Dermatologist Explains Spironolactone for Acne Treatment | Dr. Sam Ellis

As a dermatologist, I get so many questions from patients dealing with hormonal acne about spironolactone. That's why I wanted to create this video to help you decide if spironolactone is a great option for you.

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Apostrophe
02:38 What is Spironolactone?
04:14 Acne Treatments
04:56 "Hormonal" Acne
06:29 Topical Spironolactone
07:57 Topical vs Oral
08:45 Side Effects
11:34 What to Use it With
12:23 Subscribe!

DISCLAIMER: The information in this video is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician. Some of the links in this description may be affiliate links (marked with *). Affiliate links help support my YouTube channel so I can continue to create fun, informational skincare videos for you. Also, some products may have been received as PR. Thanks for watching!

[nicoleg]

Spironolactone has worked wonders for me. I have been on it for years. I started at 100 mg dose and it cured my cystic acne. I now take 25mg/day for maintenance:)

[mandyb]

Thank you for this! When my daughter was 15 she wanted to avoid Accutane, so her derm started her on Spironolactone, oral contraception, .5% Tret (and Doxycycline to start). It was the perfect cocktail for her and she’s acne free! She maintains w/ Spir, Tret & oral contraception now at 17.

[bionicx]

I’m 62 and my dermatologist put me on spironolactone years ago. I started at 100 mg and now take 25 mg daily. I also use Adapalene in the evening. My skin is consistently clear and the painful mouth and jawline cysts are gone.

What a bloody good explanation! I'm a huge fan of how you explained hyperkalaemia without even using the word ❤. For me, it's the fact that you explained that Spironolacrone is a diuretic, how it works as a diuretic, and then went on to explain how it works particularly for androgen blocking that got me to drink one while you were explaining (after over a month of having them in my cupboard and not taking them regularly). All I needed was to understand how this DIURETIC was relevant for MY needs. And you did that. Thank you so much! Please keep it up! ❤

[nicki]

So happy I stumbled upon this video! I just start Spiro today through a prescription with Apostrophe. I am suffering with Hormonal Acne and Hyperpigmentation in my 40s. I am hoping it works. Thanks for sharing your knowledge 🙏🏽

[crystalnixon]

Oral spironolactone completely cleared my very persistent acne. I love it!

[carsonroberts]

Just got prescribed oral spironolactone yesterday, so this video came at the perfect time! Thank you!

[jenniferh]

Hiiii Dr. Sam Ellis! I’m back to THANK YOU because this video changed the game for me 🙌🏼💓 Because I knew what to ask for (thanks to you), after probably 15 years of acne, my skin is finally cleared! Not perfect, but perfect to me!! Thank you!!

[mollynavarro]

Great video!!!! Love you Dr Ellis❤️

I was on Spriolactone for a few weeks and then my Dermatologist took me off once the acne went away… and now the acne is back but not as aggressive.

[ashleyb.]

My skin is feeling so smooth! Thank you Spironolactone.

[Mac]

When I turned 48, previously well controlled acne just simply exploded. I had never had a problem like it. It was so painful and itchy that it would wake me up at night. It was horrible and quite disfiguring. A derm took one look and put me on spironolactone and it was a game changer. I have no blemishes whatsoever now and must admit that I'm afraid to come off of it though I've thought of tapering it or doin every other day. Game. changer.

[lttlod]

I LOVE my spironolactone! A few years ago I was under a ton of stress that I think contributed to a sudden break out of cystic acne on my chin and face. I was mortified and so worried it wouldn't go away. I never had great skin but this was bad. Went to a dermatologist and she put me on spiro along with tretinoin and clindamycin. Saved my face!!!! I've never had better skin in my entire life! It's like a baby's butt, I'm not even kidding. It's so smooth! I use cerave everything. I eat a lot of sweet potatoes and bananas and tested fine for potassium. I do have a little spotting sometimes between periods but it doesn't bother me. Makes me stay hydrated too and peeing is good for you! I think it acts as a bit of a chill pill for me as well, lowering my blood pressure slightly perhaps? Maybe that's just therapy though ; )

[obaz]

this is such an amazing video thank you for being so great at explaining! starting spironolactone today!

[kafk]

I was on spironolactone for 2 years before I got pregnant, I never had any interference with my life or with anything I was currently taking. Ie. oral birth control. When I turned 22 it was like I went through puberty all over, in my adolescence I had zero issues with acne, it was not until my so called "child bearing years" that my hormones fluctuated. honestly, it took me 3 years of going through all all the tropicals, and I ³was told that spironolactone would eliminate the issue that was 2017, and still holds true to this day. That is the soul thing that eliminated my "hormonal" acne, before baby, and after. I have not experienced negative side effects, and regardless of birth control, it still works for me. I would recommend it to anyone .... as long as you are not currently pregnant.

[bonniehoff]

Wow! Thank you for this video! This new topical medication has been a game changer for me!!

[leenavanderwood]

I love Apostrophe's topical Spironolactone. I have a Spironolactone/Clindamycin combo and it's worked very well for me. I also use a .05%/15% Tretinoin/Azelaic Acid with it. I've found it well worth using the service. I also see a dermatologist, but states Apostrophe about 7 months before seeing a derm.

[amandaseaberg]

Thank you Dr. Ellis! I just took the first step and joined Apostrophe. Now I wait to hear back with my treatment plan. Really looking forward to some good results! 🤞

[JustMargaret]

Oh man! I took spironolactone for a couple years for my acne, and by far the worst part of it was having to go in for the potassium-monitoring blood draw every 6 months. At this point I have my acne under control with retinoids and BHA, but congrats to the spirono-cuties out there who no longer have to deal with biannual needle draws!!!

[angieshel]

Just started spironolactone two days ago for cyctic acne along the jawline after discontinuing birth control 10 months ago. Also using Winlevi and already improving. Not completely clear yet but it’s going in the right direction.

[alexandralincoln]

Great video! I’m 29 and have struggled with hormonal acne since 24-25. Spironolactone was the only thing that made a difference. It’s a huge boost in confidence and my skin has never felt or looked better! Side effects I experienced were breast tenderness (to the extent of waking me up if I accidentally rolled onto my stomach at night) plus double menstrual cycles and a patch of malasma on my stomach after being outdoors. I do not take hormonal birth control, just for FYI. Reduced the dosage and all side effects subsided. Since it can’t be taken during pregnancy, I wonder if topical spironolactone would work someday in the future.