Is benzoyl peroxide safe during pregnancy?
Tap your actives or paste a label. See what to avoid, with sources.
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Not medical advice: bring it to your OB-GYN.
Not medical advice: bring it to your OB-GYN.
Three stamps. The cautious one wins.
Avoid while pregnant: an FDA label, the AAD, ACOG or a peer-reviewed review advises against it. Ask your doctor first: a source says to limit it or to check with a doctor, the sources we read disagree, or we found too little to go on. Generally considered OK: every source we read that covers it says it can be used. No stamp replaces your OB-GYN.
Three stamps. The cautious one wins.
Avoid while pregnant: an FDA label, the AAD, ACOG or a peer-reviewed review advises against it. Ask your doctor first: a source says to limit it or to check with a doctor, the sources we read disagree, or we found too little to go on. Generally considered OK: every source we read that covers it says it can be used. No stamp replaces your OB-GYN.
Everything in this tool, in full
Educational, not medical advice. Every line below points to the source it comes from — bring it to your doctor.
What the sources say
The AAD says experts consider it safe in limited amounts, and to check with your OB-GYN or dermatologist before using it. ACOG lists it among the over-the-counter acne products that can be used, and reviews in 2016 and 2024 call it safe in pregnancy.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQChien et al., Treatment of Acne in Pregnancy, J Am Board Fam Med, 2016Yaghi, Baboun & Keri, Acne and Pregnancy: A Clinical Review and Practice Pearls, Cutis, 2024Dermatology Times (September 3, 2026), news summary of Kovacs et al., Cosmetic Dermatology in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Risk-Benefit Framework for Clinical Practice, Int J Dermatol, 2026 (a narrative review; news summary only, the review itself not read)MotherToBaby: Topical Acne Treatments (fact sheet, February 2026)
What about breastfeeding?
A 2026 review, as summarized in Dermatology Times, calls it acceptable while breastfeeding. MotherToBaby says not to apply acne treatments to the nipple or areola.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQChien et al., Treatment of Acne in Pregnancy, J Am Board Fam Med, 2016Yaghi, Baboun & Keri, Acne and Pregnancy: A Clinical Review and Practice Pearls, Cutis, 2024Dermatology Times (September 3, 2026), news summary of Kovacs et al., Cosmetic Dermatology in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Risk-Benefit Framework for Clinical Practice, Int J Dermatol, 2026 (a narrative review; news summary only, the review itself not read)MotherToBaby: Topical Acne Treatments (fact sheet, February 2026)
Strengths you’ll see on the shelf
In the US, over-the-counter acne products contain 2.5% to 10% benzoyl peroxide, under the FDA’s acne monograph. MotherToBaby says only a small amount of topical acne treatments is absorbed, and a 2016 review considers benzoyl peroxide safe in pregnancy. The AAD still asks you to keep it to limited amounts and check with your doctor first.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?Chien et al., Treatment of Acne in Pregnancy, J Am Board Fam Med, 2016MotherToBaby: Topical Acne Treatments (fact sheet, February 2026)FDA OTC acne monograph, 21 CFR 333.310
Check your whole routine
One ingredient is a start. The pregnancy-safe skincare checker stamps every active you use — tap them or paste a label — each with the reason and its source. Educational, not medical advice.
One face scan. Your whole routine, sorted.
This page answered your question. MySkincare starts from your own skin, and the products you already use.
- 1Scan your face3 photos: front, left profile, right profile.
- 2See your skin scoreFree6 zones scored separately: forehead, eye area, T-zone, both cheeks, chin.
- 3Scan your productsIt reads each ingredient list and says: keep it, watch it or replace it.
- 4Follow your routineMorning and night, checked so your products work together. With reminders.
MySkincare reads the products you already use and builds a routine for your skin. It doesn’t judge whether an ingredient is pregnancy-safe — for that, this page and your OB-GYN or dermatologist are the guide.
Questions people ask
Is benzoyl peroxide safe to use while pregnant?
The AAD says experts consider it safe in limited amounts, and to check with your OB-GYN or dermatologist before using it. ACOG lists it among the over-the-counter acne products that can be used, and reviews in 2016 and 2024 call it safe in pregnancy.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQChien et al., Treatment of Acne in Pregnancy, J Am Board Fam Med, 2016Yaghi, Baboun & Keri, Acne and Pregnancy: A Clinical Review and Practice Pearls, Cutis, 2024Dermatology Times (September 3, 2026), news summary of Kovacs et al., Cosmetic Dermatology in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Risk-Benefit Framework for Clinical Practice, Int J Dermatol, 2026 (a narrative review; news summary only, the review itself not read)MotherToBaby: Topical Acne Treatments (fact sheet, February 2026)
Is benzoyl peroxide safe while breastfeeding?
A 2026 review, as summarized in Dermatology Times, calls it acceptable while breastfeeding. MotherToBaby says not to apply acne treatments to the nipple or areola.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQChien et al., Treatment of Acne in Pregnancy, J Am Board Fam Med, 2016Yaghi, Baboun & Keri, Acne and Pregnancy: A Clinical Review and Practice Pearls, Cutis, 2024Dermatology Times (September 3, 2026), news summary of Kovacs et al., Cosmetic Dermatology in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Risk-Benefit Framework for Clinical Practice, Int J Dermatol, 2026 (a narrative review; news summary only, the review itself not read)MotherToBaby: Topical Acne Treatments (fact sheet, February 2026)
What strength of benzoyl peroxide can I buy without a prescription?
From 2.5% to 10%, under the FDA’s acne monograph. The AAD says to use limited amounts in pregnancy and check with your doctor.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?FDA OTC acne monograph, 21 CFR 333.310
Where can I check my whole routine?
Use the pregnancy-safe skincare checker: it stamps every active you use, with the reason and its source. It’s educational, not medical advice — bring the result to your OB-GYN or dermatologist.
SourceAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?
American Academy of Dermatologyaad.org
- Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?
Isotretinoin, tazarotene and spironolactone: never take during pregnancy; if you’re pregnant, stop them immediately. Doxycycline, minocycline or tetracycline: stop by your 15th week of pregnancy. Adapalene and tretinoin: most experts recommend stopping. Azelaic acid and clindamycin: thought to be safe. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid: safe in limited amounts or for a limited time, ask first.
- Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)
Should not be used during pregnancy, because they can put your baby at risk of birth defects: retinoids (including OTC retinol and adapalene), hydroquinone, finasteride, spironolactone, tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline, and 5-fluorouracil cream. Use sparingly: salicylic acid at high doses (greater than 2%), benzoyl peroxide, parabens, phthalates, phenol, triclosan, some essential oils. Mineral sunscreen, SPF 30+. Vitamin C in the morning, glycolic acid at night. No mention of niacinamide.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologistsacog.org
- Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQ
Over-the-counter products with benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, salicylic acid or glycolic acid can be used; use of topical retinoids is generally avoided, and some OTC products contain them; isotretinoin should not be used; melasma and daily sunscreen.
MotherToBabymothertobaby.org
- Topical Acne Treatments (fact sheet, February 2026)
Only a small amount is absorbed; OTC topical acne treatments haven’t been linked to more birth defects; topical retinoids like adapalene are generally avoided; breastfeeding: not well studied, keep off the nipple and areola.
Electronic Code of Federal Regulationsecfr.gov
- FDA OTC acne monograph, 21 CFR 333.310
OTC acne products: salicylic acid 0.5 to 2 percent; benzoyl peroxide 2.5 to 10 percent.
Studies and other sources
- Chien et al., Treatment of Acne in Pregnancy, J Am Board Fam Med, 2016jabfm.org
Benzoyl peroxide considered safe; salicylic acid low risk if limited to local areas for a limited time; azelaic acid a baseline option; no reports of harm from glycolic acid; topical retinoids generally avoided, tazarotene contraindicated; short-term topical clindamycin safe.
- Yaghi, Baboun & Keri, Acne and Pregnancy: A Clinical Review and Practice Pearls, Cutis, 2024doi.org
Benzoyl peroxide and 20% azelaic acid safe in pregnancy; salicylic acid likely safe at low concentrations over limited body areas.
- Dermatology Times (September 3, 2026), news summary of Kovacs et al., Cosmetic Dermatology in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Risk-Benefit Framework for Clinical Practice, Int J Dermatol, 2026 (a narrative review; news summary only, the review itself not read)dermatologytimes.com
Vitamin C, azelaic acid, niacinamide and benzoyl peroxide considered acceptable in pregnancy and breastfeeding; low-strength glycolic or lactic acid may be used with caution in pregnancy, superficial glycolic peels preferably deferred; salicylic acid peels avoided in pregnancy, particularly at higher strengths; medium-depth TCA peels deferred; deep phenol peels avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding (systemic toxicity, including heart rhythm problems); hydroquinone avoided; tazarotene avoided; injectables generally avoided or deferred in pregnancy, hyaluronic acid fillers may be considered while breastfeeding; reproductive safety data are limited.