asian woman with no cystic acne

Soothe Side Effects: Dry, Red, Peeling Skin from Acne Prescriptions

The Best Skincare Routine for Accutane and Isotretinoin Users

Heal + Hydrate + Protect Your Skin

If your skin is dry, raw, sensitive, or peeling from Accutane, you need a soothing skincare routine that will heal and hydrate your skin. Cetaphil and Aquaphor are often recommended, but they aren't effective enough for most people.

Why Does Accutane Make Your Skin So Dry and Painful?

Accutane, or isotretinoin, is a powerful medication that targets acne at its source. It works by dramatically reducing oil production in your skin, which reduces one of the two factors that contribute to acne formation.

The problem? Skin is our largest organ and requires oil production to function properly. Accutane prevents oil production and leaves skin dry, sensitive, and compromised.

Accutane Destroys Your Skin’s Moisture Barrier

When you're on Accutane, your skin's protective moisture barrier becomes severely compromised.

Think of your skin barrier like a brick wall—the "bricks" are your skin cells, and the "mortar" is the natural oils and lipids that hold everything together.

Accutane weakens that mortar, leaving gaps that allow:

  • Moisture to escape = dryness
  • Irritants to penetrate = sensitivity
  • Inflammation to increase = redness and pain

Common Accutane Side Effects on Skin

  • Severe dryness 
  • Skin sensitivity to products
  • Redness and inflammation 
  • Peeling and flaking skin
  • Sun sensitivity
  • Painful skin

Here's the truth: Your dermatologist is good at diagnosing skin conditions and prescribing medicine. But we give you the support system that makes the medicine tolerable. 

We're not replacing your dermatologist's care; we're complementing it.

teen used the best acne treatment to get rid of acne

Is Accutane Helping Your Acne But Destroying Your Skin?

You're finally on a treatment that's supposed to clear your acne for good. But instead of feeling better, your skin has never felt worse.

Your face is so dry it hurts to smile or talk.

Your skin is red, inflamed, and constantly peeling.

Regular moisturizers burn and sting when you apply them.

You're using Aquaphor multiple times a day and it's STILL not enough.

You're wondering if you can even make it through the full treatment course.

You shouldn’t have to choose between clear skin and comfortable skin.

Cetaphil and Aquaphor Aren't Enough for Accutane Side Effects.

Your dermatologist probably recommended Cetaphil cleanser and told you to slather on Aquaphor. And you've tried it. But your skin is STILL dry, painful, and miserable.

These Products Fall Short:

Cetaphil (or any gel-based cleanser) isn’t gentle. Gel-based cleansers are too strong and are designed to remove oils/dirt/makeup. When on Accutane, it is essential to cleanse away makeup/pollutants without stripping away what little natural oils remain.

Aquaphor is an occlusive (it seals in moisture), but if there's no moisture to seal in, it's just sitting on top of dehydrated skin. 

Acne Experts Recommend this Skincare Routine

Unlike basic drugstore products, our Skincare 101 routine was specifically designed healing and hydrating acne-prone skin—plus it’s great at calming skin that’s stressed from strong oral or topical acne medications.

This foundational system works together to:

  • Restore your moisture barrier
  • Reduce inflammation and redness
  • Provide lasting hydration (not just temporary relief)
  • Protect against further damage
  • Support your skin so Accutane can work better

"I Wish Every Dermatologist Would Make Your Products Mandatory With Accutane"

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"Thank you for your help and support when my son was going through the worst of Accutane! We are still using the products, and he is just finishing with month 5, and I don't think we would have made it through without your products. That lotion is the best!! I wish every dermatologist would make your products mandatory with Accutane!"

– Jody H., Mom of Teen on Accutane

The Acne Lab Skincare 101 bundle with 5 products that heal, hydrate, and protect skin with acne and for people on acne prescriptions.

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Relieve Side Effects from Acne Medications with Skincare 101

  1. Cleanser 101: Gentle, creamy cleanser that removes buildup without stripping
  2. Toner 101: Adds pH balanced hydration into the “weakened mortar” between skin cells
  3. Hydrator 101: Concentrated hyaluronic serum that preserves the hydration delivered by the toner 
  4. Moisturizer 101: Rich with ceramides to repair and seal in moisture provided by the Toner and Hydrator 
  5. Sunscreen 101: Physical SPF 40 that protects without irritation
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5 Steps that Layer on Hydration for Dry, Peeling SKin

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Bottle of The Acne Lab Cleanser 101. It is a creamy cleanser that gently cleanses skin is acne safe and free of pore cloggers

Step 1: Cleanser 101

Cleanser 101 removes makeup, pollutants, and irritants while delivering soothing aloe and chamomile. Unlike harsh cleansers that make dryness worse, this creamy formula cleans AND comforts.

Why it matters: Accutane makes your skin sensitive and dry. In order for skin to remain healthy, skin must be cleansed to remove makeup/pollutants/irritants without creating more dryness. Gentle cleansing with our creamy cleanser allows proper cleansing while supporting healthy skin.

Bottle of The Acne Lab Toner 101 that hydrates and cleanses skin, is acne safe, and free of pore cloggers

Step 2: Toner 101

Toner 101 adds an extra cleanse while hydrating and soothing sensitive or red skin. 

Why it matters: Many toners are astringent, worsening sensitive skin. This toner is gentle while it cleanses, soothes, and hydrates.
Bottle of The Acne Lab Hydrator 101 serum is deeply hydrating and is acne safe and free of pore cloggers

Step 3: Hydrator 101

Hydrator 101 delivers concentrated hyaluronic acid in multiple molecular weights—meaning it hydrates at different depths of your skin, not just the surface.

Why it matters: Aquaphor can't hydrate; it can only seal. You need to hydrate your skin before adding a moisturizer. 
Bottle of The Acne Lab Moisturizer 101 that is acne safe, hydrates, soothes skin, and is free of pore cloggers

Step 4: Moisturizer 101

Moisturizer 101 is loaded with ceramides (the "mortar" in your skin barrier), green tea (anti-inflammatory), and natural lipids that actively repair the damage Accutane causes.

Why it matters: A damaged moisture barrier means continuous pain, dryness, and sensitivity. Repairing it brings lasting relief.
Bottle of The Acne Lab Sunscreen 101 broad spectrum SPF 40 Sunscreen that is acne safe and free of pore cloggers

Step 5: Sunscreen 101

Sunscreen 101 is a physical (mineral) broad spectrum SPF 40 that shields sun-sensitive skin from UV damage without chemical irritants or pore-cloggers.

Why it matters: Accutane makes you significantly more sun sensitive. This protects your skin from UV damage and burns to your sensitive skin.

Fast Relief for Side Effects

  • Get relief within days with skin feeling more comfortable
  • See a visible reduction in redness
  • Your skin will feel and look smoother without constant peeling
  • See lasting hydration that won't wear off after an hour
  • Get better Accutane results because healthy skin responds better to treatment
  • Confidence to finish your Accutane treatment 

Accutane Users Are Finding Relief With Skincare 101

Every Day on Accutane Without Proper Skincare Makes Side Effects Worse

Starting Skincare 101 now will help you:

  • Be more comfortable in remaining months on Accutane
  • Get better final results from your treatment
  • See a faster recovery after finishing Accutane
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The Acne Lab Skincare 101 bundle with 5 products that heal, hydrate, and protect skin with acne and for people on acne prescriptions.
The Acne Lab Skincare 101 bundle with 5 products that heal, hydrate, and protect skin with acne and for people on acne prescriptions.

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An Alternative to Accutane

Accutane is a “cure” for acne for about 40% of people who take it. This leaves 60% of people who have taken Accutane only to see their acne return.

If you want to stop taking Accutane or want to avoid taking it altogether, The Acne Lab can help. We specialize in stubborn acne and have helped thousands of teens and adults get clear without prescriptions, including clients who have taken Accutane multiple times without results. 

Acne Services

Accutane Skincare FAQs

Is it safe to use these products while on Accutane?

Absolutely. Skincare 101 is specifically formulated to be gentle, non-irritating, and free of any ingredients that would interfere with your medication. In fact, using proper skincare IMPROVES your Accutane results by keeping your skin healthy enough to tolerate the treatment.

Will this clog my pores or cause more acne?

No. Every single product in Skincare 101 is 100% pore-clogger free and acne-safe. We specialize in acne—we would never sell you something that causes breakouts.

Can I use this with my prescribed topical medications?

Yes, but if you're using prescription topicals, please consult with us for the best routine order.

When will I see results?

Most people feel relief from burning and stinging within 2-3 days. Visible reduction in redness and peeling typically happens within 1-2 weeks. Full moisture barrier repair can take 4-6 weeks of consistent use.

Do I still need Aquaphor?

No, and we recommend you don’t use it. The Moisturizer 101 provides the occlusive seal you were getting from Aquaphor, but with actual hydration underneath.

How long will the products last?

With twice-daily use, most products last 2-3 months. The Moisturizer 101 is a large 6.7 oz bottle, and that lasts 3-4 months.

Can I just buy one or two products instead of the whole bundle?

You can, but we don't recommend it. The products are designed to work together as a system. Using just one or two won't give you the full moisture barrier repair you need. The bundle also saves you $$ compared to buying individually.

My dermatologist hasn't heard of you. Is this legitimate?

We're a Colorado-based skincare clinic that's been helping acne clients (including Accutane users) since 2012. We have thousands of satisfied clients and a 4.9-star rating on Google. Dermatologists specialize in medical treatment; we specialize in skincare support during that treatment. Many clients tell us their dermatologists were impressed with their skin condition during follow-up appointments.

Does Accutane make you more sensitive to the sun?

Absolutely. You are at a higher risk for sunburns and skin damage, so you should avoid the sun as much as possible while taking Accutane. Wearing an acne-safe sunscreen each day is important. Apply each morning and reapply throughout the day when out in the sun.