Methods
Pills for acne: which brands?
Quick answer
Diane-35, Althea and Cybelle (cyproterone acetate + ethinylestradiol) are licensed for moderate to severe hormone-related acne, from ₱525 a pack.[src] Drospirenone pills such as Yaz, Lizelle, Yasmin and Liza (drospirenone + ethinylestradiol) are the other family doctors often discuss. Expect about 3 cycles before judging.
Our acne guide explains how pills help skin and who should avoid them. This page is the shopping view: the brands, what a year costs, and a realistic timeline.
Cost per year, cheapest first
Pills in the same group have identical active ingredients and doses. The difference is price and pack layout.[src][src] A year is 13 packs.
| Brand | Formula | Pack | From, per pack | About a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cybelle | cyproterone acetate 2 mg + ethinylestradiol 35 mcg | 21 tablets | ₱525 | ₱6,825 |
| Althea | cyproterone acetate 2 mg + ethinylestradiol 35 mcg | 21 tablets | ₱537 | ₱6,981 |
| Diane-35 | cyproterone acetate 2 mg + ethinylestradiol 35 mcg | 21 tablets | ₱695.75 | ₱9,045 |
| Erin | drospirenone 3 mg + ethinylestradiol 30 mcg | 21 tablets | ₱700 | ₱9,100 |
| Ermina | drospirenone 3 mg + ethinylestradiol 20 mcg | 24 tablets | ₱720 | ₱9,360 |
| Liza | drospirenone 3 mg + ethinylestradiol 30 mcg | 21 tablets | ₱786.75 | ₱10,228 |
| Lizelle | drospirenone 3 mg + ethinylestradiol 20 mcg | 28 tablets | ₱815 | ₱10,595 |
| Yaz | drospirenone 3 mg + ethinylestradiol 20 mcg | 28 tablets | ₱889 | ₱11,557 |
Only the cyproterone acetate group carries the European licence for acne and excess hair that we can cite.[src] Filipinas with PCOS on Reddit often weigh Diane-35 against Yaz, and experiences go both ways.[src] If your doctor is happy with a formula, a cheaper twin is worth asking about: see Diane-35 vs Althea, Althea vs Cybelle and Yaz vs Lizelle.
What to expect, month by month
- Month 1: new bumps are common. Do not stop because of an early breakout.[src] Spotting, sore breasts and nausea can also happen and usually settle.[src]
- Months 2 to 3: most people judge whether skin is improving around here. Keep using your usual skin care.
- Around month 3 to 6: review with your doctor. If acne is clearer, ask how long to stay on a cyproterone acetate pill, since EMA ties its use to the acne, not to contraception alone.[src]
- After stopping: acne often returns. Plan skin care with your doctor or a dermatologist before you stop.
Track your skin, mood and bleeding in the side effect tracker, then show it to your doctor.
When a pill is not the answer
- You smoke and are 35 or older, have migraine with aura, or have had a blood clot. Combined pills are not suitable.[src]
- You are breastfeeding. Progestin-only pills like Daphne (lynestrenol) do not reliably help acne.
- You are already on another hormonal method. Do not add a cyproterone acetate pill on top of it.[src]
Three legal routes
Get a prescription
Acne pills need a prescription in the Philippines. Pick the route that suits you. For adults 18 and over.
Free at a health center
Barangay health centers, RHUs, DOH hospitals and Likhaan. Subject to supply.
See an OB-GYN in person
Clinic visit, prescription in hand. Bring it to any licensed pharmacy.
Online consult
A licensed doctor by video or chat. From ₱700 on some platforms.
Online consult options
For adults 18 and over. Fees are set by each provider and can change.
Frequently asked questions
Anong pills ang maganda para sa acne?
Ang Diane-35, Althea at Cybelle (cyproterone acetate + ethinylestradiol) ay may lisensya para sa katamtaman hanggang malalang acne na dulot ng hormones. May iba ring pinag-uusapan tulad ng Yaz. Kailangan ng reseta, at mga 3 buwan bago makita ang epekto.
Is Yaz or Diane-35 better for acne?
They are different families. Diane-35 has the European acne licence we cite; Yaz uses drospirenone. Which one may suit you depends on your skin, health history and clot risk, so ask your doctor.
Can Trust pills help acne?
Some people notice clearer skin on any combined pill, but Trust is not licensed for acne. If acne is the main reason, ask your doctor about the options above.
This guide is for information. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or switching birth control.
Sources
- Benefits of Diane 35 and its generics outweigh risks in certain patient groups, European Medicines Agency
- Oral contraceptives category, Watsons PH
- Prescription Pharmacy: Contraceptive Agents, Rose Pharmacy
- Diane 35 or Yaz?, r/PCOSPhilippines
- Combined pill: risks and side effects, NHS
- Combined pill: who can and cannot take it, NHS