Question for those with acne prone skin...

Jun 1, 2014

Jocelyn S.

Are you on birth control? I only ask because most of my blemishes cleared up after I started taking birth control. Now I only get my one hormonal breakout once a month on the side of my chin. At least I can count on it!! I was just curious.

Jun 1, 2014

Ivelis M.

I had horrible acne in 6th grade and when I was prescribed birth control (for period related issues) my skin was acne free ever since besides the occasional pimple or two.

Jun 1, 2014

Nat E.

No, not on birth control. My diet is what effects my breakouts more than anything.

Jun 1, 2014

Janet B.

My parents probably wouldnt let me, they would think I was on it for other reasons, lol!

Also, I've heard that using birth control now can affect your fertility later on. Is it true?

Jun 1, 2014

Alyx T.

I started birth control a few years ago for super heavy periods but my mild acne (few spots at any given time, but not a ton) turned into only while I'm on my period I get any acne, and it's just a few spots. :)

Jun 2, 2014

Diana T.

I'm not on birth control but my acne is mainly hormonal and understanding that I do try to make sure that I maintain a healthy diet n exercise routine as well as avoid food allergens and destress with yoga during stressful times (like finals, etc) and it keeps it to a minimum - now sometimes I slip up on my skin care routine n will get some small pimples here n there but cystic acne only comes once a month during that time of the month n it's not too bad like it used to be before I knew what was going on with my face - now I just pay attention to my skin a lot more n have developed better skin care habits n rarely have breakouts that are noticeable - in any case I'm sure birth control could help those with hormonal acne to some extent but I'm too lazy to go to the doc n get a prescription plus I'm married so it's not a must to be on it - if I had a baby right now it wouldn't be the end of the world for me.

Jun 2, 2014

Jocelyn S.

I'm on the patch and I love it. Yeah I get cystic acne below the surface like once a month. Younger kids...just tell your parents you want to know when your period will be and for your skin.

Jun 2, 2014

Kathryn L.

My acne definitely calmed down after going on the pill, however I still had tonnes of congestion and that really didn't get under control until I straightened out my diet. You truly are what you eat! Now I just maintain with salicylic peels and microdermabrasion. I still get one or two around my cycle... but gosh, I almost embrace it considering what a mess my skin once was :)

Jun 2, 2014

Lindsay K.

My experience: I had perfect skin on birth control. When I got pregnant and now have stupid mirena I have breakouts :/

Jun 2, 2014

Kay C.

I'm also trying t o find out what's been breaking me out I feel ever since I started birth control the pill, depo, implanon and now mirena ughh I might just tie my tubes :/ maybe I won't have any break outs and definitely no kids lol.

Jun 2, 2014

Alice H.

Birth controls that are progesterone only (no estrogen) have been linked to worse acne! That might be why Kay and Lindsay your acne got worse on those particular forms of birth control - mirena, depo, and implanon are all progesterone only. Birth controls that are a combination of progesterone and estrogen, like many forms of the pill, have been linked to a decrease in acne. I've been on the pill for a long time, and I never really realized how much my acne is affected by it until I had to go off because of insurance reasons for a while earlier this year. My skin got so, so much worse! I was so happy to be able to go back on, all my acne cleared right up.

Jun 2, 2014

Jessica P.

I'm on the nuva ring and agree that it has calmed down my breakouts and like you only get a break out on my chin and jawline when its that time of month.