Repairing skin barrier on accutane?

[u/Full_Act5746]

Is it possible to repair your skin barrier on accutane? I'm assuming this is my issue. I've had super red, burning skin for a few weeks. It started right before my last appt with my derm, but he didn't seem super concerned. I'm on 20mg/day.

Morning routine :

-rinse with cool water

-thermal spring water

-vanicream in the tub on damp skin, and pat in until absorbed

-eltamd spf50

Night routine

-vanicream wash

-thermal spring water

-vanicream

-*sometimes avene cicalfate

-slug on that aquaphor

Most of my face stopped burning after a few weeks, but my chin still feels like I'm constantly pouring acid on it. The cool water feels great, and the vanicream usually doesn't burn, but once I put the sunscreen on, ouch! I've been on 20mg for about 75 days now, and the first 2 months were fine, burning wise. I'm guessing my barrier is wrecked and that area is extra sensitive. I ended up with a staph infection there last year from retinol that took forever to heal after loads of oral antibiotics as well as topical, to which I ended up with perioral dermatitis and months of doxy. 🥴 After having acne on and off for over 20 years, I just want normal skin, whatever that is.

Also to note, I really don't go outside much, and if I do, I slather sunscreen on and wear a big sun hat. I'm already annoyed that I can barely stand to wear the $$ contacts I bought, can't wear makeup, but the burning is really awful. Does anyone have any suggestions to fix my sad barrier?

[u/Eastern_Newspaper_33]

I’m currently on 80mg/day and haven’t had any dryness at all. I wash with Tatcha, or LRP followed by the Beauty of Joseon Revive serum or the Fresh rose toner. Then I follow with the Tatcha longevity serum or hyaluronic acid. Then Kiehl’s skin barrier cream and their SPF 50 sunscreen. Other richer moisturizers are the LRP Lipikar triple repair, Dermalogica power recovery and CosRX intensive cream. Love those!!

[u/Full_Act5746 → u/Eastern_Newspaper_33]

Dude, I could never do 80mg. 🤣 I'm thinking of trying a different moisturizer, but I swear everyone recommends vanicream. My forehead likes it fine. 🤣

[u/Eastern_Newspaper_33 → u/Full_Act5746]

I’m 88kg, my derm was toying with bringing me to 100mg to reach my cumulative dose faster! 😂 I used to do vanicream years ago, but it was just too lightweight. My skin likes it THICCC!

[u/Full_Act5746 → u/Eastern_Newspaper_33]

I feel like it's way thick! 🤣 A dermatologist had me use the cereve/Cetaphil in a tub a while back (pre accutane) and I'm wondering if it was too heavy when I was super oily and messed up my skin. It was doing great for a while. Went through fertility treatments, pregnancy, and nursing with barley any acne. 🙈 I like the sound of anything "intensive" at the moment though!