Everything you need to know about the link between pills and acne

Skin blemishes related to acne can be hormonal in origin. Stress, tobacco, pollution and an unbalanced diet also contribute to their appearance. Contrary to popular belief, acne does not only affect teenagers and can appear at all stages of life, particularly in women.

This is why they can consider taking a contraceptive pill in case of persistent acne. Adopting the pill in case of acne sometimes helps to remedy hormonal acne, this acne of adult women linked to hormonal variations in the menstrual cycle. But we still need to know which one is effective in this specific case?

How does the pill work?

The birth control pill is a hormonal method designed for women to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The pill can also help with premenstrual symptoms, menstrual pain, or heavy menstrual bleeding.

There are two types of birth control pills:

• Combined pills or estrogen-progestin pills with two hormones
• Progestin-only pills contain only one hormone

The pills contain a synthetic version of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which cause the uterine lining to gradually thicken in preparation for a possible pregnancy.

If the egg is not fertilized, the body no longer produces progesterone, estrogen levels decrease, the uterine lining degenerates and is shed. Then menstrual bleeding called periods occurs.

Hormones therefore modify ovulation and the menstrual cycle, but also the body in general. Women generally observe a more swollen belly and chest.

Why use the acne pill?

Reduction in sebum production

The combined pill is the only one that can fight acne . In fact, this type of pill slows down the stimulation of the sebaceous glands that produce the sebum responsible for acne-prone skin. In other words, the combined pill acts at the source of the problem to make the skin less oily and reduce blemishes and pimples. Conversely, the progestin pill stimulates the production of sebum and can therefore aggravate or even cause acne.

Also read our article on acne breakouts .

Acne outbreaks usually stop in adulthood when hormones stabilize, except for women whose hormone levels can fluctuate throughout life, especially during their menstrual cycles. Each month, the menstrual cycle causes hormonal changes that cause the sebaceous glands to become more or less active.

Adult women can therefore suffer from acne episodes for a large part of their lives. The contraceptive pill then helps to normalize these hormonal fluctuations.

Anti-androgenic effects of the acne pill

The pill is a contraceptive, but it has secondary benefits in terms of regularity of cycles, reduction of period pain and improvement of the skin.

Androgens from the family of hormones that includes testosterone cause the skin to produce more sebum, causing acne. The combined pill then plays a role in all the key elements of androgens, when it is sufficiently dosed with estrogen and contains an anti-androgenic progestin.

Its main actions are:

• Blocking androgen production in the ovary
• Reducing the amount of active androgens through carrier proteins
• Modulation of androgen action on the skin receptor

Some pills are then indicated for the treatment of acne , beyond their contraceptive effect. Estrogen-progestin contraceptive pills act on an endocrine gland called the pituitary gland and help reduce the production of androgens by the ovaries, thus reducing the appearance of acne.

These birth control pills are often prescribed in the treatment of acne because they contain non-androgenic progestins such as desogestrel, gestodene or norgestimate.

In some cases, the doctor or gynecologist prescribes a hormonal combination based on cyproterone acetate and ethinylestradiol such as Diane 35 and its generics, because cyproterone acetate is an anti-androgenic progestin which tends to improve the condition of the skin, most often after several months.

Discover our article on excess sebum in black skin .

Examples of anti-acne pills

Low androgen pills

Estrogens have a beneficial role in acne because, on the one hand, they act directly by reducing the production of sebum by the sebaceous follicle and, on the other hand, indirectly by increasing the production of proteins that capture androgens, thus lowering the level of available testosterone.

The estrogen-progestin pill is the first antiandrogen used, because its action blocks the secretion of androgens by the ovary and to a small extent by the adrenal gland. The estrogens present in methods that include both estrogen and progestin, such as the contraceptive pill, have the effect of suppressing the production of androgens by the ovaries, but also of increasing the amount of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which retains the androgens present in the blood so as not to penetrate the skin cells.

Among the effective combination pills against acne, you can find:

• Antigone®
• Cerazette®
• Desopop® Gé
• Optimizette® Gé

Using Triafemi Pill for Acne

This oral contraceptive contains a third-generation estrogen and progestin. It is used in women with mild to moderate acne. The use of Triafemi does not replace specific acne treatment if necessary.

Pills containing drospirenone

This latest generation progestin is known for having a formula close to natural progesterone. Indeed, progesterone is another hormone that can be responsible for a hormonal acne outbreak . When the latter is in too low a quantity compared to estrogen, acne can then manifest itself and blackheads and pimples appear. Drospirenone-based pills then fill this lack of progesterone to limit the risks of acne.

Discover our article: everything you need to know about blackheads and enlarged pores .

Drospirenone pills also have anti-androgenic activity that significantly reduces acne lesions. Among them, you can find:

• Slinda®
• Belanette®
• Convulin®
• Drospirenone®
• Rimendia®
• Jasminelle®
• Yaz®

Discover our anti-blemish routine to fight acne.

Mandatory medical consultation for the prescription of the pill

It is important to discuss with your doctor or gynecologist which method is safest and best suited for you. Before starting contraception, whether in pill form or otherwise, ask your doctor questions and share your concerns about potential side effects. This will help you decide together which contraceptive pill is best for you. If you have unwanted side effects with a method of contraception, it is important to discuss it with your healthcare professional to possibly change your treatment.

A medical examination is necessary before starting oral contraception. It also allows the doctor to look for history and risk factors for thromboembolic accidents in order to choose an appropriate contraception. Regular medical monitoring is recommended in contraceptive treatment.

Some annoying side effects are possible when you take the pill, especially at the beginning of contraception, such as light bleeding outside of periods, nausea or breast swelling. An absence of periods is even noticed from time to time. More serious side effects related to estrogen-progestin contraception are sometimes visible, mainly vascular problems. They are rare and occur mainly in women who have risk factors for these diseases.

This is why it is important to consult a doctor or gynecologist before choosing a contraceptive pill.

Nubiance Anti-Imperfection Duo to Fight Acne

Beyond heredity and hormonal fluctuations, lifestyle has a real impact on the appearance of acne on your skin. Cosmetic products are also elements that can promote acne, especially products that are too oily, which are not suitable for acne-prone skin and increase the obstruction of pores. Acne-prone skin is also more sensitive and requires a specific skincare routine.

This is where Nubiance comes in by offering you a duo of treatments specially designed for black and mixed-race skin prone to acne. This kit helps to achieve smooth and clear skin in a few weeks, reducing acne-related imperfections. Here's how it's composed:

• Cleanactyl® Soap-Free Facial Cleansing Gel, specially formulated for oily, acne-prone and/or blemish-prone skin, provides deep cleansing of your facial skin, removing excess sebum responsible for skin imperfections. By preparing your skin for the next treatment phases, Cleanactyl® is an essential foundation in the fight against acne.

• ACT-5® Intense Anti-Imperfection Care acts in depth, reducing the appearance of pimples and blackheads in a targeted manner. Its unique formulation preserves the natural balance of your skin, hydrates it while preventing it from drying out.

This anti-blemish duo helps dark skin to glow after a few weeks. To benefit from the beneficial effects of our products, be sure to use them morning and evening in your beauty routine.