Buzz
Birth control pills are often linked to changes in acne.Birth control can bring about various side effects, both positive and negative. For example, it may enlarge your breasts or cause some weight gain [source: Mayo Clinic]. It is also known to influence your skin's condition.
Have you ever noticed a breakout around the time of your period? You're not the only one. This is a common occurrence with a biological explanation. The good news is that birth control could potentially help.
Women have a hormone called androgen in their bodies, which triggers the production of excess oil just before menstruation. While oil is typically beneficial for your skin, excessive oil can clog pores and lead to pimples. Birth control can sometimes prevent androgen from producing too much oil, reducing breakouts. In fact, the FDA has approved certain birth control brands to treat acne [source: American Academy of Dermatology].
However, for some women, oral contraceptives might negatively affect their skin. While birth control may help clear acne, it can also increase skin sensitivity to the sun, and in some cases, it might cause dark patches on the face, a condition known as melasma [source: American Academy of Dermatology: Melasma].
In the end, taking birth control purely to treat acne may not be worthwhile, but if you're already using it for other reasons, this could be a bonus. Ultimately, you won't know how your body will react to birth control until you try it.
Keep reading to discover more tips on caring for your skin.
