12 Effective Oral Acne Treatments for Clearer Skin

Acne can be tough to deal with, but there are many ways to fight it from the inside out. Let's look at 12 oral acne treatments that can help clear up your skin. Always talk to a doctor before starting any new medication. Acne affects lots of people, and finding the right treatment often needs a personal approach. These oral treatments can be strong tools to fight acne, but they should be used with a doctor's guidance to be safe and work well.

1. Antibiotics: Battling Bacteria

Antibiotics are often the first choice for treating moderate to severe acne. They work by killing acne-causing bacteria and reducing inflammation. Some common antibiotics used for acne include:

• Doxycycline
• Minocycline
• Tetracycline

These medications are usually taken for 3-6 months. It's important to use them carefully to avoid antibiotic resistance. Your doctor might recommend using them along with topical treatments for the best results. Antibiotics target the bacteria that cause acne inflammation. They also help reduce redness and swelling. Make sure to finish all the antibiotics your doctor prescribes, even if you start seeing improvements sooner.

2. Isotretinoin: The Strong Treatment

Isotretinoin, once known as Accutane, is a powerful medication used for severe, stubborn acne. It works by:

• Reducing oil production
• Shrinking oil glands
• Preventing clogged pores
• Fighting acne-causing bacteria

This medication is usually taken for 4-6 months and can provide long-lasting results. However, it can have side effects and needs close monitoring by a doctor. It's not safe for pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant. Isotretinoin is made from vitamin A and works by greatly reducing oil production in your skin. It also helps your skin cells turn over normally, preventing dead skin cells from clogging your pores. While it works well, it can cause dry skin, lips, and eyes. Patients need to be carefully checked throughout treatment.

3. Birth Control Pills: Hormonal Help

For women dealing with hormonal acne, certain birth control pills can really help. These pills control hormones that cause acne, especially breakouts along the jawline and chin. The FDA has approved some specific birth control pills for acne treatment, including:

• Yaz
• Ortho Tri-Cyclen
• Estrostep

It usually takes about 2-3 months to see improvement. Remember, birth control pills aren't right for everyone, so talk to your doctor about whether they're a good option for you. These pills work by balancing hormones that can make your skin produce too much oil. They usually contain estrogen and progestin, which can help control androgen levels in your body. Androgens, like testosterone, can make your skin produce more oil, leading to clogged pores and acne. By reducing these androgens, birth control pills can help manage acne in many women.

4. Spironolactone: Another Hormone Helper

Spironolactone is another medication that can help with hormonal acne in women. It works by blocking androgen receptors, which can reduce oil production and acne. This medication is particularly useful for acne on the lower face, jawline, and neck.

While it's not officially approved for acne treatment, many skin doctors prescribe it. It can take a few months to see results, and regular check-ups are important to watch for side effects. Spironolactone was first made to treat high blood pressure, but it also helps with acne because it blocks male hormones. It's especially helpful for women who get acne around their period or those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The medication can affect periods and isn't safe for pregnant women, so it's important to talk about these things with your doctor.

5. Oral Zinc: A Natural Approach

Zinc is a mineral that's important for skin health. Some studies have shown that taking zinc supplements can help reduce acne. It works by:

• Reducing inflammation
• Killing acne-causing bacteria
• Controlling oil production

The recommended dose is usually 30-45 mg of zinc per day. While it's generally safe, it's always best to check with your doctor before starting any new supplement. Zinc helps with many body functions, including healing wounds and supporting your immune system. For acne, zinc can reduce inflammation and may help control how much oil your skin makes. It also helps your body heal, which can make acne spots go away faster. But be careful not to take too much zinc, as it can interfere with other minerals your body needs.

6. Vitamin A: More Than Just a Vitamin

Vitamin A is related to retinoids, which are often used in acne creams. Taking oral vitamin A can help with acne by:

• Reducing oil production
• Promoting skin cell turnover
• Fighting inflammation

However, high doses of vitamin A can be harmful, so it's crucial to only take it under a doctor's supervision. Many skin doctors prefer prescribing synthetic retinoids like isotretinoin instead. Vitamin A is really important for healthy skin. It helps your skin cells turn over properly, which can prevent dead skin cells from clogging your pores. Vitamin A also protects your skin from damage. While vitamin A supplements can help with acne, taking too much can be dangerous. That's why doctors often prefer to use synthetic forms of vitamin A, which are designed to be safer.

7. Probiotics: Gut Health for Skin Health

There's growing evidence that gut health plays a role in skin health. Some studies suggest that taking probiotic supplements can help improve acne. Probiotics may work by:

• Reducing inflammation throughout the body
• Balancing hormones
• Supporting the skin's natural barrier

While more research is needed, adding a probiotic supplement to your routine might be worth discussing with your doctor. Scientists are learning more about how your gut health affects your skin. Probiotics are good bacteria that help keep your gut healthy. A healthy gut might help reduce inflammation in your body, which could help with acne. Some probiotics might even help stop acne-causing bacteria from growing on your skin. While we're still learning about how this works, many skin doctors are starting to recommend probiotic supplements as part of acne treatment.

8. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC): An Antioxidant Approach

NAC is an antioxidant supplement that's shown promise in treating acne, especially in people with hormonal imbalances. It may help by:

• Reducing inflammation
• Supporting liver function, which can affect hormone balance
• Regulating oil production

While it's not a standard acne treatment, some skin doctors are exploring its use. As with any supplement, it's important to talk to a doctor before starting NAC. NAC helps your body make a powerful antioxidant called glutathione. It's been used in medicine for years, mainly to treat coughs and certain drug overdoses. For acne, NAC might help reduce stress in your skin cells, which can lead to less inflammation and acne. It might also help with insulin resistance, which is often linked to hormonal acne. While we need more studies, some research has shown good results, especially for people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who often have acne problems.

9. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fighting Inflammation

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil and some plant-based sources, have anti-inflammatory properties that may help with acne. They can:

• Reduce overall inflammation in the body
• Support skin health
• Help balance hormones

While you can get omega-3s from your diet, some people choose to take supplements. As always, check with your doctor before starting any new supplement. Omega-3 fatty acids are important fats that help reduce inflammation in your body. For acne, this might help reduce the redness and swelling of pimples. Omega-3s also help keep your skin's protective barrier healthy, which can keep it hydrated and less likely to get infected. Some studies suggest that omega-3s might also help balance your hormones, which could be good for people with hormonal acne. While eating fatty fish is a great way to get omega-3s, fish oil supplements can be an easy option too.

10. Metformin: Not Just for Diabetes

Metformin is mainly used to treat diabetes, but it's sometimes prescribed for acne, especially in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It may help acne by:

• Reducing insulin levels, which can impact acne
• Potentially having anti-inflammatory effects

This medication requires a prescription and close monitoring by a doctor. It's not a standard acne treatment but might be an option for some people. Metformin works by helping your body use insulin better and lowering your blood sugar. For acne, high insulin levels can make your body produce more hormones that increase oil production in your skin, leading to more acne. By helping control insulin, metformin might indirectly help with acne, especially for people with insulin resistance or PCOS. Some studies also suggest that metformin might directly reduce inflammation in the skin. However, metformin can cause stomach issues and should only be used under a doctor's care.

11. Green Tea Extract: Antioxidant Power

Green tea is known for its antioxidant properties, and some studies suggest it might help with acne when taken as a supplement. Green tea extract may:

• Reduce inflammation
• Help balance hormones
• Have antimicrobial effects

While more research is needed, adding green tea to your diet or taking a supplement might be a gentle way to support your skin health. Green tea has lots of antioxidants, especially one called EGCG. These antioxidants can help reduce inflammation in your skin and protect your skin cells from damage. Some studies suggest that green tea might also help control oil production in your skin and fight against acne-causing bacteria. It might even help balance your hormones, which could be good for hormonal acne. While drinking green tea can be helpful, supplements often have more concentrated amounts of these good compounds, which might have stronger effects on your skin.

12. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Supporting Skin Health

Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is sometimes used to treat acne. It may help by:

• Reducing oil production
• Supporting skin barrier function
• Promoting wound healing

Some people find success with high-dose B5 supplements, but it's important to use them under medical supervision. Our Acne Fighting Kit - The Yellow Bottle B5 can be a great way to incorporate B5 into your skincare routine. Vitamin B5 is important for how your body uses fats and makes a substance called coenzyme A, which is involved in many cell processes. For acne, some studies suggest that taking a lot of B5 can help reduce oil production in your skin, which might lead to fewer clogged pores and less acne. B5 also helps keep your skin's protective barrier healthy, which can protect against things that might irritate your skin. It also helps with wound healing, which might help acne spots heal faster. While we need more research to fully understand how it affects acne, many people say B5 supplements have helped their skin.

Conclusion: Finding Your Best Acne-Fighting Strategy

Dealing with acne can be frustrating, but there are many oral treatments that can help. From antibiotics to hormonal therapies and natural supplements, the key is finding what works best for you. Remember, it often takes a combination of treatments and some patience to see results. Acne is complicated and can be caused by many things like your genes, hormones, diet, and lifestyle. What works for one person might not work for another, which is why it's important to find a treatment plan that's right for you.

Always talk to a skin doctor or healthcare provider before starting any new acne treatment. They can help you create a plan that might include oral medications, topical treatments, and lifestyle changes. Often, the best way to manage acne is to treat it both from the inside and outside. This might include a mix of oral treatments, skin products, changes to your diet, and ways to manage stress.

At Acne Fighting Kit, we're here to help you on your journey to clearer skin. Our products, like the Acne Fighting Patch and The Yellow Bottle B5, can work alongside your oral treatments to help you get the healthy, clear skin you want. Remember that being consistent is really important when treating acne. It might take several weeks or even months to see big improvements, so be patient and stick with your treatment plan. With the right mix of treatments and some persistence, you can achieve clearer, healthier-looking skin.