Should I throw away all my acne medications once I confirm pregnancy?

The determination varies by medication. Before further use, verify the exact name of the medication and contact your prescribing physician and prenatal care provider immediately.

Do I just have to endure acne during pregnancy?

No. You can determine the range of treatments usable during pregnancy with your medical provider and address deep inflammation, the risk of scarring, and daily discomfort together.

Why does acne still occur after becoming an adult?

The basic process involves sebum, clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation, and in adulthood, factors such as hormonal fluctuations, stress, products, and medications can overlap as exacerbating contexts.

Is all chin acne caused by hormones?

Worsening of acne on the chin and lower face before menstruation may be a hormone-related change, but location alone is not used for a definitive diagnosis. Even if it first appears on only one cheek, we evaluate the affected area, whether it accompanies the opposite side or jawline, the cycle, and the use of products or medications.

Baekrokdam Acne Treatment Guide

If your acne has worsened while preparing for pregnancy or during pregnancy

Name: If acne has worsened while preparing for pregnancy or during pregnancy
Published: 2026-09-03

Preparing for pregnancy or Possibility of pregnancyIf this is the case, please first inform your prescribing physician and prenatal care provider about any current oral or topical acne medications, cosmetic ingredients, Korean herbal medicine, and supplements you are using. In particular, do not continue using or restart retinoids on your own. After determining the range of permissible treatments, if inflammation along the jawline recurs, record the timing of onset and changes in sleep or digestion, and check during a Baekrokdam consultation whether Korean herbal medicine can be prescribed and determine the treatment sequence.

Click on unfamiliar terms to see their meanings immediately.

Reviewed by Korean medicine doctor Choi Yeon-seung · Last updated 2026-09-03

Please first inform us of the possibility of pregnancy and your planning timeline

It is essential to verify not only after pregnancy is confirmed but also during the preparation stage when deciding which medications to use. Please provide the date of your last menstrual period, the possibility of pregnancy, and breastfeeding status at every visit.

Create a single list of oral and topical medications

Isotretinoin, including topical retinoids and antibiotics, as well as over-the-counter cosmetics and supplements. If you do not know the ingredients, please prepare photos of the front and back of the packaging.

Do not make changes yourself based only on safety lists found online

Even with the same ingredient, the assessment may differ depending on the form of the medication, dosage, and application area. Inform both your prescribing physician and prenatal care provider of your full usage history and confirm the timing for any changes.

After confirming medication safety, record the patterns of recurrence

After determining the permissible medications and the timing for discontinuation or change with your medical provider, record when inflammation along the jawline recurred and any changes in sleep or digestion. Do not simply endure deep, painful inflammation and rapidly forming scars just because they are changes during pregnancy; seek dermatological care.

Baekrokdam consultations proceed after verifying the stage of pregnancy and medication use

We first determine whether Korean herbal medicine can be prescribed at that stage after verifying pregnancy plans, gestational age, breastfeeding status, and all current medications. If prescription is possible, we decide whether to prioritize treating recurring inflammation, itching, heat sensations, or sleep disturbances. Do not discontinue existing prescriptions arbitrarily; coordinate the timing of changes with your prescribing physician.

Check once more before your appointment

Preparing just this much before the consultation is sufficient

Rather than looking at a single symptom in isolation, observing when it started, what changed alongside it, and how much it has disrupted your daily life helps in determining the direction of treatment.

Adult acne: Details to be checked during the consultation

adult acneEven for the same jawline area, causes are divided into upper heat, blocked liver qi due to tension, Chong-Im imbalance linked to menstruation, or yin deficiency with hyperactivity of fire after overwork. Rather than a single phrase like 'because of hormones,' we link the prescription to which week and in what situations new acne appears.

Photos from the last 4 weeks and dates of menstruation, sleep, company dinners, and stress

Jawline/periodic acne: Details to be checked during the consultation

If jaw inflammation recurs before menstruation, we categorize the prescription based on the connection between sleep, digestion, and patterns such as Chung-im-bul-jo (imbalance of the Chong and Ren vessels), Gan-ul-hwa-yeol (liver qi stagnation with heat), or the stomachdamp-heatand prescribe separately according to the connection between sleep and digestion.

Menstruation start date and the date new acne appeared

Inflammatory Acne: Details to be checked during medical evaluation

Rather than only reducing heat sensation and sebum·comedonesdeep inflammation, delayed recovery, and digestion, sleep, and menstruation to set the goals for Korean herbal medicine treatment.

within 7 days papule· number of pustules and nodules

Information that is helpful to write down before your visit

4-week photos and dates of menstruation, sleep, company dinners, and stress
Depth, pain, and scarring of acne along the jawline
Upper body heat sensation, digestion, constipation, menstrual cramps, and lower abdominal coldness
Menstruation start date and the date new acne appeared
Number of days of pain from jawline nodules
Changes in sleep, stress, bowel movements, and medications

Acne Glossary

Terms to note in this text

You can check simple definitions before proceeding to detailed explanations.

IsotretinoinIsotretinoin is an oral retinoid medication used for severe acne or cases that have not responded sufficiently to other treatments. Pregnancy-related safety guidelines must be followed, and any physical discomfort should be continuously monitored.Topical RetinoidsTopical retinoids are applied medications used to reduce the process of pore blockage and treat comedones and inflammatory acne. They may cause dryness and stinging, so the method of use may need to be adjusted.Medication While Preparing for PregnancyMedication during pregnancy preparation is the process of reviewing the safety of oral medications, topical treatments, Korean herbal medicine, and supplements used from the time before pregnancy is confirmed.Adult acneAdult acne refers to acne that continues into adulthood or starts anew after becoming an adult. It does not mean it only occurs along the jawline.Acne ByeonjeungByun-jeung is a Korean medicine diagnostic process used to determine the direction of Korean herbal medicine prescriptions. It examines how heat, sebum, dryness, and pain differ even for the same type of acne, and whether digestion, sleep, and menstrual status change repeatedly when acne worsens.

Details confirmed in Korean medicine treatment

We review test results and your current discomfort together

Adult acne on the same jawline is categorized into different types: upper body heat, blocked Liver Qi due to tension, imbalance of Chong and Ren vessels linked to menstruation, or Yin deficiency with hyperactivity of Fire after overwork. Rather than a simple phrase like 'it is because of hormones,' we link the specific weeks and situations in which new acne appears to the prescription.

Points to be examined during the medical evaluation

Criteria for Overlapping the 4-Week Cycle with New Acne

We align the dates of menstruation, overnight work, company dinners, and changes in sleep with the start date of jawline acne.

Points to be examined during the medical evaluation

Criteria for observing new acne on a 4-week cycle

the start date of menstruation and the jawline nodulesCheck if the time lag repeats.

Points to be examined during the medical evaluation

Distinguishing between papules, pustules, and nodules

The risk of scarring and treatment priorities are adjusted based on the ratio of surface inflammation to deep, painful acne.

No, it is not. Sebum·Clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation act together with hormones, products, and medications. Strong cleansing and repeated scrubbing can irritate the skin and may actually worsen the condition.

How to discuss my symptoms during the medical evaluation

Acne that recurs even after medication and extraction

If acne has worsened while preparing for pregnancy or during pregnancy

If you are preparing for pregnancy or there is a possibility of pregnancy, first inform your prescribing medical staff and prenatal care provider about any current acne medications (oral or topical), cosmetic ingredients, Korean herbal medicine, and supplements. In particular, do not continue or restart retinoids arbitrarily. After determining the range of usable treatments, if jawline inflammation recurs, record the onset and changes in sleep and digestion to verify the possibility of herbal medicine prescriptions and the treatment sequence during a Baekrokdam consultation.

The focus of treatment is on reducing the rate at which new acne forms. If there are causes that need to be addressed first, such as infection or medication side effects, those treatments take priority. For Korean herbal medicine treatment, a primary goal is set among the rate of new inflammation, sebum, heat sensation, skin barrier, sleep, and digestion, and the sequence and progress criteria for topical medications, oral medications, and extraction are adjusted accordingly. Lifestyle management is tailored to support treatment goals and ensure that cleansing, sleep, and meals can be maintained without undue strain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions Before Your Visit

Should I throw away all my acne medications once pregnancy is confirmed?

The determination varies by medication. Before further use, verify the exact name of the medication and immediately consult your prescribing physician and prenatal care provider.

Should I just endure acne during pregnancy?

No, you do not have to. You can determine the range of treatments safe for use during pregnancy with your medical provider to address deep inflammation, the risk of scarring, and daily discomfort.

Since herbal medicine is natural, is it okay to use during pregnancy?

Safety cannot be determined by the fact that it is natural alone. A decision must be made through a consultation with a doctor of Korean medicine after reviewing the stage of pregnancy, the prescription details, and other medications.

Why do I still get acne after becoming an adult?

Sebum·Clogged pore·bacteria and inflammation are the basic processes, and in adulthood, hormonal fluctuations, stress, products, and medications may overlap as aggravating factors.

Is acne on the chin always caused by hormones?

Worsening of the chin and lower face before menstruation can be a change related to hormones, but the location alone is not definitive. Even if it first appears on one cheek, we consider the affected area, whether it accompanies the other side or jawline, the cycle, and the use of products or medications.

Guidance related to my symptoms

Condition GuidanceAdult acneAdult acne occurs when sebum increases and dead skin cells block the pores, acting together with acne-related bacteria and inflammation. In adulthood, hormonal changes such as the menstrual cycle, periods before and after pregnancy or menopause, and the start or discontinuation of contraceptive pills may be related to recurrent breakouts on the chin and lower face. Chronic stress can worsen the condition through hormonal responses, and family history, pore-clogging cosmetics or hair products, and certain medications can also be causes. Rather than blaming a specific food or a single cleansing habit, examine the factors that have changed together, and do not arbitrarily stop new medications even if you suspect they are causing acne. If sudden severe acne occurs alongside other changes such as irregular menstruation or hirsutism, an underlying medical condition should be checked.Condition GuidanceJawline / Cyclic acneJawline acne cannot be confirmed as hormonal based on location alone, but deep inflammation that recurs before and after menstruation must be aligned with the cycle and dates. Record the number of papules and nodules on the jaw and lower cheeks, the interval from the start of menstruation, and changes in sleep, stress, products, and medication for 4 weeks or more. If irregular menstruation, hirsutism, or alopecia are prominent, the medical evaluation will determine if it is necessary to check for causes such as androgen changes or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).Condition GuidanceInflammatory acneInflammatory acne occurs when inflammation develops inside a clogged pore, appearing as red papules or pustules; if it deepens, hard and painful nodules or cysts may form. Rather than simply counting the number of acne lesions, we evaluate the ratio of comedones to inflammation, the number of deep and painful acne lesions, and the risk of inflammation and scarring that have developed within a week.Medical Evaluation GuideWhat should I check if I am taking oral acne medication?The details to check for oral acne medication vary by type. Please verify the exact name using the medication envelope or prescription, and provide information on the duration of use, improvements in acne, dryness, digestive discomfort, mood changes, possibility of pregnancy, and any other medications or supplements. Do not arbitrarily restart antibiotics you have left over or change the dosage of isotretinoin on your own.Acne ColumnHow to combine contact irritation management and Korean herbal medicine treatment when jawline acne recurs before menstruation or after overtime workJawline acne cannot be explained by hormones alone. Immediately reduce contact irritants such as masks and shaving. Then, determine whether it is a flare occurring a few days after overtime work or a recurrence returning to the same spot along the menstrual cycle, and address the internal conditions for recurrence with Korean herbal medicine treatment.

Evidence and Update Information

The definitions, criteria for distinguishing similar symptoms, and safety standards from the materials below were referenced. These are applied together with medical interviews and pattern identification (Byeonjeung) to determine the direction of Korean herbal medicine and acupuncture treatments and the sequence for continuing existing treatments.

NICE: Acne vulgaris managementThe possibility of pregnancy and the safety range for treatment options have been verified.
AAD: Acne clinical guidelineThe acne treatment option has been verified.