Those on roaccutane…

[ineedhelp37]

Dd15 is two weeks in on a low dose of 20mg. So far already great improvement and touch wood - tolerating it very well.

But! The dryness has really really set in. She’s using a face wash and moisturiser recommended by the dermatologist (La Roche posay) and a lip balm (eucerin). But still, her face is really flaking now.

Is there another moisturiser anyone could recommend?

It is just trial and error really. I liked cetraben
The dry lips and eyes were the worst for me and eye drops and blistex were saviours

When I was on it (waaaaay back when in the late 80s) I used Astral like your nan used to use.

Its fragranced but really thick and heavy, really saved my bacon.

I have a thread about this at the moment! Personally I still really rate Buzzbalm and coconut oil but other suggestions are on this thread too

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5364144-ive-just-started-roaccutane?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

I also find very gentle exfoliation helps once a week, at night so my skin has time to settle before I apply spf and make up.

Interesting @Roaccutaneweve been told no exfoliating!

Oh well no one told me that , maybe I shouldn't be either! 😳

Bioderma sebium hydra is great. Specifically designed for acne prone skin that is dry due to treatments. I love it but find I get through it quite quickly, wish they did a bigger tube!

Out of interest, for those on the other side, how long post stopping the treatment did the dryness stop? Dd has a review at 12 weeks (currently only done 2 weeks!) and likely to be prescribed another 8-12 weeks worth again.

When I was on it - best thing I EVER did for my skin by the way - in 2021 / 2022 time, the big white tub with the blue lid of Aquaphor healing ointment was a life saver. All over my face, and my lips - was the only thing that helped my lips. I remember them splitting at the sides from yawning!! I’d do it all again in a heartbeat for the results though. All the best to your daughter x

I was told to apply moisturiser to damp skin to lock in the moisture. It is a miracle drug - I dread to think what I’d be like without it and I’m now left with lovely combination skin. I hope it goes well for your DD x

Well I’m the unlucky one that was on it in my 50s and I found Aveda skin food was the only thing that helped

also, I found that the o’keefe lip balm was the best

Don’t forget - no swimming.

Why not?

My daughter was on roaccutane and went swimming at school and her face was agony and very red afterwards. It must be the chlorine

When I was taking it I found my nose and lips the worst for dryness. My nose stopped after about a month but the lips continued for the full 6 months. There’s a Cerave ointment in a navy bottle with a grey lid that I found brilliant for my lips and particularly dry areas. It’s quite greasy and thick so I used it mostly at night but I found it very effective.

As with someone above, the massive tub of Aquaphor healing ointment was my saving grace - I used it for absolutely everything, including lips and basically all over my face last thing at night. I also used (and still use, years later) the cerave moisturising cream (specifically the cream not the lotion) as a good option for a more traditional moisturiser.

DS has been on it for 6 months. Amazing difference to his skin - he’s been home from uni and maybe one spot has appeared in 3 weeks - he walks around w a little tin of Vaseline for his lips as they’re def the worst affected.

His face is ok re dryness but he used a lot of sunscreen in the summer when he started on it - maybe that’s why? His nose is very dry inside which annoys him the most.

i hope he can come off it soon. Thry say when there’s no active spots and I think he’s well on the way.

I'm on roaccutane. I use organic castor oil and it's really helped . I even put it on the dry ends of my hair before I wash it . It's a miracle drug for me , I had chemo related acne very badly and it cleared it .
.

Great news for your son!

tbh I was surprised dd was prescribed it because it’s never been “that” bad. She’s on 20mg which is a low dose apparently. We’re only 2 weeks in but hoping to be off it by June fingers crossed.

My sins was really bad, mainly on his back and chest since about age 16. He’s now 21. I we went through the whole antibiotic regime (which worked for my daughter but not him). Unf he inherited the acne pattern from DH who also used roaccutane in his 20s.
I would also ask for a blood test after a couple of months as it can be harsh on the liver.

Glad to hear it's a success for many. DS was given information about it but couldn't due to mental health issues. It can increase these symptoms so he said he doesn't want to risk it. He's making do with Treclin ointment for now.

Yes dd had blood tests before starting it and will have them again at week 12, 24 and 12 weeks post treatment apparently.

Yes it does unfortunately carry that risk. Dd and I both had to sign a lot of paperwork to say we’d been totally informed. The dermatologist said if she’d ever had a history of mh issues she would have declined to prescribe it.