Acne medications work by reducing oil production and swelling or by treating bacterial infection. With most prescription acne drugs, you may not see results for four to eight weeks. It can take many months or years for your acne to clear up completely.

What is the best pill for acne?

The best birth control pill for acne is a combination pill—one that contains both estrogen and progestin. The FDA has approved four such birth control pills for the treatment of acne: Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Estrostep Fe, Beyaz, and Yaz.

How long do acne pills take to work?

The experience of taking an oral acne medication will vary depending on the product used. Oral antibiotics can take between six and eight weeks to start working, but the treatment will often only last a few days.