Acne.org Products
Hormonal Therapy
Efficacy
63%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Improvement significantly increases after 24 weeks.
Hormonal Therapy
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Any brand of oral contraceptive appears to clear the skin about the same amount, regardless of whether it is officially approved for acne treatment. Some people report complete clearing of acne symptoms and others see partial relief. However, artificially controlling your hormones is a serious decision, so it’s best to proceed with caution.
Hormonal Therapy
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 Oral Contraceptives? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
June 9, 2011
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Cons:
-hasn't cleared acne (so far)
-my giant boobs ache
I was recommended by the doctors that I should run the first three packs together for maximum acne beating effectiveness. Which I did and I fully enjoyed not having a period for three months. When I did, it was light and painless (I previously had the IUD which made me feel like I was dying once a month) My boobs are suddenly huge. My boyfriend can't get over it (I wish he would, they are very tender - leave them alone!) My acne is subsiding although I think this is due to switching regimens. SO! I recommend yasmin as a birth control that won't GIVE you acne (microgynon gave me horrendous acne) and won't make you an emotional wreck (dianette made me feel a bit murdery)
March 10, 2011
Pros:
Clears skin
regulates periods
Free
Cons:
having to take it at the same time everyday
slow process
I've been on OTC for a month and went on this for acne purposes. It's definitely helped. Rarely get a new spots now. The first few weeks, I've experience some side effects. Heavy and short period so far. Will do another update in a few months.
October 13, 2010
Pros:
No pregnancy, before i got my days mixed up...everything was great...i didn't even notice i was on the pill....but then it went downhill...so if you can remember everyday and only pull from the cartridge...don't take out ahead of time and get mixed up like me...things should work out for you..hopefully. Everyone is different though.
Cons:
weight gain, increase in breast size (c to large d), random period times, very moody, extreme moodiness..borderline depression almost.
I've been taking for several years now and once i messed up my monthly dosage by one week and started back up after getting it straight, things haven't been the same. I now have cramps which i didn't before the pill, random start times...my periods would start one week...then come back again 2 weeks later, I've had weight gain, headaches, severe mood swings and into depression even. Just a sudden switch from how it used to be. I've had to discontinue the use of these. Everything was fine until i got my days all mixed up.
July 29, 2010
Pros:
Clear skin
Lighter periods
Predictable periods
No cramps
No nausea
Cons:
None
I have been fighting acne breakouts for several years, including breakouts on my back that were out of control. The dermatologist had me on several different treatments with no success. I was considering Accutane when my regular physician suggested I try Ortho Tri Cyclen. As far as I am concerned, this is a miracle pill! My face and back completely cleared up except for a minor pimple or two around my period. I am taking the generic of Ortho Tri Cyclen which is Trinessa.
March 16, 2010
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Lighter, more regular, and much less painful periods.
Cleared up my acne!!! I can walk around without makeup and look good.
Cons:
Some very slight spotting between periods.
I am a 38-year-old female, nonsmoker. Within 2-3 weeks of starting Yaz, I was no longer getting those nasty bumps on my lipline and chin. After about a month, I stopped getting cysts on my cheeks. The cysts I had been getting were big and painful and required a cortisone shot and/or lancing. If you have hormonal acne, consider it. It may work for you. I was desperate and thought nothing would work for me. There are many negative reviews here, but that's not the whole story. The people who have success with it probably don't come back to this site to give a review.
February 12, 2016
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Give it a try
So I'm 20 I have had acne since I was 10 years old. I've been on all the forms of antibiotics available from the NHS for acne, all topical treatments and i've been on Roaccutane/Isotretinoin twice and did a half course so was on that for a year and a half split up into different time periods. I've used all the types of contraception injection, patch & three different types of the pill. This is the only thing that has ever worked for me, ever. I honestly really advise trying this; you might be apprehensive reading reviews because every person is different and has different re actions to pills but if you have cystic or bad acne and are looking for a solution this is it. You have to stick to it though; skin gets a little bit worse before it gets better but then it really clears up :)
September 9, 2016
How long was the period it got bad for and did it happen straight away?? How long after going on this till ur skin cleared up X
April 5, 2015
Product used: LoEstrin (Oral Contraceptive)
Best thing that ever happened to me
I have suffered from acne since middle school and as I got older it got significantly worse. I have tried every topical and oral medication. I have done ACCUTANE TWICE and my acne would resolve and come back 10x worse. I quit all meds and went natural route which helped some but I needed something else. I finally decided to give into birth control. I was first on ortho tri cyclen which helped my face a lot but still had a few breakouts. I had severe migraines so I asked my gyno to switch. She recommended loloestrin FE 28 (not 24) since it had less horomomes. Before I started it I was very nervous because everywhere I read the horrible reviews. But I went with my gut since I had no other option. All I can say is I have not had a clear face like this in years. I dont breakout at all like nothing at all. All my acne is gone all I have are old acne scars that with time are healing. I don't know why this medication works for me but not others. What I can say is that I'm happy I can go out without wearing make up And I'm not embarrassed like I use to be. I don't have acne at all. My face has NEVER EVER been this clear. So give it a chance. This medication has changed my life. I also believe that changing eating habits and lots of fluids helps to. Don't just make it easy and simply rely on medicine.
March 1, 2016
SAME exact story for me! ZERO acne!
March 1, 2016
Mck45, give it about 3 to 6 months. seems like a long time but if you've been battling acne for years, it really isn't.
April 26, 2013
Pros:
clears up acne
boobs bigger
is good contraceptive
Cons:
causes mood swings (only first 3 months)
can be diffuclt to lose weight
does lower sex drive
I am 27 year old female. I had moderate to severe acne. I finally decided to take ortho tri cyclen. Within 3 months my skin has cleared up about %85. Also due to having such an hormonal imbalance I also have really greasy hair and dandruff. The pill has also put a stop to that as well. Now my hair feels fresh and clean all the time. If there is anyone out there who suffers from acne I would strongly recommend this pill. It seems that there is a %50 chance that it will work with your body. Definitely worth a try. Good luck!!!
December 31, 2010
Pros:
Clears up moderate acne
Breast enlargement
Lighter menstrual Cramps
Lighter flow
Cons:
Spotting the first few months you're on it
Does not clear up severe acne
May gain weight the first few months
Remembering to take the pill daily
It's pretty alright for moderate acne and lightening your menstrual cramps and flow. You gain weight to first few months you are on it, but it will eventually wear off once your hormones are balanced(after a few months time). YOU HAVE TO GIVE BIRTH CONTROL TIME TO WORK. It wont start to clear your acne the first pill. It will take a few months for it to take effect and get in your system. Would not recommend for severe acne.
November 17, 2010
Pros:
Prevents pregnancy
Cons:
Increased acne
sore breasts
spotting
mood swings
I definitely noticed my acne fired up within the first week of using this. Also, I cry a lot more often for silly things. I have used so many different kinds of bc pills, mostly in my teen years and up until I was 21 (I'm 25 now) and I can't remember which helped with acne.
Pros:
-doesn't make acne worse
-giant boobs
-no babies
-light periods
-no menstrual cramps
-doesn't make me a psycho
-FREE (cheers NHS)