If you've already encountered spironolactone in the past, it's likely that you've heard it in a different context. After all, it's a medication that has long been prescribed as a diuretic for people struggling with high blood pressure and other heart-related concerns. But in recent years, doctors have been prescribing it to people with hormonal acne as a form of treatment because of how well it targets the same hormones that cause blemishes.
"Spironolactone lowers blood pressure by acting on specific hormones in the body. These hormones just so happen to play a role in hormonal acne," dermatologist Dr. Claudia Ricotti shared with Cleveland Clinic. "Dermatologists have used spironolactone for many years as a well-studied and effective treatment option for hormonal acne." Meanwhile, dermatologist Dr. Shari Marchbein likens spironolactone to Pac-Man. "It eats hormones at the level of the oil gland, so it doesn't allow hormones produced by the body, such as testosterone, to bite the oil glands," she told Marie Claire. 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. But while taking it orally can produce impressive results, it still has notable side effects, including bloating, dizziness, a boost in potassium, and fatigue. Luckily, you can still gain the benefits of the medication by opting for its topical counterpart.
