Your acne care, your way

Acne is a skin condition that can affect the face, back, and chest. It causes spots to form and can sometimes be tender or painful to touch. It’s most common in teenagers going through puberty but can last into adulthood. Depending on the severity of the acne and the type of spots that form, it can lead to scarring of the skin after the acne has cleared.

Our GMC-registered, UK-based GPs will review your details and if appropriate, prescribe you with prescription-strength treatment for acne.

The most likely cause of acne is changes in hormone levels. This is why teenagers are particularly prone to it as they go through puberty. Women can also experience hormonal acne episodes throughout pregnancy or during their period. These hormone changes lead to glands just below the skin’s surface producing excess oil called sebum. Too much sebum can block pores and trap bacteria, leading to spots.

Acne is also thought to have a genetic link, meaning if your parents experienced acne, you’re more likely to develop it at some stage too.

Our Online Doctor service is designed to offer you safe, high-quality care that’s both convenient and clinically robust. Depending on the condition you're seeking treatment for and the consultation programme in use, we work in partnership with trusted third-party healthcare providers to deliver the service.

While Pharmacy2U facilitates the process, your consultation and treatment are provided directly by a dedicated team of registered clinicians. This separation ensures that prescribing decisions are made independently and in your best interest, in line with healthcare regulations.

Our clinical partners:

• Expert Health Ltd provides the clinical and prescribing aspects for many of our services. Expert Health is registered in England and Wales (company number 04058287), with its registered office at Lumina, Park Approach, Thorpe Park, Leeds, LS15 8GB. Expert Health is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which means its services meet high standards of safety, effectiveness, and patient care. For healthcare regulatory purposes, the Expert Health’s Online Doctor Service is overseen by their Registered Manager.

Dispensing:

Prescriptions issued as part of the Online Doctor service are dispensed by Pharmacy2U, registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). This ensures your medicines are dispensed safely, securely, and to the highest professional standards. 

If you have any questions about your consultation, prescription, or delivery, our customer care team is here to help.

There are several things you can do that could help to stop acne getting worse. A regular cleansing routine is recommended using lukewarm water. Twice a day is plenty. Washing the area more than this can cause irritation and make acne worse. If you wear makeup, always remove it before going to bed. Choose water-based cosmetics over oil-based options that can contribute to clogging pores. Although there isn’t a cure for acne, symptoms can be controlled using the available treatments and sticking to a recommended skincare routine. This article from our Health Hub discusses techniques to help manage acne in winter, when symptoms may flare up.

If you want help from our Online Doctor to treat acne, you can use our simple questionnaire to start your consultation.