I agree with KSUViolet06. I used Retin-A Micro for acne (cystic at that :( ) and I got WONDERFUL results. I did experience peeling for the first 2-3 weeks but after that, nothing. Just be sure to use a good moisturizer (especially if you have dry skin) with sunscreen and you will be fine.

I would not use BC as a way to control acne.

Now, I use pure tea tree oil to treat it. At the first sign of cystic acne I apply it topically twice a day and it works. It will either never form or it will last for only 2 to 3 days (never fulling "forming" and totally gone by day 3). No scarring or peeling either.

So true - I'm on my fourth or fifth BC now and everything is working great except my face is breaking out like crazy and my freckles are getting so dark. The BC has been the only change in my life and I have no idea why it would be affecting my freckles, but it's the only thing I can think of!

I am on Yaz and Retin-A Micro. While the Retin-A works for me, if does leave my skin really peely, so I use it every other day and it seems to work pretty well that way. But I really have yet to find any medication or treatment that works well for me. Over the years, I've tried it all -- Benzaclin, Differin, Proactiv, Retin-A, oral antibiotics ... my acne is definitely not as bad as it was as a teen, but I still get about 5 breakouts a month (mostly on my chin) and I still have problems with blackheads on my chin and nose. Luckily I'm a pro with concealer and I swear by Bareminerals, which I think has helped to improve my skin a bit as well.

I switched from Yasmin to Yaz recently and I noticed a big difference. I was less moody and the PMS migraines weren't as bad.

I used Retin-A as a teen, and it works well. A little bit of peeling the first few weeks is normal. It will stop when your skin gets used to it.

A common side effect of all of your topical acne medications will be peeling/drying. Generic forms of the topical medications can be even more drying if the drug store gives you those. Best way to combat that is to cut back on your daily usage and gradually work back up again over time .I use retin-A for acne as well as sundamage and it has really improved my skin (in addition to Philosophy skin care and Bare Minerals). I can only use it once a day though because it does dry me out and cause flaking if i use it more often.

It will make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and artificial light from tanning beds so yes daily sunscreen is a must. Birth control pills will also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and the same recommendations for sunscreen apply. Freckles are a sign of too much sun and those particular skin cells have "tanned" if you will causing freckles and for current freckles to become darker (I only know that because today oddly enough I was talking to my mother in law who is a dermatology nurse about freckles). She told me there are products they use in their office to lighten freckles but they are expensive and can lighten the non-freckled parts of the face as well.

Speaking of BC pills. As far as I know as of this time Ortho-tricylene is the only one that is FDA approved for reducing acne, but as others have said other birth control pills have also shown to do the same (though they may not have FDA approval for it). Birth control pills can also make you break out as well depending on the the strength of the hormones that are in them especially around in the laugh line areas around the mouth and the cheeks. I no longer take them, but I have been on three different brands of pills plus the patch before and they worked at first for me by reducing acne breakouts but after about 6 months the acne came back .

As a side note the patch caused my skin to break out locally too because apparently my skin is sensitive to the adhesive. I dont recommend the the BC patch for anything.