Pregnancy is often celebrated as a magical and life-changing experience — but behind the glowing bump and baby kicks, it can also come with unexpected physical and emotional challenges.
For one Malaysian woman, the journey took a difficult turn, drastically changing her appearance and affecting her confidence.
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She Thought It Was Just a Skin Issue — Turns Out It Was Pregnancy Acne
Source: Depositphotos
A 28-year-old Malaysian woman, known on X (formerly Twitter) as FLS (@ayyitslala), recently opened up about her experience with pregnancy-induced facial acne — a lesser-discussed condition that drastically affected her appearance and confidence.
She shared that the changes began as early as her second month of pregnancy. At the time, unaware that she was pregnant, she assumed the sudden breakouts were just a regular skin issue and tried various skincare products to treat them, but nothing worked.
I nak share my pregnancy journey, bersyukur tak ada morning sickness dari start pregnant sampai now dah 8 bulan. Tapi muka i berubah 100%. From this to this.
p/s : kalau tak ada benda baik nak cakap pls jangan reply. Please ada rasa empathy . I cuma nak luah perasaan je pic.twitter.com/dF1hmkPqdq
— FLS (@ayyitslala) May 17, 2025
Pregnancy-induced acne is caused by hormonal fluctuations, particularly the increase in progesterone during the first trimester. While some women enjoy a “pregnancy glow” as a result, others, like FLS, experience intense breakouts, oily skin, and inflammation.
Source: @ayyitslala/X
In her case, the acne progressively worsened. Her face became red, itchy, and felt like it had been sunburned. She noticed deeper smile lines, a swollen nose, and said her face had changed so drastically that she no longer recognised herself. These physical changes left her feeling self-conscious and insecure.
Although FLS shared she didn’t feel sad, the transformation deeply impacted her self-esteem. She described herself as looking like an “old woman” and admitted to feeling very insecure about her appearance.
Amidst the challenges, FLS credited her husband and best friend for being her emotional anchors. Her husband reminded her that the condition was temporary and reassured her that she was still beautiful in his eyes, which helped her stay strong during this difficult phase.
What a Doctor Says About Pregnancy Acne
@ezzahje Pregnancy menyebabkan you breakouts ke? this is whyy…. #doctorexplains #pregnant #acne
According to a doctor on TikTok who goes by the handle @ezzahje, it’s completely normal to experience acne breakouts on your face, back, and shoulders during pregnancy. This is due to the rise in progesterone levels, a hormone that increases oil production in the skin and clogs pores — leading to acne.
She explained that the condition is temporary, and in most cases, the acne will resolve after childbirth. While it can be distressing, there are ways to manage it safely and things you should definitely avoid.
What You Can Do for Pregnancy Acne:
- Use a gentle cleanser: Opt for mild, non-irritating products to cleanse your skin without causing further inflammation.
- Visit a doctor: A healthcare professional can assess the severity of your acne and suggest suitable treatments.
- Try safe topical treatments: Doctors may prescribe ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or azelaic acid, which are generally considered safe during pregnancy.
- Consider oral antibiotics if needed: If the acne is more severe and doesn’t respond to topical treatments, your doctor may recommend pregnancy-safe antibiotics.
What You Shouldn’t Do:
- Don’t pinch or squeeze your pimples: This can lead to permanent scarring and worsen the condition.
- Avoid scrubbing your face harshly: Over-exfoliating or using abrasive scrubs can irritate the skin and make acne worse.
- Stay away from retinol and salicylic acid: Retinoids are a big no during pregnancy, as they can potentially cause birth defects. She also mentioned to avoid salicylic acid.
- Following the right skincare routine and seek medical advice when needed can make a big difference in managing pregnancy-induced acne safely
Every Pregnancy Is Different and She’s Not Alone
Simpan sini, untuk remind diri sendiri yang semua ni temporary and my face akan balik macam ni balik. Untuk khaseh azra, semoga awak lahir sihat, cantik dan cukup sifat. Aminn pic.twitter.com/dL5j4e3Sp1
— FLS (@ayyitslala) May 17, 2025
FLS shared her story to show that every pregnancy journey is different. By being open about her struggles with pregnancy-induced acne, she hoped others facing similar challenges would feel seen and less alone.
Her post went viral, with over 15 million views and many women sharing their own pregnancy challenges — from skin issues to more serious complications.
Her honesty reminds us that pregnancy isn’t always picture-perfect. It’s a personal journey full of unexpected changes, both physical and emotional.
Featured image credit: FLS (@ayyitslala)
