My Favorite Products to Combat Accutane-Induced Dryness
I’ve been on a self-improvement kick lately, which includes everything from reorganizing my entire apartment to getting a master’s degree . Improving your surroundings is good and filling your brain is great, but I’m also a pretty vain and aesthetically-oriented person, so I didn’t stop there. Even though I’m in my 30s, I decided to finally start taking Accutane, a famous prescription oral retinoid that acts as a nuclear treatment option for acne and other skin problems. Accutane makes two promises: it will almost certainly work, and it will almost certainly dry out your entire body. Both are true, in my experience. Five months later, my skin has never looked better, except that at this point it is flaky, flaky, cracked and noticeably dry. I knew this was happening, so I immediately started messing around with different moisturizing and hydrating products, especially after my dermatologist told me that I could throw out all my old breakout- and texture-focused skincare products since they didn’t work for me. will no longer be needed. Here are the ones that worked best for me.
Best Products for Dry Lips on Accutane
I experienced the most dryness on my lips, which have been constantly chapped since about the third week of taking Accutane. This was especially heartbreaking for me because it made my lipstick and gloss look absolutely disgusting, so I probably put the most effort into fixing my lips. My overall pick is O’Keeffe’s Lip Repair Night Treatment ($7.51), which works before bed and lasts in the morning.
I have noticed that my lips are softer and less dry after constant use, but it doesn’t necessarily get rid of those flaky bits that stick out at the edges of my mouth. (It’s gross, but it’s true!) To do this, I use Bath & Body Works Lip Scrub ($10.95) and then follow with this brand’s Nourishing Lip Mask ($12.95). Don’t use the scrub too often, maybe once a week or so, but it will help get rid of some of the lingering effects of flaking. Other products I love for lips are my favorite CO Bigelow No. 306 Night Balm ($8.95) and Vanilla Lip Balm ($8.95). Obviously, I prefer nighttime solutions here: vanilla lip balm is the only thing I actually use during the daytime, and I feel confident sharing this advice: do as much as you can at night to help ease it all.
Best Products for Dry Face on Accutane
Apparently my face gets dry too, so I decided to make sure that while I’m investing all this time and money into becoming more attractive in the long term, I don’t look wrecked in the short term. I have two favorite products for dry face, although they are very different in consistency.
First up is the Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizer ($76). It comes out thick, which I like for overnight use, and its heaviness makes it effective at locking in moisture.
Next up is the Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream ($64), which I bought after I got my Accutane prescription but before I took my first pill because, and I quote myself, “I deserve to have fun.” Luckily, it’s a treat: it’s very lightweight yet very hydrating, so I apply it in the morning. It’s not sticky and absorbs very quickly, but it does have a strong scent, so if this isn’t your jam, it might not be for you.
Also, I make a sheet mask every few nights, randomly picking one from Target or H-Mart when I shop, and I haven’t found one that works better or worse than the others, so feel free to stay on the cheap side , if you do. Some evenings I also add DERMA-E Firming DMAE Moisturizer ($12.14) because since I’m no longer focusing all my skincare energy on the war on my pores, I’m focusing on treatments and products that others tackle Problems. . DERMA-E also has a strong scent, but it’s thick and easy to apply, plus I noticed a smoothing effect when using it (though there’s no noticeable “firming” effect…yet).
Best Products for General Dryness on Accutane
I too have noticed some dry skin outside of my face, but I’m already a bit of a lotion warrior, so it was hard to determine which of my too many products was helping me. For example, I use Glossier Body Hero Dry-Touch Oil Spray ($30) and Daily Perfecting Lotion ($28) every night, but noticed that after I started using Accutane, it seemed to absorb faster, like like my skin was a little drier. I desperately need this.
I’ve added two new products to my rotation that are specifically designed to address hydration issues at different levels after starting medication. I first started using Bath & Body Works Sensitive Skin Colloidal Oatmeal Body Oil ($20.95). This stuff is thick , so it takes a while to rub in, but that’s what I like about it. Its thickness literally creates a heavy layer on my skin that traps moisture. The thickness makes me feel like it’s actually doing something. Interestingly, it smells exactly the same as my med spa, which I mention not only because it plays weird memory-based tricks on me when I use it, but also why I can tell you that you can get Botox and filler on Accutane, but you can’t get chemical peels. In general, always consult your dermatologist and any other specialists before embarking on treatment or investing in a powerful product.
During my trip to Bath & Body Works, I also learned about their Hydrating Body Wash Line ($17.95). I already use the Glossier Body Hero Daily Cleansing Oil ($28), but it feels thin and slippery, and I’m not sure it’s as effective as the corresponding oil and lotion. The B&BW Hydrating Shower Gel (which can be purchased in almost all of the brand’s scents) is thicker, almost like a foaming lotion, and seems a little more helpful in terms of actually delivering a hydrating effect in the shower. I use this for shaving as dry skin is difficult to shave and I tend to bleed a little when I try it, so this thickness is much more comfortable for me.
Look, any lotion here is better than no lotion. I have vitamin E oil from the dollar store that’s so cheap the cap keeps falling apart and it’s great for moisturizing too. Consistency is more important than ingredients, sophistication or method, so my biggest tip is to grab as much lotion and oil as you can and stick it everywhere. Keep some in the bathroom, some in your bag, some near your bed, some near the kitchen sink, etc. Use it whenever you see it.
Other Helpful Products for Accutane Dryness
If you are concerned about dryness or other side effects, please report your concerns at every opportunity. My dermatologist prescribed me a steroid cream when I told her I noticed that small cuts were healing more slowly after starting the medication, and my optometrist gave me some extra moisturizing eye drops that were safe for my contact lenses when I told her I had also dry eyes. . Talking to relevant experts about whatever you are experiencing will bring some results.
I also got a new humidifier that allows me to completely immerse myself in the most humid air possible. The inside of my nose feels very dry after taking the pills, so the humidifier really helped when I woke up and didn’t feel like I was inhaling razor blades. I bought the Esemoil Cool Mist Humidifier ($39.99) because I love the app connectivity and the fact that it changes colors.
Lastly, I bought a bottle of Hi-Lyte Electrolyte Supplement ($20.96) and added a few drops to my drinks in hopes that it would hydrate me from the inside out. I don’t really know if it works, but it helps me feel like I’m doing something good for myself even when I’m drinking something sweet and terrible, and that’s the motivation I personally need to keep going.
In short, you’ll likely be bone dry for a while after you start using Accutane, but it’s a great excuse to spice up your collection of scents and potions. Just make sure you choose products that meet your specific needs as they arise.