The skin is a complex organ on its own. But add the menstrual cycle and hormone fluctuations into the mix, and it requires a whole new level of understanding. When taking a contraceptive pill, you’re fundamentally tweaking your body’s own hormone levels, which plays a massive role in the appearance of your skin.

As Dr Sophie Shotter, skin and hormone doctor at Illuminate Skin Clinic and Get Harley, explains, “Our skin cells contain lots of hormone receptors which drive different responses in the skin. Fibroblasts, for example, are particularly sensitive to oestrogen which drives collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production giving us glowing, radiant skin. Testosterone increases the production of sebum in the sebaceous glands, leading to increased oiliness and making you more prone to breakouts. Oestrogen also drives the production of melanin by the melanocyte cells, which is what can cause melasma to appear”.

From acne to melasma, here’s how contraceptive pills can affect your skin