My Lips Are Cracked During Accutane Treatments, Which Lip Balms Would be Best?

Question

i do a treatment with accutane and my lips are cracked .,and i don't know what lips balm is good

Robert Strimling, MD · Answer

My favorites are Dr. Dan's Cortibalm (which has hydorcortisone) for calming inflammation in combination with Natural Ice Sport spf 30 lip balm (which contains aloe and vitamins A, D & E).  Accutane causes sun sensitivity, so we recommend any spf 15 or higher lip balm daily as needed.  

	If excessive dryness, redness and cracking are present or persist, we recommend a topical prescription corticosteroid-based ointment, as needed until better and then, back to the lip balms above.

Steve E. Musick, MD · Answer

I recommend Aquaphor ointment.  It is tasteless and extremely protective and moisturizing.  Aquaphor is available over-the-counter and is inexpensive.

Amy Y. Paul, DO, FAAD · Answer

This is a common question from patients on Accutane.  Your best recourse is to prevent the severe lip dryness by keeping some lip balm in every pocket and every backpack you have.  My patients really love Dr. Dan's Cortibalm, and order it online.  Some like Carmex, and more girls than boys like Aquaphor (which can be shiny).   Any lip balm needs to be frequently reapplied.  One you can get at music stores is called "Chop Saver" and is a citrus flavor.   You can also try a humidifier in your room at night, and try not to bite or pick the lips while on Accutane.  Best of luck!

Michael Tabibian, MD · Answer

For me, the standard go-to product has been Dr. Dan's lip balm. However, there is a new topical moisturizer designed for lips called Epiceram-L. It works great without the hydrocortisone that is in Dr Dan's balm. It can be dispensed directly by your dermatologist.

Jacquelyn Dosal, MD · Answer

I usually recommend Dr. Dan's cortibalm or Aquaphor to treat the lip dryness associated with Accutane.  The key is to apply it often, as many times as you can remember.  Carry it around in your pocket!

Beth Lertzman, MD · Answer

Cracking lips is a common side effect of Accutane. Aquaphor is a great treatment. However if it not working, you may have a secondary infection. You should check with your physician as sometimes a prescription medication with mild steroid or antifungal is required. Additionally, there is some suggestion that vitamin E orally can help with dry or cracked lips.

Alexander Gross, MD · Answer

We recommend Aquaphor. It is over-the-counter, effective, easy to find, and inexpensive. There are many other products that also work well, however Aquaphor has been my stand by recommendation for 20 years.

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended · Answer

... the one that works best for you. Accutane dry out your lips, skin and other mucous areas- 100% fact, and its looking after your skin that will decrease the side effects. We recommend several types of lip balms, but essentially its upto you what you prefer. The best time to place lip balm is at night, just before bed time. My favourite (in no particular order)1. Lucas Paw Paw ointment2. Plain Vaseline3. Ceralip4. Elizabeth Arden 24 hr Balm. The idea is to use these products FREQUENTLY- ie. 4-6 times a day. Hope this helps, Dr Davin LimLaser Dermatologist

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Accutane can be excessively drying (which is the point!), but can lead to dryness of the nose and lips, particularly. Dr. Dan's Cortibalm is the best for the lips because it contains hydrocortisone, which helps soothe, heal, and take away redness. You can find it online or your pharmacy can order it for you. It should cost about $5-$8 for a stick. Aquaphor is great too, but isn't as easy to carry around and isn't in a stick, but I do recommend you use that at night.

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