Dry, cracked lips on Accutane (Roaccutane)? Here's how to care for them.

If you're taking Accutane and suddenly feel like no amount of lip balm is enough, you're definitely not imagining it.

Extremely dry lips are one of the most commonly experienced effects of oral isotretinoin treatment.

Your lips might feel tight. Flaky. Cracked. Sensitive.

Or like you're applying lip balm approximately 400 times a day.

Here's what's happening and, more importantly, how to make your lip care routine work a little harder.

Why does Accutane make your lips so dry?

Isotretinoin works in part by dramatically reducing activity in the skin's sebaceous glands and decreasing oil production.

That's useful when treating severe acne, but reduced oil production also means your skin and lips can become significantly drier.

And lips are particularly vulnerable.

Unlike much of the skin on your face, your lips don't have the same oil-producing structures helping to keep them naturally lubricated.

The result? Dryness, flaking, tightness and cracking.

Your lip care needs to change too

When lips are seriously dry and compromised, this isn't the time for aggressive exfoliation or products that sting every time you apply them.

Think: Hydrate. Condition. Nourish. Protect.

And repeat. Frequently.

Look beyond traditional lip balm

Lip balm can be incredibly useful, but when your lips are constantly dry, consider a routine that combines different types of hydrating and conditioning ingredients:

• Humectants such as Hyaluronic Acid help attract and retain moisture.
• Panthenol helps hydrate and condition dry skin while supporting the skin barrier.
• Lipids and emollients help nourish and soften dry lips.
• Soothing ingredients can help make stressed, sensitive-feeling lips feel more comfortable.

Meet Lysine Healing Lip Serum

We originally developed our Lysine Healing Lip Serums with cold sore-prone lips in mind.

But compromised lips aren't just a cold sore thing.

The formula combines Lysine, Zinc PCA, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, peptides and lipids to help hydrate, condition and nourish dry, stressed lips.

That makes it a particularly useful everyday lip care option when your lips are feeling chronically dry, flaky or compromised.

The texture is lightweight and serum-like rather than a thick, sticky gloss.

And because you're probably going to be reapplying it throughout the day, we made three options:

• Clear: Completely sheer.
• Cherry: A subtle cherry tint.
• Toasted Honey: A sheer, warm brown.

Because intensely dry lips don't mean you have to give up lip colour entirely.

Keep one everywhere

When your lips are chronically dry, consistency matters. Keep one:

• At your desk.
• In your handbag.
• Next to your bed.
• In your gym bag.

And reapply whenever your lips start feeling dry or tight.

For particularly dry lips, you can also layer your preferred occlusive lip product over hydrating lip care to help reduce moisture loss.

What should you avoid?

If your lips are already cracked and sensitive, be cautious with aggressive lip scrubs, picking at flaky skin and products that cause burning or irritation.

And don't lick your lips. It can feel temporarily soothing, but as saliva evaporates it can leave lips feeling even drier.

One important thing

If you're taking isotretinoin, follow the advice provided by your prescribing healthcare professional.

Severe cracking, bleeding, signs of infection or other concerning symptoms should be discussed with your doctor or dermatologist.

Your skincare routine might need to become a lot simpler while you're on treatment. But your lip care can still work hard.

Dry. Cracked. Stressed. We've got your lips.