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Combating Dry Skin, the Side Effect of Acne Treatment

If you're taking acne meds, follow these skin-saving pointers.

Is Accutane sapping the moisture from your skin? If so, you're in good company. Dry skin is a common side effect of most acne treatments. Here are some suggestions from New Orleans-based dermatologist Mary P. Lupo, MD, on how to tackle this problem:

Address dryness from the inside out, says Lupo. Take a 400-IU dose of vitamin E one to three times a day.

Wash your face with cool water and Cetaphil (a gentle, over-the-counter cleanser used to treat dryness associated with acne meds).

Avoid too-hot showers because they strip away more of your skin's natural emollients and oils.

When it comes to moisturizer, look for one that contains both petrolatum and glycerin, and use it frequently but sparingly. Curel and Jergens both make effective, inexpensive products that are sold at drugstores.

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