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
July 27, 2012
Cons:
Cystic acne on chin
Small breakouts elsewhere
HORRIBLE mood swings
Period twice in one month
I was on Lutera for almost 5 years before I went off of it due to it giving me horrible cystic acne on my chin. After 6 months of being off of it my skin finally cleared up but I wanted to go back on a birth control that would not give me such bad hormonal acne. My doctor initially recommended OrthotriCyclin Lo but my pharmacy ended up giving me the generic version Tri Sprintec. I got through my first pack and stopped taking it. I took the first pill on the Sunday after my period and a week later I had a painful cyst on my chin that healed with a scar. That's not even the worst part. What really threw me off was the fact that I got my period twice in one month with the second period being the heaviest, most painful period I've ever had in my life. To go along with the full week of pain, I also turned into what my best friend later described as, "a raging hormonal psychopath." I'm going back to my doctor do discuss the side effects I experienced and hopefully can get on a pill that won't have such a negative effect on me.
April 24, 2012
Product used: Yasmin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
- worked as a contraceptive
Cons:
- acne breakouts
- mood swings
- cravings
- heavy and irregular menstruations
- low sex drive etc.
Funny thing, I used to take this OC for almost ten years then had our baby and now my body can just not handle this one at all anymore. For improving skin, I can not recommend it anymore. My skin used to be ok before. Now my chin and jawline are full of cystic, painful pimples. I am tired and moody.
I didn't gain weight though...which is good.
The other side effects are even worse than the breakouts...not the BCP for me.
March 19, 2012
Product used: LoEstrin (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
-gets rid of acne
Cons:
-like most oral contraceptives, it makes you feel depressed, sad, tired
it gets rid of acne, but has side effects because its a combination birth control pill.
it worked for me when i was battling one of the worst break outs i ever had. it got rid of it all in about a month.
but i did stop taking it because it made me feel really crappy.
So, i'll give this brand a "5" and recommend it because it does work to get rid of acne. but i disliked it b/c because of how it made me feel, but, it might be different for other girls.
November 2, 2011
Pros:
Ortho tri cyclen Lo.
Only thing that actually cured my acne.
Lighter periods
Cons:
Weight Gain
Give it a try! In my case, I have to choose between being oveweight or being acne-free. This is the only thing in 15 years that actually got rid of my acne. I am pissed because I wish I would have known this before taking accutane (Grrrr).
October 7, 2011
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Clears acne
Cons:
Severe Migraines
I have tried everything out there including roaccutane (accutane) and this was the only thing that really worked for me. I actually began to think I no longer got acne and didn't have to even be strict about washing my face.
However the severity of the migraines mean that I can no longer take it. As soon as I stopped taking it my acne came back and I am now back to trying more products : (
August 25, 2011
Pros:
Not getting pregnant, short period
Cons:
Heavy Breasts, low sex drive, mood swings, bloated stomach, feels sick all the time
HATE IT
July 18, 2011
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Clear Acne
Regulate mood
Maintain weight
No Bloated Feeling
Cons:
Hair Loss/Dry Brittle Hair
I used Yaz for about 1.5years and had no problems, except within a year my hair started to thin. That is my only con with this birth control. Other then this side effect I loved Yaz. Ive been on various other pills and I certainly like this one the best. Ortho Tricyclen and OTL made me feel bloated and made me feel "blah". I did trial going off the pill, I went off Yaz for 4 months because of the hairloss and bloated up like you wouldnt believe. Then I trialed a few different other pills, OT and OTL, Alesse, ortho cept, yasmin. None of which I really liked. Yaz was the best for my mood and maintaining my weight, and have decided to go back on it and hopefully with no hair loss this time around. Wish me luck. Other wise I will be making a trip to my derm to get his recommendation. I currently on Spironolactalone which in combination with the pill is keeping my acne very minimal.
May 23, 2011
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Cleared skin up, no weight gain.
Cons:
Hairloss! Made eyes really dry, restless at night felt like my heart was racing, felt de hydrated and teary.
Had been on a cheap bc pill standard 20 milligrams for 4 years. Doc offered me this to help with acne that won't clear up not terrible but very oily clogged skin and moods. Was awesome for the first few months skin cleared up massively and then it got overly dry my hair was really dry as well. Hair started falling out alot more than normal I waited it out for about 6 months and then decided to go back on my other pill. The hair loss hasn't really stopped. There are many things that could have caused the hairloss but I really think that it was such a coincidence and with the other sde effects it really seems likely it was this. Sad because I had so much hair now less than half as thick and I'm only in my early twenties..
March 11, 2011
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Cleared up acne
Boobs grew?
Cons:
Anxiety and depression in first 2-3 months
Cellulite (that I didn't have before)
I went on Yaz so that I could take Accutane. Needless to say, I decided not to go on Accutane, but stayed on Yaz for a little over a year. Other than the cellulite and the bout of anxiety towards the beginning, it was great. It started clearing up my acne in the first 2 months. And kept clearing it up. It did start to plateau towards the end. I stopped taking it because I kept forgetting to take it, just in the last couple weeks, and my prescription and health insurance ran out. Otherwise, I'd still be on it.
February 15, 2011
Product used: YAZ (Oral Contraceptive)
Pros:
Less acne
2 day light periods
less cramping
Cons:
Not a 100% fix for me
This product is a great BC and it has improved my face greatly. I used to get cysts on a regular basis, and now I only get one once in a great while. I am happy they make a generic, but would pay full price for it if I had to. Will never switch BC!
Pros:
Lighter periods
Protection against pregnancy (obviously)
Cleared up forehead