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
March 21, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Cons:
Breast tenderness, headaches and some joint pain (only in the first week! These have gone away now). My skin is a little bit more oily than it was before, but no big deal.
My skin has never been too bad, I'd generally get 6 or 7 really angry, deep, red spots at a time. Since I've been on Yasmin I haven't gotten ANY big spots on my face. I've had a few little tiny ones, but they're VERY infrequent, and they're going away. Overall, my complexion looks much, much nicer. For those of you who are worried about the side-effects, please don't rely solely on the reviews here! If you're worried about taking it but you want to give it a try, START A DIARY. Write down your weight and moods daily, any symptoms you think are unusual for you, and keep track of it. DON'T be scared to try it. Everything works differently for everybody. I have not had any terrible side-effects and I was terrified to even use Yasmin because of the reviews here. I haven't gained an ounce of weight, my moods are the same, my breasts are a little tender but not too bad, and my skin is lovely. Like I said, it could work for you! Please don't rule it out based on other people's e
March 20, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Clearer skin, alleviated cramps, and no babies! :)
Cons:
Nausea, terrible headaches, fatigue.
I've only ever used one other type of BC, which was Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and it was a nightmare for me. It made my acne the worst that it had ever been in my life. The doctor switched me to Yasmin and my skin has cleared up considerably. The past month I've been experiencing terrible headaches at least every other day (I've been using Yasmin for four months now) and I could be wrong, but I believe it is attributed to Yasmin. I haven't changed my diet, my exercise routine, nothing. I think Yasmin is the culprit. I also get nauseous every time I start the pack, for the first couple of weeks at the most. I've never thrown up, but just experience nausea. I did a lot of research into what BC I wanted to be switched to, and even though there are plenty of terrible reviews regarding Yasmin, there are just as terrible reviews about every other BC out there. Every BC is going to give you one side effect or another, its inevitable. Everyone is different, I think this one works for me.
February 19, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Didn't get pregnant, clear skin, lighter periods
Cons:
Vaginal dryness, loss of sex drive, cervical erosion, dry skin, dry/brittle hair, dry eyes, hair loss, night sweats, hot flashes and decrease in skin elasticity (I was 20-21 at the time)
For me it was very DRYING and AGEING. The horrible side effects have however fortunately mostly disappeared since I stopped taking Yasmin. Good - if you want an abstinence pill that simulates the menopause!
February 16, 2009
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
cleared up my skin, no pregnancies, very affordable for me, helped with pmdd
Cons:
none
Everyone who says "don't try it" should not be giving that advice. No drug will react to everyone the same. Everyone has different body chemistry. Also Yaz is for people with pmdd, it does nothing for pms. And it is for people who have moderate acne. It will not work for everyone unfortunately but it is not uncommon that girls have to try several types of birth control until they kind the one that works for them. Yaz has done wonders for me. I have bad anxiety & it hasn't exasperated it in anyway which proves my point that it, like any drug, affects everyone differently. Bottom line try it for at least 3 months, if it isn't for you try another one its trial & error.
February 15, 2009
Pros:
I didn't gain a crazy amount of weight.
It takes about 3 packs to see a difference in skin.
It stops PMS pimples.
I break out in hormonal pimples if I'm not on it. I skip my period on these pills and it's perfectly safe.
I'm clear on these and no more huge chin zits.
It does take time though. So don't get discouraged.
January 30, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
bigger boobs, not pregnant, great complexion
Cons:
complete decrease in sex drive (so much so that im thinking about changing... and its only been a month), boobs are tender
I thought it was working great until I started totally losing my sex drive. This is not at all what I expected. I cant orgasm, sex isnt enjoyable, and i was never like this. Im even contemplating stopping bcp altogether.
January 19, 2009
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
clears acne, reduces water retention, good for various other cosmetic nuisances (hairiness); no weight gain (considered extremely rare on this pill); few side effects; effective contraceptive
Cons:
spotting; some people get headaches and breast tenderness (not me).
If you are a female of any age, especially adult (20ish+) and have tried tons of things to no avail, I recommend yasmin for acne. In adult women, hormonal issues are at the heart of your acne. I must say, because it does take a few months to work (like 2 ish), combine yasmin with other things as damage control while you wait. always use non-comedogenic products as well! After almost 2 months of yasmin+doxy (which I have used previously with minimal success on its own)+ retin-a (same) and apple cider vinegar as a topical (GREAT) I am really cleared up. After 2.5 years. FINALLY. BE AGGRESSIVE with acne. try to attack it from several different angles at once- hormonal, bacterial, and using retinoids to aid in skin regeneration. my very best wishes to all of you, it took me years to perfect my acne regimen.
September 18, 2008
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
clear skin (no more bumps/pimples/anything!), less mood swings, shorter lighter periods, no cramps
Cons:
a little weight gain (10 pounds) & has fluctuated up & down ever since, felt emotionless
worked wonders on my skin and my menstrual cycle!! I stopped taking it about 4 months ago b/c it made me feel emotionless, and since i stopped taking it i have gained about 20 pounds, I eat nonstop, i am depressed, i have no motivation, and my skin is DISGUSTING!! I am going to get back on it ASAP.
June 19, 2008
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Safe way to conrol acne for the long term. I was on Doxy (antibiotic) and it worked 100% for 8 month then it all came back.
Cons:
HORRIBLE ACNE FIRST THREE MONTHS. It took me a week to get over the severe side effects of yaz (insomnia, dehydration, depression). I still have constipation now in month 3.
I started retinol A Two weeks after starting yaz. The have pretty much the same effects. They give horrible initial breakouts and work after 3 months. I am 23 and I started getting acne at 21.
-First month I got a millions little pimples.
-Second month I got some black heads.
-Third months my little pimple turned into huge pus filled pimples. I could not touch my face.
I am beginning the last week of the third pack. I have really bad red scarring. When I look in the mirror it still looks like I have acne from the scars, but when I touch my face it is smooth. I have three tiny little pimple right now, which will probably go away in a few days.
I only got acne where I usually get acne. The two inches right in the middle of my forehead. Luckily I was able to cover it with a new hair style (bangs), otherwise I would not have been able to bare the acne. The first three months were sooo bad. I suggest getting bangs or waiting to start during summer vacation and plan on goin
June 10, 2008
Pros:
didnt get pregnant thats it.
Cons:
constantly bloated, tender breasts, constant break through bleeding, gained weight, moody, didnt really help my skin
i was on this for 2 years and constantly had side effects, i just went off of it for 6 months because i didnt know what to do! I gained about 10 lbs and always had the worst hunger pains even if i had eaten! This was my first pill i'd ever been on so i had nothing to compare it with, i didnt think the side effects were that bad until i went off of it. Im now on yasmin and am absolutely loving it!! so glad i made the switch
Pros:
Clearer skin, no babies, regular period. Happy with it. :] Also, it helps me remember what day of the week it is... haha! How sad is that! ...I'm forgetful.