Roaccutane: My Holy Grail Products

Receiving your prescription for roaccutane is one of the most exciting yet terrifying experiences. On the one hand you can't wait to start your journey towards clear skin and are over-joyed to have been prescribed a drug that could quite literally change your life. But at the same time there are a lot of horror stories out there because of the side effects.

Regardless of your feelings, there's a high chance that you're going to have to switch up your skincare routine. If you're anything like me you'll be in the process of doing your research to try and find the best products out there. It's looking expensive, right? Well it doesn't have to be.

I thought it'd be a good idea to compile a list of my favourite products that I used whilst taking Roaccutane. I tried to keep my skincare as simple as possible without breaking the bank so hopefully this will help some of you.

Moisturisers 

Roaccutane works by reducing oil production and shrinking oil glands which in turn causes dryness, not only of your skin but your lips and hair. It's a guaranteed side effect of the drug and although it can be frustrating at times, it's easily controlled.

It's important to invest in a good moisturiser for your skin type as taking roaccutane can make your skin very sensitive. I used four different moisturisers during my course, all of which were brilliant and I would highly recommend.

Simple Kind To Skin+ Moisturiser SPF30

If you've been reading my blog for a while you'll know that Simple are one of my favourite skincare brands and I've been using their products for years. I was using the Simple Kind to Skin+ Moisturiser before taking roaccutane and I continued to use it throughout my course. Not only is it perfect for even the most sensitive of skin types (it doesn't include any harsh chemicals) but it also provides instant hydration without clogging up your pores.

It also has a high SPF which is another important factor as roaccutane can make your skin incredibly sensitive to sunlight, even in the winter months. I used this as my daily moisturiser, applying it every morning after cleansing and it worked a treat.

La Roche Posay Effaclar H Moisturiser

La Roche Posay are the brand I recommend to everyone going through any kind of acne treatment, whether they're under the supervision of a dermatologist or trying to clear it up themselves.

The Effaclar H range is specifically formulated for oily skin that has become weakened by harsh, over-drying acne treatments including roaccutane. I used the Effaclar H Moisturiser each night before going to bed as it instantly soothed my dry, flaking skin without aggravating my blemishes. It's the one product I recommend to everyone and I don't think I could've got through my course without it. 

Cetaphil Daily Defence Moisturiser SPF50

I switched to using the Cetaphil Daily Defence Moisturiser in the summer months as it has a higher SPF and would therefore provide better protection for my skin when it was at its most sensitive. It's lightweight, easily absorbed and perfect for all skin types.

The Body Shop Body Butter 

It's important to remember that the rest of your body needs moisturising too as Roaccutane has been known to cause eczema and other skin conditions.

I absolutely adore The Body Shop's collection of body butters as they're rich and hydrating but don't leave you with that horrible sticky feeling. My current favourite, and the one I used throughout my course, is the Strawberry Body Butter - it smells absolutely delicious, a bit like calpol.

Cleansers

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 

A complete holy grail product! 

As I said, I tried to keep my skin care routine incredibly simple. I didn't want to overwhelm my skin with tonnes of different products, I just wanted to let the tablet work its magic.

I only used one cleanser and that was the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser for dry sensitive skin. It's the one product that everyone recommended when I was doing my skincare research and now I fully understand why. Not only is it gentle and soothing on the skin but it also helps to relieve the dryness caused by prescription skincare products. 

I'm still using this cleanser now and I stopped taking roaccutane just over four months ago. It's become a must-have in my daily skincare routine and I wouldn't be without it. 

Foundations 

Wearing make up is something my dermatologist recommended for me NOT to do however, my acne was so bad I knew I had to use something to give me a little confidence boost when I was going out. I trialled various different foundations but most tended to cling to dry patches or made me break out until I found this absolute life saver!

No7 Hydraluminous Moisturising Foundation

No7 are the make up brand I go back to time and time again, I know I can trust in their products and the staff are always so helpful. For the first few months, I used my trusty No7 Stay Perfect foundation which worked but when my skin started to dry out I knew I needed to change things up. 

I went to my local Boots store and asked the staff for recommendations on foundations that were lightweight, decent coverage and suitable for dry skin. This is when I was introduced to the No7 Hydraluminous moisturising foundation and it ticked all the boxes. 

It's lightweight, buildable coverage and doesn't cling to dry patches leaving skin visibly fresh, radiant and moisturised. It's also suitable for even the most sensitive of skin types (perfect for us lot on Roaccutane) and it has SPF15 which is always a bonus! 

Lip Balms

Another main side effect of taking roaccutane is your lips to becoming dry, chapped and sometimes bleeding. I experienced all of this and more, but it was the side effect that was most manageable. Trust me when I say, your house will be FULL of lip balms - you need one in every room, every handbag and every location, so I've narrowed down my top picks which helped me along the way.

Okeefe's Lip Repair 

The O'keefe's Lip Repair was my favourite lip product to use, especially towards the end of my course when my lips started to crack and bleed. It provides relief for extremely dry, cracked lips and immediately improves the feel, protecting against dryness all day. 

Blistex Intensive Moisturiser

I used Blistex every night before I went to bed because when I woke up in the mornings, my lips were so soft and smooth. I found that my lips were at their driest in the evenings and this worked an absolute treat! 

Carmex

Oh classic Carmex, you can never go wrong. 

It's the lip balm that every one recommends and I'm doing the exact same to you. It's perfect to keep in your bag or on your desk at work and it even has SPF15 - what more could you want?

Blistex Lip Brilliance

One of the things I hated about being on roaccutane was that wearing lipstick became a thing of the past, it made my lips so dry and ended up cracking after five minutes of application - not a good look. If you know me well, you'll know how much I love my lipsticks so I had to find a way around it. That's where Blistex Lip Brilliance comes in. 

This is a tinted lip balm with all the moisturising goodness of classic Blistex, just with an added tint to give your lips that rosy glow. It wasn't exactly the same as wearing my favourite Charlotte Tilbury dark lip but it filled in that lipstick shaped hole in my life. 

Burts Bees Natural Lip Balm 

It's another classic and a product I've used both on and off roaccutane. Although Burts Bees isn't as moisturising as other lip products, it's natural goodness leaves your lips feeling so soft and smooth. It's a definite handbag essential! 

Soap & Glory Wonderbalm 

Now, this isn't the exact product that I used (they've stopped making it, sob) but the Soap & Glory Wonderbalm does the same thing. Not only is it for your lips, it can also be used on your skin and hair to leave you feeling and looking a million dollars. 

So there you have it, my roaccutane holy grail products! 

I hope this post has helped to narrow down some of the best products on the market for those of you who are going to be taking roaccutane, are currently taking roaccutane, or even if you're just curious about what products work for dry skin and lips. 

If you have any questions about my experience on roaccutane or any of the products I used, you can message me on Instagram, Twitter or send me an email. Also, if you have any other product recommendations then leave them in the comments to help each other out! 

Lots of Love, 

Meg x

My Skin Care Routine

My skin is really important to me and, having suffered from acne since I was 10 years old, I've tried pretty much every skin care product out there. It's only since I've turned 20 that I've finally found a skincare routine and skincare products that suit both my lifestyle and my skin type. I'm so happy with the way my skin is looking at the moment so I thought I'd share the products I've been using, how I use them and the skin care routine I've been following for the past year and a half - I'll do a post on my acne another time, if that's something you'd be interested in. 

The first thing to figure out is what type of skin you have. There are four main skin types; oily, dry, spot prone and combination. I have combination skin meaning that I'm a mix of oily and spot prone, the oiliness of my skin being one of the main causes of my acne. My skin has always been one of my biggest insecurities, I envy girls who have this flawless complexion and never seem to get any kind of blemish. I've watched all of their skin care routines, bought all the high-end products and nothing helped. I always thought that the more expensive products would do wonders for my skin, yet here I am telling you about my skincare routine that contains products which reach a combined total of under £20. The next thing you need to consider is your lifestyle - you don't want a skin care routine that is going to take you three hours when you've just got in from work/college/Uni and all you want to do is curl up in front of the TV and watch Corrie. I'm currently studying at University whilst also juggling a part time 9-5 job and I find that this skincare routine is best suited to my lifestyle.

Morning Skincare

Simple is my favourite skincare brand and I trust their products to look after my skin. I've been using Simple products for over three years now and it's the one skin product that I keep going back too. I've used face washes from brands such as Soap & Glory, Garnier and Clinique but nothing will ever compare. Everything used in Simple products is natural, perfect for the most sensitive of skin, which is why I love it so much.

I wash my face each morning with the 'Simple Spotless Skin Triple Action Face Wash'. It contains 3 spot fighting ingredients and 1 natural anti-bacterial meaning that it's the perfect blend of ingredients to deeply cleanse, purify and tone the skin - removing dirt and unclogging pores so that skin feels fresh, clean and ready to take on the day. The bottle also claims that you will see results from day 1 and I can fully confirm that this is true. From the first use, you'll notice that your blemishes have reduced in size and in redness meaning that they're less noticeable - boosting your confidence massively.

Moisturising your skin is so important so after I have patted my skin dry with a soft towel, I use the 'Simple Spotless Skin Anti-Blemish Moisturiser'. I pop a little bit on my fingers, rub it together and then gently smooth it around my face. This moisturiser contains 4 spot fighting ingredients and 1 natural antibacterial - I find this product the most effective for battling my pesky blemishes. The aloe vera softens and smooths the skin whilst the chamomile helps to reduce the redness of my blemishes. The face wash and the moisturiser go hand in hand - I can't see myself ever using anything else.

Evening Skincare

Evening skincare is definitely more time consuming which is why I like to keep it as simple as possible - no pun intended. I've been prescribed many creams and tablets for my acne but natural ingredients have always been my saviour, particularly tea tree oil. If you google ways to get rid of acne, tea tree oil will be high up on the list of natural ingredients to use but it's very hard to get hold of. However, Boots have now introduced their own tea tree and witch hazel range which is perfect for people with spot prone skin. My evening skincare routine is very similar to my morning skincare. I take my make up off with the 'Garnier Micellar Water' and then wash my face again with my Simple face wash. I then follow this up with the 'Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Night Treatment Evening Gel', applying this the same way I apply my moisturiser so that it can work to fight and prevent spots whilst I sleep. It doesn't feel greasy on the skin - something I was very worried about prior to using it -  and acts as a moisturiser without blocking pores. Since using this product I've found that my skin is clear when I wake up in the mornings and my blemishes less frequent.

Weekly Treatments 

Cleansing your face before you go to bed isn't enough to make sure that your skin is fully cleansed and protected. Every week, I like to do two face masks and one facial scrub just to make sure that my skin is clean and all the spot causing bacteria has gone. Every Tuesday, instead of using my Simple face wash to cleanse my skin, I use the 'Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Exfoliating Face Scrub' which unclogs pores and helps skin to look smooth. This facial scrub is too strong for daily use which is why I use it weekly to maintain a bright complexion. I may not get a lot of sleep at night, but my skin will tell you a different story. 

The two face masks I like to use are the 'Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Peel Off Face Mask' and the 'Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Intense Deep Cleanse Facial Mask with Active Charcoal'. I use these masks after cleansing to help myself relax on an evening and give my skin that extra little bit of TLC that it deserves. The 'Peel Off Face Mask' is a clear gel that you gently smooth over your face (avoiding the eye area), leave it to dry for 15 minutes and then peel it off. Your skin is left feeling clean and soft as you see the dirt and makeup on the mask you've just peeled off. The 'Intense Deep Cleanse Facial Mask' contains active charcoal to keep skin looking clear and healthy by removing dirt from deep down in the pores and rebalances oil to leave skin with a silky touch. Apply this gently across the skin, specifically focusing on your T-Zone, leave to dry for 15 minutes and then rinse with luke warm water. I love the way my skin feels after using these products and I also find that my makeup application is a lot smoother - what's not to love? 

Hopefully, this post has given you an insight as to some of the skincare products available at the moment and has proved that you don't need to spend a fortune - or half of your night - on a skincare routine that works! 

Can you recommend any products for me to try? Would you like to see some more skin care posts? Let me know in the comments. 

Lots of Love,
Meg

xox

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Simple Micellar Cleansing Water

This is the beauty craze that seems to be on everyone's lips. Every night, I see an advertisement for some form of micellar cleansing water, and I've always wondered if it would ever do the job for me. If you don't know what this is, it is basically a water that you put onto a cotton pad, wipe gently across your face and it will remove your makeup whilst cleansing your skin. Sounds perfect right?

I've always been a girl to use make up wipes, and until now, I never really had a facial skin care routine. I'd been very reluctant to try this water, because I'd been hearing mixed reviews and I wasn't going to pay a lot of money for something that wasn't going to work for me. Recently,I plucked up the courage and went to buy some of this water. Immediately I went to the Simple brand. I live by Simple, the majority of my skincare comes from the Simple range as I know that I can trust them to use all natural products and really look after my skin. 

I have to say, I am very very impressed with this water. It is like my holy grail make-up remover. I didn't think it was going to work, I'm not going to lie, but when I applied it to a cotton pad and wiped  it across my skin, my make-up came straight off; no questions asked. I loved the way that it didn't leave my skin feeling dry and sticky like most make-up wipes, instead my skin felt cleansed and revitalised. There is no better feeling than taking your make-up off after a long day. 

After trying this water on both heavy and minimal make-up, I can now say that it removes literally anything. Yesterday, I was applying mascara, and I sneezed (you probably know what's coming) which made my mascara go all around my eye. I simply got a cotton earbud, dripped a few little specs of the water onto it and gently wiped around the area where things had gone wrong. You would never have known that I would have sneezed. Not only is it perfect for removing make-up all together, it's also perfect for correcting those little mistakes, especially with eye make-up. 

Would I recommend people to get this? If you're looking for an affordable brand, then yes definitely.

Lots of Love
Meg
xox

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