GPhC registered|Tracked Delivery
Caremacy
Clinician-led

Acne,treated properly.

Short online consultation. A UK pharmacist reviews your skin and, where clinically appropriate, recommends or prescribes licensed, evidence-based treatment.

  • UK-licensed, pharmacist-reviewed skincare
  • Direct pharmacist messaging
  • Pause between courses any time
Start your consultation
Pharmacist review
24h

Pharmacist review

Discreet delivery
Tracked

Discreet delivery

Registered pharmacy
GPhC

Registered pharmacy

Where to start

Acne treatments suited to you

Tell us what your skin is actually doing. A pharmacist matches the treatment.

  • Blackheads and whiteheads

    Clogged pores, mostly no redness.

    Blackheads and whiteheads
    Get started

  • Red bumps and spots

    Inflamed, sometimes painful breakouts.

    Red bumps and spots
    Get started

  • Mixed acne

    A bit of both — more common than you'd think.

    Mixed acne
    Get started

  • Not sure yet

    Tell us about your skin, we'll figure it out.

    Not sure yet
    Get started
Why Caremacy

Built around what patients actually need

UK-licensed pharmacy and prescription skincare, pharmacist-led selection, and support through the tricky first weeks.

Verified authenticity

UK-licensed pharmacy and prescription skincare, supplied through regulated UK supply chains. Pharmacist-reviewed every time.

Side-effect support

Guided through dryness, retinoid purge or flare-ups — message a pharmacist directly.

Total control

Pause between courses, switch products, or cancel any time from your dashboard.

Progress & refills

Quarterly photo reviews spot what's working. One-tap refills so you never run out mid-course.

Your dashboard

Your digital health dashboard

Everything you need, in one place — the moment you sign in.

  • Chat

    Message a pharmacist directly

  • Track

    Log progress and symptoms

  • Report

    Instant side-effect logging

  • Manage

    Refills, pauses, cancellations

Treatments

Pharmacist-reviewed treatments for acne

Treatments are prescription-only or pharmacist-supplied, depending on the product. Your pharmacist decides what, if anything, is clinically appropriate.

Acnecide

Benzoyl peroxide 5%

First-line topical for mild acne. Pregnancy-compatible, no antibiotic-resistance liability — a widely used starting point in UK pharmacy.

From£15/ month
  • Once-daily topical (build to twice daily)
  • Non-antibiotic antimicrobial
  • Pregnancy-compatible
  • Pharmacist-reviewed before every supply
Check eligibilityLearn more

Differin

Adapalene 0.1% gel

A once-daily topical retinoid. Often used for mild-to-moderate comedonal acne and gentler on skin than older retinoids.

From£29/ month
  • Once-daily topical gel
  • Third-generation retinoid
  • Generally well tolerated
  • Pharmacist-reviewed before every prescription
Check eligibilityLearn more

Duac

Clindamycin 1% + Benzoyl peroxide 5%

Combination topical pairing a topical antibiotic with benzoyl peroxide — indicated for mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne, particularly where papules and pustules predominate.

From£25/ month
  • Once-daily combination gel
  • Topical antibiotic + benzoyl peroxide
  • Targets inflammatory acne
  • Pharmacist-reviewed before every prescription
Check eligibilityLearn more

Epiduo

Adapalene 0.1% + Benzoyl peroxide 2.5%

Combination topical pairing a retinoid with benzoyl peroxide — targets both follicular plugging and bacterial drivers of acne in one application.

From£33/ month
  • Once-daily combination gel
  • Retinoid + benzoyl peroxide in one
  • Bacterial and comedonal pathways
  • Pharmacist-reviewed before every prescription
Check eligibilityLearn more

Treclin

Tretinoin 0.025% + Clindamycin 1%

Combination topical for moderate-to-severe mixed acne. Pairs a first-generation retinoid with a topical antibiotic; pharmacist review at 12 weeks limits antibiotic duration.

From£35/ month
  • Once-daily combination gel
  • Retinoid + topical antibiotic
  • For moderate-to-severe mixed acne
  • Pharmacist-reviewed before every prescription
Check eligibilityLearn more
How it works

Four steps. No waiting room.

From short online consultation to discreet doorstep delivery — pharmacist-reviewed, end to end.

  1. Share your concerns

    Answer a short online questionnaire about your skin, history, and goals. Takes around three minutes.

  2. Pharmacist review

    A qualified clinician reviews your case individually before any medicine is supplied or prescribed.

  3. Treatment decision

    If clinically appropriate, your pharmacist supplies or prescribes a UK-licensed treatment through the correct route and explains how to use it.

  4. Delivery

    Treatment uses plain packaging and tracked delivery. Available options and timings are confirmed before payment. Monthly resupplies arrive automatically unless paused or cancelled.

Eligibility

Is this right for you?

Usually suitable for

  • Adults (18+) experiencing persistent acne, textural concerns, or visible photoageing
  • Patients who have tried over-the-counter options without sustained result
  • Patients with a stable skincare baseline (cleanser + moisturiser + daily SPF)
  • Patients willing to start at a gentle dose and titrate gradually

Not suitable if you are / have

  • Retinoid treatments (Differin, Epiduo, Treclin) if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding. Acnecide or Duac may still be suitable
  • Severe acne, including severe cystic or nodular acne (please see your GP)
  • Active rosacea flares or severe sensitive-skin reactions
  • Broken or severely compromised skin on the treatment area
  • Age under 18 years

This is a summary, not a complete assessment. A pharmacist reviews your full health history during consultation before any medicine is supplied or prescribed.

The science

How acne treatment actually works

UK-licensed treatments with established active ingredients — selected through pharmacist review, not marketing.

  1. Retinoids

    Prescription retinoids (like tretinoin) accelerate cell turnover, reduce follicular plugging, and stimulate collagen. They are the most-studied class of topical skincare actives in dermatology.

  2. Targeted adjuncts

    Additions like topical antibiotics, azelaic acid, or niacinamide work alongside the retinoid — addressing bacteria, pigmentation, or inflammation depending on your concern.

  3. Gentle titration

    Your pharmacist starts at a low strength and increases gradually. This reduces the adjustment period and gives your skin time to adapt — supervised throughout.

Compare treatments

Which acne treatment fits?

Your pharmacist will recommend based on what your skin is actually doing — not on trends.

Side-by-side comparison of Differin and Epiduo and Duac
 DifferinEpiduoDuac
Active(s)Adapalene 0.1%Adapalene + Benzoyl peroxideClindamycin + Benzoyl peroxide
Drug classTopical retinoidRetinoid + BPO comboTopical antibiotic + BPO
Best suited toMild comedonal acne, sensitive skinMixed inflammatory + comedonal acnePapular / pustular inflammatory acne
FormatGelGelGel
Clinical evidence

What the trial data shows

Peer-reviewed evidence for prescription retinoids — cited and attributed, not reframed as a personal promise.

Randomised controlled trial

Adapalene vs. vehicle (randomised trial)

Thiboutot DM et al., Cutis 2006;78(5 Suppl):25–31

Participants
517
Duration
12 weeks
Comparator
Adapalene 0.1% gel vs. vehicle control

In randomised controlled trials of adapalene 0.1% gel versus vehicle, adapalene significantly reduced total and inflammatory acne lesion counts over 12 weeks. Tolerability was better than older retinoids such as tretinoin. Individual response varies with formulation and concordance.

Read the full paper

Randomised controlled trial

Tretinoin for photoageing (foundational trial)

Kligman AM et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 1986;15:836–859

Participants
30
Duration
16 weeks
Comparator
Topical tretinoin 0.05% vs. vehicle

Topical tretinoin significantly improved fine wrinkling, roughness, and pigmentary change versus vehicle. Subsequent larger trials have replicated these findings across ethnicities and skin types.

Read the full paper

Trial results do not predict individual outcomes. Your pharmacist will discuss realistic expectations during consultation.

UK Registered Pharmacists

Meet Your Clinical Team

Every prescription is reviewed by our UK-registered pharmacists who genuinely care about your wellbeing.

Younes Mekhalfia

Younes Mekhalfia

Independent Prescribing Pharmacist

MPharm, IP10+ years experience
GPhC: 2085251
Aans Memon

Aans Memon

Prescribing Pharmacist

MPharm, IP10+ years experience
GPhC: 2085817

Video Message Reviews

Receive personalized video explanations with every prescription

Proactive Check-ins

We follow up to ensure your treatment is working for you

Side-effect Management

Direct pharmacist support if you experience any concerns

GPhC
All pharmacists registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council
Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about pharmacist-reviewed skincare

Common patient questions — grouped by category and answered with clinically reviewed guidance.

What treatments are used for acne?

The UK-licensed first-line options are topical retinoids (like adapalene in Differin), topical retinoid + benzoyl peroxide combinations (like Epiduo), and topical antibiotic + benzoyl peroxide combinations (like Duac). Oral antibiotics and oral isotretinoin are reserved for more severe or resistant cases.

What is the difference between Differin, Epiduo, and Duac?

Differin is adapalene (a retinoid) alone. Epiduo combines adapalene with benzoyl peroxide. Duac combines clindamycin (a topical antibiotic) with benzoyl peroxide. Your pharmacist will recommend based on whether your acne is more comedonal, inflammatory, or mixed.

How does adapalene work?

Adapalene is a third-generation retinoid. It accelerates skin cell turnover, reduces follicular plugging, and has anti-inflammatory action. It is generally better tolerated than older retinoids such as tretinoin.

How long does it take to see results?

Topical acne treatments typically need 8–12 weeks of consistent use before clinical response is evident. Some patients experience a brief worsening (‘purge’) in the first few weeks as skin adjusts — this usually settles.

What happens if I stop using the treatment?

Acne often returns over the following weeks or months if treatment stops. Maintenance treatment — often at a lower frequency — is commonly recommended once initial clearance is achieved. Your pharmacist can advise on tapering.

Your health shouldn’t wait.

Free consultation, pharmacist-reviewed, discreet delivery.

Start your consultation