Moisturizer for Dry Skin on Accutane: What the AAD Says

By Nicki Wilson in Lifestyle & Skincare · Published June 26, 2026 · Updated October 15, 2026

A white ceramic jar of thick cream with its lid beside it and a plain white squeeze tube stand on a stone bathroom shelf in front of a folded grey towel, with a white sink basin and a frosted window behind.

Quick answer: The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says to apply a non-comedogenic (label may say “oil-free”) moisturizer while your skin is still damp after cleansing. For dry lips, the AAD says to use lip balm with SPF 30 or higher outdoors and petroleum jelly indoors. The Accutane® label lists dry skin and chapped lips as common, less serious side effects. It also says to call your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

This page covers moisturizer labels, what the AAD says to avoid, lip care, and when dryness is a reason to contact your prescriber. It applies to women and men alike. We don’t rank brands, because none of our sources do.

Why does isotretinoin dry out your skin and lips?

Dryness is a common part of the treatment. The Accutane® Medication Guide says the common, less serious side effects are dry skin, chapped lips, dry eyes, and dry nose that may lead to nosebleeds. The prescriber section of the label lists cheilitis, which means dry lips, among the skin reactions it reports.

The AAD says that dry skin, chapped lips, dry and irritated eyes, and even nosebleeds are common while taking isotretinoin. It adds that once you stop taking isotretinoin, the dryness will clear. MedlinePlus explains that isotretinoin works by slowing the production of certain natural substances that can cause acne.

Dryness also matters for your acne. The AAD’s moisturizer page says that when your skin becomes dry, your body makes more oil, and the extra oil can clog pores and may lead to more breakouts. The same page lists isotretinoin among the acne treatments that tend to dry and irritate the skin, and it says a daily moisturizer can help your skin tolerate them.

What kind of moisturizer does the AAD recommend on isotretinoin?

The AAD’s isotretinoin page gives a four-step skin care plan that dermatologists recommend while patients take isotretinoin. Step two is the moisturizer: while your skin is still damp after cleansing, apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer, which helps to relieve dry skin.

A damp washcloth, white with a darker damp patch, and a few water droplets beside it, a small white dish of cream and a clear pump bottle of white lotion sit on an oak vanity next to a white basin, with pale green tile behind.

The AAD also describes two product types. An oil-free moisturizer helps skin hold on to moisture, and an emollient softens and smooths skin by filling tiny cracks and rough patches. The AAD says to apply either one to acne-prone areas such as the face, neck, shoulders and back, and to reapply whenever your skin feels dry. After bathing, it suggests a rich, creamy moisturizer or emollient as needed.

To check a label, the AAD says to look for “hypoallergenic” or “non-comedogenic” products. On its moisturizer page, the AAD says a container marked oil-free, non-comedogenic or “won’t clog pores” holds a moisturizer unlikely to cause acne. The AAD also notes that the products you use don’t need to be expensive, and you may be able to use products you already own.

The AAD says the plan reaches beyond your face. It says to use gentle cleansers, oil-free moisturizers and sunscreen on your body along with your face.

Which ingredients does the AAD say can help?

The AAD says to look for products that list one or more of these ingredients on the label, as they can help strengthen your skin while taking isotretinoin.

In the AAD’s words, humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin help hydrate your skin, and aloe vera is a lightweight ingredient that soothes and moisturizes. Biosaccharides help your skin feel smooth, oligosaccharides help balance your skin barrier, and ceramides help your skin retain moisture. Squalane is an emollient, which soothes skin. No source we checked ranks one ingredient above another.

Which products and ingredients does the AAD say to avoid?

The same AAD page answers yes to the question of whether any products or ingredients can do more harm than good on isotretinoin. Its list of things to avoid follows.

Vitamin A supplements, because isotretinoin is derived from vitamin A and a supplement can raise the risk of side effects.
Retinol applied to the skin, which can irritate skin that is more sensitive on isotretinoin.
Benzoyl peroxide or sulfur, which can increase irritation and dryness.
Vitamin C in skin care products, which the AAD says can be too harsh.
Exfoliants such as glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid, sugar, coffee grounds and exfoliating beads.
Fragrances and dyes, which often irritate sensitive skin and may cause an allergic skin reaction.
Toners, which can be too harsh.

The Accutane® label points the same direction on vitamin A. It says patients should be advised against taking vitamin supplements containing vitamin A to avoid additive toxic effects. Our article on retinol and tretinoin during isotretinoin goes deeper on the retinoid question.

How often should you apply moisturizer?

The AAD gives no fixed number of applications on isotretinoin. Its wording is to moisturize when your skin is damp after cleansing and whenever your skin feels dry. That makes dryness the cue, not the clock.

For cleansing, the AAD’s isotretinoin page says to use a gentle cleanser applied with your fingertips and to limit cleansing to twice daily and after sweating. It says to avoid abrasive scrubs and cleansers with an exfoliant. On its page about habits that worsen acne, the AAD says to apply a moisturizer made for acne-prone skin twice a day after washing if your skin feels dry. That page covers acne in general rather than isotretinoin specifically.

One more point is about timing. The AAD’s moisturizer page says that in studies, most patients saw less acne between 4 and 8 weeks after they began using an acne-friendly moisturizer. All of those patients were also following an acne treatment plan with acne medication, a cleanser and a moisturizer. That finding is about moisturizer as one part of a plan, not as a treatment on its own.

What helps dry, chapped lips on isotretinoin?

The AAD gives two instructions for dry, chapped lips. While outdoors, use lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher. While indoors, apply petroleum jelly throughout the day and before bed to help your lips stay moisturized.

A plain lip balm stick with its cap beside it stands on a pale wood nightstand next to a small round metal tin of pale petroleum jelly, which sits open on a folded linen cloth with its lid beside it, with a glass of water behind.

The AAD’s page on petroleum jelly adds a reason. It says ointments are more effective and less irritating than lotions, and it says to consider applying petroleum jelly to dry skin, including your lips and eyelids. The AAD’s isotretinoin plan keeps lip balm with SPF 30 or higher as the outdoor choice.

The AAD does not tell you to pick a flavor, a brand or a tube style for lip balm. If a lip product bothers you, ask your prescriber what to use instead. The AAD does list fragrances and dyes among the ingredients that often irritate sensitive skin, so check the label of a lip product too.

Is petroleum jelly safe on an acne-prone face?

The sources disagree a little, so here are both sides. The AAD’s petroleum jelly page says avoid putting petroleum jelly on your face if you are acne-prone, as this may cause breakouts in some people.

A 2024 review in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology looked at petrolatum’s history, uses and safety. Its abstract says it details data on flammability, allergenicity and comedogenicity, dispelling misconceptions about petrolatum use around oxygen and as a cause of acne. The review is general and is not about people taking isotretinoin.

Notice what the AAD’s isotretinoin plan itself recommends. It names petroleum jelly for lips and for the inside of the nostril, and it names oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers for the face. We found no AAD or FDA source that tells isotretinoin patients to put petroleum jelly over the whole face. If you want to try it on your face, ask your prescriber first.

What about a dry nose, dry eyes and sun?

Dryness is not limited to skin and lips, and the AAD covers the rest. For dryness inside the nose, it says to treat it as soon as you notice it, because that can prevent or reduce nosebleeds. Use a moisturizing nasal spray, or dab a very small amount of petroleum jelly just inside your nostril. The AAD says not to snort or inhale petroleum jelly. It suggests a squeeze tube to reduce the chance of placing germs from the container in your nose.

For dry, irritated eyes, the AAD says to use saline eye drops or artificial tears. It cautions that you should only use medicated eye drops if your dermatologist recommends them. The Medication Guide adds that if you wear contact lenses, you may have trouble wearing them while taking the medicine and after treatment.

Sun protection belongs in the routine because, the AAD says, your skin may become more sensitive to the sun and sunburn more quickly. The AAD recommends a non-comedogenic sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum protection and water resistance. Because your skin may be sensitive, it says a mineral sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or both can help. Reapply at least every 2 hours, and after swimming or sweating.

When does dryness need a call to your prescriber?

The Medication Guide says to call your doctor if you get any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. MedlinePlus gives a more specific list. It says to tell your doctor if a listed symptom is severe or does not go away. The list includes red, cracked and sore lips; dry skin, eyes, mouth or nose; nosebleeds; changes in skin color; or peeling skin on the palms and soles.

The AAD adds a reminder for your monthly check-ins. It says to mention any change in how you feel, even if it seems unrelated to taking isotretinoin.

Some symptoms are more urgent than dryness. The Medication Guide says to stop Accutane® and call your doctor right away for any problem with your vision or dryness of the eyes that is painful or constant. It gives the same instruction for conjunctivitis (red or inflamed eyes, like “pink eye”), a rash with a fever, or blisters on the legs, arms or face. It gives it for sores in the mouth, throat, nose or eyes, or if your skin begins to peel.

The Medication Guide also says to stop taking Accutane and get emergency care right away if you develop hives, a swollen face or mouth, or trouble breathing. Our Accutane side effects guide covers the wider list.

Worse acne is another change some people notice at the start. The AAD says it doesn’t happen to most patients, but some see their acne worsen when they start isotretinoin. It adds that acne may worsen for 1 to 2 months before it begins to clear. If that happens, tell your dermatologist about it.

Where does The Goal Is Clear fit in your plan?

At The Goal Is Clear (TGIC), every case is reviewed by a U.S. board-certified dermatologist licensed in your state. After a quiz of about two minutes, you upload two photos and check out through secure billing. The dermatologist reviews your case within 24 hours. A prescription is never guaranteed, and the prescriber decides.

If you start isotretinoin and want help choosing skin care, you can message your dermatologist in the dashboard. The TGIC Accutane FAQ says the label does not address shaving or makeup, so ask your dermatologist in the dashboard, with a photo of the product. The same page says every Accutane® patient gets an iPledge concierge who tracks monthly windows, pregnancy tests and refills.

Care is one flat price, listed on the pricing page. Medication is billed separately by the pharmacy, as low as $0 for the prescription with insurance. See the Accutane cost FAQ for how that works. BNG Health Services, LLC operates the brand and is not the prescribing physician.

Common questions about moisturizer on Accutane

What kind of moisturizer should you use on Accutane? The AAD says to apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer while your skin is still damp after cleansing. It also says to look for products labeled “hypoallergenic” or “non-comedogenic.” It does not rank brands, and neither do we.

What should you put on dry lips on Accutane? The AAD says to use lip balm with SPF 30 or higher outdoors and petroleum jelly indoors, throughout the day and before bed. If your lips are red, cracked and sore and the problem is severe or does not go away, MedlinePlus says to tell your doctor.

Can moisturizer cause breakouts on Accutane? The AAD says a moisturizer labeled oil-free, non-comedogenic or “won’t clog pores” is unlikely to cause acne. The AAD also says that when skin becomes dry, your body makes more oil, which can clog pores. If you see more breakouts, tell your dermatologist.

Which ingredients should you avoid on Accutane? The AAD’s list includes vitamin A supplements, retinol, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur, vitamin C, exfoliants, fragrances and dyes, and toners. The Accutane® label also advises against vitamin A supplements. For any other product that contains one of these, ask your prescriber first.

Does the dryness go away after treatment? The AAD says that once you stop taking isotretinoin, the dryness will clear. Until then, call your doctor if a side effect bothers you or does not go away. The Medication Guide lists urgent signs. It says to stop Accutane® and call your doctor right away for problems with vision, painful or constant eye dryness, or conjunctivitis. It gives the same instruction for a rash with a fever, blisters, sores in the mouth, throat, nose or eyes, or skin that begins to peel. It says to stop and get emergency care for hives, a swollen face or mouth, or trouble breathing.

What does a simple routine involve?

Build the routine from the AAD’s four steps. Wash with a gentle cleanser using your fingertips, no more than twice daily and after sweating. Apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer while your skin is still damp. Use a non-comedogenic, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher outdoors, and reapply it at least every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating. Keep lip balm with SPF 30 or higher for outside and petroleum jelly for indoors.

Our skincare routine on acne medication article covers cleansers and sunscreen in more detail. For the full picture of the medicine itself, read our complete guide to Accutane, and see before and after results for a look at what a course can involve. If you’d like a board-certified dermatologist to look at your case, take the quiz, which takes about two minutes.

This article is general information, not medical advice. A prescription is never guaranteed, and treatment decisions stay with the board-certified dermatologist who reviews your case. Accutane® is a registered trademark of its respective owner, and isotretinoin is the generic name. The Goal Is Clear is operated by BNG Health Services, LLC, which is not the prescribing physician; board-certified dermatologists prescribe.

Sources

General information from published sources, not medical advice. Your dermatologist makes every treatment decision after reviewing your case. The Goal Is Clear is operated by BNG Health Services, LLC, which is not the prescribing physician.

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