accutane: pros, cons, tips, and product recs
💊my story: after having acne since fourth grade, i finally decided to start accutane my senior year of highschool. I always thought my skin “wasn’t bad enough to go on accutane,” but I always struggled immensely. I tried everything, but nothing worked, at least not long term. My skin was my biggest insecurity. The decision to start was definitely really scary. I was very afraid of the side effects (especially how it would affect my mental health). Ultimately acne caused so much stress in my life so the purging period was really tough, but it was so worth it. My greatest regret is not going on it sooner because I am so happy with my results.
💊pros: honestly, there aren’t many. obviously I ended up with clear skin (not to brag, but I used to say I’d kill for skin like this). the only other benefit i can think of is that I could go longer without washing my hair. I was always an every other day girly, but while I was on it I could push to around 5 days. Sadly my hair returned to its old ways, but it was great for the time being.
💊cons: it was hell.
The obvious- dry lips. They cracked and hurt like a mf some days. You have to apply aquaphor constantly. With that, dry skin in general, including dry scalp/dandruff.
It’s a major hit to the self esteem. Some days I could hardly look in the mirror. Plus, wearing makeup didn’t help since my skin was so textured and dry. Your skin will likely look worse than it ever has during the purging period. I know that sounds scary, but remember it will pass.
I did 8 months instead of the usual 6. My dermatologist told me the purging would last 2-3 months, and then I’d be clear. It was so frustrating to go back month after month and that wasn’t happening. However, I’m really glad I pushed for the extra 2 months as you can see at the end.
The sun is not your friend. I started accutane at the end of august and finished in june, so thankfully it wasn’t a time when I was spending a lot of time in the sun. Still, I tried to apply SPF on my face every day. My derm gave me tons of sunscreen samples.
💊tips: you need a buttload of aquaphor. ask your derm if they have samples- mine was able to give me a bunch of mini tubes so I kept them everywhere. I also had a huge tub of CeraVe vaseline which I debatably liked more.
Every step of your routine should be hydrating. I personally love Neutrogena’s “Hydro Boost” line. Stay away from anything drying. I highly recommend a hyaluronic acid serum, just make sure there is still some moisture/water on your face when you apply it. Otherwise, it won’t do its job.
When my skin got really dry, my derm told me to really prioritize hydration. Breakouts were bound to happen. So at night, I lathered my face in vaseline.
💊picking: I really struggled with popping and picking. My derm always told me not to, but stopping wasn’t really in the cards for me no matter how hard I tried. To avoid scarring, I got Vitamin E oil. You can buy ingestible capsules which you can pop open, or get a bottle off Amazon. Fair warning- it smells like shit. But, it’ll really speed up the healing process. I liked mixing the oil with another moisturizer or vaseline and applied every night.
💊products: I’m no professional and everyone’s skin is different. But this is what I used, and I think it worked out pretty well.
Face wash: Rodan+Fields Soothe #1 is non-foaming so it is better for hydration. Neutrogena Hydro Boost wash is foaming, but still hydrating and gives a deep clean.
Hyaluronic Serum: I love the La Roche Posay one, but Neutrogena has a cheaper alternative.
Moisturizer: Surprise! another item from Neutrogena ‘s Hydro Boost line. Get the moisturizer but specifically the one for extra dry skin
Vaselines: of course, Aquaphor and CeraVe. but also- Egyptian Magic. It’s a thinner, natural alternative to vaseline made with olive oil, beeswax, and honey. This was my favorite to mix with the vitamin E.
💊pep talk: you are beautiful inside and out. all pain it temporary. you got this. I hope this helped!!
Okay, let’s dive a little deeper into what Accutane really felt like, beyond just the physical. While the article touches on the emotional toll, it’s something often underestimated. I remember days during the purging period where seeing my active acne worsen made me want to hide from the world. It wasn't just the physical discomfort of dry, peeling skin; it was the mental exhaustion of trying to stay positive when every glance in the mirror showed a face full of healing blemishes and new breakouts. My dermatologist had mentioned a purge timeline of 2-3 months, but for me, it felt like an eternity, stretching well past that. It’s crucial to know that everyone’s body reacts differently, and patience is your absolute best friend. During those hard months, I learned that self-care wasn't just about applying Aquaphor. It was also about protecting my mental health. I found comfort in reading other people's Accutane journeys online and reminding myself that this difficult phase was temporary. It’s okay to feel down, but don’t let it consume you. Focus on the end goal: the clear skin you’re working towards. Regarding the relentless dryness – my lips were cracked and sore, and my skin felt constantly tight. Beyond the product recommendations, here are a few more tips that truly made a difference for me. Firstly, invest in a good humidifier, especially for your bedroom. It significantly helped with the dry air, which in turn helped my skin and nasal passages. Secondly, be mindful of your shower temperature. Hot showers strip your skin of its natural oils, which you absolutely cannot afford while on Accutane. Lukewarm water is your friend. Thirdly, consider using a silk pillowcase. It’s gentler on your sensitive, dry skin and hair, reducing friction and irritation. I also found that cutting down on physical exfoliation entirely and opting for gentle chemical exfoliation (like a lactic acid toner, *only if approved by your derm!*) once a week helped with flaky skin without causing further irritation. And let's not forget sun protection. The article mentions it, but I can't stress it enough. Your skin becomes incredibly sensitive to the sun while on Accutane. Even on cloudy days, or when just running errands, I made sure to apply a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ religiously. This isn't just to prevent sunburn; it's vital for preventing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) that can linger long after your acne has cleared. Protecting your skin now ensures your clear skin lasts and remains even-toned. Now that I've successfully completed my 8-month journey and achieved the clear skin I'd always hoped for, the focus shifts to maintenance. While I no longer experience extreme dryness, I've kept a hydration-focused routine. I still use hydrating cleansers and moisturizers, and hyaluronic acid remains a staple. My skin is less oily, but I continue to protect it from the sun daily. Accutane was a challenging commitment, but looking at my 'after' photos now, it was 100% worth every struggle for the confidence it gave me.
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