my accutane experience (side effects, self confidence, etc!)

hi everyone! I hope you're having an amazing Sunday, i'm sharing all about my accutane journey + experience! if you have any other questions, leave a comment and I'll answer them! :)

accutane overview + skincare routine: 0:00
meal ideas/what accutane looks like: 5:35
q+a: 7:59

☆ spotify (lots of cool tunes for every month of the year) - marlacatherine
☆ depop (always selling my clothing on there) - marlacatherine

✭ P.O. BOX (if you want to send me something) ✭

Marla Catherine
PO Box 1432
Spanish Fork, Utah 84660

☆ FAQ ☆
+ how old are you? 19
+ how tall are you? 5' 7”
+ what do you use to edit videos? Final Cut Pro!

[qstanchin]

when you said if anything it weeds out the haters i LOL’d 💀💀 your mentality and perspective of the world is iconic, you’re such a beautiful human being

[katewolf]

Don’t let the purging get you down! When I did acutane my skin looked horrible and even got worse for the first 3 months before it started to improve, it takes a while for you to see results but it is so worth it!

[jocelinem]

marla you are srsly one of the prettiest girls i know on the internet not just from the outside but from the inside, and as a girl struggling with acne as well you inspire me to love myself.

[SarahhhBeth]

Coconut oil broke me out so terribly when I tried it! I really like the Hada labo cleansing oil or the beauty of joseon cleansing balm and they both rinse off with water! Not trying to offer unsolicited advice but just sharing what I like incase you’re interested! So excited to watch your accutane journey!

[ellaparker]

I was on accutane last year for around 8 months. It was definitely not the easiest process but looking back I'm so glad I did it! here's a few tips I learned for anyone on it or planning to start:
- for face products, less is more. I only used face wash (Cetaphil), moisturizer (Eucarine), and sunscreen(Neutrogena oil-free). Like Marla said you don't want to overdo it, just let the medicine work it out.
- The lower back pain is SO REAL! body aches were a big side effect of mine. To help I did yoga stretches every day and took some ibuprofen when it got really bad.
- Chapped lips were also one of my side effects, especially angular cheilitis(those little "cuts" at the corners of your mouth that HURT). Aquaphor is great for chapstick and I would recommend vaseline at night, especially in the corners of your mouth.
- If you are going to be on Accutane through the summer you should 1) Try to stay out of direct sunlight as much as you can, being on Accutane weakens your skin A LOT. so that means no laying out to tan :(. 2) if you are going to be outside ALWAYS wear sunscreen, on your face and body. 3) Again, if you are going to be outside reapplying sunscreen can kinda be a pain. A lifesaver for me was INTERNAL sunscreen. It's a pill you take 30 mins before going outside and it works like sunscreen from the inside out!
- Make sure you take your pill(s) with a meal or at least a high-fat snack. Accutane is a fat-soluble medicine which means it absorbs (and works better!) when taken on a full stomach.

Hope these tips help some of you guys out!

[karinachavez]

For some reason a lot of us women breakout like this all over once we hit that college age and it’s so interesting to see I was definitely not the only one at that age struggling with acne this severe. I did not go the accurate route though. I decided to just drop all skincare and let my skin do it’s thing for a while and then I got on a simple three step routine which helped a lot. (Vanicream facial cleanser, vanicream lite lotion, native unscented zinc sunscreen. That’s it.) Also I took DHT block pills that I get from art of skincare to get my hormones in balance naturally. My acne has thankfully never gotten super bad again but I get the occasional breakouts from stress of eating fried foods. You will get through it whether you decide to go on accurate or not. ❤

[aymanhabib]

so proud of your skin journey! thanks for always openly sharing your experiences 💗

[jenniferivy]

Your comment about “speaking” seemed to suggest that you’re communicating more effortlessly, which reminded me of my experience with Prednisone - definitely a powerful booster, mentally and physically.

[peacelovejess.]

Not going through this journey personally/never have but I just love watching your videos. Wishing you luck with acutane through the next few months!

[nahomyvanessa]

Girl coconut oil is what’s breaking you out!

[mariebv]

I've been on Accutane twice, and it was truly the best decision for me (I had acne starting in second grade, and had it on my face, chest, and back). Your thoughts on self-confidence and self-worth regarding acne are so profound, and so true!!! This is temporary. Purging happened to me both times and that was really discouraging, but it stops eventually and you'll definitely notice it. Even after you stop taking the meds your acne scars will keep filling in, so soak in all the healing! My best tip is using Aquaphor anywhere with really dry skin, and staying crazy hydrated. My hair gets greasy easily and that never happened on Accutane and I lowkey miss that 😂Sending so much love and support to you, you got this!! 💕💕

[victorianicole]

Love this!! I’m almost done month 3 of accutane and its slowly but surely getting better!! Patience and positivity is truly key

[hattiegrace]

ahhh thank you for posting this!! I am on my 4th month of accutane..my mom is a dermatologist..and all I can tell you is LESS IS Like seriously 3 products most..here’s my 3.
-hydrating cream to foam cerave cleanser
-la roche posar trip mosturizer or the one you’re already using (cerave)
-and daily moisturizer with spf

lunch looked DELISH!! But you need to be taking accutane with your fattiest meal!!!

[viaa]

you’re gorgeous💞 don’t worry about your skin, it’s beautiful

[maceybranson]

I would recommend getting the Cera Ve cream with the pump, so you don’t have to open it up and touch it and get germs in it. When I was on acutane my skin was soooo sensitive but switching to the pump helped with breakouts a lot.

[hanarply]

super clean brands are my top things to look into. caudalie is actually incredibly clean, try the grape water spray because it’s a good extra hydration step, i love it after my moisturizer or as a refresher through out the day.

[EsteraProcopoi]

I’m starting this month and I am so excited to see you doing it too!! ! It’ll be encouraging to go along the journey with you

[jujubeeromo]

I’m on month 3 of accutane and so far it’s been so great!! Happy for you Marla!

[brookiehaley]

Accutane was the best decision I ever made for myself!💜 I was also on a low dose too for 7 months. This was the only thing that permanently got rid of my adult acne. Finished my journey a little over a year ago and the only ‘break outs’ I get are SMALL pimples when it’s that time of the month. Hope yours treats you equally as well💜 also I would switch coconut oil with miscellar water. Garnier or bioderma are great brands. My skins super sensitive and those do not break me out! Coconut oil over time will cause acne from bringing impurities to the surface (not in a good way)

[gwenharris]

I’ve just started my journey with accutane, and this really reassured me, thank you :)