Accutane is one of the most intense acne treatments, and although super effective, this medication is known to cause some pretty intense side effects, too.
Some of these include severe dryness, irritation, and discomfort, which is why it’s highly recommended for people who are undergoing Accutane to up their moisturizing game.
Therefore, if you plan on starting this medication soon but aren’t sure which products to pick, here are the ten best moisturizers for when you’re on Accutane.
These will moisturize and soften your skin and relieve the discomfort that comes from dryness and irritation.
La Roche Posay – Cicaplast Baume B5 – $15
The Cicaplast Baume B5 by La Roche Posay is a product that delivers immediate relief within seconds of applying it to dry, sensitive, and irritated skin.
It is a thick balm that contains many soothing, repairing, and moisturizing ingredients, including softening shea butter, hydrating glycerin, soothing and repairing panthenol, nourishing magnesium, anti-inflammatory zinc, as well as Madecassoside, which is one of the four main compounds in the plant extract Centella Asiatica, an incredibly soothing and repairing agent that helps strengthen the skin barrier.
The Cicaplast Baume B5 is also non-comedogenic, and although it’s quite thick and moisturizing, there’s nothing here that will clog the pores and cause your skin to break out.
This means that you can continue to use the Cicaplast Baume B5 even after you are finished with your Accutane course.
Vanicream – Moisturizing Skin Cream – $14
Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream is better for people with super dry, dehydrated, cracking, and itchy skin.
Sadly, although a little extreme, these could potentially be side effects of Accutane, and if you are experiencing them, this cream may very well be a good product for you.
Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream is a little more elegant option than Vaseline and contains similar emollients and occlusives, including petrolatum, Cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, etc.
It might not be the best option for acne-prone skin, but it will get the job done while you are on Accutane.
CeraVe – PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion – $14
CeraVe’s PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is another excellent option for those whose skin gets super dry, irritated, and weak while on Accutane.
The cream contains hydrating hyaluronic acid alongside niacinamide and ceramides, two very efficient barrier-restoring ingredients.
The PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion has a rich consistency, and it feels silky smooth on the skin. It’s also oil-free and super-hydrating, meaning that if your skin loves it, you may very well continue using it even after getting off Accutane.
First Aid Beauty – Ultra Repair Cream – $15
The Ultra-Repair Cream by First Aid Beauty is very similar to the Cicaplast Baume B5, with only a few different ingredients.
In my opinion, the Ultra Repair Cream can be a very nice product for when you’re on Accutane, but it isn’t such a great option for after you’re finished with the course of treatment.
It contains a few ingredients, including stearic acid, Cetearyl alcohol, and squalane that could potentially be clogging for oily, acne-prone skins; however, they are excellent emollients for someone on the dry side.
The Ultra Repair Cream also contains triglycerides, which are lipids naturally found in our skin’s natural oil and are essential for a healthy skin barrier.
It also contains moisturizing shea butter, anti-inflammatory colloidal oatmeal, and soothing licorice extract to help relieve dryness and irritation caused by Accutane.
RELATED: Best Moisturizers For Acne-Prone Skin.
Neutrogena – Hydro Boost Gel Cream – $18
Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel is a simple and affordable moisturizer that’s great for dry, dehydrated, and combination skin types.
It’s an oil-free moisturizer with hydrating properties from ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, a humectant that attracts and retains water in the skin’s uppermost layers.
It also contains a couple of silicones which are great moisturizing ingredients that help create an occlusive layer on the skin’s surface and prevent moisture from evaporating.
This moisturizer does contain fragrance; therefore, it can be sensitizing for anyone who is allergic to it. But this won’t cause an issue for most people.
It’s important to note that while some people could experience fragrance sensitivity while on Accutane, this doesn’t happen for everyone, and if your skin tolerates it – you are good to go!
Aveeno – Oat Gel Moisturizer – $17
Aveeno’s Oat Gel Moisturizer is a thick and juicy cream that aims to soothe sensitive and irritated skin and get rid of Accutane-induced dryness by infusing the skin with hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients.
This gentle moisturizer is made with prebiotic oat and feverfew, an ancient herbal treatment that can help in reducing the appearance of facial redness and skin irritation.
Besides these main active ingredients, the Oat Gel Moisturizer also contains silicones that help prevent moisture loss by creating a barrier on the skin as well as moisturizing Cetearyl olivate, an ester that comes from Cetearyl alcohol and the fatty acids of olive oil as well as isoparaffin, a petroleum-derived emollient that softens and nourishes the skin.
Although this product might not be the best for acne-prone skin post-Accutane, judging by the ingredients, your skin will surely love it while undergoing this drying treatment.
COSRX – Pure Fit Cica Cream Intense – $32
The COSRX Pure Fit Cica Cream Intense is a moisturizer with a thick and creamy texture that sits nicely on the skin and helps keep it soft, moisturized, and free from Accutane-induced irritations.
This rich moisturizer contains a large amount of the Pure Fit Cica-7 complex, a patented ingredient that consists of seven types of Centella extract to effectively soothe and nourish even the most sensitive and irritated skin.
Additionally, the protective barrier cream also contains Centella Asiatica oil as well as repairing panthenol and moisturizing allantoin that keeps the skin hydrated for a long time.
EltaMD – Barrier Renewal Complex – $53
The Barrier Renewal Complex by EltaMD is a rich and beautiful moisturizer that aims to nourish and bring back damaged and dry skin back to radiance.
The Barrier Renewal Complex serves a cocktail of five unique ceramides to help mimic the skin’s natural state by providing it with the perfect amount of oil, hydration, and protection.
Additionally, the moisturizing complex also contains a couple of humectants, including hyaluronic acid and glycerin, that work to restore the moisture level in the skin and keep it plump and hydrated.
Lastly, the moisturizer also contains niacinamide, which is another barrier-repairing, nourishing, and brightening ingredient that can help soothe the dryness and irritation caused by Accutane and fade dark spots and red marks left from acne.
Medik8 – Daily Radiance Vitamin C – $75
Daily Radiance Vitamin C by Medik8 is one of my favorite moisturizers that gives a beautiful glow alongside being ultra-nourishing to the skin.
You will love this product if you are currently using Accutane because it works even better for skin that’s naturally on the dry side or is being dried out due to medication.
The Daily Radiance Vitamin C contains hydrating hyaluronic acid as well as vitamin E, a moisturizing and softening antioxidant that delivers an unmatched glow.
Additionally, the main active ingredient of this product is tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a lipid-soluble form of vitamin C that provides exceptional antioxidant protection from harmful free radicals while stimulating collagen production for a glowy complexion.
As a bonus, this moisturizer also has SPF 30, and while this might not be enough on particularly hot and sunny days, it still gives pretty good protection without leaving a white cast.
Sadly, my usually oily and acne-prone skin won’t let me use it on a normal day, but it tends to enjoy it after a chemical peel or a microneedling treatment.
Since it’s a better option for dry skin, I urge everyone who feels like splurging a little to try this product out.
SkinCeuticals – Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 – $130
Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is an anti-aging cream; however, it’s also excellent for Accutane users because it contains the optimal lipid ratio of 2% pure ceramides 1 and 3, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids, which mimics the natural state of normal and healthy skin.
The unique lipid correction cream will also strengthen the skin barrier, nourish the skin, and encourage the skin to repair itself from damage, be it caused by an allergen, an external pathogen, damaging UV rays, excessive dryness from taking medication, or the natural aging process.
Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 has a creamy, fast-absorbing texture, and the moisturizer gives an instant radiance as soon as applied to the skin.
It is a great product for dry, mature skin, but it can also be used as post-procedure aftercare or when starting retinol or Accutane to prevent the dryness, irritation, and flakiness that’s often associated with them.
My name is Simone and I am a certified skin specialist. I created this website to teach my readers how to take great care of their skin and I also like to occasionally share my honest opinions on skincare products I’ve tried. You can learn more about me here.
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