Alternatives to Accutane

July 1, 2019

Acne is no fun.  The blemishes are unsightly and can lead to scarring.   Many teenagers -- and adults -- turn to Isotretinoin (what most of us know as Accutane) to help clear up their skin, but it comes with pretty nasty side effects (blurred vision, hair loss, migraines, severely dry skin, depression, seizures and suicidal thoughts, to name a few).  Here are some more natural options that can be just as effective:

1.  Eliminate dairy.  Many people see improvements in their skin when they eliminate dairy -- even if they are not lactose intolerant and don't have a dairy allergy.  This is the biggest bang for your buck by far.  Try eliminating it for 2-3 weeks and see if you notice any improvement in your skin.  

2.  Consider taking Vitamin A, applying it topically, or increasing your intake of foods rich in Vitamin A (egg yolks, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, kale and carrots to name a few).  Retinol, commonly found in skin care products, is a derivative of Vitamin A.  And Retin-A is a synthetic form of Vitamin A that is often prescribed as a skin cream to reduce acne.  Ask your doctor for the proper dosage if you decide to take it as a supplement.

3.  Limit processed, refined foods.  They cause inflammation and acne is an inflammatory condition.  The cleaner your diet, the clearer your skin. 

4.  Try cod liver oil.  It contains Vitamin A (see #2!) and has anti-inflammatory properties.  It was actually used to treat acne back in the early 1900s, but the treatment has been largely forgotten in recent years.  Rosita is a great brand -- 1 teaspoon or 3 softgels per day is a good for most people.

5.  Add fermented foods like raw sauerkraut, kimchi or Bubbies pickles (but not yogurt!  see #1) into your diet (or a prebiotic and probiotic capsule if you hate fermented foods).  These help feed the good bacteria in your gut, which improves your digestion and overall health.  Better gut health = clearer skin.

Hope you find these tips helpful!