So I never do anything like this online but after suffering from horrific severe cystic acne after a reaction to contraceptive pill Lizinna (previously Cilest) I wanted to share my painful and ongoing journey of isotetrinoin and the products I used to help my isotetrinoin go alot more smoothly considering the inconvenient side effects.

I went from having perfect skin to severe cystic acne within a matter of weeks (it was REALLY bad) and usually had about 10-20 active spots and cysts at a time so my dermatologist immediately prescribed a sixmonth course isotetrinoin.

I had 20mg and prednisone for the first month
40mg for the 2nd month
50mg from the 3rd month to currently (beginning 6th month)

Firstly, the initial breakout was AWFUL and I actually spent the majority of 3 weeks off of school because it was so bad. After that it calmed down but my acne was still very angry for the first 8 weeks so don't expect any overnight miracles. After that it continues to slowly improve. I'm now on month six with only 2 tiny tiny spots because I had ALOT of blocked pores and micro and macro comedones. I still have a lot of red marks because I'm a picker, I simply cannot keep my hands off my face! (Really bad I know but I've cut it down loads),

Anyway, the side effects were the worst thing. The chapped lips are such a pain because they constantly peel and crack no matter how much lip balm or Vaseline you put on them. Secondly, THIN SKIN. Like I said, I'm a picker but this medication makes your skin sooooo thin that if I'd pick at my spots or even scratch my face the skin would come right off and I'd have raw, weeping patches of skin. (Healed in a few days with Vaseline).
Thirdly, the dryness was awful! This happened over my exam period and I'd literally put on make up to go. To school for an hour exam and by the time I came out my face would be cracking everywhere and massive chunks of skin would literally be hanging off my face, not attractive. That was until I found my HOLY GRAIL product!!! The Clinique revitalise turnaround night cream literally saved my life. I use it twice a day (yes night cream during the day) and the dryness literally disappeared. It does cost 34 but a little bit goes a long way and you definitely what you pay for, I couldn't recommend it enough, no exaggeration it is AMAZING!!!!
Another annoying side effect from the dryness was eczema. It's hard to maintain the moisture all over your body so I got eczema pretty much everywhere other than my face . I got discoid eczema so had these bright red rings all over me it's so ugly! It's especially bad on my boobs and on my back but obviously these are coverable places so it could be worse . I do still have it but it's gotten a lot better since I've been using Aveeno moisturising lotion and bathing in Fenjal oil.

At beginning of month 5 I bought Pixi Glow Tonic and I thought people on isotetrinoin wouldn't be able to use it due to the glycolic acid which is irritating to sensitive skin caused by isotetrinoin however after doing a small patch test and suffering no irritation, I started using it twice a day and oh my goodness, after only a month, my skin texture and my deep, pitted scars have improved dramatically!!

Finally, for people like me who cover their acne/scarring with make up I highly recommend the Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation and concealer due to its VERY high coverage. However due to it being mattifying I recommend not wearing it for extended periods of time because a matte foundation does not go well with dry isotetrinoin skin. I'd say 8 hours max. However a dewy setting spray usually helps with this. After using this foundation I have never been able to go back to another foundation it's soooo good!

so my skincare routine twice a day is:
cleanse with neutropenia grapefruit scrub
tone with Pixi glow tonic
moisturise with Clinique revitalising turnaround night cream

the products that I've mentioned are all non comodogenic and have helped me immensely in dealing with the side effects of isotetrinoin. Hope it helps! Xxx