Is Birth Control Causing or Helping Your Acne?

Birth control has a reputation for helping clear up acne, but there are many types that can actually contribute to breakouts.

Please speak to your doctor about the birth control method that is best for you. Always seek medical advice before starting, changing or terminating any medical treatment.

You Don't Need Birth Control to Clear Up Acne

Before we get into birth control and how it affects acne, we first want to say that you don't need birth control to clear up acne.

Many women are prescribed birth control to manage acne, but having acne should not be the only reason to take birth control as hormones can only influence inflammation. This means that adding hormones will not address the root cause of acne and how to prevent it.

At The Acne Lab, we take a natural, personalized approach to treating acne without hormonal intervention by emphasizing health of skin, strategy in skin care, and health of body for lasting, clear skin. Book a Consultation to talk to our Acne Experts and get help for clear skin without birth control. 

When women have additional reasons for choosing hormonal birth control, there are some hormones that can make acne worse and some that can make it better.

Below is a summary of information that can be brought to a doctor’s appointment to make an educated decision of what birth control/hormones are right for you.

Birth Control Brands That Can Cause Breakouts

Birth control that is progestin dominant is more likely to exacerbate acne breakouts. That's because certain types of synthetic progestin act like androgens (male hormones) in the body. This can stimulate sebaceous glands to produce more oil, which clogs pores and can lead to acne.

The most common form of progestin-dominant birth control are the mini-pill, shot, implant, and some IUDs. If you are on a birth control that is progestin-dominant and are experiencing acne, you may want to talk to your doctor about alternatives. 

Examples of progestin-dominant birth control that may contribute to acne:

• Alesse
• Amethyst
• Apri
• Azurette
• Cryselle
• Cyclessa
• Depo-Provera
• Desogen
• Emoquette
• Implanon
• Jolessa
• Kariva
• Lessina
• Levora
• Linessa
• Lo-Feminol
• Lo-Ogestrel
• Lo-Ovral
• Loestrin
• Lutera
• Marvelon
• Microgestin
• Mircette
• Mirena or Skyla IUD
• Nexplanon
• Nordette
• Norplant
• NuvaRing
• Ortho Tricyclen Lo
• Paragard/Copper IUD (is free of hormones but the higher copper levels may trigger acne)
• Portia
• Reclipsen
• Seasonale/Seasonique
• Sronyx
• Triphasil/Trivora
• Velivet 

Birth Control That's Less Likely to Cause Acne 

Birth control that is estrogen dominant often is less inflammatory less likely to be the cause of acne. This type is often only available as a daily pill.

Examples of estrogen-dominant birth control:

• Brevicon
• Cyclafem 1/35
• Kelnor
• Modicon
• MonoNessa
• Necon
• Ortho-Novum 1/35
• Pirmella 1/35
• Sprintec
• Tilia Fe
• Tri-Legest Fe
• Tri-Previfem
• Tri-Sprintec
• Wymzya Fe

• Zovia 1/35

This content is being provided for informational purposes only. This is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The Acne Lab is not offering, recommending, or endorsing any specific dietary guidelines, prescription drug, pharmacy or other information on the site. The Acne Lab provides no warranty for any information. Please seek medical advice before starting, changing or terminating any medical treatment.