Researchers at the University of Southampton have identified spironolactone as a promising treatment option for acne in women. The findings, published in a respected medical journal, add meaningful evidence to a long-standing clinical question about effective non-antibiotic therapies for persistent facial acne.
The clinical trial enrolled more than 400 women, all 18 years or older, who had ongoing acne for at least six months at the outset. Participants who had previously tried oral antibiotics for acne were included. In the study, half of the volunteers received spironolactone while the other half received a placebo. Across three and six months of treatment, the spironolactone group showed clearer skin and a greater reduction in pimples than the placebo group, indicating a tangible benefit for this hormonal approach to acne management. These results suggest spironolactone can provide meaningful improvements for many patients who have not responded fully to antibiotic therapy alone.
Originally used for decades to treat hypertension, spironolactone also lowers levels of hormones implicated in acne development, offering a dual opportunity in everyday clinical practice. Because it has a long history of use, clinicians may approach it with greater confidence in appropriate patients, though prior smaller studies left some uncertainty about its true effectiveness. This newer, larger trial helps address that gap by providing more robust data on how spironolactone performs in real-world treatment settings for women with persistent acne.
The authors and other researchers see potential public health benefits in adopting effective non-antibiotic acne therapies, given rising concerns about antimicrobial resistance. In regions like the United States and Europe, where guidance already recognizes spironolactone as a treatment option for women with ongoing acne, these findings reinforce its role as part of a broader, hormone-targeted strategy. Ongoing work will continue to clarify which patient groups benefit most, how best to monitor for side effects, and how spironolactone can be integrated with other non-antibiotic therapies to optimize outcomes for patients across North America.