Acne, in whatever shape or form it manifests, can be tough to treat.

Hormonal acneis even harder to treat, considering that it’s brought about by your hormones going haywire.

Since hormonal acne can be stubborn, run-of-the-mill over-the-counter treatments don’t often work.

A woman inspecting her face

What is spironolactone?

“Spironolactone lowers blood pressure by acting on specific hormones in the body.

“Dermatologists have used spironolactone for many years as a well-studied and effective treatment option for hormonal acne.”

Close up of chin acne

Meanwhile, dermatologist Dr. Shari Marchbein likens spironolactone to Pac-Man.

The less testosterone you have, the less oil your skin produces, which then results in clearer skin.

For the longest time, spironolactone came in the form of pills.

A woman touching her skin

Still, if you want to reap the benefits, it’s worth discussing with your dermatologist.

And while it may be the more convenient option, it reportedly causes dryness or irritation.

Talk with your dermatologist about using them together and adjusting dosages based on what your skin can tolerate.