Best online acne treatment services

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 dermatology 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 do online acne services 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.

What are some popular online acne treatment services in the United States?

Several popular online acne treatment services are 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.

Are online acne services effective?

Yes, online acne treatment services can be highly effective—especially for mild to moderate acne—when they involve licensed medical professionals and personalized treatment plans. Many platforms, like Miiskin, connect patients directly with 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. Miiskin, for example, offers quick access to qualified dermatologists, prescription support, and follow-up care, helping patients manage their acne efficiently from home. For persistent or complex cases, ongoing virtual care can be just as effective as traditional in-office visits when monitored properly.

Quick comparison table of online acne treatment services

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?

✔ 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.

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.

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 Dermatology

• 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.