If you suffer from acne, then you should consider using hormonal therapies such as oral contraceptives which have been proven to be amazingly effective in clearing breakouts and preventing their reoccurrence. Oral contraceptives are the most common hormonal medications used today and can be part of the treatment because they lower free testosterone. The male hormone testosterone appears at low levels in a normal healthy female. At certain stages of life, such as puberty or menopause, testosterone levels can vary greatly, producing a host of disturbing symptoms, including acne that resists all conventional treatments. Some oral contraceptives have been approved for treatment of acne in women who want to be on the Pill. These drugs reduce the number of pimples by about 50%, on average. While this is significant, birth control pills don't adequately clear the skin of all women with breakouts. And, of course, they are not an option for women who prefer not to take oral contraceptives.