Accutane and Dryness: What Users Say

• Sun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 28, 2020

For Acne "I took this 20 years ago for awful acne that I had fought from nearly 13 to 20 years old. I was terrified to take it, but I had tried every option. It cleared me up completely. I had minimal side effects and MUCH higher self esteem finally. I finally felt attractive and I honestly think, had I taken it sooner, my life would be different in some ways. My son is now taking it for the awful, cystic acne I've passed down to him! The dryness bothers him some, and at 2 months in he's not seeing the difference he wants, but I'm telling him to push through."

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 17, 2019

For Acne "If you're debating whether to take this medication or not, please do it! You will not regret it. I suffered from cystic acne, and my dermatologist recommended this drug to me. I read reviews on it, and there were so many bad reviews and so many negative things about Accutane, but I promise you it's not as bad as people make it out to be. Although everyone's experience on Accutane is different, mine was very good. By the first month, I saw a change. Some of the side effects that I experienced were sore muscles in the first month. Another side effect was dryness, OMG when I tell you my skin was dry! The products I used were Cetaphil as a gentle wash and CeraVe as a moisturizer, and that's it. Do not use anything more than that, your skin is so fragile and sensitive while on Accutane. My holy grail item was CARMEX for my lips. Finally, I just want to say that regardless of the side effects on Accutane, it was worth it, I promise you! If you have cystic acne and want to get rid of it, please take this!"

• Cou...
• January 3, 2015

For Acne "I am a nineteen-year-old female who has suffered with mild acne since I was about 10. I tried every cream, pill, and face wash you can imagine throughout the years, and nothing completely got rid of my acne. When I was 18, my doctor recommended I try Accutane. I did a 6-month course of 10 mg a day, and I can honestly say it changed my life. I would recommend it to anyone who struggles with persistent acne. Before taking Accutane, acne controlled my life. I would stay home just because of bad breakouts. Now my skin is flawless, and I only get the occasional pimple, which I can now deal with. Yes, I was dry when I was on Accutane, but the end result is SO worth the 6 months of mild dryness!"

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2014

For Acne "I was 49 when I began taking Accutane for moderate acne. My insurance company only approved 5 months' treatment. My dermatologist generally recommends 8 months, but I was satisfied with my results at the end of my 5-month course. I had the common side effects of chapped lips and dry, itching skin. It's been 4 months post-treatment, and I'm still clear of bumps. I don't regret my decision."

• VM1...
• October 18, 2015

For Acne "Accutane saved my life. Although the dryness was sometimes hard to cope with, I highly recommend Accutane to those of you who have literally tried everything and nothing seemed to work. I had bad acne, and I tried every face wash, cream... you name it... and it did not work. Until I found Accutane and asked my doctor if I could try it, I was miserable. Having a clear face made me have so much more confidence. I really do owe Accutane everything. Thank you so much for making my life better."

• Rya...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2020

For Acne "Yes, there is some dryness and sensitivity. I applied various lip products hourly, and I found myself putting Vaseline up my nose. But, I've been dealing with cystic acne since high school (I'm now 37), and my skin is finally clear and smooth."

• Art...
• February 24, 2020

For Acne "I'm almost finished with my third month of Accutane. I started taking Accutane due to severe body acne (chest, back, neck, arms, etc.). I first attempted doxy and topical lotion, but it did not seem to help. Therefore, my dermatologist recommended Accutane. I started out at 40 mg in the first month and am now on 80 mg during my third month. The first month was not bad with side effects at all. I simply noticed dry lips and a bit more dryness on my body. Month two was not too bad either, some headaches, and more dryness on the lips and body. Month three is when some of the emotional instability kicked in. I have been experiencing some anxiety and depression, but it's been manageable. The irritation and more anger have been the worst emotional side effects. I've also noticed thinning of the skin, more easily injured, and more noticeable veins. Overall, I still believe taking Accutane has been worth it. Yes, the side effects suck, especially in winter, but I'm so glad my acne is gone."

• Jak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2020

For Acne "Accutane was overall a horrible experience. The first month went perfectly smoothly. I experienced dryness and chapped lips as usual. When my dosage increased during the second month, things got worse. Acne was starting to slowly improve, but my liver experienced extremely increased enzymes. While on this medicine, I avoided drinking alcohol. I took every precaution to be healthy. It just didn’t work, and I had to stop. Now I still have elevated liver enzymes, and I have to see a physician. This medicine affects everyone differently, and you must know that going in. Definitely a last resort medicine, as it works for people but hurts others."

• ari...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2013

For Acne "I've heard so many bad, scary things about Accutane. Eventually, I came to a point where I was questioning all this bad press. What's the worst that could happen? I am glad that I looked past the negativity and gave Accutane a try. I have never felt so 'normal' in my life. The acne on my back is finally clearing up. I don't have to spend an hour in the bathroom each day messing with lotions, cleansers, creams, gels, whatever. I'm only a couple of weeks into it, but I'm not even getting chapped lips or dryness. Just clear skin. Thank you, Roche!"

• k3m...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2013

For Acne "After about 7 years of struggling with severe, sometimes even deeply cystic acne on my face and shoulders, my dermatologist finally convinced me to try Accutane. I had been on at least 10 different topical and oral medications beforehand, and nothing helped at all until I went on a 6-month Accutane regimen. It gets a little worse before it gets better, but I'm on my last month now, and I'm 100% CLEAR! It's so wonderful! However, the medicine is really drying, especially on your lips and eyes (plus I wear contacts). You need to apply lip balm almost constantly, but it's worth it in the end! Also, my arms dried out and were red and flaky for a few weeks, but a drugstore lotion cleared that up quickly. I would highly recommend Accutane to anyone!"

• Hay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2013

For Acne "I'm a 17-year-old girl, and I had acne all over my cheeks and forehead. I had tried another form of oral acne medication and prescription face gels, but nothing helped. I'm almost on my 3rd month of Accutane, and my skin has improved 150%. I still will get a pimple every now and then, but they're nowhere near as severe. The dryness is annoying. Cetaphil soap and lotion have worked well for my face. I use Aquaphor and Burt's Bees for my lips, but they still flake away all the time. I also get nosebleeds because of the dryness in my nose. I also sleep a lot more since I've been on Accutane. It's worth it, though!"

• ash...
• December 3, 2009

For Acne "I have been on Accutane for 3 months, and the ONLY bad thing I would say is the dryness and migraines. That part sucks. I have been on the 1 a day treatment, and this month my doctor updated me to twice a day. Once he did that, I started getting nosebleeds and TERRIBLE migraines, which made me throw up. I told my doctor, and he backed down to 1 a day. My acne started clearing up the first month, but it was still bad. Then, month two, I FINALLY had clear skin. It was amazing, I hadn't seen a day without a zit in 10 years (I'm 21 now), and now I feel great. I highly recommend Accutane to people who suffer from depressing acne. I tried Proactive 3 times, Acne Free, Clearasil Clean Advantage Kit, homeopathic remedies-DIDN'T WORK. ACCUTANE does!"

• Anonymous
• April 22, 2010

For Acne "Accutane is not an easy drug to take, but it does work. I was 31 and had acne since puberty. I had large cysts, and nothing worked. I took it for four months, and it completely cleared up my skin. I did have significant dryness of my skin and had painful joints, but it was totally worth it to me. This was in 1990, and I have not had a problem with my skin since. I would definitely recommend it for severe cases of acne. It changed my life."

• Kar...
• March 4, 2013

For Acne "I'm 22, female, and just started month 4. I am glad I started Accutane, although it is quite expensive. My monthly blood draws are $250 each time with health insurance. The worst side effect for me is the dryness, especially my lips. Carmex in a stick has worked best for me over Aquaphor. I use Cetaphil facial moisturizer and cleanser. I use each of them morning and night, and they have worked well. I would recommend this medication to any acne sufferers, it's amazing the confidence you gain with clear skin. I have been so much more outgoing since I don't have to worry about people staring at my latest pimple. I can't wait for summer when I will be able to go to the beach without makeup and not be self-conscious about it!"

• Xev...
• July 29, 2016

For Acne "I've been taking Oratane (off-brand Accutane) for nearly 6 months now. My dosage was 20 mg during the first month and then 40 mg for the remainder of my cycle. I'm a 24-year-old male (I was 23 when I began taking the drug) with mild (but irritating) facial acne and moderate acne on my upper back. I found that my acne cleared up towards my second month of treatment. The only side effects I've encountered are dryness - dry lips being the main one, but easily remedied with chapstick. My skin (particularly on my face) and eyes also occasionally get dry, these can be tackled with moisturizer and eye drops. Aside from that, everything has been smooth sailing. I recommend Accutane to anyone with severe acne or stubborn acne that won't go away."

• Anonymous
• May 12, 2009

For Acne "I think this medicine is a wonder drug. When I was 15, I took this medication for severe cystic acne, and within 5 months, my acne was completely gone except for the redness that eventually went away. I only experience dryness of my skin, lips, and hair, and very mild depression (but hey, who isn't depressed when you have acne that bad). Now I am 27 and have some minor breakouts, but I wouldn't go back and change my decision to take Accutane for anything in the world. It changed my life for the better in so many ways."

• Guy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2015

For Acne "Accutane has been a miracle drug for me. I have not had a single pimple since the 2nd month of treatment, and I've been off it for just under a month. My acne, like others, was horrible before Accutane. Another thing to note, I had virtually zero side effects, just a little bit of dryness around my mouth and lips. It was NOTHING like the horror stories you read about on the web. Just brush your lips with a toothbrush in the morning and at night and put some Aquaphor/lip balm on after, and you'll be fine for the whole day. I also always ate tons of healthy fats (grass-fed butter and meat, eggs, organic full-fat dairy, coconut butter, avocados, olive oil, macadamia nuts, and natural peanut butter) with my Accutane, so that may have helped too."

• ult...
• May 31, 2020

For Acne "I’m excited that I finally joined this party. I was cycling through antibiotics and Retin-A/adapalene for all of high school and college, and it was fairly ineffective and miserable. I came to accept myself in college, and for a while, I thought it was immoral/dangerous to risk Accutane because I had depression in high school. However, over the years, I learned that several of my classmates and my own cousin had taken it and looked normal. When I started my first job while living at home right after college, I decided it was time to roll the dice with Accutane. I’m in a special category of people because I decided that I was willing to own the risk just for the chance to try this drug and see if it opens some doors for me. I also wanted the assurance that this was something I could recommend to my future child. In terms of symptoms, I got the dryness, a few nosebleeds, joint pain, itchiness, hazy eyesight, peeling skin, and I took 60 mg a day for 6 months."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2015

For Acne "Accutane has saved my life. My acne surfaced around 22 years old, and from then on, I've tried every salicylic and benzoyl product, Retin-A and every other topical product from the dermatologist, and oral antibiotics known to mankind, and nothing worked. I started Accutane, now just starting month 4, and I have NO pimples! Only minimal scarring, but who cares as long as I don't have disgusting bumps and whiteheads all over my face! If you can get over the crazy dryness and chapped lips 24/7, you will be good. No joke, I used to be able to count anywhere from 10 to 20 pimples on my face, now I am clear!!!! I'm so scared because I need to stop Accutane a month early and pray my acne doesn't come back.:("

• til...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 8, 2016

For Acne "I was on Accutane for a little over 6 months. I started at 30 mgs/day, but became suicidal and had severe joint pain, so my doc dropped me to 20 mgs/day. I was able to handle the dryness and sun sensitivity. Ultimately, I stopped taking it early because it dried out my lungs, and (although I can't prove it) I believe my new diagnosis of asthma is due to the Accutane. I suffered from horrible chest pain for over a month before figuring out it was the Accutane. Once I stopped, the chest pain went away, but the asthma has not gone away. It did completely clear up my skin, but I don't know if it was worth it. I've been off for 3 months now, and I have a little acne again, but it's not anywhere near as bad as it was before."

• Anonymous
• February 26, 2009

For Acne "I've been on Accutane for three months now and have already seen a major difference in my skin. My skin used to be super oily to the point where even right after I washed my face, there was a layer of oil. After the first month, all the oil had dried up, but I still had acne (which is obviously to be expected). Now, after just 3 months, my acne is almost completely gone. Granted, I always have to have chapstick wherever I go since my lips are very dry, but it is manageable. I also have to make sure to apply lotion regularly, especially on colder days. Other than the dryness, I have had no other side effects and would certainly say that the side effects I have had are worth it."

• Anonymous
• December 2, 2009

For Acne "I took Accutane for 5 months when I was 17 and saw amazing results. I thought that Accutane was supposed to clear acne forever, but mine came back when I was about 21, but not as bad as it was when I was a teenager. After trying other treatments for the past 3 years, I am starting on Accutane for the second time. I do not remember having any side effects, not even dryness. I really hope that it works as well as it did the first time."

• Goo...
• December 10, 2009

For Acne "I started Accutane about 5 months ago. I've noticed a lot of these people saying that it made their acne worse in the beginning, and they're hoping for better results toward the end. In the beginning, my acne actually got pretty bad, so along with the constant dryness, it dropped my self-esteem pretty low. Then, throughout the next few weeks into the third month, my acne suddenly started disappearing, and now, into my 5th or 6th month, I have absolutely no acne, besides the occasional zit. Although I did obtain some sort of rash, the doctor said was from the Accutane, we originally thought it was ringworm, but it's a type of eczema. The doctor said it will go away in a few days with the prescribed cream."

• Anonymous
• November 9, 2011

For Acne "Loved Accutane! Had to jump through hoops to take it (blood tests every month, waiver, birth control), but it was worth it. I had severe cystic acne after my second child, and no other prescription medicines helped. Had dryness and increased acne, but after treatment, I have been acne-free for 10 years! My sister also took Accutane but had a recurrence years later. She did a 2nd round and has been acne-free for 5 years. Saved my face from years of scarring, even if I have a recurrence at this point."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2017

For Acne "Suffered from very mild acne since 17. Odd breakouts around period. No acne during pregnancies. Getting worse over the years. Just had a baby and skin was perfect for a few days, then woke up with 100+ tiny bumps on my face. Thought they'd disappear but decided to become infected. Just started taking the drug (30 mg as already depressed about skin condition) day 8 and have had massive cystic spots (3) on my face but are drying up quite quickly. The most annoying thing is these tiny whiteheads I keep getting around my mouth-edge of lips. I can't help but pop them as they look really disgusting. Using Cetaphil products and aloe lotion for dryness a week before starting treatment, so dryness hasn't really been an issue so far. Hope this works and gets rid of tiny bumps."