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
September 19, 2010
Cons:
very dry nose, very fragile skin, very dry lips, bad aches in my olwer legs and back, extreme sweating, bad mood swings. no holiday to egypt this year and no alchohol. the alchohol thing is just my choice.
im 38 now and have suffered from cystic achne since i was 19 and have taken this medication twice since. i am into my 15th week now and im not convinced yet. the aching joints are getting worse and the fatigue is no better. my hands are in a bad state from the construction work i do because my skin is so fragile. i also train with the boxers 3 times a week and this is becoming almost impossible due to the constant aches, pains and tiredness. also when im in the gym i must sweat at least a gallon and dont know weather its just my nose but the sweat does have resembling smell of urine. the 1 good thing is that i had psoriasis before i started the course but its gone now. im on 80mg per day and i will stick it for another 6 weeks max then if its no better ill live with it. ill keep posted.
March 24, 2010
Pros:
I always had a really bad skin.Very very oily face and hair the same time. I always knew there was something wrong with my hormones. I've tryed every single advertised and not advertised cream, lotion, gel,face mask, face scrub,with and without alcohol things and nota single thing did worked on me. I lost a small fortune on the items(Lancome,Elizabeth Arden,Clinique,Simple,Garnier,Loreal etc)
Cons:
I'm 28 now and got quite late acne...I gues scince I was 19. I mean my face was getting so oily that after I did washed my face in the morning maybe 1 hour later It became so oily that I could remove the oil with my hand and my hand was shiny from it.
Anyway I got offered Accutane 3 months ago, I'm starting my 3rd box now. Ant I think I got evert possible side effect that's underlined on leaflet.....
I have very very dry lips.There's nothing i can do to moisturise them.Every day day and night the skin is pelling and cracking. Dry rest of the body skin. Eczema on both of my hands Nose Bleading, Depression and Suiccidal thoughts(I had them for a month)not they are gone. I was really sleepy and lost my energy-Ussually I'm very enthusiastic and active person. Diarrhea My hair are falling out as well, much more than ussualy My skin did improved but when I thought Its gonna stay like that I got a invasion of spots just few days ago. I got really got pissed thinking I went all the way and was suffering for nothing....
March 23, 2010
Pros:
Clears acne. Gets rid of oily skin.
Cons:
Hair thinning, dry lips, bloody nose, dry skin, dry eyes
My acne cleared up and my skin was not oily during my 6-7 month course. I did not get a severe initial breakout. Hair thinning was stressful and my entire body was so dry despite lots of water intake. 3 months out now, my acne has returned but very mild compared to before. My skin is once again oily just like before. If my acne remains mild it was worth it, if not...then i'm not sure. I'm conflicted to be honest with you hence the 3 star hedge. My hair is still thin and the side effects were pretty tough. It was also expensive as I had to pay the full cost at first and then get reimbursed later. $250 for a month. Plus seeing the doctor every month and getting blood test was tough with my work schedule.
October 25, 2009
Pros:
clear skin
Cons:
dry, raw lips
For my acne, this has been the only solution. I'd tried over the counter creams, prescription topical treatments and several antibiotics. Yes, I have had dry lips but thats a tiny price to pay for my acne disappear. Not only have my spots gone, but my pores are invisible and my skin is so much smoother. 100% recommended!
October 19, 2009
Pros:
Clears acne, less oily skin = happiness and increased confidence!
Cons:
Dry lips, fragile skin
I have had bad skin since I was about 13yrs old (I am now 30) &my skin would go through periods of clearing up a bit but then breaking out majorly.
The last year in particular was bad for me and I had spots all over my face, especially on my jawline.
Now I have tried EVERYTHING-all the usual over the counter washes &gels,antibiotic pills,antibiotic topical solutions,light box, laser-I must have spent a fortune on treatments over the years (the laser treatment alone was £250+) and not 1 thing really worked.
I have been on accutane now for 3mths and my skins totally clear-not 1 spot and even better not oily at all.
It has had down sides but nothing major.My lips are always dry &I have to slap on lip balm every few hours.Also, it isn't an instant cure.
When I first went on antibiotics,after taking the first few pills I noticed a positive effect on my skin but with accuatcne its taken 4wks+ before I really saw that it was working.
Also skin is v fragile and takes ages
October 12, 2009
Pros:
clear skin and confidence
Cons:
dry skin and mood swings
well worth use and gives you the confidence you need take it but be prepared for side affects. well worth it tho
August 24, 2009
Pros:
Helped at first, otherwise made my skin worse.
Cons:
Very dry skin, dry lips, irritated skin, major break outs, made me extremely depressed.
This made me look worse then ever. My acne got terribly worse, and I completely wish I had never wasted my money on something such as this! I was 15 when I first started trying this, so you can imagine how embarrassing this would have been at school. I say you shouldn't risk it. I'm very disappointing in this product, and I should get a refund.
August 8, 2009
Worked great the first month, was suprised as I was told it'd get worse before it gets better. The second month, I took the pill (Yasmin) with Accutane, then my skin started flaring up. The third month, I went off Yasmin and remained on Accutane, and my skin started to clear up again. I am now in months 5/6 of Accutane and my skin is flaring up.. it doesn't seem to be at all consistent with me, possibly because I am vacationing in a hot humid place for summer after living in a cold dry city for the past year. All in all, after 5 months of being on Accutane, I am still waiting to see some stable results. My cheeks are red and raw and my lips are dry and chapped.
August 4, 2009
Pros:
Less oil (first time in my life!)
Initial breakout not bad with spot treatment.
Less acne on face, chest, and back.
Cons:
Dry, dry, dry lips.
Sensitive and dry skin.
Feeling like it's prohibition all over again.
I have been on accutane for one month now and I LOVE it!
I have tried Proactive, Murad, Clinique, Mary Kay, along with every face wash available at Walmart/Target/Dillards/Walgreens/Sephora/ and all else (i.e. Neutrogena, Cetaphil, Dove, Noxzema, and on and on). Like those of you reading this NONE OF IT EVER WORKED.
I have suffered from moderate-severe acne for the better part of my life and this is it. Get on accutane if nothing else works. My advice:
Drink a lot of water.
Lips: Dr. Dan's Cortibalm, Aquaphor (on all my dry spots and don't forget to put it in your nose at night to avoid nosebleeds), Chapstick Medicated lip balm.
Face: I use a mixture of JOJOBA AND SQUALENE OIL! It's all natural, soaks into your skin, & feels great. I wear with/without makeup & apply it every time I wash my face. It immediately relives the tightness that dry skin causes. I also massage it onto my lips. I swear by this mixture (& it is credited with improving scars!)
Lotion: D
July 24, 2009
Pros:
Got rid of severe acne that wouldn't respond to anything else, still hasn't returned after 4 months
Cons:
Very dry skin. Do not wax whilst on this medication! I made that mistake and the top layer of skin came off which was very painful. Also was very tired when on 50mg a day.
It took a long time to work but if you persist through the side effects it is definately worth it. It is the only thing that has ever worked for me.
Pros:
None to speak of as yet apart from my psoriasis clearing up.