Complete guide to online acne treatment in 2025

Covered in this article:
How do they work? | Popular online acne services | Are they effective? | Quick comparison | Why Miiskin? | How to get an online acne consultation? | Miiskin | Nurx | MDacne | Musely | Hims/Hers | Curology

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Getting effective acne treatment is now faster, more convenient, and more affordable than ever—thanks to the rise of online acne treatment services. With just a few photos and a brief medical history, you can receive a professional diagnosis and treatment plan without stepping into a clinic. However, with so many platforms offering virtual acne care, it can be overwhelming to figure out which service best fits your skin needs, budget, and privacy preferences.

To help you make an informed choice, we’ve compared the most popular and reputable online dermatology providers that specialize in acne treatment—highlighting key differences in price, provider credentials, response time, prescription access, and more.

How does online acne treatment work?

Online acne services typically start with a short medical questionnaire and a series of clear photos of your skin submitted through a secure website or app. A licensed provider—often a board-certified dermatologist—reviews your case and provides a personalized treatment plan, which may include prescription creams, oral medications, or skincare recommendations. For example, Miiskin allows you to choose your dermatologist, upload your skin concerns, and receive expert care within 24–48 hours. If medication is prescribed, it can be sent directly to your pharmacy. Many platforms, like Miiskin, also offer follow-up messaging and easy refill options, making acne treatment convenient and accessible from home.

How to get acne treatment online?

There are several popular online acne treatment services available in the United States, each offering a different approach to virtual skincare. Miiskin stands out for providing access to board-certified dermatologists, allowing users to choose between generic or personalized prescriptions within 24–48 hours. Nurx offers dermatologist-led care focused on prescription treatments like birth control or antibiotics, with monthly delivery and unlimited follow-ups. MDacne takes a tech-driven approach, using an app to recommend customized, over-the-counter acne kits based on AI analysis of selfies. Musely connects users with dermatologists for prescription-strength creams—delivered through an auto-refill model. Hims and Hers provide subscription-based acne care with prescription treatments tailored for men and women, while Curology offers custom-blended creams from dermatology providers based on your skin type and goals. Each platform delivers a modern, at-home solution for managing acne without visiting a clinic.

Is online acne treatment effective?

Yes, online acne treatment services can be highly effective, especially when they involve a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist and personalized treatment plans. In the case of Miiskin, you can connect directly with an independent, board-certified dermatologists who assess your skin condition through detailed photos and medical history. These specialists can prescribe proven treatments such as topical retinoids, oral antibiotics, or hormonal therapies, just as they would in an in-person clinic.

Quick comparison of online acne treatment platforms

Service	Provider Type	Prescriptions	Choose Provider	Subscription Required	Response Time
Miiskin	Board-Certified Dermatologists	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No	24–48 hrs
Nurx	Board-Certified Dermatologists	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	~1 week
MDacne	OTC (Dermatologist-designed kits)	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes	Immediate quiz
Musely	Board-Certified Dermatologists	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	~24 hrs
Hims / Hers	Licensed Providers (NPs/PAs)	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	3–7 days
Curology	NPs/PAs	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	3–7 days

Why get online acne treatment via Miiskin?

✔ Independent, board-certified dermatologists only
✔ No medication subscriptions
✔ Fast, secure consultations from home
✔ Options for both men and women
✔ Flexible choice of branded, generic, or compounded meds

How to get online acne treatment via Miiskin

Starting an online acne consultation via Miiskin is fast and effective. You have two easy ways to begin. Click the “Start Consultation” button to begin the process, once completed, a board-certified dermatologist will review your consultation and you’ll get a personalized treatment plan and prescription in 1–2 days. You can then purchase your medication from your local pharmacy or an online source — no mandatory subscription attached.

Online acne treatment platforms

1. Miiskin

• Price: $59 new consult / $39 follow-up + medication costs
• Provider: 🧑‍⚕️ Board‑Certified Dermatologists
• Prescriptions: ✅ Yes
• Choose Your Provider: ✅ Yes
• Subscription Required: ❌ No – Pay-per-visit
• Response Time: ~24–48 hrs
• Conditions Treated: Acne, melasma, anti-aging, infections, hair loss
• Overview: Offers one-time dermatology visits with no subscription required. Choose your dermatologist, get prescriptions (branded, generic or compounded), and maintain ongoing care through secure messaging at a small fee.

2. Nurx

• Price: $15–$40/month (varies by meds)
• Provider: 🧑‍⚕️ Board‑Certified Dermatologists
• Prescriptions: ✅ Yes
• Choose Your Provider: ❌ No
• Subscription Required: ✅ Yes – Monthly medication delivery
• Response Time: ~1 week
• Conditions Treated: Acne, hormonal acne, body acne
• Overview: Long-term acne treatment with automatic prescription delivery and unlimited provider messaging. Great for patients needing regular access to medications.

3. MDacne

• Price: Approximately $39/month (after free trial; billed $78 every two months)
• Provider: AI product recommendation for over-the-counter products
• Prescriptions: ❌ No – OTC products only
• Choose Your Provider: N/A
• Subscription Required: ✅ Yes – Product subscription
• Response Time: Instant quiz; products ship soon after
• Conditions Treated: Mild/moderate acne
• Overview: AI-powered, custom-formulated acne kits designed for daily use. No prescriptions or live doctor consults—ideal for those starting a skin routine.

4. Musely

• Price: Doctor visit $20, plus treatment costs (auto-refills range $50–$110)
• Provider: 🧑‍⚕️ Board‑Certified Dermatologists
• Prescriptions: ✅ Yes
• Choose Your Provider: ❌ No
• Subscription Required: ✅ Yes – Auto-refill unless canceled
• Response Time: ~24 hours
• Conditions Treated: Acne, melasma, aging, dark spots
• Overview: Offers powerful custom-compounded prescription creams delivered directly. You can manage your plan via an app, but initial order starts a subscription.

5. Hims / Hers

• Price: $40–$60 per month for acne treatment (plus flat-rate consult if needed)
• Provider: 🧑‍⚕️ Licensed Medical Providers (varies by state)
• Prescriptions: ✅ Yes
• Choose Your Provider: ❌ No
• Subscription Required: ✅ Yes – Monthly plan with refills
• Response Time: 3–7 days
• Conditions Treated: Acne, dark spots, aging skin
• Overview: Easy-to-access acne treatments for men and women. Includes skin quiz, clinician review, and delivery. Subscription includes meds and follow-ups.

6. Curology 

• Price: $29–$59/month (includes Rx formula)
• Provider: 🧑‍⚕️ NPs/PAs – Dermatology-trained
• Prescriptions: ✅ Yes
• Choose Your Provider: ❌ No
• Subscription Required: ✅ Yes – Monthly skincare subscription
• Response Time: 3–7 days
• Conditions Treated: Acne, hyperpigmentation, aging
• Overview: Personalized prescription creams based on your skin type and needs. Auto-ship with messaging access to a provider. Not suited for complex conditions.

FAQ about online hair loss treatment services 

How to get an acne prescription online?

To get an acne prescription online, you should choose a telehealth provider and fill out a brief health questionnaire and—on some platforms—uploading photos of your skin so a licensed provider can assess your needs. Miiskin connects you with board-certified dermatologists who review your case and issue e‑prescriptions for topical or oral acne treatments without a subscription; Nurx offers form-based consultations with free home delivery for women-focused acne meds; Musely pairs you with skincare providers who customize and ship topical regimens; Hims/Hers offer subscription-based acne treatments (like topical minocycline or retinoids) delivered automatically to your door; and Curology provides a personalized, provider-formulated topical blend with monthly shipping, ongoing follow-up, and easy refill management—all from the convenience of your phone or computer.

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Is online acne treatment less expensive than in-person consultations?

Yes, online acne treatment is often less expensive than in-person dermatology visits. For example, Miiskin charges $59 for a new consultation and $39 for follow-ups, which is typically more affordable than traditional in-office visits that can range from $100 to $300 per appointment, not including medication costs. Online services also save time and eliminate the need for travel or time off work.

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Do all online acne treatment services connect users with a board-certified dermatologist?

Not all services guarantee a board-certified dermatologist, but some, like Miiskin, specifically do. Miiskin connects users with board-certified dermatologists, which ensures that the care provided is on par with what you’d expect from a traditional clinic. However, other platforms may rely on nurse practitioners or general licensed providers instead, so it’s important to check provider credentials before choosing a service.

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Do online acne treatment services provide treatment options for both men and women?

Yes, most online acne treatment services offer care for both men and women. Miiskin, for instance, treats acne in patients regardless of gender and provides personalized prescriptions and care plans based on each individual’s skin concerns and medical history. The flexibility and inclusivity of online platforms make them suitable for a broad audience.

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How to find an online dermatologist for acne?

To find an online dermatologist for acne, start by choosing a tele-dermatology platform that suits your preferences. Miiskin connects you with board-certified dermatologists through photo-based consultations—simply upload skin pictures, fill out a questionnaire, and receive a personalized acne treatment plan and e-prescription within two business days. Nurx offers form-based consultations geared towards women’s skincare, providing prescription acne medications with discreet home delivery. Musely pairs users with licensed healthcare providers who create customized topical regimens and ship them directly to your doorstep. Hims/Hers feature convenient subscription-based acne treatments, like topical retinoids or antibiotics, and are designed for both men and women with automatic monthly refills. And Curology stands out for its personalized formulas—after completing a detailed intake and uploading photos, you’re matched with a licensed provider who crafts a unique blend of prescription ingredients (e.g., tretinoin, azelaic acid, niacinamide), shipped monthly with ongoing follow-up.

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What prescriptions can I get via an online acne treatment service?

Online acne treatment services like Miiskin can prescribe a wide range of medications, including topical treatments (like tretinoin or clindamycin), oral antibiotics, hormonal treatments, or even custom-compounded formulations. These prescriptions are based on your skin type and acne severity and are filled at your preferred pharmacy or through the service’s partner network.

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Do all online acne treatment services enroll me in a monthly product subscription?

No, not all online services require a subscription. Miiskin, for example, uses a pay-per-visit model, allowing you to access care and get prescriptions without being locked into a monthly plan. This makes it ideal for people who want flexible, one-time consultations or prefer to manage their own medication purchases separately.

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How to get a virtual dermatologist appointment for acne?

To have a virtual dermatologist appointment, you can choose from several reputable teledermatology services: Miiskin lets you upload photos and a brief questionnaire so a board‑certified dermatologist reviews your skin and sends a personalized treatment plan with e‑prescriptions in 1–2 business days. Curology offers a detailed intake with photo uploads, allowing nurse practitioners or PAs to create a custom acne regimen shipped monthly on a subscription plan; Musely matches you with skincare providers who craft prescription topical routines and include a 60-day consultation period with in-app check-ins; and Hims/Hers provide convenient subscription-based dermatology care—complete with intake, provider review, and home delivery—for issues including acne, with treatments renewed automatically each month.