The best skin care products to use if you’re on Accutane
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Accutane can be an effective solution for combating moderate to severe acne, but it comes with a unique set of instructions and some uncomfortable side effects. One reaction many Accutane users notice is dry, flaky skin, making the skin care products you use while taking Accutane important when it comes to keeping skin moisturized.
“Accutane reduces sebum production, which can lead to dryness across the body,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. “While this dryness can be very uncomfortable, it is harmless and can be managed with over-the-counter moisturizers.”
We spoke to experts about what to look for when shopping for skin care products to use while on Accutane. We also put together a list of what to shop based on their recommendations and guidance.
SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best products for Accutane users | The best products for Accutane users in 2024
How we picked the best products for Accutane users
Shortly after starting Accutane, most patients develop dry skin, which can persist throughout the treatment course, according to our experts. When shopping for skin care products to use alongside Accutane, experts recommended considering the following factors:
Ingredients: While on Accutane, the skin care ingredients you choose should address the inevitable dryness with moisture-rich ingredients. “It is important to focus on skin care ingredients that support hydration and barrier repair,” says board-certified dermatologist Shoshana Marmon. Look for products that include a variety of moisturizers like humectants to draw water to the skin, occlusives to trap moisture in and emollients to soften and restore the skin barrier. Likewise, the skin care products you use should be gentle so as not to irritate the skin or cause further dryness. This means avoiding harsh formulas including those with acids, retinol and fragrances, as they can aggravate skin sensitivity and increase dryness, says Marmon.
Product type: Accutane-related dryness can affect all parts of the body including the lips, hands and feet, scalp and face. Therefore, it’s important to seek soothing, hydrating products for your entire routine, from head to toe. This includes cleansers, which are oftentimes stripping as well as serums, moisturizers, lip balms, scalp serums and hand and foot creams.
The best products for Accutane users in 2024
We spoke to dermatologists about their favorite skin care products for Accutane users and put together their recommendations below. We also included a few products we love based on their guidance. Our list includes products across skin care categories including cleansers, sunscreens and lip balms.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser $ at Dermstore
Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser $ at Amazon
Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser $ at Target
Green recommends this cleanser from CeraVe because it’s gentle enough for those experiencing dryness and sensitivity as a result of Accutane. It has hyaluronic acid and ceramides in it that cleanse the skin without disrupting its natural moisture, she says. Rather than a foaming or gel consistency, which can feel dehydrating on those with dry skin, this has a creamy texture that may help keep the skin feeling moisturized for up to 24 hours, according to the brand. It’ll also help cleanse away dirt, oil and makeup sitting on top of the skin, which can clog pores. You can also use it as a body or hand wash.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-free: Yes
Kiehl’s Ultra Pure High-Potency 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Kiehl's Ultra Pure High-Potency 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Kiehl's Ultra Pure High-Potency 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum $ at Kiehl's
Kiehl's Ultra Pure High-Potency 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum $ at Sephora
Serums deliver a higher concentration of active ingredients to the skin and are a good option if you’re looking for potent products. For those struggling with dryness, Green is a fan of this serum from Kiehl’s, which has hyaluronic acid. “The serum is fragrance-free and formulated with minimal ingredients, making it excellent for those experiencing sensitivity,” says Green. To use, apply two to three drops after cleansing, using passing motions to press the formula into the skin.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-free: Yes
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream $ at Amazon
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream $ at Ulta
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream $ at Sephora
NBC Select production coordinator Kelsey Fredricks is a fan of this cream from First Aid Beauty. It has colloidal oatmeal to calm itching, shea butter to maintain the skin’s moisture barrier and allantoin to hydrate. “My skin was severely dry during my time on Accutane and this was my go-to moisturizer since my skin was extra dry and sensitive while on it,” she says. “I used this on my face and neck morning and night and couldn’t go a day without it.”
Key ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, allantoin | Fragrance-free: Yes
Aveeno Protect & Hydrate Sunscreen Face Lotion
Aveeno Protect & Hydrate Sunscreen Face Lotion
Aveeno Protect & Hydrate Sunscreen Face Lotion $ at Amazon
Aveeno Protect & Hydrate Sunscreen Face Lotion $ at Target
Sunscreen is a daily necessity, especially for Accutane users since the medication can lead to photosensitivity, says Green, who recommends this formula from Aveeno. It’s a chemical sunscreen that converts UV rays into heat energy and releases them from the body and has SPF 60 along with a trio of oats — oat oil, oat extract and oat flour — to keep the skin soft and moisturized, according to the brand.
I use this sunscreen and love the dewy finish it gives my extremely dry skin. It doesn’t leave behind a white cast when blended, which makes it a great pick for days I’m not wearing makeup. Because it has a runny consistency, I recommend shaking the bottle thoroughly before squeezing out the product.
Key ingredients: Oat oil, oat extract, oat flour | Fragrance-free: N/a
Aquaphor Immediate Relief Lip Repair Balm
Aquaphor Lip Repair
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Barry Goldman, the most classic presentation of Accutane-related dryness is on the lips in the form of dry, peeling skin. Accutane causes the skin on the lips to shed so quickly that it can cause thick, chunky flakes to come off, which can worsen and become red if you pick the skin off, says Goldman. He recommends this repair balm from Aquaphor, which has two types of moisturizers: shea butter, an emollient, and panthenol, a humectant. It also has chamomile essence, which helps soothe skin and is particularly helpful if your lips feel chapped or raw from picking, according to Aquaphor.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, chamomile essence, vitamin C, vitamin E, panthenol | Fragrance-free: Yes
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Clinique Dramatically Different Face Moisturizing Gel
Clinique Dramatically Different Face Moisturizing Gel $ at Amazon
Clinique Dramatically Different Face Moisturizing Gel $ at Ulta
Clinique Dramatically Different Face Moisturizing Gel $ at Sephora
Marmon says this moisturizing gel from Clinique helps combat dryness and irritation during the treatment course. Though it has a gel consistency, which is more suited for those with oily skin or combination skin types, it’s gentle, noncomedogenic and has moisture-attracting ingredients like hyaluronic acid, says Marmon. The formula is also free of any harsh ingredients like fragrance, acids or exfoliants.
Key ingredients: Sunflower seed cake, hyaluronic acid, cucumber fruit extract | Fragrance-free: Yes
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen $ at Amazon
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Face Sunscreen $ at Dermstore
Regularly using sunscreen is critical since Accutane can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, says Marmon, who recommends this facial sunscreen from EltaMD. This is a mineral sunscreen that won’t clog your pores, so you can continue to use it after you’ve completed your treatment course to prevent future breakouts. It features a medley of nonproblematic ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and antioxidants, and because it’s tinted, it won’t leave a white cast after application, says Marmon.
Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants | Fragrance-free: Yes
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
If you’re experiencing dryness on your body, consider this Goldman-approved lotion from Cetaphil. As with most products in Cetaphil’s line, this is fragrance-free and gentle enough for reactive skin types. This is one of my favorite body lotions as I’m transitioning my skin care from fall to winter. While it’s not rich like a body butter, it has a lightweight, nonsticky consistency along with glycerin, panthenol and avocado oil to keep skin hydrated. I also appreciate the pump applicator because it makes things less messy to apply compared to body lotions housed in a tube you’d have to squeeze.
Key ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol, avocado oil | Fragrance-free: Yes
Eczema Honey Soothing Scalp Oil
Eczema Honey Soothing Scalp Oil
Eczema Honey Soothing Scalp Oil $ at Ulta
Eczema Honey Soothing Scalp Oil $ at Eczema Honey
This scalp oil is primarily for those struggling with scalp conditions like eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis, but because it helps alleviate itchiness and dryness, it makes for a great treatment for Accutane-related dryness. It has tea tree leaf oil to clarify buildup on the scalp, and to keep the scalp moisturized, it has aloe vera juice as well as olive and jojoba oil, according to the brand.
I love using this scalp oil on the day or two before I’m about to wash my hair, which is when my scalp tends to get dry, itchy and flaky. There are a few different ways to use this oil. You can apply one to three drops onto your fingers, work it into your scalp and style as needed. Or, you can use it as a pre-shampoo treatment by applying it to your scalp for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing out.
Key ingredients: Tea tree leaf oil, lavender oil, olive and jojoba oil, aloe vera juice, vitamin E | Fragrance-free: Yes
How to shop for skin care while on Accutane
Experts note that Accutane-related dryness is common on all parts of the body, particularly for skin on the scalp, face, lips and body. Here are their suggestions to consider while shopping for the best products for Accutane users.
Choose ingredients wisely
While taking Accutane, it’s important to seek gentle, hydrating formulas that are noncomedogenic or oil-free to avoid clogging pores, says Green. Some key hydrating ingredients to look for include hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and glycerin to help lock in moisture. Since Accutane disrupts the skin barrier while taking it and for several months after, you’ll want to incorporate ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides to help to reinforce the skin barrier and make it less prone to irritation during the treatment course, says Goldman.
To minimize skin sensitivity, you should avoid certain ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid, glycolic acid and lactic acid, which can be extremely irritating while on Accutane, says Goldman. Finally, skip face scrubs, dermaplaning and at-home peels until the treatment course is completed.
Consider your entire skin care routine
Rather than incorporating a single hydrating product like a serum or moisturizer into your skin care routine, consider your routine as a whole. “A gentle, hydrating cleanser, a serum enriched with hyaluronic acid, a ceramide-based moisturizer and a broad-spectrum sunscreen will increase moisturization, strengthen the skin’s barrier and protect against UV exposure while avoiding irritation,” says Marmon.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Dr. Barry Goldman is a board-certified dermatologist in New York and founder of Goldman Dermatology. He is a clinical instructor at Cornell New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Dr. Shosana Marmon is a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at New York Medical College.
Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. Her areas of research include noninvasive cosmetic dermatology and aesthetics.
Why trust NBC Select?
Michelle Rostamian has more than 10 years of experience covering beauty and skin care topics. For this story, Rostamian spoke to board-certified dermatologists and included their direct recommendations and products based on their guidance.
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