Acne is a very common condition in teenagers and adults. However, it can sometimes get out of hand. When treating severe cases of acne, daily skin care coupled with over the counter drugs is just not good enough.

When this happens most people turn to a stronger, prescription medicine: Accutane. This drug can be a miracle cure for some people, but it also comes accompanied with a set of complicated side effects.

Common side effects caused by accutane can include dryness, conjunctivitis, joint pains and nose bleeds. Less common side effects include depression, slow healing, thinning hair, rashes and skin infections. Be sure that your doctor explains every possible problem before you choose to use this drug.

Dry skin and lips are two of the most common side effects that Accutane users face. Over 80% of Accutane users complain about chapped lips and dry or itchy skin. To combat this issue, it is important that you use a skin moisturizer frequently.

Your moisturizer should be creamy or thick enough to provide quick dry skin relief. By moisturizing regularly you can keep your skin from blistering and cracking. This will help prevent possible infection.

Also, be sure to apply your moisturizer immediately after having cleansed your skin so that you'll lock in the moisture. Moisturize dry skin as often as needed during the day.

Things you can do to Ward off Dryness

Cold and hot climates can also contribute to dryness. If you want to counteract these side effects, you'll need to take the following tips into consideration.

When you're in colder climates you should make sure that you bundle up. Cold air draws out the moisture from your skin, but you can help avoid this by protecting your face, hands, and legs from cold air.

Also stay away from open flames. The heat that comes from these sources can also speed up the evaporation process. So if you want to keep warm without sacrificing your skin, sip warm beverages.

Hot weather can also promote dryness, for other reasons. For example, water exposure. Summer is all about spending more time in the water so that you can cool of or just have a great time with friends, however, the chlorine and salt present in most water sources can severely dry out your skin.

Make sure to rinse these substances from your skin with fresh water. Towel off and apply your moisturizer. If you do not have moisturizer with you, make sure to dry off as much water as possible.

You can also use these tips to take care of your lips. Apply a lip balm on every night and avoid licking your lips when they are dry. Also make sure to drink plenty of water.