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
October 29, 2010
Cons:
Takes several months to become effective, and acne will come back once your off it.
I have been on this for 11 years now. I had moderately severe acne when I was 18 and within 4-5 months being on ortho tri-cyclen my face was clear, with only the occasional pimple. I tried to get off of it once, and the same acne that I had when i was 18 came back! Once I got back on it, it went away again in another 4-5 months. Dissapointing, since I want to start trying for a baby, and I hate feeling like I am dependant on this stuff for the rest of my life.
September 9, 2010
Pros:
No pregnancy
No weight gain
Cons:
Bad breakout so far...on my 3rd week! :(
Slightly moody in 3rd week but not that bad
So far no weight gain whatsoever! I personally don't think the pill makes you gain visible weight, people just like to blame the pill for their laziness. I was terrified to start the pill because I thought I'd gain weight or go insane because that's what the reviews say, but that's so far from the truth...I think there's a bigger issue than the pill if you want to kill everyone in site. So far I've been on almost a month and would so far recommend to anyone. Can't wait for face to clear up though..
July 29, 2010
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Lost weight, regulated my period--never late!
Cons:
Acne, cysts, hyperpigmentation, white heads--can't get rid of them!
I started yasmin because my gyn recommended it for women with pcos. I was abroad for a few years and took pills like Marvelon 21 and Tridiol--loved both of them but they are not offered here in the U.S. The first month on Yasmin, I noticed a few pimples on my face but nothing too serious. After a couple of months I started to develop serious cystic acne that would not go away--not even with chemical peels, organic products, good diet etc.My skin has not been clear in 7 months since I started the pill. I have a weird combination of acne and dehydrated/lackluster skin, no matter what moisturizers or eye creams I use! Also, I noticed a lack in energy and enthusiasm in things I normally looked forward too. I felt my emotions were becoming really unstable---Honestly, this pill made me feel like I was bi-polar..up and happy one moment and down and depressed (even angry) at the next turn. (I'm talking about crying at memories, simple arguments with loved ones, feeling overwhelmed at daily work routines etc.) I'm getting off of it this month and giving another pill a try. I would have gotten off of it earlier but I was advised to give it at least 6 months. My doctor said she was really surprised to hear I didn't do well on it because she claimed most of her patients do well on this pill. It's good to see by reading this board that I'm not alone!
July 26, 2010
Pros:
+Not Pregnant
+Light Bleeding
+No Cramps
+No acne(But i have never had bad acne)
Cons:
+Feel sick to my stomach often
+Mood swings
+Bad breast tenderness
I am kind of stuck on whether i like this birth control or not. I like the no cramps, and light bleeding, but this pill makes me some what sick. I feel sick to my stomach almost everyday, but it could easily be from something different. I am a moody person off the pill anyways, but on it i am a royal pain! Every little thing gets to me, and i get offended easily. The littlest things can make me cry, even if its not sad. Also my breasts are very sore, i cannot tell yet if they are growing or if they are just tender. I will have to wait it out, and see if any of this changes over time. Over all i would recommend it, if you can deal with the mood swings.
June 6, 2010
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
fewer breakouts
Cons:
decreased libido
weight gain (5lbs at most)
I was on Yasmin from the age of 15-19 and i used it very consistently. I had very minor side effects and i had no breakouts from it. I cant say it cleared the acne i had because before i went on it i would get a zit here or there but nothing too extreme. About 18 months ago i switched to the generic version which was ocella. My skin began to breakout out like crazy. I stayed on Ocella for about 3 months and decided to quit BC all together. Thats when my very light amount of acne turned between moderate and moderatley severe. My acne was worse then before i even started the pill. I assumed my hormones were outta wack so i waited for my body to ajust. Its been a year later and while my skin has calmed a little its still not back to the way it used to be. The reason i dont recommend yasmin is bcuz while i dont believe its a horrible pill like others( i had an ok time on it) its the fact of how messed up i was when i discontinued it. Hope my review helped :)
January 29, 2010
Pros:
I think it cleared up my acne (can't be sure since I do other things to treat it) but it definitely did help if not eliminated my acne. Also it was free at Planned Parenthood.
Cons:
Broke me out really bad at first.
My skin has gone from moderately severe to light. I believe it's because of birth control. My acne is almost completely gone. Give it time and don't get discouraged if it breaks you out at first because in the end it did wonders for me.
December 30, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
0 !
Cons:
BAD BAD BAD skin !! acne all over cheeks and forhead.. and dry skin !
This pill is horrible, i advise noone to take it as it has brought me out in spots that aren't what i have usually experienced. they do not pop and they are very painful. Wish i never took it and cant wait to get off it
November 16, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
birth control, regulated periods
Cons:
acne breakouts, pill everyday, slight nausea after starting the first pill following the week of placebo pills
The first few weeks it made my acne break out really bad--the worst it has ever been. It mainly occurred along my jawline and chin, like most people who left a review. On my third month now, and my skin is better than the first few weeks, but still NOT clear. The acne takes forever to heal and lasts very long, leaving my skin sore and dry. Im hoping within the next few months my body will adjust and my face will clear! For any users what month did you see drastic improvement in your skin?
August 10, 2015
4 months into BC No More hormonal Cystic Acne Skin is GREAT
If you have been on antibiotics and are still breaking out it may be hormonal. My problem areas have been my chin and truly genetic since my mom suffered from acne as well. I have tiny ice pick scars very little on my cheeks from breakouts and red scarring on my forehead and chin from old breakouts. Since high school I had tried diffirin, multiple antibiotics, topical antibiotics, facial peels for the scarring and I'm on my fourth month of this BC and my cystic acne has disappeared!!! I never wanted to take BC but so far this has been the best decision for me at 24 years old I am currently taking BC and using retinA . RetinA is the best solution for black heads by the way if you use it consistently in a couple of months they come out by themselves, my skin is not crazily severe when broken out but it's bad and cystic acne is painful and other zits on top of that especially by your mouth is aesthetically unpleasant. I also decided to start the BC because I started breaking out on my cheeks which had been resulting in the zit leaving a hole aka a dark semi deep scar 
. I'm happy with my skin try it! Check out my [Removed] I am starting a makeup and healthy skin lifestyle channel, let me know if you have any more questions! [Removed]
September 1, 2013
Product used: Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (Oral Contraceptive)
Highly recommend!!!
Pros:
Gets rid of hormonal acne
Periods are not heavy
Lost weight
Cons:
Remembering to take the pill everyday
None
None
I've had my tubes tied for 12 years but decided to try this pill because I was tired of Adult acne and tried everything to get rid of it. I am writing to tell you that for the first time in my life I am not only acne free but finally can be out in public without wearing makeup!!! It's unbelievable how much this pill has changed my life after suffering from embarrassing acne since 12 years old. It takes about two to three months and your face will break out but then will be amazingly clear. It's so worth it. It's almost been a year for me and it still works. I hope that I inspire others to try it.
Pros:
Did clear my skin.