk of Inadvertent Exposure to Topical Retinoids During First Trimester Pregnancy?The British Journal of Dermatology.2015 Nov;173(5):1117-8.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Loureiro KD, Kao KK, Jones KL, et al.Minor malformations characteristic of the retinoic acid embryopathy and other birth outcomes in children of women exposed to topical tretinoin during early pregnancy.American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A. 2005;136A(2):117-121. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.30744Browne H, Mason G, Tang T.Retinoids and pregnancy: an update.The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist. 2014;16(1):7-11. doi:10.1111/tog.12075
Loureiro KD, Kao KK, Jones KL, et al.Minor malformations characteristic of the retinoic acid embryopathy and other birth outcomes in children of women exposed to topical tretinoin during early pregnancy.American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A. 2005;136A(2):117-121. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.30744
Browne H, Mason G, Tang T.Retinoids and pregnancy: an update.The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist. 2014;16(1):7-11. doi:10.1111/tog.12075
Chien AL, Qi J, Rainer B, Sachs DL, Helfrich YR.Treatment of Acne in Pregnancy.Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.2016 Mar-Apr;29(2):254-62.Tada Y.What Is the Risk of Inadvertent Exposure to Topical Retinoids During First Trimester Pregnancy?The British Journal of Dermatology.2015 Nov;173(5):1117-8.
Chien AL, Qi J, Rainer B, Sachs DL, Helfrich YR.Treatment of Acne in Pregnancy.Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.2016 Mar-Apr;29(2):254-62.
Tada Y.What Is the Risk of Inadvertent Exposure to Topical Retinoids During First Trimester Pregnancy?The British Journal of Dermatology.2015 Nov;173(5):1117-8.
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