Acne Lesson 7: Is Your Birth Control Pill Giving You Acne?
A critical step in acne treatment is taking a look at how birth control methods can cause skin problems for many people. If you’re using a hormonal birth control method, then a complete treatment of acne for you includes making sure that your oral contraceptive pills aren’t getting in the way of clear skin.
Birth control pills, IUDs, implants, and contraceptive shots are widely used today and often prescribed as a means to control acne. Most forms of birth control can have the potential to cause cystic acne and weight gain in those who are susceptible. Birth control is typically categorized as estrogen or progestin dominant and has varying degrees of androgenic (or testosterone-like) effects.
As a general rule of thumb, those with the potential for higher androgenic symptoms should be avoided for people prone to acne because they promote breakouts. If you have acne, it’s essential to speak with your doctor about selecting a form of birth control that is higher in estrogen and lower in androgens.
Acne Safe Birth Control
Choose a birth control pill that contains at least 35 mcg or .035 mg of Ethinyl estradiol and progestin with a low androgenic effect. The most commonly prescribed in this category are:
| Brevicon | Necon | Tri-Nessa |
| Demulan | Ortho Tri-Cyclen | Tri-Previferm |
| Femcon | Ortho-Novum | Tri-Sprintec |
| Kelnor | Ovcon | Zovia |
| Modicon | Previferm | |
| MonoNessa | Sprintec |
Types of Birth Control That Cause Acne
It is best to avoid the following oral contraceptives that are high in androgen activity and low in estrogen:
| Alesse | Larin 24 FE | Nexplanon |
| Amethyst | Lessina | Nordette |
Apri |
Levora/Levonest | Norlyda "Mini Pill" |
| Azurette | Linessa | Norplant |
| Caziant | Loestrin | NuvaRing |
| Cryselle | Lo-Feminol | Ogestrel |
| Cyclessa | Lo-Ogestrel | Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo |
| Depo-Provera | Lo-Ovral | Ovral |
| Desogen | Lutera | Paragard/Copper IUD |
| Emoquette | Marvelon | Portia |
| Estrostep Fe | Microgestin/Junel/Blisovi/Larin | Reclipsen |
| Implanon | Mircette | Seasonale/Seasonique |
| Jolessa | Mirena IUD | Sronyx |
Junel Fe 1/20 (Blisovi Fe 1/20) |
Nexplanon | Triphasil/Trivora |
Kariva |
Nordette |
*Although the Paragard/Copper IUD does not contain any hormones, it has been observed to aggravate some clients. We have also seen some acne clients do fine with Paragard. Plan B, an emergency contraceptive, contains androgenic hormones and no estrogen and can increase or worsen acne.
Only you and your doctor can determine what form of birth control is right for you. The above is just a basic guideline that should be used to initiate a conversation between you and your physician. If you are considering using birth control, it is important to know that it can be associated with a high risk of blood clots, weight gain, nausea, mood changes, depression, and breast tenderness. Serious side effects include strokes, digestive issues, and embolism.
Finally, it is entirely possible to treat acne without using birth control. If you have no underlying health issues that require you to be on birth control and are considering using birth control only to control your acne, please feel free to talk with one of our estheticians. We’ll provide some additional perspective on how we can help you with the use of topical products and treatments.
Treating Acne With Birth Control Pills
According to the American Academy of Dermatology , the standard acne treatments prescribed by dermatologists are antibiotics, topical correctives, medications such as isotretinoin, and birth control pills for females. While birth control pills can help clear up acne temporarily, they are not a long-term solution. When you stop taking the pill, the acne typically returns.
Along with birth control pills, it’s not uncommon for dermatologists to prescribe a medication called spironolactone. Although spironolactone can treat hormonal acne by decreasing oil production in your skin, it’s not recommended due to its many side effects; including leaving the skin red and irritated with a damaged barrier. When you go off of the medication, severe purge breakouts can occur. It takes about 3-6 months for your skin to normalize again.
Note: You can experience androgenic rebound when stopping birth control and can experience a purge for weeks to months that can be quite severe. This purge can often be delayed by 1-2 months after stopping birth control.
We recommend the below supplement support when on birth control:
Pregnancy and Acne Treatment
If you become pregnant, it’s recommended that you not use any product containing vitamin A (retinol) or salicylic acid. Please obtain approval from your doctor before using any acne-clearing products. It is often helpful to ask your doctor for a list of topical ingredients to avoid. We have a great deal of experience with acne in pregnancy and postpartum skincare, so please contact us for personalized support.
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Consult With Your Healthcare Provider
While we are master estheticians and acne specialists, we are not doctors. The information that we provide for you is based on research and our experiences with hundreds of acne clients. Decisions regarding your medications and birth control options should be made through conversations with the physician who knows you best. We suggest that you share this information with your doctor while choosing the best birth control method for you.
In Lesson 8 we cover everything you need to know about shaving and acne>>>
