Oral Contraceptive
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
Oral Contraceptive
Acne.org’s Real World Take
All oral contraceptives appear to clear the skin about the same amount. Some people report cessation of acne symptoms and others see partial relief. However, messing with hormones is messing with hormones and it’s best to proceed with caution. But if you’re looking to take the birth control pill anyway, one of the benefits is clearer skin.
Oral Contraceptive
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Drospirenone (Yasmin®, Yaz®)? Rate It:
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June 30, 2015
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Power through
Ok like most of you I never write reviews. I have always had moderate acne and usually severe around my periods. My obgyn suggested Yaz because of lower hormone levels whatever I'm not really sure..... All I know is I was not prescribed Yaz for acne! And omg I got the surprise of a lifetime when my face broke out so bad with horrible cystic acne all over my chin and jaw line....... I had 9 yes 9 cystic zits at once!!!! I got a new one everyday! So I read everyone's posts about waiting until the third month and it's no joke... I literally just started 3rd pack and like magic over night my growths dried up and are healing now?! The rest of My skin looks amazing it was just that one area. Anyways I'm posting this to tell you the products I used to at least keep them at bay and to keep yourself from crying every time you look in the mirror cause that's what I did.... And it seemed to speed up the process
So I always use Clinique 3step program twice a day acne solutions
I used a powerful clay mask mixed with Apple cider vinegar at night
Papaya enzyme scrub 3x a week
When I'd pop the zits I used a antiseptic cream to kill any bacteria but don't leave it on cause it's oily
Baking soda with water to decrease their size 2x a day
Aloe right after wards just 100% aloe but same rinse it off after ten minutes
up and up 10 benzoyl peroxide clearing cream stuff
And finally obey your body radiance peel 3x a week followed by their daily moisturizer
I don't care if you think this is a lot of products when your face looked as disgusting as mine did you would understand....
Also we all have different skin so my skin can handle lots of products start slow and ease into each one. Another thing that helped was I never wore makeup over them as gross as it is they need to breathe and they looked worse with makeup anyways
Good luck!!
September 26, 2014
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Was amazing... for the first two years
I was prescribed Yasmin when I was 16 and began suffering from acne breakouts, as well as getting my first boyfriend. So this was a great way to kill two birds with one stone. Within a few months my skin cleared up great, and for around 2 and a half years / 3 until the age of 18 and a half / 19 my skin was great. I still had the occasional couple of small spots around the time of the month, but nothing I would ever consider a problem or any more than anyone with naturally good skin would have. I forgot what it was like to have to think about my skin and it was amazing! However, when I was about to turn 19 my skin went CRAZY. And I mean crazy. And it was practically overnight. The whole bottom half of my face was covered in huge red spots and I spent weeks and weeks hysterically crying refusing to leave the house. I couldn't understand what was happening, I was still taking my Yasmin properly which had kept my skin so beautiful for so long!? After trying many topical treatments and antibiotics alongside my Yasmin I went to see a dermatologist as I was so confused about how this had literally happened overnight to my skin. The doctors told me that my hormones had changed and these were no longer the right set for my 19 year old self. I have now switched to Dianette 7/8 months ago and my skin is really good for the most part of the month but i'll still get a little breakout most months. Yasmin is a great pill for controlling slightly messed up hormones, but beware, if you're prone to acne Yasmin probably will not control seriously messed up hormones and you may find you have to switch to something stronger such as Dianette. If you have serious acne. I'll be switching off Dianette in a few months and will go back to yasmin hoping to get my skin to how it was for the first 3 years which was the best its ever been!!!!! Would definitely recommend, if it works for another 3 years for me like it did at first i'll be so happy :)
July 8, 2015
Birth control is suppressing your androgen levels, it is playing around with a very delicate balance in your body, as soon as you come off again beware having horrible breakouts for literally years... I'd recommend getting off it ASAP.
August 3, 2013
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
my experience on ocella-generic version of yasmin
Cons:
doesn't fully get rid of acne, but does help
a little weight gain just a little though maybe 3 lbs
occasional moodiness
About three years ago I got the Mirena IUD put in and this was the worst thing to ever happen. Right after I started getting horrible break outs and I never broke out in the past. So finally three months ago I go it taken out. My gyno recommended that I get on the pill because it helps with acne. So I started taking ocella (generic version of yasmin) my skin has been a little rocky and is no where near perfect. I'm about to go into my fourth packet and I feel like my skin isnt the best it could be. I am going to wait and see but I am tired of feeling self conscious about my skin!
March 2, 2013
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Give it time.
Pros:
Prevents pregnancy
Helps hormonal acne (but not general acne)
Light and short periods
Cons:
Made me moody & irritable
Initial breakout
Tired all the time
Before going on the pill I had minor acne, usually a zit or two once in a while but nothing too drastic - I mostly suffered from on-inflammatory acne. As soon as I started the pill I broke out in some serious cystic acne on my cheeks - a spot I don't usually get acne (at least not often). I know your body need to adjust to the hormones, but all these breakouts are leaving some pretty bad scarring that just doesn't seem to ever fade. I'm only halfway through my second pack, so it may be too soon to tell, so far though it hasn't been good. I've been very irritable and moody since I started it and have lost the desire to do anything.I'm not sure if this depression is a direct cause of the pill or if it's from the worsened acne. On top of all that I feel tired all the time... I know everyone reacts differently, but I personally have not responded well to this medication. Crossing my fingers that things will get better after the 3 month mark! ***UPDATE*** After almost a year on yaz, I must say it does get better. Periods are almost non-existent, and the initial breakout has passed. For those who have hormonal acne (chin, lower cheeks, jawline) I do think yaz helps. I rarely get acne on my chin anymore, where I used to tend to breakout.
January 22, 2013
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
no weight gain, actually seemed to help with retaining water as I seem to be less "puffy".
Cons:
Not sure if it helps with the acne, been on it for t 2 months and no improvement yet.
I have been on and off the pill for about 15 years. I have been getting acne for the last 3 years, which is odd for my age (30's) so my doctor prescribed Yasmin since I take the bcp anyway. I just finished the second month and I see no improvement yet. I am willing to give another few months since I noticed that a few people on here said they didn't notice a difference until about 4-6 months. Hopefully I will see a difference. Other than that, I can't complain, no side effects.
December 10, 2012
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Shorter, lighter periods
Cons:
Didn't help at all with acne
Think it caused a gallbladder polyp
It worked good for what it was supposed to do (prevent pregnancy and control irregularly, heavy menstrual cycle) but it didn't work wonders for acne or anything. This and no other BC has ever had any effect on my acne 1 way or another. Had very occasional spotting with this. While on it, developed a gallbladder polyp, which may or may not have been related since it is said to have a link to gallbladder diseases.
September 21, 2012
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Not pregnant
Clear-ish skin
Lack of hunger (see nausea)
Cons:
Nausea
Frequent pee-ing
Mood swings (uncontrollable anger, random bouts of sadness)
Low sex drive
Headaches
Anxiety
This is my second time back on Yasmin. I was previously on it for 6 months, but by the end of it I was an raving hysterical monster so my husband (who prescribed it to me) said "no more hormones" and that was that. I'm back on it again again, much to my husband's horror, after I developed nodular acne from Retin-A. It's only been a few weeks, but tbh I don't see how I can carry on taking Yasmin for much longer. I feel nauseated and low every day but just have to tough it out because my skin situation is unbearable. Yasmin has worked wonders for many other girls I know, but sadly, it's not for me (not long term anyway!). I paid £15 for a 3 month supply, no prescription fee.
July 28, 2012
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Less Oily Skin, face is clearing up no weight gain
Cons:
Abnormal breast growth,tender just a little to the touch
I gave this a somewhat awful review before after taking it for 8 days however I have seen great improvement in my acne and oily skin. The only prob I have so far is that a few days ago I noticed that one of breast is larger than the other since taking Yasmin( right one is larger) and my breast is a little tender to the touch. I know our left and right size is different in size but I look at my boobs everyday since I got them and they were never bigger than the other noticeably of-course. I am about 4 days away from finishing the first pack I will continue to monitor the growth even though my face is clearing up pretty fast its not worth the one bigger breast, if it was both of them growing then that would be a bonus for me because I dont have large breasts. If it continue I might have to switch to Diane 35 which I dont really want to because this pill is great so far only the breast issue. Is this happening to anyone else will it go back to normal or will the small one catch up?
June 26, 2012
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Prevents Pregnancy
Seemed to work on acne
Light, predictable periods
Cons:
Mood swings
WEIGHT GAIN
Always hungry
Stopped working for acne
I loved this pill at first: it cleared up my acne, made my periods regular and short, and was overall good except some tenderness in my breasts. THEN... every period I would cry, break out horribly, yell at EVERYONE, and I gained 10lbs in 2 months (while actually eating LESS and working out MORE)... it got horrible. I've been off of it for a while now and my moods are so much better, but I still haven't lost the weight and my acne is back. Looking for something else to try... hopefully it will work a little better and not make me gain 10 more lbs!
June 8, 2012
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Not pregnant
No weight gain
Cons:
Bad break outs
I have been on Yasmin for a month now and the first two weeks I thought this was a miracle pill. My skin cleared up very fast and was less oily. I have started month two and I now have HORRIBLE cystic acne around my chin. It's very painful and embarrassing. I'm hoping it will clear up around month three because I can not take this. Although I haven't had any weight gain which is a positive!
Pros:
less acne- but still gets some pimples
fuller, wavier hair
lighter periods