228 replies to this topic

[Clare M.]

Day 10

Ugh the tightness in my face is SOO uncomfortable. I'm surprised with how healthy and nice my skin is looking though...knock on wood. My nose is flaky and peeling. Appetite is off... I haven't been eating as much. My chin has always been a problem area so I can't wait until the medicine finally starts to work in that area. I keep getting little pimples there. Lips are more dry. I kind of feel like I've hit a plateau with the side effects though...they have been staying relatively the same for the past day or 2.

On a side note...
Why are the pills SOO damn hard to remove from the packaging haha. I have to cut them out haha.

[Clare M.]

Day 12

My face was so tight and uncomfortable at work yesterday. It was probably the worse so far. It was even annoying to eat my lunch because it literally felt like my skin was cracking when I would open my mouth. And my lips were so dry - chapstick didn't even make a difference. Nose is super chapped and dry. It even started bleeding on the side when I scratched it from the dryness. Neosporin does a pretty good job for keeping it moist. It feels like all chapsticks, even Aquaphor, just coat and sit on top of my dry lips. It feels so ucky. I don't have any active acne. I'm pretty red but makeup is still easy to use and covers up mostly everything. Thank god for being a girl. The tightness feels horrible but when I look in the mirror it is unnoticeable for the most part. I get why people say the Accutane course is so rough. The tightness and dryness is almost painful. I was SOO exhausted yesterday. I'm pretty sure it was the Accutane because I'm usually good to go after my first cup of coffee. But nope, not yesterday. I wanted to get off work so badly so I could coat my face with lotion. Haha I couldn't stop thinking about how good that would feel!

Can anyone recommend a good chapstick that actually penetrates the dry lips - doesn't sit on top??? I've tried Carmex, Aquaphor, Burt's Bees are horrible, Vaseline is alright.

[Again!]

So amen to the wanting to get home to put lotion on. My husband just does not get it. I read him that part of your post so he would know that it's not just me.

Maybe this will help you out. Last night when I was putting my lotion mixed in with "Weleda" Calendula oil, I for whatever reason (I think I was just too lazy to get up to grab my carmex) decided to put some of it on my lips. It felt great, (obviouy very oily) but after a bitbit was gone-I think my lips absorbed it! So I put more on and then more. As of today, I have yet to put carmex on, just the oil-once. Wow! My lips feel almost normal. I think that this might be my new thing every night.

[Clare M.]

So amen to the wanting to get home to put lotion on. My husband just does not get it. I read him that part of your post so he would know that it's not just me. ;)

Maybe this will help you out. Last night when I was putting my lotion mixed in with "Weleda" Calendula oil, I for whatever reason (I think I was just too lazy to get up to grab my carmex) decided to put some of it on my lips. It felt great, (obviouy very oily) but after a bitbit was gone-I think my lips absorbed it! So I put more on and then more. As of today, I have yet to put carmex on, just the oil-once. Wow! My lips feel almost normal. I think that this might be my new thing every night.

Hmm that's interesting maybe I'll try using the jojoba oil on my lips to see if that works...thanks for the tip! What moisturizer do you use?? It feels like 5 minutes after I apply mine, it already absorbs and the dryness is back.

[Again!]

So amen to the wanting to get home to put lotion on. My husband just does not get it. I read him that part of your post so he would know that it's not just me. ;)

Maybe this will help you out. Last night when I was putting my lotion mixed in with "Weleda" Calendula oil, I for whatever reason (I think I was just too lazy to get up to grab my carmex) decided to put some of it on my lips. It felt great, (obviouy very oily) but after a bitbit was gone-I think my lips absorbed it! So I put more on and then more. As of today, I have yet to put carmex on, just the oil-once. Wow! My lips feel almost normal. I think that this might be my new thing every night.

Hmm that's interesting maybe I'll try using the jojoba oil on my lips to see if that works...thanks for the tip! What moisturizer do you use?? It feels like 5 minutes after I apply mine, it already absorbs and the dryness is back.

I use "California Baby" Calendula lotion in the morning. I like it because it absorbs really fast which is important when you are in a hurry and need to get dressed. Calendula is also known for it's healing properties. It's great for all those "mystery rashes." At night, I use "Sanitas" Body Butter mixed with "Weleda" Calendula Body Oil. I'm pretty greasy when I'm done, but my skin feels so nice and moisturized in the morning.

[Clare M.]

Day 13

I haven't had any new acne since I've started. The dryness halts all pimple development pretty much. My chin is another story. I keep getting these large, cyst-like pimples on my chin. They are really tender too. Ughh, I can't wait until those disappear! :3

I've also noticed that a lot of the gunk in my pores has been "pushed" up by the Accutane. They aren't zits, more like hard sebum that I can remove with tweezers. I'm wondering if this is the purging from the Accutane? I'm guessing so and hoping so because this is entirely tolerable. I'm crossing my fingers.

[Timehealsall]

don't remove them with tweezers. just let them fall off by themselves

[Clare M.]

don't remove them with tweezers. just let them fall off by themselves

Eh, I don't see the harm. It's not like I'm digging into my skin with the tweezers. It just sticks out from the top so I pull it out...sounds a bit gross. :S

[Clare M.]

Day 14

So this skin peeling thing is REALLY frustrating. Makeup goes on fine but I swear, within an hour, my skin is so dry that the makeup practically peels off. Ughh, I do not know how to avoid this! I can't not wear makeup - that is 100x worse than the flaky/peeling situation I've got going on. I just hate being at work where everybody can check out my dry and flaking face. :3 Blehh. Maybe I need a more heavy duty moisturizer. How do you other girls deal with this??

Also, so I came home from work today and noticed this flake of skin on my cheek. It came off so gently (I wasn't poking or forcing the skin up) to expose raw, pink skin underneath!! Ahhh. Jeeze what is this Accutane doing! I'm just going to stop touching the flakes even though it is so hard not to.

My boss (he's a pharmacist) was saying that after 2 or 3 weeks the dryness should ease up quite a bit. I hope he's right.

Anywho, nothing new to report - just the same old dryness/miserableness.

[Again!]

Hi Claire! I use a moisturizer and then a primer. The primer makes a world of difference. And I think your boss is right becUae I have been noticing that my (face) skin isn't as dry. I mean don't get me wrong, it's still dry and is a little peely but not like it was.

[Clare M.]

Hi Claire! I use a moisturizer and then a primer. The primer makes a world of difference. And I think your boss is right becUae I have been noticing that my (face) skin isn't as dry. I mean don't get me wrong, it's still dry and is a little peely but not like it was.

Awesome, thanks, I'll check a primer out. I've never heard of that. And yeah, today was a LOT more tolerable (dryness not as noticeable and my lips were SOO much better thanks to Aquaphor.)

[WhitneyOnAccutane]

Hey Clare! I use Make Up Forever face and body liquid foundation. I really like it. I used it earlier this year when I was on antibiotics and a retin-a gel. But I was super oily and this foundation is for normal skin types. So I seriously only used it on my areas that were flaking because it actually stuck my flakes to my skin. Seriously. It's really watery, kinda gel like. It's I think 75% or 80% water. It doesn't offer much coverage (seriously like none), but it evens out skin tone really well. It feels like you aren't wearing anything and it leaves this dewy finish that makes my skin look supple. Almost too much so.. lol But the best thing that I like about it is that it doesn't accentuate any dryness or pimples. I love it. Just bought another bottle today. Oh and I use a stippling brush. So instead of rubbing foundation onto my skin, I press it in so it causes less irritation. It's working out well for me so far.

[Jamie Ann]

Yeah, go for a primer! It really helps.

[Clare M.]

Hey Clare! I use Make Up Forever face and body liquid foundation. I really like it. I used it earlier this year when I was on antibiotics and a retin-a gel. But I was super oily and this foundation is for normal skin types. So I seriously only used it on my areas that were flaking because it actually stuck my flakes to my skin. Seriously. It's really watery, kinda gel like. It's I think 75% or 80% water. It doesn't offer much coverage (seriously like none), but it evens out skin tone really well. It feels like you aren't wearing anything and it leaves this dewy finish that makes my skin look supple. Almost too much so.. lol But the best thing that I like about it is that it doesn't accentuate any dryness or pimples. I love it. Just bought another bottle today. Oh and I use a stippling brush. So instead of rubbing foundation onto my skin, I press it in so it causes less irritation. It's working out well for me so far.

Hey Whit. Cool, thanks for the suggestion. I'm up for trying that. It sounds a little bit like a primer? I just need something that makes my skin look more moist since all the oil has been pretty much sucked out. But yeah, this sounds like a great idea. Thanks!!

[Clare M.]

Yeah, go for a primer! It really helps.

Thanks I think I'm going to get one today. Haha I don't know why I've never heard of it before but it sounds like just what I need. Are there any primers you suggest??

[Again!]

Check out Smashbox. They have like the best primers. M.A.C. Has a good prep and prime one also. Good primers are pretty pricy, but are well worth it and last forever, so you get your money's worth.

[Clare M.]

Check out Smashbox. They have like the best primers. M.A.C. Has a good prep and prime one also. Good primers are pretty pricy, but are well worth it and last forever, so you get your money's worth.

Yeah I heard a lot about Smashbox. I went to the store today and found an Olay primer and a Cover Girl primer but they were like 16 bucks! I would rather pay that much for a better quality brand like Smashbox. I'm hesitant because I'm not sure if it's worth it. Are primers really that great? I mean, can't I use a bit of my moisturizer beneath?

[WhitneyOnAccutane]

Yeah I heard a lot about Smashbox. I went to the store today and found an Olay primer and a Cover Girl primer but they were like 16 bucks! I would rather pay that much for a better quality brand like Smashbox. I'm hesitant because I'm not sure if it's worth it. Are primers really that great? I mean, can't I use a bit of my moisturizer beneath?

I don't like primers. I've tried the bare minerals' one and 1 other one that i can't think of at the moment. I didn't find that they did anything for me but I was soooo oily during the time i tried them..
Do you have a Sephora near you? If so, you can just get samples of some different primers and the foundation before you decide if it's worth the splurge. And they have an unbelievable return policy if you do buy them and then decide you don't like it. But I would definitely get the samples. It's painless/free. =)

[Clare M.]

Yeah I heard a lot about Smashbox. I went to the store today and found an Olay primer and a Cover Girl primer but they were like 16 bucks! I would rather pay that much for a better quality brand like Smashbox. I'm hesitant because I'm not sure if it's worth it. Are primers really that great? I mean, can't I use a bit of my moisturizer beneath?

I don't like primers. I've tried the bare minerals' one and 1 other one that i can't think of at the moment. I didn't find that they did anything for me but I was soooo oily during the time i tried them..
Do you have a Sephora near you? If so, you can just get samples of some different primers and the foundation before you decide if it's worth the splurge. And they have an unbelievable return policy if you do buy them and then decide you don't like it. But I would definitely get the samples. It's painless/free. =)

Oh that's an awesome idea. They just opened up a Sephora at the mall so I'll get some samples first. Thanks for the suggestion! Haha, my problem now is dry skin. I actually preferred how my skin looked before with a little more oil on it. :S

[Clare M.]

Day 16

So the best way to explain my acne at the moment is that everything seems to have come to a halt. When I first began Accutane (~2 weeks ago), I just got over a breakout. I had a few cyst-like bumps under both my cheeks. It seems like the Accutane has completely stopped their development. They are not going away! I mean, it's nice not getting any huge new zits but it's still frustrating having bumpy cheeks. A lot of smaller pimples seem to be continually "pushed out" and then re-develop. Purging period I'm guessing. I guess I shouldn't be complaining... I expected the Accutane breakout to be 100x worse.

Other than that, my skin and lips feel practically normal today. I loaded up on Aquaphor yesterday so I'm sure that helped. Ok, so does anyone ever have a day when there skin just feels like it looks terrible? I mean, no erupting breakout or anything, but it just feels gross and dirty and you don't want people to look at you? Haha, I don't know. It's probably just that I am really bad at applying makeup :3

Got a honey mask on, feels so good on the dryness!