Acne.org Products
Oral Retinoid
Efficacy
87%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Use with EXTREME CAUTION: Causes severe birth defects and fetal death.
Oral Retinoid
Acne.org’s Real World Take
The nuclear option. It works reliably and provides long-term remission of acne, and even severe acne, in about ⅔ of people who properly take an adequate dosage. However, it permanently and irreversibly changes the skin and the body forever and users may experience long-term side effects for the rest of their lives. It’ll nuke it, but there is no going back.
Oral Retinoid
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
November 12, 2015
HORRIBLE SCARRING
I had bad acne, but when I was put on accutane the "oh it will get worse then better" routine... was HORRIBLE. I still have scars on my cheeks and temples that I know were from the implosion of the accutane. My doctor took me off it after a few months.
THANK GOD! I was begging to be put on it, because the commercials made it seem like the holy grail.
But It was horrible, huge mistake. Glad they took me off it.
July 21, 2015
Ruined my life
Im 15 and I use to have very little acne like maybe 3 pimples at once. Then my mom asked my dermatologist about accutane because it worked so well for her and my sister. The dermatologist recommend accutane. After 3 weeks of taking the accutane I got cysts all over my forehead and on my cheeks. For about 6-7 weeks my life was awful. My face kept getting worse and worse the acne never stopped. I decided to stop accutane on week 7. After I stopped my acne got a little better but no where back to where it was before. Now every 2 weeks I have to go to a dermatologist to get injections. It's been a month since I stopped accutane and my face is now still 3 times worse than it was before. I don't know if my face will ever turn back to normal. I feel like I'm still on accutane. I would say never take accutane unless you have no other choice. Thanks accutane for ruining my face my happiness and my self esteem.
August 12, 2015
Hi there, I am a 15-year old dutch girl and I am on accutane since 5 days. Please listen to what I'm saying here. I read your story and made an account to comment. After 7 weeks, your initial breakout could still be going on. You probably had a lot of clogged pores and that has got to ge out of your skin. It could be months before you notice your skin getting better. I know that it's your choice but I really think you should go back on accutane because it sounds as if you are suffering very badly because of your acne. I know what that feels like. You wrote: I would say never take accutane unless you have no other choice. Well, it sounds like YOU have no other choice. I would give accutane another chance, if I were you. You should talk with your dermatologist about it though. Good luck and hang in there!
April 9, 2016
hi, I'm 15 and i just wanted to say that it sounds like before you took actuate, you didn't even have acne. you said you just had like three pimples. that sounds pretty normal for a 15 year old, hormonal girl. i don't think you should have gone on it in the first place if you didnt have bad skin, it is only for people with severe acne. but now it seems like you should go back on it and wait it out. i think in the long run you'd be happy with the results. just don't pick at your pimples while you're on actuate because your skin is more prone to scarring while you're on the drug. I hope everything gets better. i know what it feels like. I've had acne for about 2 or 3 years (since about 7th grade), just a few pimples here and there, nothing bad, and no scarring. but it got pretty severe at the beginning of this year (beginning of 9th grade). i started to pick at my pimples and there were scabs all over my face, it was horrible, i cried all of the time and stopped going out with my friends (that all have perfect skin). I count even look at myself in the mirror. i tried proactive and it helped a lot but not enough. so now I'm on doxycycline and tertinoin. if that doesn't work, accutane here i come. my scars are red marks and hopefully they'll fade soon. I'm on tretinoin for the red marks and doxycycline for the acne. again, I hope everything gets better. acne sucks and i wouldn't wish it on my worse enemy. i wish you the best and keep me updated. id love to help you through this process!
June 12, 2015
Only a bandaid fix
So if you're a female and you suffer from hormonal acne like me, nothing will ever 'cure' your acne. The best you can do is manage it. Accutane works by drying up the oil glands and shedding the skin cells quicker. But, it isn't the be all to end all for a lot of people. For many it has been shown to cure their acne, but it depends what kind of acne you have. If you suffer from adult hormonal acne chances are this won't work for you. The best option is to go on Diane 35, and even that has side effects. Plus, Accutane is really bad for your health so unless you have tried everything else, including birth control, then try it. I've been on it 3 times. The only thing that has ever kept my acne at bay is Diane 35 and Proactiv, used together. But that's me just managing my acne, not trying to cure it. Remember, there is no cure, as you can't cure your hormones.
May 21, 2015
HELP!!
where in the US can I get accutane? I was on accutane several years ago and want to get back on it.
February 23, 2015
accutane
So this is my second time on accutane. I'm a 16(17 in a month) year old female who suffers from mild acne but enough to feel insecure and need accutane. The first time I went on it I was about 13 years old, and had a horrible experience with side effects. I was depressed, I gained weight, had the GROSSEST lips and refused to leave my house unless it was for school but it cleared my skin up like a charm. I had radiant skin but still scarring from before. My doctor had said my mood swings had been so bad due to me going through puberty at that time. I am 3.5 months into accutane this time around and I'm still finding myself breaking out. My side effects this time are different: chapped and dry lips and skin, a sore back, hair loss(not too much), BURNING skin which is very uncomfortable.. I feel like this might be my last time taking this product. I feel like I need a detox. Hopefully my burning skin and acne clear up along with my scarring but for now, i'd say a no to taking this product. It's changed my life for the worse :( but everyone is different!
January 28, 2014
Regret using this.
- I used the gel version -
I've had bad acne on my back for about 3 years now but recently it's started to get a lot worse, not sure why. I've tried practically everything you can name for acne, all the spot lotions, zineryt, proactiv etc and nothing has worked. I got isotretinoin (isotrex) from the doctor and thought this would finally take my acne away but I couldn't have been more disappointed. I left this on over night but when I woke up my skin was peeling terribly, but that didn't bother me that much as long as I moisturised it. Then after a few days my skin started to feel really dry and itchy and was burning and then I saw loads of red burn patches which are still there a week after stopping using this and still burn and sting whenever my coat collar touches it or even a mild soap is used on it. I heard calomine lotion is helpful for acne and burns so I'm going to try that out tonight and hope for the best. Whatever you do, do NOT put this on any delicate skin such as your neck/chest.
January 3, 2014
Accutane
Pros:
stops redness
not as oily
Cons:
takes awhile
drys out lips!
so ive been on Accutane for 3 months and im about to start my 4th month. I really haven't seen much improvement in my skin besides the redness going down. I have pretty bad acne (cheeks, forehead, and sometimes chin). I was on many medications for my acne and none have worked. Many people I have talked to have said that between the 3rd and 4th month is when I will see big improvement. Idk if the are just saying that to give me hope or if it will clear in the 4th moth. I hope it will. to speed up the process im going to start the acne.org regiment. I have heard amazing reviews so hopefully this will do the trick:) so far Accutane not really working :( but should start soon it just take awhile!
November 15, 2013
Best treatment for cystic acne.
Pros:
Cleared acne.
Reduced the severess in future pimples and made my skin way less oily.
Cons:
Dry, sensitive skin.
When taking this drug you'll be very, very sensitive to sunlight. So use sunscreen and possible sunglasses (my eyes very so sensitive that I sometimes couldn't see when being in the sun)
The first 4-5 times you take the pills you'll experience stomach aches.
Cleared my severe acne in a matter of a month and continued to be clear for a long time. But last resort, the side effects when being on the drug can be irritating.
November 14, 2013
Oily skin after Accutane
Pros:
Got rid of acne
Confidence boost
Cons:
Oil came back
Hi Everyone. Its my first time on the forum and i need advice.
I have been using Accutane from March to August. Its now November and the oil is back on my face and its really frustrating. Is there anything anyone has used that has gotten rid of the oil? Any help will be highly aprreciated.
November 8, 2013
So far so good...Day 7
Pros:
Clear Skin
Confidence
Flawless Complexion
Cons:
Flushing skin
Blood Tests
Once a month Dr visits
Today is my 7th day on Accutane and this drug has cleared up 90% of my face already. I have had minimum side effects so far, which is flushing of the skin and drying face. For me, looking in the mirror was difficult. Especially, when I knew what my skin looked like before this problem occured. My only concern, is it staying clear.
Cons:
Leaves red patches all over
Burns and stings