Acne is one of the most common skin conditions globally affecting teenagers and adults alike. Whilst many people manage with over-the-counter products, persistent or moderate-to-severe acne often requires something stronger. This is to properly control inflammation, unblock pores and prevent scars. In the UK, many of the most effective acne treatments are prescription-only. This ensures a proper medical review of your skin in order to select the most appropriate and safest treatment. Whilst this has traditionally limited access, in recent years there has been am increase in availability thanks to online platforms. Through these, you can access prescription-strength acne treatments. In this post we review the top medical clinics where you can get acne treatments online in the UK.
What are Prescription Acne Treatments?
Unlike over-the-counter products, prescription acne treatments containactive ingredients at therapeutic strengths ad formulas which directly affect skin cells. These acne treatments can be oral or topical medications to help treat moderate to severe acne. They often target the underlying biological processes that drive breakouts rather than simply addressing the visible symptoms. In the UK, these treatments are only available following a medical assessment. This is because they can carry side effects and are not suitable for everyone. If appropriate a medical provider may prescribe topical treatments, oral medications or a combination of both. This depends on the type and severity of acne. The commonly used prescription acne treatments include:
High-strength Azelaic Acid: In concentrations of 15-20% this compound has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It is particularly useful for acne in sensitive or rosacea-prone skin.
Antibiotics: Oral or topical antibiotics such as clindamycin, doxycycline or erythromycin can help to reduce acne-causing bacteria and lower inflammation in active inflammatory acne lesions like papules, pustules or cysts.
Traditionally, you would get prescription acne treatments following an in office appointment with a GP, private dermatologist or aesthetic skin clinic. Each of these offers slightly different services and limits. For example only dermatologists can typically provide treatment with roaccutane and GPs offer what the NHS recommends which is usually antibiotics, adapalene, azelaic acid or Treclin. Aesthetic clinics tend to provide generic or branded skincare such as Obagi or physical treatments like peels or lasers. After assessing your skin, a prescription may be issued and dispensed by a pharmacy. Whilst effective, in-person appointments can be inconvenient due to the time commitment and booking appointments in advance. This is why online dermatology services to get at home acne treatments have become so popular in the UK.
Where to Get Acne Treatments Online in the UK
First of all, its really important top be clear that getting acne treatments online in the UK does not mean buying prescription medication without assessment from some oversees pharmacy. This is actually illegal and dangerous. Thankfully, several there aren several legitimate online dermatology services in the UK which offer prescription acne treatments following a medical assessment. These services aim to improve access whilst maintaining appropriate clinical care. They involve a remote consultation with a UK-registered clinician, followed by treatment where clinically indicated. Below are the most popular telemedicine clinics in the UK where you can get acne treatments online:
#1 City Skin Clinic
City Skin Clinic is an online skin clinic providing personalised topical acne cream and gel treatments. We create custom treatments using active ingredients like Tretinoin, Hydroquinone, Azelaic acid, Spironolactone and Clindamycin where appropriate. City Skin Clinic provides the option of a video or online form consultation with a doctor. They will assess your acne type, concerns and goals to design a bespoke treatment plan for you. This may involve a once a day or twice a day treatment depending on the severity of your acne and treatment goals. We also like to involve our patients in the process and accommodate their wishes as much as possible. Regardless of which consultation type you choose, you will have the same doctor monitor your progress and help you get the most out of your treatment. You can connect with your doctor at any time by email for help for advice.
You can easily book a virtual consultation or complete an online form consultation. Following this the doctor will create a bespoke protocol using the right ingredients, strengths and formulas for your skin. They’ll also advise on the best way to use your treatment to reduce side effects and optimise your existing skincare routine. We deduct the consultation fee from your first order and deliver the treatment directly to you. All face treatments usually last 3 months and your doctor will work with you to adjust the composition of your next formula based on your progress. We are not a subscription service as we know everyone is different. We leave it up to you to tell your doctor when you’re ready for a refill.
Skin+Me provides personalised prescription skincare through an online assessment form reviewed by registered clinicians such as doctors, nurses or pharmacists. Their acne treatments come in the form of customtopical creams, often combining a retinoid like tretinoin or adapalene with other active ingredients such as niacinamide, azelaic acid or antibiotics where clinically appropriate. Skin + Me operates on a monthly subscription model, with follow-ups on their online platform. This allows gradual adjustment of treatment strength and formulation.
#3 Dermatica
Dermatica is an online dermatology service providing prescription topical treatments for acne and other skin conditions. After completing an online consultation, a clinician then reviews your case. If appropriate, Dermatica prescribes a bespoke topical formulation, which may include ingredients such as tretinoin, adapalene, azelaic acid, clindamycin or niacinamide. Delivery of treatments is automatically every month. Adjustment of formulations is over time depending on how your skin responds.
#4 Boots Online Doctor
The Boots online acne service offers prescription acne treatments which you can access through an online questionnaire. Assessment of these is by a prescribing clinician. Unlike bespoke dermatology services, Boots generally prescribes off-the-shelf prescription acne medications such as oral antibiotics, Duac, Epiduo, Treclin and Skinoren depending on suitability. Boots pharmacies dispense prescriptions which they deliver to your home or make available for collection.
#5 Superdrug Online Doctor
Similar to Boots, Superdrug Online Doctor provides acne treatments following completion of an online medical assessment which is reviewed by one of their clinicians. Available treatments typically include standard topical retinoid creams and gels as well as oral antibiotics. Once approved, prescriptions are dispensed through Superdrug’s pharmacy services and delivered directly to your home or you can collect it.
#6 LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor is another pharmacy service offering prescription acne treatments after completing an online consultation form which one of their clinicians reviews. As with other pharmacy-based platforms, treatment options are usually limited to off-the-shelf prescription products like Duac, Benzoyl peroxide or oral antibiotics. Again, treatment is available for collection or can be delivered to your home.
#7 Zava
Zava is a telehealth platform that offers online skin assessments for acne using a form. Their doctors review this and if appropriate may offer a range of prescription skincare products such as Treclin, Adapalene, oral antibiotics and other standard acne treatments that you can order through their website. They deliver the products directly to your home.
#8 MedExpress
MedExpress is another online pharmacy that provides standard prescription acne skin treatments like Treclin or Adapelene creams and gels. They offer online form skin assessments which their doctors or pharmacists then review. If appropriate, you can order their recommended prescription skincare treatments through their website. Products are then delivered to your address.
#9 Chemist4U (Formerly Doctor4U)
Chemist4U is long-standing online pharmacy that offers standard topical prescription acne skincare treatments like adapalene, treclin and benzoyl peroxide. To use their service, you need to complete an online questionnaire. Their healthcare providers (mainly pharmacists) will then review it and if appropriate, you can order their recommended products through their website. They will then deliver the treatments to you.
#10 Push Doctor
Push Doctor is a telemedicine startup that offers video virtual consultations with doctors (mainly GPs) through their app. They offer topical retinoids and azelaic acid as well as oral or topical antibiotics and hormone treatments for acne. The doctor will prescribe what they feel is appropriate for you. You then take and pay for your prescription at a pharmacy. For more complex acne cases, they may refer you to a specialist instead of or alongside issuing treatment.
#11 The Online Clinic
The Online Clinic is a large telemedicine platform that you can access by completing an assessment questionnaire which their doctors then review. Based on the consultation form, the doctor may provide standard prescription skincare treatments such as topical retinoids, azelaic acid and oral antibiotics. They charge a fee that includes the consultation, prescription and medication. Treatments are then delivered directly from their pharmacy.
#12 SkinDoc
SkinDoc is an online dermatology service offering acne assessment and treatment by dermatologists. Their acne treatments include oral isotretinoin and spironolactone which their doctors prescribe for suitable patients following a video assessment (form consults are available for minor acne) and pre-treatment blood tests.
#13 Treat Direct
Treat Direct is another online acne service that provides access to oral roaccutane to suitable patients following a video consultation with one of their doctors. Their fee includes blood and pregnancy tests which can be done at home as well as regular follow up. Treatments are then delivered to patients directly.
#14 NHS Dermatology Services
Acne treatment through the NHS usually begins with a GP consultation which tend to be in person but some practices offer virtual options. GPs can prescribe topical treatments like adapalene or treclin and oral antibiotics. If these fail or in severe cases, your GP may refer you to an NHS dermatologist. Increasingly many trusts are offerring a virtual dermatology assessment for acne in order to overcome long waiting lists that can be as long as 18-24 months.
Increasingly acne treatment is becoming more accessible largely thanks to online dermatology and pharmacy platforms. However, it is important to find a legitimate service that offers a through assessment by a UK licensed clinician and follow up. This is particularly important for prescription treatments like tretinoin and oral roaccutane which also requires baseline and montoring blood tests.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical provider for any medical concerns or questions you might have.
Authored by:
Dr Amel Ibrahim
Aesthetic Doctor & Medical Director
BSC (HONS) MBBS MRCS PHD
Founder City Skin Clinic
Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
Associate Member of British Association of Body Sculpting
GMC Registered - 7049611
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