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Original poster

Skincare during Roaccutane

39 replies

Clicheinaqashqai · 12/04/2023 20:07

I am due to start Roaccutane in mid June (dermatologist delayed start due to a holiday) and am wondering what I will need in terms of skincare?

I am assuming I will need to keep it simple with just a gentle cleanser and then lots of moisturiser and SPF?

Does anyone have any recommendations for products or insight in to what I should be looking for/avoiding?

I am sure my dermatologist will cover this in my June appointment, but I would like to be prepared ahead of time.

Thanks

OP posts:
potatowhale · 12/04/2023 20:10

I used: cetaphil face wash and moisturiser in big pump bottles.
Drink LOADS of water.
For lip balm i used eucerin aquaphor - but not the lip balm version. This was also good to put up nostrils to prevent nose bleeds (ew).
If I did it again I would buy some spray on water or moisturiser or something to top up in the daym

Good luck.

potatowhale · 12/04/2023 20:10

Oh and do not exfoliate or anything like that. Less is more.

HappiDaze · 12/04/2023 20:12

I would go with what your dermatologist suggests

I do really like using No7 Hydraluminous overnight recovery gel cream though so I can suggest that for you

Skincare during Roaccutane
HappiDaze · 12/04/2023 20:15

I hated cetaphil face wash because it feels like it leaves a film in your face so you have to rub it off

I can recommend dermalogica Special cleansing gel. It's very mild and great for sensitive skin and you only need a tiny bit so it's very cost effective

potatowhale · 12/04/2023 20:20

Oh and sunscreen- I found the body shop one was the only one that didn't sting my skin but that was a fair few years ago now.

Original poster
Clicheinaqashqai · 12/04/2023 21:03

@potatowhale I was thinking Cetaphil would probably be the sort of thing I would need. Thanks for the balm recommendation, I didn't think I would need to stick it up my nose 😳 did you get a lot of nosebleeds?

OP posts:
Original poster
Clicheinaqashqai · 12/04/2023 21:04

Thanks for the recommendation @HappiDaze, I will definitely go with that the derm recommends, but if it's quite open would like to have some idea so I don't get really daunted in Boots!

OP posts:
JoeMaplin · 12/04/2023 21:13

I’m had to use an emollient - couldn’t use any normal skincare at all as my skin was so dry and cracked -ask your dermatologist to recommend. I couldn’t use make up either. Also my lips were too dry for any lip balm, and you may also need something to put up your nose for bleeding too. Something like blistex plus lip balm after may work on your lips, or just use thick emollient cream everywhere.

it was 1000% worth it, promise!

JoeMaplin · 12/04/2023 21:15

Lasinoh nipple cream may work for lips, I just didn’t know about it when I had roaccutane.

CactiQueen · 12/04/2023 21:18

potatowhale · 12/04/2023 20:10

I used: cetaphil face wash and moisturiser in big pump bottles.
Drink LOADS of water.
For lip balm i used eucerin aquaphor - but not the lip balm version. This was also good to put up nostrils to prevent nose bleeds (ew).
If I did it again I would buy some spray on water or moisturiser or something to top up in the daym

Good luck.

I second this. Cetaphil is still my go to and Aquaphor saved/stopped my cracking skin. The best lip balm for me was Carmex (the normal one) followed by just covering my face in Aquaphor at night.

Roaccutane is the best decision I made, I hope its as successful for you.

potatowhale · 12/04/2023 21:44

Clicheinaqashqai · 12/04/2023 21:03

@potatowhale I was thinking Cetaphil would probably be the sort of thing I would need. Thanks for the balm recommendation, I didn't think I would need to stick it up my nose 😳 did you get a lot of nosebleeds?

No I didn't get many as I used the aquaphor up my nose when I started feeling a bit dry up there. Not massive nose bleeds just where the skin was cracking a bit up there. I was on a pretty intense course.

Also be prepared for your skin to get a bit worse before it gets better. And also if you wear make up I personally found my skin couldn't tolerate the foundation later on and switched to a BB cream.

I swear it saved my life.

Original poster
Clicheinaqashqai · 12/04/2023 21:45

Glad to hear you found it worthwhile overall @CactiQueen & @JoeMaplin, I am a bit nervous but also excited and have lived with terrible skin for such a long time.

Hadn't thought of using lanisoh but that's a great idea, I have lots of half used tubes from last year so definitely wil give it a try

OP posts:
Original poster
Clicheinaqashqai · 12/04/2023 21:48

Thanks @potatowhale, I would have never thought about up the nose so will definitely remember this tip! Will also look to get some spray on water/moisturiser for my face to top up, I do wfh most of the week but that will be really handy for out and about.

I'm in a viscous make up cycle where I know it makes my skin worse but can't bear to go out without it!

OP posts:
SuperGinger · 12/04/2023 21:49

Lasinoh is an excellent shout, the lip thing is the worst, I've never got through so much lip balm in my life. Everything hurt when I was on it so I just kept out the sun as sun screen burned

SuperGinger · 12/04/2023 21:50

And baby vicks up the nose helped the nose bleeds, even though my dad said it was not to be used like that

Charliebong · 12/04/2023 21:52

My daughter used cetaphil dry/normal face wash and drops of light (body shop) face wash.

Also cetaphil facial moisturiser (dry skin) and eucerin lip balm.

She finished her course at Christmas and it has honestly changed her life. The results have been, and continue to be, nothing short of a miracle. Good luck!

lady725516 · 12/04/2023 22:01

As others have said cetephil and carmex worked well for me. Cetephil also do a daily moisturiser with factor 50 in which I still use everyday.

The drug takes water from everywhere so make sure you take a laxative. A senna a night works well. Good luck, the drug is great. The side effects are not!

Stickycurrantbun · 12/04/2023 22:09

La Roche-Posay factor 50 invisible fluid on my face. Hat. Sunglasses. Moroccan oil on the hair. Hair wash at most once a week. Definitely no heat on hair (mine was so brittle).
Side effects were bearable. Skin transformation was worth it. Good luck!

Ilovetea42 · 12/04/2023 22:18

Sunscreen, really gentle cleansers etc. I found my skin got so dry I needed to use double base all over face and body to manage it. Also be careful of any waxing or skin treatments while using it and tell your beautician.

Cherrybl0ssm · 12/04/2023 22:26

You need a lip balm with spf. Also a hat for sunny days. Your skin will burn vv easily.

Freshlycutgrasss · 12/04/2023 22:29

Vaseline is a must have. My lips became terribly dry & cracked & this was all that helped. I also smeared it over my nose and lightly inside my nostrils every night as the skin inside your nose becomes dry & fragile. Nose bleeds are common but nothing to be worried about.

Sunscreen daily & keeping out of the sun too.

Having said all of that, it changed my life for the better & I'm so glad I had it (used for 6 months when I was 15 & 6 months again when I was 30).

Good luck

PragmaticWench · 12/04/2023 22:35

O'Keeffes lip repair is great, most lip balms just sit on top of the skin but that really helps sink in, especially the overnight pot. Drink lots of water to help your lips!

I wear Bioderma Aquafluide 50spf and it's very good with CeraVe facial moisturising lotion over the top. Be gentle cleaning your face, and get used to moisturising several times a day. Add hats, sunglasses and a lip balm with spf during the day.

PragmaticWench · 12/04/2023 22:37

Meant to say, it's things like vaseline that sit over your lips and don't actually moisturise, they just stop moisture from escaping but don't add it. I now use my face moisturiser on my lips, then O'Keeffes lip balm.

LincolnIsle · 12/04/2023 22:46

For me it didn't matter which lip balm I used provided I applied some form of lip balm very regularly. I had lip balms in practically every pocket and bag! An unexpected benefit was I found I didn't have to wash my (usually oily) hair as often as I usually did. Best of luck with it, it was life changing for me.

seymoursmyman · 12/04/2023 23:02

The only lip balm I found worked was Blistex relief cream the one in the blue and white metal tube with the red top.

I've advised it to everyone I know on roaccutane.
Also always had little tins of Vaseline for in my nose. Was so dry it would crust and split without it.
All other skincare had to be minimal ingredients only.

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