Acne.org Products
Antiandrogen
Acne.org’s Real World Take
“Spiro” has been shown to work in a real and noticeable way most of the time. However, messing with hormones is messing with hormones and it’s best to proceed with caution.
Antiandrogen
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 Spironolactone? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
August 21, 2018
Incredible!
I wish a could give this a million stars. Only product that has ever worked for me. I take 100mg every morning (it's important to take it in the morning, it works better this way), and I have clear skin. I struggled with acne for YEARS. Please do yourself a favor and ask your dermatologist about this medicine.
MidnightSunI
September 8, 2018
Congratulations! How long did it take for spiro to work for you?
August 19, 2018
The best acne treatment that worked wonders
I am a 32 years old female. I have suffered from cystic acne since teen age and have tried tons of acne treatments including isotretinoin at a lower dose. So far the best treatment that worked for me without too many side effects has been "Spironolactone". I have been on spironolactone since last 3 years. One fine day, a wise dermatologist recognized that I have hormonal acne that flares up during PMS and she prescribed spironolactone. My life has changed after that. I started with 50 mg per day dose with 25 mg pill in the morning and 25 mg in the evening. My skin improved a lot within a month and completely cleared within 3 months. After 6 months I reduced the dose to 25 mg per day and it still worked for me. So I prefer keeping the lower dose of 25 mg a day. I still get 1 or 2 minor zits here and there but they don't bother me at all and they heal quickly. Even though my skin is not super smooth, it looks normal and it feels great to have a normal skin. About side effects: Initially I used to get periods twice a month which was annoying. But periods regulated themselves after 3-4 months. After 2 years I again had a short phase of irregular periods but they again got regulated in 2 months. For initial 2 weeks or so, I had some dizziness and frequent urination. But it went away soon.
Also, since this is a potassium sparing drug, I need to get bloodwork done every 6 months or a year to monitor everything is fine.
So far it has been working great and the side effects were minimal and manageable. I feel like spironolactone is a blessing for women suffering from hormonal acne. If you are one of them, please talk to your doctor about this drug. I am writing this review in the hope that this will help someone like me. Wishing the best!!!
September 8, 2018
Great! Sounds like spiro is a winner if you stick with it & know how to manage dosage.
August 16, 2018
Lifesaver
I have been on Spiro for 3 months today. I began at 100 mg daily, crept up to 150 mg, and am now at a comfortable 200 mg. I did not have an initial breakout. My skin before was ridiculous. 4ish cysts on both sides of my face at once and the monthly in-between eyebrow breakouts. I was an oily, depressed mess. I am a 20 year old girl and was frustrated with still having "teenage skin." My skin has now turned over a new leaf. My pores are tighter, the oil that my face now produces gives me a glow rather than a constant sweaty look and I no longer break out from things in my diet or from what I do or do not put on my skin at night. I feel sorry for the old me who spent hundreds of dollars on skincare as a college student and still broke out anyway. The problem was never external. I am not on any other hormonal treatment (bc pills) and do not notice the side effects of this med anymore. Now, all that's left over is hyperpigmentation. I'm looking into microneedling to help with this. I almost don't even want to write this review yet because I know it is only going to get better. This medication definitely works slowly, but be patient with it. Time is going to pass regardless of what you're doing. Talk to your doctor about this medication ladies, it's a simple price to pay for clear skin.
September 8, 2018
Thank you! I notice spiro works differently for each patient. Glad it works & your skin is looking good!
August 9, 2018
Spironolactone causes hairloss!!!!!!!
Im posting this to help anyone out there before they make the decision of taking spironolactone, please dont take it, it caused me to lose 75% of my hair!!!! I used it for 2 yrs and i didnt stop till i realized it was the drug causing the hairloss (it did clear my skin, but now i regret taking it) So, now u have to ask urself do u want to have clear skin and be bald OR have hair and acne? Im not the only one this has happend to, if you google spironolactone cause... the first thing that pops up after is HAIRLOSS, read all the testimonies online of other peoples experiences before goin on this drug please!
August 9, 2018
First day without makeup in 15 years!!!!
After years of trolling this site, I thought I'd finally contribute now that I've found a wonder cure. This stuff is the best. Really. Having tried everything under the sun for my acne, I finally found the right dermatologist a few months before my wedding and he prescribed this to me - along with a topical antibiotic and antibiotic/benzoyl mix that I rotated nightly and now only use as a spot treatment with hormonal flare ups. I also started using the ordinary's hydrolaunic acid as a moisturizer, and dr. Bronners soap as a mild cleanser. Learning to not touch my face was hard, but now that I've had some clarity (literally) it's getting much easier.
September 8, 2018
Awesome!
August 1, 2018
Should I stick with this med?
Hi all - I'm currently taking spironolactone for my acne (25 mg 2x per day). I'm into the second month and my acne is at its worst. I'm talking about painful, cystic acne along my cheeks and jawline. I've noticed fatigue and an increased appetite. I wondered if any of you experienced these side effects and how long it took to see results. I'm so discouraged and in so much pain. After trying holistic remedies, Accutane, birth control, and antibiotics, I so want this one to work! How long did it take you all to see results? Thanks for the love and support my fellow acne sufferers :)
August 12, 2018
I'd try a higher dose
July 17, 2018
Be patient but it definitely works for hormonal acne!
I had moderate to severe cystic acne on my cheeks. It started about 6 months after I had my Mirena inserted. I tried topicals (Aczone, dapsone) and minocycline. Admittedly I wasn't very patient with this regimen and the dapsone Initial breakout was enough to make me quit using it. I got put on 100mg spironolactone, 50mg twice daily. For months I was frustrated by no results. I kept reading that it took time but I would cry at night and feel so self conscious about the way my skin looked. 5 months in, I started seeing DRAMATIC changes. The acne cleared up significantly but there was still a lot of redness and scarring. From there it only got better. I'm 8 months in, not using any topicals or antibiotics, and my skin is clearer than ever. I do have scarring from the cystic acne and will get lasers if it doesn't improve in the next 6 months. But I no longer break out and any little bumps on my forehead/ chin have cleared. I never thought I'd be able to not wear foundation (HEAVY) during the day or even out at night until now. I'm so thankful!!!! Please give it a try and be patient if you have hormonal acne. Good luck!
August 8, 2018
I am 10 weeks into spironolactone. 2 weeks ago ( 8 weeks) My skin cleared up I thought this it, my acne is gone. I was clear for 2 weeks but now I have up in 5 new active cystic acne. I am so fed up, so self-conscious all I think about is my skin. Did you have a similar experience?? Do you think things will get better??
June 30, 2018
Cured cystic acne.
Never had acne a day in my life until I became pregnant at 24 and it triggered relentless cystic acne. My breakouts completely ceased within 3 months of the spiro (100 mg), and it looked like entirely different skin completely within 6. I basically consider it a cure. I see people concerned with weight gain, but that's not something you should anticipate with a potassium sparing diuretic like spironolactone. It will make you thirsty, so stay hydrated, but also mind your electrolytes.
May 31, 2018
I HAVE FOUND MY SOLUTION
Hello, so I have been using acne.org products for a couple years, loved them, the do help, but it's expensive and time consuming, don't want to buy regular and travel size etc. My mom had deep, deep acne as a kid and still has scars at 53 as we know cystic acne can be genetic My acne is mostly on my chin, cheeks, near mouth, on neck, and back indicating a HORMONAL link. I get deep ones on my neck and cheeks especially I tried to balance my hormones to combat it and eat little dairy to help that as well. I exercise and carry a massive 64 oz water bottle that i go through 2-3 times a day every day. I get 6-10 hours of sleep every night usually around 7. Never sleep with makeup on, always go through my elaborate skin care regimen (mostly acne.org stuff besides cleanser, and also use glossier aha+ solution.) And have little stress in my life that's unman aged, I meditate, have a good attitude, and rarely have to face anything too terrible so that's not it. So I'm doing all the things you're supposed to...... I tried Skin care exposed acne.org many generic drug store products (cetophyl, nutragena, Clearasil, etc.) ACNE LASERS (do not recomend, it actually got worse, and I'm not sure why. I did over 10 treatments I believe because my boyfriend wanted to help me conquer this he paid for it so I'm not certain, but it was very painful, expensive, and ineffeftic sadly.) Trtroin cream and gel Many cycles of antibiotics (doxy) Llysiene DIM (did help a lot but didn't fully clear, best thing I've found besides spironolactone though, but more expensive.) Etc. (We've all tried lots of things, you get it, but I thought it might be relevant for people trying to figure out what they should try first or what might work for them based on our possible similarities) Important part: My roommate had really bad, scattered, cystic acne and one day it really started clearing up I asked what she had been doing and she said her doctor prescribed spironolactone. I asked my doctor to do the same, she was all for it. I take 50 mg The first month was really bad, I broke out REALLY hard. But I had seen all the positive reviews and photos that said this would happen and to stick it out, so I did. Month 2.5 I was so happy with my skin, it's SO SOFT and clear. It's incredible to be able to touch my neck and face without tons of textures. My skin did peel really badly around month 1.5-3 so be prepared. It was annoying, but worth it. MONTH 3 I HAVE ZERO active pimples and some red spots that are still healing (I did kind of keep picking throughout the months but I think I will break that as I have nothing left to pick) My makeup goes on incredilbly, I am so, so, so grateful. I was so close to trying accutane but have been putting it off as a last resort because of the side effects. Now I'm free. I sent my doc a thank you card I'm so happy. Please, if you know anyone with hormonal ance, tell them about it, or try it yourself. With my very basic, terrible insurance it's FREE I don't pay a dime for it which is just yet another amazing perk I have before and after pics that are incredible, but it won't let me post them, so if you want to see e-mail me at [Redacted] and I'd be more than happy to share. I want other people to be able to find their solution too.
August 25, 2018
Wow! reading your experience really cheered me up ...I'm six weeks in now taking 100mg a day of Spiro and I have been breaking out in these cystic nodules and whole heads in a U pattern around my chin and up both cheeks...I really do hope that this is just things getting worse before getting better...what did you use to cleanse and moisturize while going through your first months of therapy...thank you for sharing!
May 30, 2018
Getting tired of the side effects
I've been taking Spironlactone since January, I started with 50 mg for 2 weeks and then increased to 100 mg. I don't recall having side effects with 50 mg, but I did immediately when I increased my dose. I dropped back down to 50 mg for another 2 weeks due to severe breast pain, arrhythmia, and a very heavy cycle that also started almost 2 weeks early. I've been on 100 mg since mid February. I like my results so far. I noticed a big difference by Mid April. I still break out but they are small and go away quicker. The problem is that I have dizziness and headaches almost everyday. I am way more fatigued than usual. My breast pain comes and goes...usually worst around my cycle. My cycle has started consistently early every month since increasing to 100 mg and its a heavier flow as well. I cramp and have back pain also which is not something I usually experience. I might cramp every 3-4 periods but not every single one. Sometimes my heart feels like it flips and flutters in my chest. I've continued taking the medication as prescribed, convincing myself that its stress or anxiety. But I really feel that its the spironolactone because that's when I began experiencing these symptoms. I don't like that I can't take NSAIDs or magnesium with this medication either. Is anyone else experiencing these side effects? Does it get better with time? I'm giving it 4 starts because it absolutely works, but I took a star off for side effects.
August 26, 2018
Did the fatigue and headaches eventually go away? I have been on 50 mg a day and those are my symptoms. I’m hoping I get used to this!