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POSTED: 11 Aug 2025
Where to Get Acne Treatments Online in the UK
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 an 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, contain active ingredients at therapeutic strengths and formulas which directly affect skin cells. These acne treatments can be to help treat moderate to severe acne. They often target the underlying biological processes that rather than simply addressing the visible symptoms. In the UK, these 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 treatments, oral medications or a of both. This depends on the type and severity of acne. The commonly used include:
How to Get Acne Treatments in Person in the UK
Traditionally, you would get prescription acne following an in-office appointment with a GP, private dermatologist or aesthetic skin clinic. Each of these offers slightly different and limits. For example only dermatologists can typically provide treatment with and GPs offer what the NHS which is usually antibiotics, , or Treclin. Aesthetic clinics tend to provide generic or branded skincare such as or treatments like or . 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 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, it’s really important to be clear that getting acne treatments online in the UK does not mean buying prescription medication without assessment from some overseas pharmacy. This is actually illegal and dangerous. Thankfully, there are several legitimate online dermatology services in the UK which offer prescription . These services aim to improve access whilst appropriate clinical care. They involve a remote consultation with a UK-registered clinician, followed by treatment where clinically indicated. Below are the most popular in the UK where you can get acne treatments online:
#1 City Skin Clinic
is an online skin clinic providing personalised . We create custom treatments using like , , , and where appropriate. City Skin Clinic provides the option of a video or online form consultation with a doctor. They will assess your , 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 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 Pricing for Women help or advice.
You can easily book a or . Following this the doctor will create a bespoke protocol using the right , 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 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.
Personalised prescription-strength skincare
#2 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 or with other active ingredients such as , azelaic acid or antibiotics where clinically appropriate. Skin + Me operates on a monthly model, with on their online platform. This allows gradual adjustment of treatment strength and formulation.
#3 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 . Delivery of treatments is automatically every month. Adjustment of formulations is over time on how your skin responds.
#4 Boots Online Doctor
The offers prescription acne treatments which you can access through an online questionnaire. Assessment of these is by a clinician. Unlike bespoke services, Boots generally prescribes off-the-shelf prescription acne medications such as oral antibiotics, Duac, Epiduo, Treclin and Skinoren depending on suitability. Boots dispense prescriptions which they deliver to your home or make available for collection.
#5 Superdrug Online Doctor
Similar to Boots, 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 and delivered directly to your home or you can collect it.
#6 LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor
is another service offering prescription acne treatments after completing an online 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, peroxide or oral . Again, treatment is available for collection or can be to your home.
#7 Zava
is a telehealth platform that offers online skin assessments for acne using a form. Their 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
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)
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 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
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 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
is a large telemedicine platform that you can access by completing an assessment which their doctors then review. Based on the consultation form, the doctor may provide standard skincare treatments such as topical retinoids, azelaic acid and oral . They charge a fee that includes the consultation, prescription and medication. Treatments are then delivered directly from their pharmacy.
#12 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
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 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 months.
Increasingly acne treatment is becoming more accessible largely thanks to online dermatology and platforms. However, it is important to find a legitimate service that offers a thorough assessment by a UK-licensed clinician and follow up. This is particularly important for prescription treatments like tretinoin and oral Roaccutane. The latter also requires baseline and monitoring blood tests.
At City Skin Clinic, we believe that skincare is personal and should always centre around your needs. Our offer using ingredients like , , and where appropriate. If you are interested in a please use our or . and take your first step great skin.
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.
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SKINCARE 11 March 2024
CULTUREHEALTHSKINCARE 10 July 2023
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