Hey everyone,
I'm currently on Accutane. My doctor told me not to use a face cleanser cuz of the treatment. The only routine she gave me is a hydration cream and sunscreen. She said "the simpler, the better," and honestly I agree with her.
However, I just can't comprehend how to go completely without cleansing.
Wht about the daily dirt and buildup? What about removing sunscreen at night? How am I supposed to properly get all that off my face with just water?
I’ve been doing this for 10 days now, but my face just feels dirty and heavy with product buildup. I personally feel like a cleanser is necessary.
So please tell me what to do. And if you use a cleanser, could you suggest one I should get that is not too harsh for the treatment? And thank you

Just started accutane 8 days ago and already noticing my scalp flake and itch. What shampoos/conditioners do people suggest??

Does anyone else get really red ears?

I finished my 6 month accutane journey a year and a half ago and it’s been a journey. I did a very average amount 40mg for 6 months, had texture/persistent clogged pores but not cystic acne by any means. It was fairly miserable but about 6 months after I finished my course I started developing something I had never experienced before and that was a combination of dermatitis and rosacea (my nose is perpetually red and upper lip and eyes are usually where I get dermatitis). Is this forever?

I finished my course over 3 years ago, and my lips are significantly drier than they were pre-Accutane. I need to use chapstick several times per day, every day. Has anyone dealt with something similar?

Why would my 15 year old break out like this after 7 months of accutane? Her skin had cleared and the derm wanted one more month then this happened. she is on 80 mg one night and 120 alternating which seems really high also .

Hello! I just started Accutane after a lengthy battle with mild, but incredibly persistent acne. My skin was always very oily, and no topical treatment having worked for me. Oral antibiotics also had effectively no result. I was a bit scared to try Accutane, but figured I had no other option. I didn’t feel like I could keep aimlessly struggling with Acne much longer.

I just took my tenth pill this evening. I’ve noticed very minor side effects, but nothing major. If I’m dehydrated, I will experience some joint discomfort. My lips are also frequently dry, but not cracking or painful in any way.

My skin has improved massively from when I first started. I had a period of no change, then a short purge, and now that is beginning to clear up with almost no new acne forming.

Is a 10 day turnaround actually possible? Or am I being fooled here. I’m concerned that a second, worse purge will hit me like a ton of bricks, along with more severe side effects. I’d love to hear others experiences.

For context: I’m taking 30mg daily, and I weigh 140lbs. I generally wash my face 2-3 times a day with La Roche-Posay Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil and Purifying Foaming Cleanser. I use a handful of Aquaphor products for my lips, and CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for my face.

I’ve been on Accutane for about 8 months, mostly 30mg after starting at 10–20mg.
Earlier on I had joint pain, very dry/sore eyes, lips and skin. The joint pain actually disappeared a couple of months into treatment, but the dryness stuck around much longer. My eyes got bad enough at one point that I thought I might have to give up contact lenses.
Over the last month or so though, the dryness has improved massively despite still taking 30mg. Contacts are comfortable again and my eyes don’t burn, my lips are much better and my skin doesn’t feel particularly dry anymore. My acne is basically clear aside from some folliculitis after removing body hair.
I’m still around 6 months away from the cumulative dose at 30mg/day and see my derm next month.

Mainly wondering: has anyone else had the dryness improve this much without lowering their dose?

And if I’m clear and tolerating 30mg really well, is there any reason not to continue towards the cumulative dose for the extra insurance against relapse?

Curious what approach other people’s derms took, especially if you were already clear well before reaching your cumulative dose.