7 Things I’ve Learnt About Managing Acne After Coming off the Pill

Hormonal acne is crap, but post-contraceptive pill acne is a whole other kettle of fish. 

I say this because I have dealt with it twice — about four years ago after going off the pill, and now. 

When you Google ‘side effects of going off the pill’, you’ll get a whole list of symptoms, one of them being changes in your skin resulting in acne, or pimples and blemishes.

Acne is unpredictable, difficult to treat and for some, can have a significant impact on self confidence.

From hormonal breakouts and painful pimples to deep, stubborn cystic acne, it can also differ from person to person.

In all honesty, acne after going off the pill is a seriously complex medical topic — much more than I can tackle here, and one that should be treated with the advice of your GP, dermatologist or dermal therapist.  

But as someone who’s coming out the other side, I wanted to share some learnings with all of you who might be going through a similar thing. 

I also found the second time around coming off the pill, the impacts have been much less severe, so feel pretty confident about a few tips that can (hopefully) help someone else on their personal journey. 

So without further delay, keep scrolling for seven key lessons I’ve learnt about managing acne after going off the pill.

1. Everyone’s Journey Is Different.

If the ongoing discussions I’ve been having with female friends, colleagues and strangers on the internet are anything to go by, everyone’s experience coming off the pill is entirely different.

Does coming off the pill cause acne?

Well, some will breeze through without so much as a clogged pore, whereas others will spend months and months in hormone hell, fighting an uphill blemish battle. 

The scary part is, you don’t really know what camp you fall into until you get there. 

For me, it looked like persistent inflamed pimples along my cheeks and jawline that took weeks to heal, along with a beyond greasy t-zone.

There's no manual for how to come off the pill without getting acne, but it helps to understand why it can sometimes happen.

When I asked a dermatologist about what happens when you go off the pill, she explained to me that the pill works to decrease oil flow that’s hormonally-triggered in the sebaceous (oil) glands.

How much oil our skin naturally produces is largely determined by genetics, but can also be impacted by certain medical conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or the medications we take.

So, when you withdraw from the pill, that oil flow kicks into overdrive, encouraging pre-existing pimples to return or minor breakouts to worsen. 

That might be the reason why your categorically dry-skinned friend came off the pill with zero skin issues, but your monthly period breakout has multiplied tenfold.

But take that with a grain of salt.

Get more dermatologist acne information in this YouTube video below.

2. Skin Care Can Only Do So Much.

If you’re looking for the best products for acne after going off the pill, I have a dire message for you. 

It would be misleading of me to tell you that skin care is guaranteed to fix all your problems. 

Don’t get me wrong, a few targeted products containing active ingredients can seriously help improve the appearance of skin (and hey, they might even get rid of spots altogether), but often, a trip to the doctor or dermatologist is advised.

What ‘works’ for one person might not for another. 

Speaking from personal experience, I found huge success with acupuncture and Chinese herbs, not just for skin, but for mood and my overall cycle.

I have also recently started up on a prescription retinoid (as recommended by my doctor) to shift some of the stubborn breakouts and acne scar marks on my cheeks. 

You can read more about that prescription retinoid experience here. 

3. Vitamin A Is the Gold Standard For Managing Hormonal Acne.

With that being said, skin care is definitely the first line of defence when it comes to post-pill acne. 

My belief is that it’s best to keep your routine streamlined. 

If you go nuts with serums, acids and scrubs, you’ll stuff your skin barrier, piss off your spots and make things worse. 

I think a simple cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen is a good place to start, along with one or two treatment products. 

Here are my suggestions: 

Vitamin A (or a Retinoid): 

As I mentioned, I love Vitamin A as it speeds up cellular turnover and ensures the skin is functioning optimally. 

Beauté Pacifique Defy Damage Skin Repair Serum 40ml is my pick because it’s gentle and non-drying but visibly improves skin health (although I’ve paused on this since starting the prescription retinoid). 

Shop Beauté Pacifique Defy Damage Skin Repair Serum here:

You can learn more about retinol and vitamin A in this YouTube video below.

Salicylic Acid: 

You can’t really exfoliate your way out of recurring acne, but you can temporarily unclog pores and refine the skin’s texture with an oil-dissolving acid such as salicylic acid. 

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is my pick for a daily exfoliating option.

Cosmedix Clarity Skin-Clarifying Serum applied 1-2 nights a week does the trick, too.

Shop these exfoliating and salicylic acid products here:

Want more info on salicylic acid? Watch this YouTube video below.

Niacinamide (or Vitamin B3): 

Niacinamide is essentially the Beyonce of skincare ingredients these days.

Everyone loves it, but when you find the right vitamin B3 or niacinamide serum for your skin, the results are impressive. 

I’ve spoken about my Medik8 Clarity Peptides reviews before and I’ll do it again now.

It’s a healing serum that brightens, balances and clarifies the skin.

It also fades the look of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (those annoying post-acne marks), so it's an excelling choice for preventing, treating and healing spots. 

Shop Medik8 Clarity Peptides here:

Watch this YouTube video below for more about why everyone should be using a niacinamide serum.

4. For the Love of God, Do Not Pick Your Face.

My biggest vice (apart from letting my tea go cold) is that I pick my face. 

Those hacked-at blemishes then scar, and I’m left with acne scarring, a skin issue that’s even trickier to deal with than the spot itself. 

My advice to you is to not pick — no matter what the circumstances are.

9/10 times you will make it worse! I actually have a Post It note on my bathroom mirror to remind me of this sobering statistic. 

If a blemish is whispering to you, put a hydrocolloid pimple patch on it. 

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch are excellent for this because they physically prevent you from picking.

Shop COSRX Acne Pimple Patches here:

5. Going Off the Pill Hair Loss Is a Thing.

Sadly, I am not kidding. 

I can’t talk too in-depth about the science, but the layman's explanation is that the huge hormonal change affects our hair shedding patterns.

This can trigger a lot of hair to fall out at once, leaving you with fistfuls every time you shampoo. 

But like postpartum hair loss, which can also be attributed to hormonal changes, the shedding should level out with time. 

Some pals have even told me their hair came back thicker than before. Fingers crossed this happens to me, too.

If you’re worried about hair loss or it lasts longer than a few months, chat to a doctor as it could be an indicator of something else.

As for remedies, patience is the most effective (sorry). 

But when I posted about my hair loss on Instagram, here’s what other women suggested:

• Nioxin 3D Trial Kit System 2 - I’ve been using this system and really like it! You can learn more about the different Nioxin product ranges here.

• ​​Kérastase Densifique Femme Cures - This product has been recommended to me by at least 10 women.

• Apotecari Mane Event - Formulated to support natural hair growth of strong healthy hair. Oh and did we mention it's vegan and cruelty-free?

Shop these products for hair loss here:

6. LED For Acne - Expensive, But Effective.

If your budget allows, LED light therapy is one of the few clinically-proven ways to heal and support your skin. 

Red light will calm inflammation and improve collagen production, whereas blue will kill P.acne bacteria. 

Both are hugely beneficial for pimple-prone skin, you just need to be consistent with it. 

While I love a mix, I’ve found red to be especially beneficial for taking away some of the inflammation associated with spots, and just promoting glow in general. 

In-clinic LED machines are much more powerful than at-home LED, but if you’re keen to try, LightStim For Wrinkles: LED Light Therapy is great.

Just be sure to use it a few times a week. 

Shop LightStim For Wrinkles here:

Watch our YouTube video below for more info on what at-home LED devices can (and can’t) do for your skin.

7. Remember, It’s Temporary.

I know this is easier said than done, but at the end of the day, post-pill skin changes are almost always temporary. 

According to dermatologists, most people begin to notice changes in the skin around three months after stopping the pill, but things should normalise around six months later. 

I also found “preparing” my body to come off the pill was useful. I was vigilant with skincare, used LED every night and was taking my Chinese herbs daily (along with zinc, fish oil and a probiotic — but this is something you should see a professional about). 

I hope this insight into my experience helps, and know I’m right here in the oil-soaked post-pill skin trenches with you.

Last thing: If you too are experiencing pimples after coming off the pill and want to have a whinge, send me a message any time over at @emilyalgar.

This article is one person’s experience and should not be substituted for professional, personalised medical advice.

If you’re concerned about your skin after coming off the pill, seek the guidance of your GP, dermatologist or medical professional.

Keen to read more reviews and product recommendations for breakouts? Check out these articles below:

• Literally Every Single Question You've Ever Had About Hormonal Acne, Answered

• Find the Best Acne Scar Treatment for You

• Here Are the Best Acne Scar Removal Products for Sensitive Skin

• The Only Way to Manage Hormonal Acne as an Adult, According to an Expert