Don’t let acne keep you on the birth control pill!
I’m so excited to share this post written by naturopathic doctor, Bronwyn Storoschuk! She shares her insight on the internal reasons why stopping the birth control pill might cause acne flare-ups. For more on how to topically treat acne see here, and stay tuned for upcoming posts on skincare for acne!
Acne after coming off the birth control pill is one of the most common reasons women actually choose to go back on the birth control pill. But, the pill is not the only way to clear acne. If you’ve been affected by post pill acne you know how frustrating it can be, so let’s talk about how you can prevent and treat it, naturally.
It’s very common for women to get acne after stopping the birth control pill
Here’s the thing, if you went on birth control to help with acne, then you will most likely be affected by flare-ups once you stop. Going off birth pill control doesn’t cause acne, it merely removes the treatment that’s been controlling the problem.
That’s what many women don’t understand about the pill, it does a great job of controlling acne, but it’s not addressing the root cause of the problem.
Now, post birth control acne doesn’t only happen if you’ve experienced it in the past. Many women who’ve never had skin problems before struggle with post-pill acne.
Why does acne flare after stopping the birth control pill?
1. Sebum Overproduction
Certain hormonal contraceptives suppress sebum production. Sebum is the natural oil produced by the skin, that keeps our skin protected and hydrated. Once you remove the pill, your skin responds by upregulating sebum production, leading to overproduction and thus, to oily skin and more frequent breakouts.
2. Androgen Rebound
The pill affects our body’s ability to produce its own natural hormones. One way the pill works to reduce acne is by reducing the amount of androgens, like testosterone, circulating in the blood. When you stop the birth control pill your ovaries try to return hormone levels back to normal, which can lead to an androgen rebound. Similarly, with higher levels of androgens we get more sebum production causing oily skin and breakouts.
3. Zinc Depletion
It’s well documented that the pill depletes many important nutrients, including zinc, which is essential for skin health and is an effective treatment for acne. Zinc reduces the specific bacteria on the skin that can cause breakouts. A zinc deficiency, caused by long-term pill use, may be responsible for post pill acne.
4. Disruption of the Microbiome
By now you’ve probably read about the importance of gut health for all health concerns. Well, the pill disrupts the health of the gut by altering the good bacteria in the intestines leading to inflammation and issues with the skin.
When does acne show up after stopping birth control?
It takes time for your body to get back into its normal rhythms after stopping the pill, and so it can take time to heal the skin. Acne typically peaks around 3-6 months after the birth control pill and can take months to fully treat. But, whether you are dealing with full-blown post-pill breakouts or you’ve stopped the birth control pill and want to help prevent acne there are many natural strategies you can use to prevent and treat your acne! (For topical acne solutions see here).
How do you treat acne after stopping the birth control pill?
1. Ditch the Dairy
Consuming dairy, especially from conventionally raised cows, has been associated with acne. Dairy is full of hormones and inflammatory proteins (called A1 casein) that may promote, or make acne worse. However, other forms of dairy, like grass-fed butter or ghee, have a different type of protein and fats that can actually benefit your skin. So, when it comes to stopping the birth control pill, dairy isn’t doing you any favours on your path to balanced hormones. I recommend eliminating it for 6-12 months, or until full resolution of your skin problems.
2. Balance your Blood Sugar
The birth control pill has unfavourable effects on blood sugar regulation and insulin production. We know that when blood sugar is not balanced, and we get high levels of insulin, our body produces higher levels of androgens, which can result in acne. Remember, high levels of androgens like testosterone can lead to an increase in sebum from the skin, causing more breakouts. So, keep your blood sugar steady by eating whole, real, foods. Every meal should include loads of nutrient dense veggies, high-quality protein, and healthy fat. It’s best to eliminate sugar, white flour and alcohol or at least keep these items to a minimum. Also, prioritize exercise, as it increases insulin sensitivity and will help manage blood sugar.
3. Supplement with Zinc
As I mentioned, zinc is an effective treatment for acne, especially post pill, as zinc deficiency is common in pill-users. Zinc helps to regulate testosterone, it kills the bacteria on the skin that causes acne, and it reduces keratin production that blocks pores. Speak to your ND to determine what dose of zinc will be right for you.
4. Restore the Microbiome
Your gut is the home to your immune system which controls inflammation. If your goal is clear skin, you need to reduce inflammation and nourish the gut. We do this by promoting healthy gut flora. A healthy gut helps to break down and eliminate excess hormone, reduces inflammation and optimizes digestive function. Be sure to include foods rich in pre- and probiotics and take a high-quality probiotic. If your digestion has been “off” since ditching the pill, you may need some extra individualized support to optimize the breakdown and absorption of nutrients to further heal the gut.
5. Support Hormonal Balance
Although all the strategies discussed above are ultimately working to balance hormones post pill, you may need some extra support to get things going. You can support hormone balance with targeted supplementation. DIM (diindolylmethane) found in cruciferous veggies, like broccoli, can help to enhance estrogen and testosterone metabolism to promote overall hormonal balance. This is one of my favourite supplements to use in women struggling with post-pill acne.
What else can you do to treat acne after stopping the birth control pill?
Remember, acne after sopping the birth control pill is treatable, but it can take time to achieve the clear skin you’re dreaming of.
Don’t give up! I recommend working with a practitioner who can do a thorough assessment with necessary laboratory testing to determine an individualized treatment plan for you.
For more ways to treat acne topically, and for skincare help, check out these natural acne clearing skincare tips.
It is possible to get clear skin, without having to go back on the birth control pill!
In health, happy hormones and clear skin,
Dr. Bronwyn
Dr. Bronwyn is a Naturopathic Doctor in Toronto, Ontario with a clinical focus in Women’s Health. She works with women transitioning off hormonal contraceptives and those looking for support in managing their reproductive concerns, from PMS to infertility, whether the goal is to reach hormonal balance or in preparation of a healthy pregnancy. Dr. Bronwyn is passionate about empowering women to reclaim their hormonal health, to enable a full and vibrant life.
For more on how to manage acne and use your menstrual cycle to get clear skin, watch this video on Cycle Syncing Your Skincare.
Im really depresssss right now..i was stop 3 months ago with my pills.ive been using my pills almost 6 yrs.thats y am decided to stop.but unfortunately i had breakouts many breakouts and because of that im frustrated and lack of confident right know.
I dont know what and will be my solution with my case.my face has dark spots and acne right now.i dont even experience way back my teenager days.
Now my face was not nice to look anymore.
Im very sad.always irritated..evrytime i see my face.
I know it can be so frustrating! I hope some of these tips will help you! Maybe seek out a Naturopathic doctor for a consult to see what internal changes you can do to help with the hormonal shifts.
Great post! Thank you! At 24 I started breaking out worse after discontinuing the pill and switching to an IUD (I love it, btw). I had cystic acne along my jawline and on my neck, so I take Spironolactone 100 mg daily. I’m finally starting to see results. I’m on week 4 of being on Spiro, and while my skin isn’t completely clear, I definitely see a difference. 😀 I should also note I’m using Retin-A topically. If you’re curious I get Retin-A (Tretinoin) and Spironolactone online to save $. Just search on Google for this code “LOOK4SPIR” 👍 to find the reliable source, Sorry, I don’t remember the link. Good luck to all!
I only wanted to go off the pill for a couple of months because I felt like my body needed a break. However, I wasn’t planning on getting off it permanently. Will going back on the pill help heal my acne?
No, unfortunately it may only be a temporary fix. If you’ve experienced breakouts before going on the pill, then the hormonal triggers that caused the acne in the first place are still there, only suppressed by the pill. If you want a lasting fix to truly heal your acne, then it’s best to get to the root cause without the help of synthetic hormones. You may have a temporary adjustment period, but it’s possible to find healing within using the pill as a crutch. It’s worth speak with a naturopathic doctor to discuss alternative ways to internally treat breakouts by looking at triggers like hormones, stress, and gut health. Good luck!
I take a low dose birth control pill (Lo Loestrin) that I’ve been taking for about 2 years now. Before I started the pill I had near perfect skin, then when taking it I started to get more hormonal acne. In addition to this, I don’t get my period which is not something I’m happy about anymore. My skin currently is doing very well and I want to stop taking birth control but the fear of breaking out makes me apprehensive. Since I never struggled with severe acne before hand and during birth control will I now if I stop?
(I’m so sorry, I missed your comment!) It’s hard to say. Unfortunately because of some of the side affects it has on the body (like Dr. Bronwyn speaks about in this post, such as mineral deficiencies and gut health) you might end up with some breakouts after going off. This is not to say that you should stay on it though if you want to get off! Take the steps outlined in this post, seek a naturopathic practitioner and you can empower yourself to take control of your hormonal health for the long run (without the assistance of the pill). Hope that helps! P.S. Check out Dr. Jolene Brighten’s book, “Beyond the Pill” if you’re interested.
Hi there! I am one of those cases in which I went off the pill, got horrible cystic acne, got traumatized by it and immediately went back on the pill. I get zero zits a year (okay maybe one). I am now looking to go off the pill again and I would love to know if there is anything I can do to make this experience less painful, diminish the acne or prevent it altogether. I have started by taking omega-3 fish oil supplements and just barely started taking probiotics targeted toward healthy skin. Is this enough? I haven’t gone off the pill yet but I am hoping that by doing this for a few months before I go off, it will help balance my hormones faster. I also never went on the pill for skin issues, my skin has always been clear, so went I got acne from going off it, it freaked me out.
Hi Annette, fish oil and probiotics are great places to start. As Dr. Bronwyn speaks about in this post, supporting your body’s elimination and detoxification processes are key when on the pill and coming off the pill since your body (especially your liver) needs to process out high amounts of synthetic hormones, in particular estrogen, from the body. It might take 4-6 months for you to actually experience adverse symptoms, but by being proactive like you are, is a good thing. Look into foods that support liver function (cruciferous vegetables, burdock root, dandelion tea, garlic, good quality proteins). There are also supplements that can optimize the elimination. I think it’s well worth speaking with a naturopath or practitioner who can set you up on a plan to help pre-empt some of these potential side effects. Don’t be deterred though! There’s definitely a way to get off the pill, if that’s what you wish, in a way that will set you up for healthy hormones long -term!
Hi I never really had an acne problem but I have been on Quilra like 5 years now and I have attempted to comes off twice but when I do i break out immensely and i freak out and go right back on . Is there anything I can do before coming off to lessen the risk of breaking out again, I want to come off these pills.
Hi Mona, yes you can definitely help support your body before you go off the pill. It’s actually recommended to take about 6 months to wean off the pill (with the help of a doctor), rather than cold turkey. You can start implementing hormone balancing diet during those 6 months to help prepare your body and support a healthy cyclical function (check out Alisa Vitti’s book “Womancode” for more on this). The supplements mentioned in this article will also be helpful to support healthy hormone function since the pill depletes the body of essential nutrients and can disrupt the gut microbiome. Another great book to look into is “Beyond the Pill”by Jolene Brighten. (P.s. If you needs some help clearing breakouts, I also have a free guide to help clear up breakouts fast within minimal scarring – go to bit.ly/acnefirstaid. Hope that helps!