Ask a doctor

Is It Ok to Use Salicylic Acid While on Accutane?

I am currently on accutane. I use a green tea/salicylic acid 2% foam cleanser only once a day ( usually at the end of the day). I read that using anything else on your skin while on accutane is not good because it causes excess irritation. Should i continue the use of this cleanser? can it hinder my accutane progress?

Doctor Answers 1

Salicylic acid and Accutane

February 26th, 2013
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Salicylic acid can be drying to the skin, and Accutane already dries the skin. So that's why your skin can become irritated. I recommend patients use a creamier cleanser while on Accutane, like Cetaphil or Dove. The SA cleanser won't inhibit your Accutane progress, just dry your skin more and make you more uncomfortable.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD


Las Vegas Dermatologist
4.6 out of 5 stars 17 reviews

Related content

View all Accutane reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.