Acne is a common inflammatory skin condition that affects people of all ages, but it’s particularly common in adolescents. Characteristics include pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads on the face, neck, back, and chest.
For some people, topical creams are enough to manage acne. However, those with more severe acne may require prescription medications like antibiotics.
In addition, certain types of birth control pills may help manage acne. Hormonal fluctuations are a common factor in causing or worsening acne, and these birth control pills work by regulating your hormones. The FDA has approved three types for this purpose: Yaz, Estrostep Fe, and Ortho Tri-Cyclen.
Other types of birth control may worsen acne, such as progesterone-only pills, rings, and implants. If you’re looking for the best birth control option for you, consider talking with a healthcare professional.
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Yaz
Yaz is a combination birth control pill that contains two hormones:
- ethinyl estradiol
- drospirenone
It works by regulating the hormones that cause acne. Hormonal fluctuations, such as those during puberty and during menstruation, can stimulate excess oil production that clogs pores, causing acne. The combination birth control pill can regulate the production of these hormones.
However, Yaz may increase the risk of blood clots, so it’s important to discuss the advantages and disadvantages with a healthcare professional before starting this birth control pill.
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Get free cardEstrostep Fe
Estrostep Fe is a low dose birth control pill that contains two hormones:
- norethindrone
- a low dose of ethinyl estradiol
The pill delivers a consistent dose of norethindrone alongside an increasing amount of estrogen over a 21-day cycle.
Like Yaz, this pill works by regulating the hormones that can cause acne, making it a suitable choice if you’re looking for a lower-estrogen alternative to your birth control.
Ortho Tri-Cyclen
Ortho Tri-Cyclen is a triphasic birth control pill, meaning your monthly pills are split into three phases, each with different hormone concentrations. This medication contains the following hormones:
- norgestimate
- ethinyl estradiol
In addition to preventing pregnancy, this pill may also reduce or get rid of acne by regulating your hormones.
According to a 2021 study, Ortho Tri-Cyclen may have a lower risk of blood clots than Yaz and Estrostep Fe.
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Get free cardWhat birth control worsens acne?
While some birth control pills can improve acne, others may worsen the condition.
In particular, 2024 research indicates that progesterone-only options — whether in the form of a pill, implant, or vaginal ring — could worsen acne.
Further, a 2021 cohort study suggests that both the copper intrauterine device (IUD) and levonorgestrel IUD may be associated with increased acne in some women.
If you use hormonal birth control and find that your acne has worsened, it may be a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional to discuss alternatives that can help clear up your skin.
How to choose the birth control that’s right for you
Choosing the best birth control for acne can be difficult, with many factors to consider.
Here are some topics to discuss with a doctor:
- Family health history: It’s important to discuss your family health history to identify if hormonal options are safe for you to take. For instance, a family history of blood clots could indicate that the combination pills listed above aren’t the best choice.
- Personal health history: Elevated blood pressure, past blood clots, migraine, and being overweight are all factors that could mean that combination pills aren’t the most suitable birth control option for you.
- Smoking: The risk of blood clots increases with smoking. If you smoke, your doctor may recommend avoiding combination contraceptive pills.
- Administration: To protect against pregnancy and provide the best antiacne effect, you need to take combination birth control pills daily. If you think you might forget, longer-lasting options like IUDs may be a more suitable option.
- Side effects: Some people find that combination birth control alters their mood, sexual drive, energy, and other factors. If you’re worried about these potential side effects, it’s a good idea to talk them through with a healthcare professional.
- Reversibility: Permanent birth control options include male and female sterilization, while reversible options include implants like IUDs.
- Sexual partners: Only certain barrier methods, like condoms, protect against some sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Sometimes, using condoms to protect yourself, even if you also use other birth control options to manage acne, might be best.
By talking this through with a doctor, they can help determine the best option for you.
Other acne treatments
Alongside or instead of birth control, doctors might prescribe medications to manage acne.
If your acne is severe, doctors might prescribe isotretinoin (Absorica). This is a retinoid, a molecule derived from vitamin A, and doctors mostly recommend it for very severe or recurrent acne. It’s a very strong option.
If acne is due to an overgrowth of bacteria, doctors might prescribe topical antibiotics like clindamycin 1% (Cleocin) or erythromycin 2% (Erythrocin).
Online care for birth control
When you’re taking oral birth control, consistency is key. It’s important to make sure you take it as directed for as long as you would like to manage acne and avoid pregnancy. This means you may need to keep on top of refilling your prescription.
Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make it easier to start or refill birth control. With this service, you can submit an online form about your needs, and a licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to help you start or refill the medication — without the need to make an in-person appointment.
Summary
In the United States, the FDA has approved three birth control options for the treatment of acne:
- Yaz
- Estrostep Fe
- Ortho Tri-Cyclen
These regulate hormones in your body to prevent pregnancy and possibly clear up your skin.
If you’re considering using birth control for acne, it’s best to speak with a doctor or another healthcare professional to identify your best options.
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