Can Birth Control Really Help With Acne?

If your skin seems to break out on a schedule—flaring up around your period or clustering along your jawline—it’s not your imagination. Hormonal acne is real, and for many women, it’s one of the most frustrating types to manage. That’s one reason birth control has been used for decades as a way to not only prevent pregnancy but to calm breakouts and regulate skin.

But how effective is birth control for acne, really? Does it work for everyone? And how does it fit into long-term acne treatment—especially if you’re considering or already undergoing AviClear®?

At CLEAR Acne Treatment Centers, we work exclusively with clients undergoing AviClear®, the first ever FDA-cleared laser that treats acne at the source. But we also know that birth control is a part of many people’s acne story—whether they’re starting it, stopping it, or somewhere in between. So let’s take a deeper look at how hormonal contraception interacts with acne, and when it might make sense to explore other solutions.

HOW HORMONES AND BIRTH CONTROL AFFECT ACNE

Most acne starts with excess oil. That oil clogs pores, fuels bacteria, and sparks the inflammation that causes red bumps, whiteheads, and painful cysts. What drives oil production? Hormones—especially androgens like testosterone.

That’s where birth control can come in. Certain types of birth control, particularly combination pills that contain both estrogen and progestin, reduce circulating androgens. With lower androgen levels, the oil glands calm down, and many people notice fewer breakouts. Some also experience smoother skin, less oil, and fewer deep, hormonal pimples—especially around the lower face.

But it’s not a quick fix. Most people need to be on the pill for at least two to three months before seeing consistent results, and your skin might even get worse before it gets better as your hormones adjust.

NOT ALL BIRTH CONTROL HELPS ACNE

It’s important to know that only certain types of birth control are designed to help with breakouts. The pills that have shown the most consistent skin benefits are combination oral contraceptives—specifically those that are FDA-approved for acne, such as Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Yaz, and Estrostep.

These pills reduce androgens, balance out monthly hormonal swings, and can calm the inflammatory process that triggers breakouts. Many dermatologists recommend them for clients with hormonal acne, particularly those in their teens and 20s.

Other forms of birth control don’t offer those benefits—and some may even make acne worse. Progestin-only options, like the “mini pill,” hormonal IUDs, implants, and Depo-Provera shots, can actually stimulate oil production in some people. If your acne flared after switching to a hormonal IUD, for example, the progestin component may be to blame.

It doesn’t mean everyone reacts that way, but it’s something we frequently hear from clients who felt blindsided by a breakout after changing their birth control.

IF YOU’RE ALREADY ON THE PILL–AND STILL BREAKING OUT

We see a lot of clients who come to us already on hormonal birth control. Some have been on the pill for years and found it helpful at first, only to find that their skin has slowly reverted back to its old habits. Others are still breaking out despite taking the pill consistently and are frustrated by the lack of results.

This is a common story. Birth control may help stabilize hormones and reduce breakouts, but it doesn’t actually change the behavior of your oil glands. That’s where AviClear® steps in.

AviClear® is the first ever laser that’s FDA-cleared to treat mild, moderate, and severe acne by shrinking the sebaceous (oil) glands themselves. It’s a hormone-free approach to long-term clarity—and one that doesn’t rely on daily medication.

Many clients begin AviClear® while still on birth control, and that’s completely safe. Some even time their AviClear® series to coincide with stopping hormonal contraception, knowing the laser will help pick up the slack as their hormones adjust. There’s no wrong way to approach it—we’re here to talk through the best timeline for your skin.

WHAT ABOUT STARTING BIRTH CONTROL JUST FOR ACNE?

If you’re thinking about taking birth control solely to treat acne, it’s worth taking a step back and considering your goals. Are you also looking for contraception? Or are you mostly hoping for clearer skin?

If birth control makes sense for your life and health, and you’re dealing with hormonal breakouts, it can be a helpful option. But if you’re only considering it to manage acne—and especially if you’re hesitant about taking hormones or have had side effects from the pill in the past—it may not be the best long-term strategy.

While combination pills can reduce breakouts, they don’t work for everyone. Some people experience mood changes, irregular bleeding, weight fluctuations, or other side effects. And once you stop taking it, the acne can return—sometimes worse than before.

That’s part of why so many of our clients at CLEAR are looking for something different. They want real, lasting results that don’t depend on hormones.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN COMING OFF BIRTH CONTROL

Stopping the pill can be a big shift for your skin. For some, it’s smooth sailing. But for others, hormonal acne comes back with a vengeance in the months after quitting—especially if birth control was keeping oil production in check.

That doesn’t mean your skin is broken. It just means your oil glands are returning to their baseline activity. This transitional period can feel discouraging, but it’s also a window of opportunity. That’s when AviClear® can make a huge difference.

By calming the oil glands before your hormones fully rebound, AviClear® can help minimize or even prevent the post-pill flare. We often recommend starting a treatment series shortly before or after stopping birth control for the smoothest transition.

WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE AVICLEAR® OVER BIRTH CONTROL

Many of our clients at CLEAR share the same frustrations: they’re tired of being on and off the pill, fed up with short-term fixes, and ready for a treatment that actually changes how their skin behaves. That’s where AviClear® shines.

With just three sessions spaced one month apart, AviClear® gradually shrinks the sebaceous glands, reducing oil and breakouts at the root. There are no prescriptions, no hormones, and no long-term side effects—just clearer, calmer skin that lasts.

The full results develop over the course of 9 to 12 months, but many clients notice reduced oiliness, fewer breakouts, and shorter acne cycles within weeks of starting treatment. Whether you’re still on birth control, planning to stop, or just looking for a more lasting approach, AviClear® gives you options that don’t involve daily pills or hormonal juggling.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Birth control can be a helpful part of an acne treatment plan, especially if you’re already using it for contraception and have hormone-driven breakouts. But it’s not the only path to clearer skin—and it may not be a permanent one.

If you’re curious about stepping away from hormonal treatments or simply want a solution that gets to the root of the problem, AviClear® might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

At CLEAR Acne Treatment Centers, we specialize in helping clients like you transition away from band-aid solutions and into real, long-term clarity. Our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

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