How I Cured My Hormonal Acne, Naturally—After Two Failed Rounds of Accutane

For 15 years, acne controlled my life.

I tried everything. Two rounds of Accutane—both worked temporarily, only for my acne to come back worse than before. Spironolactone, birth control—they were band-aid solutions that only worked while I was on them. The moment I stopped? My skin would erupt again.

I spent years obsessively researching, reading forums, watching YouTube videos, and buying product after product in the desperate hope that this one would be the answer. I tried the harshest treatments, only to end up with dry, irritated, and still-acne-ridden skin. I went to dermatologists who shrugged at my suffering. I felt hopeless, ugly, and out of control.

But today, at 32 years old, I have been completely acne-free for six months. And honestly? I can barely believe it.

For anyone still fighting this exhausting battle, I want to share exactly what worked for me. Maybe, just maybe, it will help you too.

Experiments that didn’t help cure my hormonal acne naturally

Experiment #1: Accutane (twice!)

Accutane is often hailed as the ultimate acne cure. And I’ll admit—both times I took it, my skin transformed. My face became smooth and clear, and for a while, I thought I was finally free.

But the problem? The results for my hormonal acne didn’t last.

Granted, Accutane cleared my back acne for good (seven years and counting!). But, within months of stopping Accutane, my hormonal acne on my chin and around my mouth came roaring back. I felt betrayed by the process. How could something so powerful be so temporary? Worse still, Accutane came with side effects: painfully dry skin, cracked lips, joint pain, and an overall feeling of being a little unwell.

For some, Accutane is a miracle. For me and many others with hormonal acne, it was a short-lived illusion.

If you ask a dermatologist why women with hormonal acne sometimes don’t respond to Accutane, they’ll offer theories, but there’s still no concrete evidence to explain it. I’ve been there, tried it, and felt the weight of all the disappointment it brings.

What we do know is that hormones react differently to various medications in different people, and what works for one may not work for another.

Accutane doesn’t specifically target hormones; it focuses on reducing overall oil production. That can help, but if hormonal fluctuations are the root issue, Accutane won’t solve it.

It’s a reminder that acne treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all, and finding the right solution often requires patience, persistence, and a lot of trial and error.

‍Experiment #2: Spironolactone and birth control

Spironolactone and birth control worked for me, but only as long as I stayed on them. The moment I stopped, my acne came back with a vengeance.

Dianette, the only birth control pill that kept my skin fully clear, made me feel emotionally flat and carried an increased risk of breast cancer and blood clots (there's a reason it was once banned in France, after all). When my doctor told me I had been on it for too long and needed to stop, I panicked. And, of course, my skin reacted just as I feared—back to square one, with breakouts around my chin and mouth.

Spironolactone helped somewhat, but it never fully cleared my skin. It also made me dizzy, dehydrated, and lightheaded. Long term, I knew it wasn’t a solution I wanted to rely on, despite dermatologists often being keen to prescribe it to me.

Every prescription felt like it was covering my symptoms rather than treating the cause.

Experiment #3: expensive (overpriced!) skincare routines

Like so many others, the internet made me believe that the answer lay in the perfect skincare routine. I spent thousands on luxury products, thinking that layering serums, acids, and toners would finally give me the skin I dreamed of. I read about AHA and BHA and active ingredients and felt like I was failing because I wasn't on top of the latest skincare technology. Like my acne was my fault.

The reality? Most of these products did absolutely nothing. Some even made my skin worse.

I tried harsh exfoliants that left my skin red and peeling. I used drying treatments that made my breakouts more inflamed. I religiously followed the “double cleanse, tone, treat, moisturize” method, only to see zero results.

The truth is, acne-prone skin doesn't need a 12-step skincare routine—it needs simplicity and consistency.

Experiment #4: dairy-free and gluten-free diets

Desperate to find a dietary link, I cut out dairy for an entire year. Nothing changed.

Then, I tried going gluten-free. Still, zero impact.

For full transparency, being gluten and dairy-free did help my alopecia areata (you can read more about my journey with that here). But for acne? No such luck.

While some people swear by these eliminations, they made no difference for my acne. It was frustrating because I wanted something to work—I wanted to believe that cutting out cheese or bread would be the answer. But unfortunately, my acne didn’t care.

Experiments that did help me cure my hormonal acne naturally

Experiment #1: blood sugar regulation (aka a ketogenic diet)

One day, after watching me spiral into frustration yet again, my husband found a study suggesting that lowering blood sugar could reduce acne. Desperate, I decided to try keto.

I loved carbs and sugar (I mean, I still do). Cutting them was brutal, lonely at times, and miserable at other times. But within three months, my deep cysts started disappearing. My skin looked calmer, less inflamed. And now, six months later, I don’t get breakouts. Not even around my period.

If full keto sounds extreme, even reducing sugar and refined carbs might help. I wish I’d known about this sooner.

It's the advice I never wanted to listen to: that diet could have such an impact on my acne.

I hate to have to say it, because I know how difficult it is.

If you've tried everything else, like I had, regulating your blood sugar might just be the thing.

Experiment #2: supplements that actually help—even a little

After years of trial and error (and some questionable bowel movements from overdoing supplements!) here’s what I take now:

• ‍Aegle’s Clear Skin Complex (UK-based) – Taken for six months, alongside keto.‍
• Zinc Citrate – Helps regulate oil production and reduce inflammation. A solid, steady player in my routine.‍
• DIM (Diindolylmethane) – Helps balance estrogen levels. Subtle, but useful.‍
• Magnesium Glycinate – Taken for three months so far, but promising for hormone regulation and inflammation.‍
• Multivitamin – Because keto can be nutrient-depleting, and good skin needs overall health support.

Experiment #3: a skincare routine that doesn’t overcomplicate things

I used to attack my skin with too many products. Now, simplicity is key:

• ‍Cleanser: Cetaphil for Oily Skin – A drugstore gem that actually works.
• ‍Treatment: Treclin (Tretinoin + Clindamycin) – A dermatologist-prescribed combo that helps keep my skin clear. Life hack: if you get it initially prescribed by a private dermatologist, if you're in the UK you can ask to switch this prescription to your GP. A money and timesaver.
• ‍Moisturizer: A lightweight, non-comedogenic option – Nothing fancy, just hydration. When you have oily skin, it's easy to want to dry your skin out, but don't. Your skin will overcompensate by producing more oil. Avoid. ‍
• Sunscreen: Beautypie Featherlight SPF 50, every day, no exceptions – If you use a retinoid, you must protect your skin. I used to live in fear of using SPF, thinking that I was clogging my pores. I now know that's not the case.

Less is more. My skin is happier now that I’m not constantly bombarding it with new products.

Experiment #4: patience, consistency, and letting go of perfection

One of the hardest things about acne isn't just the breakouts—it's the mental toll it takes. I used to obsessively check my skin in every mirror, analyze every new bump, and feel like my worth was tied to how clear my face looked.

The biggest shift? I stopped fighting my skin. I focused on supporting it instead. I stopped chasing overnight results and committed to consistency—and that’s when I started to heal.

Final thoughts & things I wish I knew sooner

For years, I believed the answer to clear skin had to come from a bottle. I didn’t realize that, for me, the biggest factor was internal.

Balancing my blood sugar, supporting my skin with the right nutrients, and simplifying my skincare routine changed everything.

If you’re still in the trenches, please don’t give up. Acne does not define you. You are not less worthy, less attractive, or less lovable because of your skin. I know how isolating it can feel, but you are not alone.

And sometimes, the answer comes from a completely unexpected place.

If my story resonates with you, or if you have questions, I’d love to help. Because after 15 years of feeling hopeless, I finally feel free. And I want that for you too. ♥️

The content on Crowd Sorcery is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or supplement.