Accutane and Dry Skin: What Users Say

• Los...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2020

For Acne "I promised myself that if this worked, then I would write a review to hopefully help other patients out who are hesitant about taking Accutane. I have been taking Accutane (40 mg/day) for 4 months now. I am 5'5 and 138 pounds. I can say that Accutane works better than any other acne medication (the other medication I tried was Spiro, which helped my face acne by like 75% but did nothing for my back/chest acne). I have tried, and I had minimal side effects (dry skin, some fatigue, increased sun sensitivity, dry lips, dry eyes), but that is all. It was all worth it though. It not only got rid of my cystic acne but also got rid of my closed comedones and the sebaceous filaments on my nose. My ONLY regret is not taking this sooner. If you have pitted scarring or your skin scars easily, please take this. I have nothing but positive things to say about Accutane."

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2020

For Acne "I find that Accutane is one of the most life-changing experiences. Started to notice a huge difference in my skin on month 2. Treatment is very harsh with many side effects. Dry and thin skin, breakouts now and then, very dry eyes. I tried all types of Blistex lip balms, which did not help. Baseline Blue Seal works wonders on the lips and even on dry areas of the skin. I apply sunscreen every day with Nutraderm lotion to hydrate my skin. I also find that it really helps to have at least 3 liters of water every day. I'm currently in the middle of month 3 of treatment, and the past few weeks have been the hardest. Skin and lips are drier than ever, and there is a loss of hair. Some days depression kicks in, so it is important to keep your loved ones around you just to have some positivity. This treatment is quite costly, but it is all worth it in the end. A few months of side effects and paying the price for lifelong great skin and confidence."

• ter...
• April 7, 2020

For Acne "This drug is poison. Please care for yourself. Accutane ruined my life. I took 80 mg of Accutane for 9 months at 18 years old. I had cystic acne on my back and face. I tried birth control, antibiotics, and topical creams. So my dermatologist recommended this. Side effects: dry skin all over, chapped lips, eczema, brittle nails. Vision problems, waking up in the morning with my eyes sealed shut with pus, and dry eyes. Lips were a huge scab. Normal and monthly checkups/blood tests. I had dime-sized blisters on my body from a sunburn. Six months: body aches that made it difficult to sleep, poor digestion, hemorrhoids, bloody stools, and sad. Months 7-9: my hair fell out! I lost 80% of my hair, in pain and depressed. Nine months: finished treatment, I was 'cured' of my acne. I was bald, poor vision, and in pain mentally and physically. Three months later, my acne came back worse. My dermatologist said to do round 2 of Accutane, and I told her never to recommend it to anyone. It is so toxic for your body. Please do not take this drug."

• Pet...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 4, 2018

For Acne "I had to take two courses, genuinely think this drug saved my life. I had beyond severe, painful, bulging, cystic acne everywhere that nothing worked for while in high school. I had to wear undershirts because I would bleed through my shirts. I had to quit sports because any contact would cause bleeding, not to mention pain. I was essentially bullied out of high school due to the severity of my skin. I literally, to this day, have never seen anyone with as bad of acne as I had. It completely cleared up my skin after the first course. After a few months, it did come back, pretty harshly by most people’s standards, but literally nothing in comparison to what it was. I took another course, and I have clear skin to this day, 6 years later with minimal scarring. The only side effect I had was dry everything - skin, eyes, nose, lips. People say it causes depression, I think having severe acne is much more likely to cause depression than Accutane."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2020

For Acne "I was on Accutane for 6 months at 80 mg/day. I finished about 8 months ago, and my skin is still very clear. The 'it gets worse before it gets better' line is very true. My skin was bad for the first three months I was on Accutane but then slowly improved the last three months. My worst side effects were lower back pain, dry skin, and dry eyes. These side effects went away after I finished. I highly recommend taking Accutane. Although it is hard having your skin be bad for a couple of months straight, it is definitely worth it. One thing they don't really tell you about is the blood work and pregnancy test you have to do once a month before getting your new packet for that month. This was kind of annoying, but if everything checks out in the first couple of months, you don't have to keep doing it."

• JDO...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 25, 2020

For Acne "There is no doubt this drug Accutane works initially, but the long-term side effects and long-term success are definitely questionable. I took Accutane for 6 months, and yes, it cleared my skin completely, but at what cost? My skin was pink/red, dry, and extremely sensitive to sunlight. 12 months after I came off Accutane, my acne returned exactly as it was before. Not only that, but I now suffer from rosacea, I cannot tan, especially on my face, I have a red face all the time, and I blush when drinking. I never had severe acne and honestly wish I had never taken this medication, as the side effects are worse than the initial acne. Give it some serious thought, and please only take if you have severe acne."

• nur...
• June 9, 2014

For Acne "I used it over a year ago. All I really have to say is that it changed my life, truthfully. I'm 25 years old and I had gotten bad cysts on my jawline and almost everywhere really. Nothing worked, so finally I tried it. All the crap you hear about dry skin and lips doesn't come close to how good you feel while your skin gets better. I only did a 6-month trial, and it's been over a year since I stopped, and I haven't had one cyst, pimple, or anything since. The same goes for my back, I had very mild acne there, and that has stopped as well. So if anybody is worried to take it, don't be. It really works, and it's so worth it."

• Nic...
• March 20, 2014

For Acne "I'm on my fourth month of Accutane and can honestly say this has changed my life. Four months ago, my confidence was literally non-existent. I couldn't look people in the eye, I hid away from everyone even my family as much as I could, I hated going out in public. My acne wasn't severe or cystic but when you have pimples on your face, you feel like that's all people are looking at. After reading so many scary things about this medicine I was really hesitant about going on it. But I couldn't be happier that I did. I've experienced only dry lips, skin and eyes which is pretty easy to control with a good moisturizer. I sometimes (rarely) experience minor back pain. But it's so worth it, everything is worth it. I finally have my life back!"

• Jac...
• April 3, 2014

For Acne "Accutane is the best medicine in the world. I get every side effect known to man and this medicine only gave me the common side effects. The only side effects I got were dry skin (which was a blessing because my skin was extremely oily), dry lips, and toward the last two months my white blood cell count got low. I would recommend this medicine to everyone. As long as you eat right and are somewhat active you should be fine on this medicine. Also, most say depression is a factor but I have a family history of depression and when I was 12-15 (I am currently 18) I suffered from extreme anxiety and I had no emotional issues with this medicine. It is life changing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2014

For Acne "I am 20 years old and have been suffering from acne since I was 14. I tried EVERY topical lotions, antibiotics, and face washes you can think of, and nothing worked on my stubborn skin. I was terrified of going on Accutane because of some bad reviews I read about it. After talking with my dermatologist, I decided to give Accutane a shot. Best decision of my life!! I am currently almost done with my third month, and my skin feels so smooth and looks amazing. I have so much more confidence in myself and can go out without worrying about my skin looking horrible. The only side effects I have gotten so far are dry skin and very dry lips (I carry Chapstick with me 24/7!). Other than that, all I can say is Accutane is truly a miracle."

• Laa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2019

For Acne "I took Accutane at age 40, and I regret not taking it sooner. My skin and lips did not become overly dry. I did have blood work done every month and signed paperwork saying I would use birth control. This medication changed my life. My face cleared up almost immediately. No more embarrassing cystic acne that kept me from enjoying my life. I had read horror stories but spoke to several people who had success with this drug. For me, it was worth the risk. I tried creams, lotions, potions, multiple antibiotics, and nothing worked."

• Kwh...
• February 28, 2014

For Acne "I'm just coming to the end of my fourth month on this medicine and it's worked a dream!! Before having this I cried every morning not wanting to go to school and every night before I went to sleep. I tried every single facial wash and tablet there was (prescribed and over the counter). Since being on the medicine, my life has turned around. I'm not afraid to take photos with family and friends and I only use light make-up. I'm not afraid to go out! I did have some side effects such as sickness, depression, nosebleeds, joint pain, dry skin, and chapped lips, however, the doctor dropped the dosage and now I'm back to my normal self! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

• Dee...
• June 2, 2020

For Acne "If you have tried everything else and failed, then Accutane is the way to go. It never fails. Of course, some will need a higher dosage than others or a longer period of time, depending on how bad the acne is. I was on a one-pill-per-day option for 4 months. Within 2 months, most of my pimples had cleared, and I only had spots. I was happy. But the side effects are also not very pretty. But I think it is a small price to pay for clearer skin forever. I had really dry lips. Had to drink water all the time. I actually used to sleep with a bottle and some Vaseline to use during the night. My whole body was extremely dry, including my private parts. Had small nosebleeds. But I'd try to put Vaseline with an earbud in my nose to avoid drying up. My face was very sensitive. I was lucky all this happened during lockdown, so I was in the house for quite some time. In my third to fourth month, every side effect became worse."

• Hol...
• December 17, 2013

For Acne "I wrote a review here a few months ago when I was starting my third week on Accutane. Now I am starting my fourth month, and it's going great. I had mentioned a bunch of side effects before, and now the only side effect is chapped lips and dry skin. My face actually feels like a face now, and I can actually feel my skin instead of a million dry bumps. I did break out only on my forehead at the beginning, but it only lasted about 2-3 weeks. Then I would get a pimple every now and then, but now I don't even get pimples anymore. I can't even imagine how much more flawless my face can get. I hope it affects everyone else in a positive way too."

• Ano...
• January 13, 2013

For Acne "I'm 16 years old and used to suffer from scarring acne. Accutane was AMAZING. At first, I was so scared to go on this medication due to side effects, but my doctor had finally talked me into it. I started seeing amazing results after about a month. My skin was pretty much clear by month 3. The only side effects I had were dry lips (however, Aquaphor solved that problem) and dry skin (Cetaphil after washing my face or shower solved that problem). I also had a huge change in attitude. I was much more active and my appetite changed. I LOST 30 lbs, I sometimes had cravings, however, I feel as though Accutane sped up my metabolism. Highly recommended, I feel beautiful now."

• Cle...
• January 24, 2016

For Acne "I am now 55 years old. I started developing acne when I was 14. It became so severe that my parents took me to a dermatologist. This was back in the 1970s when all that was available were antibiotics and infrared light treatment. It worked on and off, but after several years, my body built up a resistance to the antibiotics and the severe acne returned. I was prescribed Accutane when I was 29. My acne cleared up in 3 days! I had some mild side effects: dry skin, dry lips (which continue to this day). But my skin is crystal clear and has been for almost 30 years! I highly recommend this wonderful medication. I don't know what my life would have been like without it."

• Tre...
• October 6, 2019

For Acne "Our son started struggling with acne around age 12, and we tried everything over the counter, and things just weren't improving. When he was 13, we started seeing a dermatologist, I did not want to try Accutane. I was worried about side effects. We continued to see the dermatologist and continued treatment but never did get on the Accutane until about a year later when he turned 14. His acne was getting so bad that his skin was starting to show some minor pitting, and he didn't want to take off his shirt because of the acne all over his chest and back. After four months, we started seeing improvement, and he was off of it at the eighth month. It has been over a year since he completed his treatment, and he is still acne-free! The side effects that he experienced were extremely dry skin, and he was very moody during his eight months of treatment! All this being said, it was well worth it for him! I am so thankful that we took this medicine."

• Jen...
• May 13, 2019

For Acne "Accutane has been great for my skin as I struggled with mild acne from the age of 12 to 18 years old. When I hit college, my skin became extremely oily, and my small pimples became deep cysts. I saw a dermatologist and was put on Differin and also Duac. I went through several courses of antibiotics without ever getting fully clear skin. My dermatologist told me that Accutane was the next step. The only bad side effects I had besides the dry skin and dry lips were some pretty horrendous headaches at the beginning. My dermatologist made me take a week off taking it, and those headaches never returned. Besides that, my Accutane course was great, and my blood work was just fine. Before Accutane, I was too embarrassed to be seen by anyone, including family, without makeup on. Now I can leave my house with no makeup. This is true freedom, my skin is now JUST skin, and I can look people in the eye and not worry about them staring at a huge cyst on my face. I wish I had done this ten years ago!"

• Rex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2018

For Acne "I've had acne my whole life (age 29). Face was always oily, and I'd pop pimples all the time. Started Accutane in January. Face and lips started getting really dry. Eucerin lotion and Aquaphor worked very well, but needed to apply several times a day. Eczema on the top of my hands, wrists, and upper arms (small red bumps that I've never had before in my life), so more lotion was required. By the middle of the second month, my acne was gone. I had dry eyes that required artificial tears at least 8 times a day. After 3 months, my doctor told me I can discontinue taking it. It did not hold me back from being active and traveling through a few countries either. The side effects had disappeared except for a few small bumps only on my upper arms. It is November now. Still haven't seen a single pimple on my face! Had mild depression and anxiety, but I've also had a long history even before taking Accutane. Different people will have different results and side effects. Best of luck to everyone."

• l-j...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2015

For Acne "If you have acne, Accutane is the holy grail. I had mild to moderate acne in high school. I took it for six weeks. It sucked my skin dry as a bone, but after that, my skin looked pristine. With the exception of an occasional stray pimple, I have not had a breakout in 15 years. There is no point in trying anything else."

• Phi...
• August 26, 2019

For Acne "I really struggled with acne in my teens and my twenties. Roaccutane, at 27, I took the plunge. I read all the side effects. I was due to be on Roaccutane for 4 months, but I ended up on it for 6-7 months. Nothing can prepare you for the dry lips and skin. After about 7 days on the treatment, my acne just went crazy. I was developing 10 new spots an hour, they were coming out so fast my face was now full with more spots than ever, but I had prepared myself for it. The medication was starting to take effect. It was hard being on the medication with dry lips and skin, but a small price to pay for good skin. In the last month of the treatment, my skin improved 100%. People would comment on how clear my skin was. But then, about 3 months after, I would get the odd spot, but since then I apply a little Duac gel from the doctor once or twice a week, and it keeps my skin clear. I am now 39, and my skin is good, it has changed my life for the better."

• bra...
• January 17, 2017

For Acne "I'm your typical 18-year-old lad and have never written on a forum before, but I want to write something for the people that are worried about taking this (in my opinion) miracle drug. I am coming to the end of my 6-month course, and I can honestly say it's been life-changing. Before I started Roaccutane, I was fairly depressed and seriously lacking confidence due to my appearance. But after months of failed treatments on various antibiotics, I was referred to a dermatologist who instantly said there's only one way to fix my acne problem: Roaccutane. At first, I thought this is the worst-case scenario and I'm going to be even more depressed as a result of the possible mental health side effects. Depression has run in my family, so I was very worried. However, living with acne wasn't something I was prepared to do, so I started the course on 40 mg a day. The first week, I had a headache daily, but thankfully these died off after a week, and paracetamol and ibuprofen will take all the pain away. Almost immediately, my lips were cracking, and from then on in, I never went anywhere without some Carmex lip balm in my pocket. As the first 3 months went by, I was still breaking out and was starting to think it isn't going to work. However, I'm so glad I stuck with it because now I haven't got a single spot on my face, and the scars have faded to the point where you can barely see them! After the third month, my derm upped my dose, and I started to take 60 mg a day. Luckily for me, I hadn't had any serious side effects. Just your occasional nosebleed and dry skin, and sometimes my eyes were a bit blurry, but it's not much of an issue. Anyway, I just want anyone reading this who is worried about starting this medication to know that not everyone has a horror story about Roaccutane, and I couldn't be happier with how it's made me feel! Don't let acne take over your life!"

• Mir...
• November 25, 2014

For Acne "Started it at 31. All the extra stuff that comes with the medication is SO worth it. Yeah, you feel achy and have dry skin, but it literally gets rid of everything. I had mild but very persistent acne since my early teens. This included body acne. I tried it all: detergents, shampoos, face washes...nothing worked. I had very oily skin. I was free of acne after about 3 weeks of taking it. I've had maybe 10 tiny zits since then, and I am in month 4 of 6."

• Lis...
• August 8, 2014

For Acne "Amazing! I understand when people say they tried everything. I didn't have severe acne, but persistent and regular. Plus, it didn't help that I was a real squeezer and probably made the whole situation worse. And I already get anxious about social situations, so the skin problem added to that! I was able to go on a low dose, 20 mg, which I was scared wouldn't be enough, but this stuff is strong! Can't complain about the dry skin, as how else is it going to work? The whole idea is to make you less oily. Lips were very dry and gross at the start, and whole layers were peeling off, but that isn't so bad now. Have been through about 10 lip balms already! But that's it really. Sometimes feel a little tired, but that could also not be Accutane."

• Xxn...
• May 27, 2013

For Acne "I had cystic acne on my face, neck, shoulders, and back. I have never been able to wear a tank top or bathing suit and my hair with no makeup for 7 years. HIGHLY RECOMMEND ACCUTANE! I'm not even done with my 120-day course yet, and I could almost cry right now, talking about how great I feel now. I think the trick to avoiding all those serious side effects is sticking to a lower dosage. I'm on 30 mg a day, and it took 3 1/2 months (BE STRONG PEOPLE, IT TAKES TIME), and I can officially say I am acne-free all over for the first time in 7 years. I wish I could be some sort of motivational speaker for this stuff. If you are thinking about it, DO IT! The downside is the dry patches on my arms and cracked lips, the only thing that works is Vaseline. And another upside to it is my hair! It never gets oily!"