If your skin seems to follow your calendar, you are not alone. In a survey of 400 women, 44% said their acne flared before their period.[1] In a second survey of 105 adult women with acne, 65% said it was worse around their period.[2] Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) has been studied for premenstrual symptoms for decades, in placebo-controlled trials since the 1990s.[3][4] ClearDerm with Probiotics includes chasteberry to support clear skin through breakouts linked to the monthly cycle.[5] Here is what the research shows.
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From Anirva, the maker of ClearDerm with Probiotics. This article is general information, not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
- Cycle-linked breakouts are common. Almost half of women in one survey, and two in three in another, reported acne flares around their period.[1][2]
- Chasteberry has decades of research for the monthly cycle. A review found benefits for premenstrual symptoms in most placebo-controlled trials.[4]
- In a 2001 trial, symptoms fell by half or more in 52% of women on chasteberry, against 24% on placebo.[6]
- It acts on hormone signals. In lab studies its compounds act on dopamine receptors, and in one small trial it lowered the hormone prolactin.[7][3]
- It is one part of ClearDerm. No placebo-controlled trial has tested chasteberry on acne.[4][8] ClearDerm pairs it with zinc, vitamin A, probiotics and other ingredients.[5]
Facts at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ingredient | Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) berry |
| Amount in ClearDerm | 30 mg a day, in 2 capsules; form [FORM REQUIRED] |
| Amounts in the trials | Dry extracts, for example 20 mg a day of the extract Ze 440 |
| Kinds of evidence | Placebo-controlled trials and reviews for premenstrual symptoms; hormone studies; lab studies; surveys of cycle-linked acne |
| Studied in | Women |
| Last reviewed | [DATE] |
What is chasteberry?
Chasteberry is the fruit of the chaste tree, a shrub native to the Mediterranean and Central Asia. It is sold as a dietary supplement, mostly for symptoms around the monthly cycle.[11]
A 2013 review notes that chasteberry is part of herbal remedies used to regulate the cycle, ease premenstrual tension and help hormone-linked acne.[12] That use comes from herbal practice, not from acne trials.
Why do breakouts follow the monthly cycle?
Two surveys measured how often breakouts follow the cycle.
- 400 women with acne, aged 12 to 52 (2001). 44% reported premenstrual flares. Flares were more common in women over 33 than in women aged 20 to 33.[1]
- 105 adult women with acne at one dermatology clinic (2014). 65% said their acne was worse with their period. Of these, 56% said it got worse in the week before.[2]
The authors of the 2001 survey wrote that "almost half of all women experience premenstrual flares of their acne." Acne has "an underlying hormonal basis," they noted.[1]
ClearDerm includes chasteberry for the monthly cycle, alongside ingredients for the skin.[5]
How does chasteberry work?
- Dopamine signals. In lab studies, chasteberry extract acted on dopamine D2 receptors.[10] Some of its compounds lowered prolactin release from pituitary cells, almost as strongly as dopamine itself.[7]
- Prolactin. A placebo-controlled trial included 52 women whose bodies released too much prolactin under a test, and whose cycles had a short second half. They took 20 mg of chasteberry extract or a placebo for three months; 37 completed it. On chasteberry, the prolactin response fell and the second half of the cycle returned to normal length. These changes were not seen on placebo.[3]
- Progesterone. In the same trial, progesterone in the second half of the cycle rose to normal levels.[3]
Some women release extra prolactin during stress and deep sleep, and even more before a period.[7] The research is still growing: no study has yet shown that these hormone effects change the skin.
What the trials show for the monthly cycle
A placebo-controlled trial in 170 women (2001)
Women with premenstrual symptoms took one 20 mg tablet of the chasteberry extract Ze 440 or a placebo daily for three cycles.[6]
Symptoms included irritability, mood changes, anger, headache, breast fullness and bloating. They improved more on chasteberry than on placebo.[6]
Symptoms fell by half or more in 52% of women on chasteberry and 24% on placebo. Side effects were mild and similar in both groups.[6] The maker of the extract funded the trial and supplied the tablets.[6]
A dose trial (2012)
In 162 women aged 18 to 45, the same extract was tested at 8, 20 and 30 mg a day against placebo.[9]
The 20 mg dose did better than placebo and better than 8 mg. The 30 mg dose did not do better than 20 mg.[9] It tested the same company's extract.
What the reviews conclude
2013 review, 12 trials.[4] In seven of eight trials for premenstrual symptoms, chasteberry did better than placebo or the comparison product. Side effects were "mild and generally infrequent."
2017 meta-analysis, 14 trials.[13] The combined result was large, but most trials were designed in ways that make results less reliable, and results varied widely. The authors said the true effect is likely smaller.
2019 meta-analysis, 3 well-reported trials (520 women).[8] Women on chasteberry were 2.57 times more likely to have their symptoms ease than women on placebo.
Study summary
| Study | What was taken | People and length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schellenberg 2001 | Ze 440 extract, 20 mg | 170 women; 3 cycles; vs placebo | Symptoms halved: 52% vs 24% |
| Schellenberg 2012 | Ze 440 extract, 8, 20 or 30 mg | 162 women aged 18–45; 3 cycles; vs placebo | 20 mg beat placebo; 30 mg no better |
| Milewicz 1993 | Chasteberry extract, 20 mg | 52 women with raised prolactin; 3 months; vs placebo | Prolactin release down; progesterone normal |
| Csupor 2019 | Ze 440 or BNO 1095 extracts | 3 trials, 520 women | 2.57 times more likely to improve |
How much chasteberry is in ClearDerm?
Two capsules of ClearDerm provide 30 mg of chaste tree berry.[5] The form is [FORM REQUIRED].
The trials used dry extracts.[6][9][8] A berry powder and an extract of the same weight are not the same amount of plant, so the form matters.
Is chasteberry safe?
Chasteberry is "generally well tolerated in the short term," according to the NIH's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.[11]
- Side effects. A review of all available safety data found side effects were mild and went away. The most common were nausea, headache, stomach upset, menstrual changes, acne, itching and rash.[14] If your skin gets worse, stop and talk to your doctor.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Chasteberry should be avoided during pregnancy or breastfeeding.[14][11]
- Hormone-sensitive conditions. It may not be safe for women with hormone-sensitive conditions, such as breast, uterine or ovarian cancer.[11]
- Medicines. No drug interactions were reported, but chasteberry might in theory interfere with medicines that block dopamine, such as some medicines for psychosis or nausea.[14]
Chasteberry is one part of ClearDerm
ClearDerm with Probiotics is a daily two-capsule skin supplement with 22 ingredients: vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, an enzyme and six probiotic strains. They were chosen to promote clear skin, support a clear complexion and support the gut–skin connection.[5]
Chasteberry supports the monthly cycle. Zinc, vitamin A and the probiotic blend support the skin and the gut–skin connection.[5]
ClearDerm has not been clinically tested as a finished product. When you take it, you are not relying on one ingredient alone.
ClearDerm is made in Phoenix, Arizona, in a cGMP-certified facility. Every ingredient is listed on the label, and the probiotic blend is given as one total.[5]
In the trials, women took chasteberry every day and were assessed after three cycles.[6][9] A few points help you use ClearDerm well: take it daily — the cycle trials measured symptoms after three cycles; no study has measured when skin changes[6]; take ClearDerm with food and water, as the directions say[5]; and if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding, have a hormone-sensitive condition, or take any medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you start.[11][14][5]
22 ingredients, including chasteberry
ClearDerm with Probiotics is a daily two-capsule supplement that pairs chasteberry with zinc, vitamin A, probiotics and other ingredients chosen to support clear skin. Every ingredient is listed on the label.
See ClearDermIf you are deciding
Breakouts linked to the monthly cycle are common.[1][2] Chasteberry has decades of research for the cycle, and most placebo-controlled trials found it eased premenstrual symptoms.[4] Lab and hormone studies show it acts on dopamine and prolactin signals.[7][3] No placebo-controlled trial has tested it on acne.[4][8] ClearDerm includes it with 21 other ingredients chosen to promote clear skin.[5]
The short version
Many women break out before their period. Chasteberry has decades of research for the monthly cycle, and ClearDerm includes it to support clear skin through breakouts linked to the cycle.
Frequently asked questions
Has chasteberry been tested for hormonal acne?
How common is acne before a period?
How does chasteberry work?
How much chasteberry was used in studies?
How long were the chasteberry trials?
Is chasteberry safe?
Is chasteberry in ClearDerm?
Yes. Two capsules provide 30 mg of chaste tree berry.[5]
References
- Stoll S, Shalita AR, Webster GF, Kaplan R, Danesh S, Penstein A. The effect of the menstrual cycle on acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001;45(6):957-960. doi:10.1067/mjd.2001.117382. PMID: 11712049.
- Geller L, Rosen J, Frankel A, Goldenberg G. Perimenstrual flare of adult acne. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(8):30-34. PMID: 25161758.
- Milewicz A, Gejdel E, Sworen H, Sienkiewicz K, Jedrzejak J, Teucher T, et al. Vitex agnus castus extract in the treatment of luteal phase defects due to latent hyperprolactinemia: results of a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study [in German]. Arzneimittelforschung. 1993;43(7):752-756. PMID: 8369008.
- van Die MD, Burger HG, Teede HJ, Bone KM. Vitex agnus-castus extracts for female reproductive disorders: a systematic review of clinical trials. Planta Med. 2013;79(7):562-575. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1327831. PMID: 23136064.
- Anirva. ClearDerm with Probiotics Supplement Facts label and product page. https://anirva.com/pages/clear-derm-with-probiotics (accessed October 12, 2026).
- Schellenberg R. Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study. BMJ. 2001;322(7279):134-137. doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7279.134. PMID: 11159568.
- Wuttke W, Jarry H, Christoffel V, Spengler B, Seidlová-Wuttke D. Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus): pharmacology and clinical indications. Phytomedicine. 2003;10(4):348-357. doi:10.1078/094471103322004866. PMID: 12809367.
- Csupor D, Lantos T, Hegyi P, Benkő R, Viola R, Gyöngyi Z, et al. Vitex agnus-castus in premenstrual syndrome: a meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2019;47:102190. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.08.024. PMID: 31780016.
- Schellenberg R, Zimmermann C, Drewe J, Hoexter G, Zahner C. Dose-dependent efficacy of the Vitex agnus castus extract Ze 440 in patients suffering from premenstrual syndrome. Phytomedicine. 2012;19(14):1325-1331. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2012.08.006. PMID: 23022391.
- Meier B, Berger D, Hoberg E, Sticher O, Schaffner W. Pharmacological activities of Vitex agnus-castus extracts in vitro. Phytomedicine. 2000;7(5):373-381. doi:10.1016/S0944-7113(00)80058-6. PMID: 11081988.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Chasteberry. Last updated April 2025. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chasteberry (accessed October 12, 2026).
- Rani A, Sharma A. The genus Vitex: a review. Pharmacogn Rev. 2013;7(14):188-198. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.120522. PMID: 24347927.
- Verkaik S, Kamperman AM, van Westrhenen R, Schulte PFJ. The treatment of premenstrual syndrome with preparations of Vitex agnus castus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017;217(2):150-166. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2017.02.028. PMID: 28237870.
- Daniele C, Thompson Coon J, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Vitex agnus castus: a systematic review of adverse events. Drug Saf. 2005;28(4):319-332. doi:10.2165/00002018-200528040-00004. PMID: 15783241.
