2 weeks in to roaccutane...skin like sandpaper! Will it be like this for the duration?

[RD15]

Just that really! I’m on Accutane for mild/moderate persistent acne. 2 weeks in, and my skin feels awful! No major breakouts (yet) but the skin on my cheeks literally feels like sandpaper- definitely a change in texture and looks awful under overhead lights! I’m moisturising which makes no difference. Please tell me it won’t be like this the whole time?!

No it wont stay like that just make sure you cream regular. My daughters skin now looks amazing hang in there

My ds2 took Roaccutane for 6 mths and yes his skin was extremely dry during but it did the trick. Lather on the moisturiser, he used Elave sensitive intensive cream, it's good thick stuff.

Vaseline.
It’s grim to start with but wow it is bloody astounding stuff.

I'm 5 months in and my skin is still dry but nowhere near as bad as it was when I first started.

What dose are you on?

Make sure you use a gentle face wash to get rid of dry/dead skin and a nice thick moisturiser - the nhs dermatologist recommended la Roche posay to me and their stuff is working a treat.

Would Korean sheet masks help? They are so moisturising, incredible for my sensitive,dry skin.

Don't use vaseline - it's a barrier, which means it seals the moisture in or out. Not helpful if your skin doesn't have any to start with. You need an intense moisturising cream, also a good sunblock for the daytime, preferably separate from the moisturiser as they are never strong enough. F50 if possible, & use it generously.

I used Eucerin face cream when I was on roaccutane, but not sure if they do the same one now. Maybe ask a pharmacist rather than going for fancy brand ones? And try to avoid anything scented if possible. La Roche Posay might be a good place to start, I think they do one for people taking this actually.

Vaseline works brilliantly if you put it on over the top of your moisturiser etc, as the very last step in your skincare routine at night before you go to bed.
Doing it that way would lock in your moisturiser and help it work more effectively. As a PP says, if you're just trying to use Vaseline in the place of moisturiser, no, that won't work as it's an occlusive.

Using Vaseline as the last step has been a game changer for me

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am using a La Roche Posay one but it’s a lotion rather than a cream, so I’ll look for a more rich one and give the Vaseline a go. I’m fearful that this uneven texture is going to erupt into a million spots!

Vaseline is fantastic as a last step.

@KronksSpinachPuffs I’m on 30mg. What dose are you on? I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I want to go any higher given the side effects!

@RD15 you should get used to the side effects / they'll settle down soon I would hope!

I handled the side effects fine and was more concerned in having it sorted out in the quickest time possible as I'm getting married soon so they kept ramping up the dosage every month so I'm currently on 80mg. Theyve said this is a bit higher than they usually go as standard (one of the nurses said they usually go to 60mg as standard) but in my case they were confident it would be fine at a higher dose.

However I am a bit overweight so maybe it just takes more to knock me out symptoms wise Haha!

Ps not sure which LRP moisturiser you're using but mines the Lipikar Baume AP+ ans works well for me. And for lips the derm recommended the cetraben emollient and it works well, much better than vaseline x

@KronksSpinachPuffs wow 80mgs sounds a lot! Is it working to clear your acne?

Thanks for the advice on the skincare- I’ll check them out and good luck with the wedding! Xx

I started roaccutane 4 weeks ago and I'm currently using Eucerin Dry Skin Relief. It's amazing!

Are you using foundation? I'm really struggling to find one that sits well currently!

@RD15 it is working so well! The dryness really settled down and I only really need to moisturise once in the morning now, but I do need to keep my lips topped up with the cetraben throughout the day.

I've been on it for 5 months now and I get so many compliments on how good my skin is looking which is so nice to hear!

Thank you so much, just try and think that its only a short term treatment and it will fly by!! X

@LaLemonLa yes I’m using foundation- I never go without it! I’ve been using no7 which has been fine actually! It’s not drying at all.

@KronksSpinachPuffs so glad to hear that it has worked for you and that you’ll be glowing for your wedding 😊. You’re right- I’ve just got to think, short term pain for long term gain (hopefully!) xx

Sorry @LaLemonLa I should have said, it’s the hydraluminous one.

I've had 3 rounds of treatment over the years, it's normal for your skin to be like this, it'll likely get worse and flake, get very red and feel sore at times too. Use a good moisturiser with no perfume or colouring, I use cetaphil and have kept using it even though I've not had accutane for a while now. Use petroleum on your lips, inside your nose (trust me it gets dry up there too) and in your ears. I'd skip makeup completely, wearing it will just hinder your skins healing and recovery, do NOT exfoliate your face it can cause scarring, also take care of your hair, this medicine changes the structure of hair and it too can be dry, after treatment your likely to have hair loss, I'm still losing hair so I'd definitely recommend looking into long term hair care. Hope this helps

@Oodilally 3 rounds?! That’s rough! Are you happy with your skin now? This is my second and I was hoping my last. First round was about 15 years ago- I can’t really remember much about it.

Do you recommend any hair products? This is one of the things I’m concerned about as my hair is fine to begin with xx

@RD15 yes 3 rounds to sort out my skin, I've not had acne for a few years now and I'm 36, it just kept coming back but hopefully never again after the last treatment! I'm happier with my skin now but do still have some scarring and dark red marks (just small ones). They'll fade it'll just take a long time, makeup can cover my scars now where as before I couldn't use anything to make my skin look better. Dermacol foundation is brilliant for marked skin and you don't need much. Hair is still tricky, I've never found a specific product, I just tried lots of different things and even tried essential oils for hair but mine still falls out and it's fine too so can look really sparse at times. I use a conditioner mask about once a week and it helps keep it super soft and smoother than usual, I use L'Oréal castor oil one for long hair. I find I often change my shampoo and conditioner because it stops working for me, wouldn't recommend Aussie products they just leave a film on the hair and you get build up.

@RD15 spearmint tea helps too, get some from Ebay and drink 2 cups a day, there's something in it that's completely natural and has an effect on the hormones that cause acne. Highly recommend!

@Oodilally thanks for the advice. I’m pleased to hear that you’ve been acne free for a few years now! Hopefully that’ll be it for you now xxx