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
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!
April 13, 2013
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Gets rid of stubborn body acne first.
Gets rid of cystic acne.
Gives skin a nice glow.
Regulates and shortens period.
Gets rid of bloating and stabilizes mood around period.
Cons:
Only works for women.
There is a small facial initial breakout.
Clears acne slowly over 4-6 months (it took me the full six months, but it was a steady improvement).
If you stop taking it, acne returns.
Doesn't completely clear blackheads, you have to use a good SA product for that.
I am really impressed with this BC, it really did clear my skin. When I first started taking it I was broken out on my back, chest, neck, jaw, and face! It cleared from the bottom up (back, chest, neck, jaw, then face last) with everything showing improvement the whole time, even if the area wasn't completely clear. I stopped taking it for a month and some of my cystic acne has returned, so I am back on it!
January 26, 2013
Pros:
- VERY effective birth control
- no significant weight gain
- never have cramps or irregularity
Cons:
- seemingly no correlation to my acne
- artificial hormones in my system
Most of the time I have one or 2 pimples on my face which I can tolerate. However this past year I have had a chronic breakout all over my face, chest, and back, trying every routine & topical product available. I have been taking Tri-Cyclen for 12 years so I don't think it's to blame unless it combined with my young-adult hormone shift to produce chaos. Am switching to Diane 35 to give it a try (lower pregnancy protection but apparently stronger against acne).
December 19, 2012
Pros:
- less acne overall, get a few now and some tiny ones that nobody sees anyway
- chest, arms and back are now clear
- body changes. this can be a pro or con, but my waist went from 27 inches to 26, my hips from 36.5 to 41 inches, and my breasts from 34A to 34B.
- no babies, 2 birds with one stone
Cons:
- the acne i do get is cystic and painful, i'll have 1-2 small or large cysts on my face at a time
- recently started getting small bumps on my forehead, never had this problem before, i ahve bangs that cover it, but still
- tiredness and exhaustion
I am an 19 year old girl and had acne since I was 12. I had tried antibiotics, over the counter, and prescription creams, so my doctor recommended OTC. I used it for 4 months. Just finished my fourth pack, and do not plan to continue.
I did experience a small initial breakout, but that calmed down within a month.
My face isn't cluttered with zits so that's good, and i'd get cysts anyway. However, it did not remove as much as i'd like, and i still struggle. My doctor gave me a prescription for Diane-35, which has a higher amount of female hormone and blocks male hormones too. If you're going to switch up birth controls, look for one that has a higher amount of hormones, a lower amount will most likely cause a terrible initial breakout and other bad side effects. It works for a lot of people though, so give it a shot.
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.
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!
May 10, 2012
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Clearer skin
Lighter/shorter periods
Not pregnant!
Cons:
Bad mood swings
Weight gain
Low sex drive
Depression
Lack of motivation
Before taking this pill I used sudocrem which cleared up my skin almost completely, when I started taking yasmin my skin became spotless! However, I immediately noticed an increase in my appetite and I generally felt down all the time despite usually being quite a cheery person. I carried on taking the pill for over a year until I gave up. I am a student at university and I'd lost all motivation and was convinced the pill was involved. Since coming off of it I have suffered terrible mood swings, irregular periods and quite bad skin breakouts. I wouldn't recommend this pill at all! It may give you clear skin but it's not worth all the other stuff, coming off of it isn't easier either!
April 25, 2012
Pros:
* bigger breasts
* clearer skin
*predictable periods
* mild cramps
Cons:
Bad initial breakout first 2-3months
Weight gain/ increased appetite
This is my second time on this birth control. First time I took it was bc I had broken out soo bad from coming off the depo shot... not knowing that my body went haywire due to the shot.. so my doctor agreed to put me back on bc but this time in orthotricylen for skin benefits. I didn't experience an initial breakout bc my acne was already severe from coming off the shot.. so into my 5th month is when I started seeing results.. I stopped the medication the begining if month 6 of last year 2011 Soo... my skin stayed clear for 2 months so I was thinking maybe I won't breakout anymore... I was soo wrong I started getting nodules on my jawline and pustules so I finally decided to get back on ortho and experience a bad initial breakout covering entire jawline and chin area, then moved up to my cheeks, at this point I was regretting stopping in the first place I couldn't even see my current bf at the time bc it was that bad! But I stuck it through bc I knew I would eventually clear up! It just takes time and patience.. now I have some sits but not like it use to be.. so if you are willing to give this bc a try give it 3-5 months.. i am on month 6 and I'm finally starting to feel confident again!! :) GOOD LUCK GALS! :)
April 23, 2012
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Cleared up my acne - I have only 1 zit left!
Cons:
Makes me angry, depressed, suicidal.
Spotted all month
I don't even want to be around my partner, I cannot control my anger and it is ruining my relationship and it is like night and day being on the pill versus off. My friends and partner noticed a mood change and when I went off the pill I was extremely happy and noticed a huge change, but my acne came back :(
Don't do it. Try a different pill. Yasmin and Yaz are horrible for me in the mood department, I'm going to try Marvelon next to see if it reduces my acne and allows me to be sane. This is not worth it!!!!
February 16, 2012
Pros:
Helps with periods
Acne has cleared
Prevents Pregnancy
Cons:
Migraines
Nausea & Abdominal Cramping
I went on this pill hoping for regular periods & less acne, and it's done a great job for that.
However, since I started the pill, I have been having a couple of bad headaches here and there, and nausea with cramping.
I guess when it comes to the hormones, it differs to the individual.
I don't have a problem with remember when to take it, I usually take it in the evening after dinner.
Pros:
less acne- but still gets some pimples
fuller, wavier hair
lighter periods