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
November 3, 2011
Cons:
Break outs!
Pimples!
Break outs!
& More Pimples!!
So I've been on this pill for only 2 weeks, the first week was amazing, my skin cleared up. I had light acne to begin with. About 3 days ago I started noticing all these little bumps all over my face. I mean like alllll ovvvveerrr. I thought it might of been an allergic reaction to something I ate, but now it's just getting worse! I have never had so much acne in my life until now! I'm not even exaggerating its really bad my whole face is covered in acne. & there are days when all I want to do is lay in bed. Someone please tell me is this going to get better? Should I stay on it for a while longer? Does anyone else have the same problem? Help ;/
October 13, 2011
Product used: LoEstrin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Breasts grew
2 day maximum period
Stopped cramps
No mood swings
Cons:
WORSENED my acne - started with one or two pimples. Now I have the worst acne since I had my first breakout at 16 (20 now).
Price - $60.00
I really do love this bc. I was on Ortho-tri which exacerbated my cramps and mood swings. Loestrin is a great regulator, but I can't handle the acne flair up anymore. Goodbye Loestrin! You're the one I love, but it will never work!
September 21, 2011
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
- cleared acne within the first two months
- balanced hormones
Cons:
-made me feel a bit bloated
I suffered from a severe and random outbreak of acne for the last 6 months. Doctors could not diagonose a cause. The experience was traumatizing. I went on yaz to gear up for accutane, the only solution as stated by my doctor. Within the first month my cystic acne cleared completely. I am still dealing with an occasional breakout on my chin but I have yet to finnish my second month.
July 6, 2011
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Helps with irregular periods
Cons:
headaches, nausea, stomachaches, dizziness, faintness, lack of energy, increased difficulty waking up,
I went on Yasmin for reasons unrelated to acne, yet I had begun to break out before taking it anyway. I was hoping that the Yasmin would help clear up my skin, yet I was sorely disappointed! Not only did I see NO change in my acne, I actually missed school for two weeks because I thought that I was sick. I would go to sleep at 10pm and wake up at noon the next day with HORRIBLE headaches and nausea. I was terrified that I was going to throw up and would get dizzy and faint every time I got out of bed and tried to take a few steps. It took me four weeks (2 of which I stayed home from school) to figure out that Yasmin was what was causing these problems. I abruptly quit taking the medicine, and encountered the worst breakout I've had since I was 12 or 13 (I'm 17 now). My skin is STILL suffering 5 months later and I cannot find anything to cure it!
July 4, 2011
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
No mood swings
Cheap if covered by insurance/university health plan
No pregnancy
All birthcontrols will have some effects on people, I went from Alessa, to Linessa, to that one that you take three months dose at a time and only Yasmin hasn't given me mood swings. Also, the weight thing is totally a mental thing, I haven't had any weight issues with Yasmin. Do note that going off BCP is likely to cause breakouts, I know it did for me :(
June 28, 2011
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
No Pregnancies
Cons:
Takes quite a few months to notice difference with acne
I took Yasmin for over a year, maybe even more. I cannot remember exactly because it was so long ago and I have used several other birth control pills since then. What I do remember is how bad my acne was for the first several months but then evened out - you have to be patient.
June 16, 2011
Pros:
No acne, Regular periods, not getting pregnant(Duh! Lol)
Cons:
Very hard periods, cravings
I've been on this pill for about 5 months now. At first I got pretty bi cravings though I ate a lot more at first I didn't gain weight. I haven't noticed any more or less mood swings but come my time of the month, I get intense PMS. I didn't get my period at all when I didn't take the pill and if I did there would be no PMS at all. But since on the pill I get painful cramping and just over all sick feeling. I'm thinking of switching birth control method.
June 12, 2011
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
- clear skin (face, shoulders and chest)
- balanced hormones (ie: less mood swings)
Cons:
none
clears cystic acne within the first three months of use.. i highly recommend it!
June 11, 2011
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
-helps with hormonal acne
-regulates periods
-prevents pregnancy
Cons:
-possible side effects
-didn't work long term
I used this and my skin was PERFECT for months after getting on this, but i had to get off because I lost my insurance and this stuff is expensive. Then i got horrible acne, cysts and deep whiteheads all that stuff, so when i broke down and decided to pay out of pocket, it was never as good, it still helped but i still broke out on my chin and had at least one cyst every month along with smaller forms of acne on my chin. so i stopped using it, my skin now cleared up with a combination of retin a and spironolactone but still if you have insurance try it! It may work longer for you, and when i did work it was awesome.
April 2, 2011
Cons:
Weight Gain, Longer Periods
I switched to OTC because I was taking Loestrin and had some spotting here and there. I regret ever switching. I have been on the OTC for two months and have gained weight (dont have a scale so Im not sure of how much but my clothes are getting tighter and Ive had the same diet). I have been breaking out more than usual and my period lasts 6 days as opposed to 3 on the Loestrin. I was so happy about the OTC because its generic so its free but Id rather spend my money. I asked my doctor to switch me back to the loestrin, Ill deal with the occasional spotting because the benefits are much better.
Pros:
Pregnancy Prevention