Dermatica vs Skin+Me 2026: Online Dermatology Compared
Compare Dermatica and Skin+Me for personalised skincare in the UK. Price, formulation, delivery, conditions treated, and which service suits your skin.
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Updated May 2026Private healthcare cost guides should be read as point-in-time price ranges. The useful next step is to compare what is included, whether an assessment is required and how prices vary by provider.
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Dermatica and Skin+Me are the UK's two leading online prescription skincare services. Both offer personalised formulas reviewed by dermatologists and delivered monthly to your door. They target similar conditions but differ in formulation approach, pricing, and extras. This guide compares the two in detail.
In short
Quick comparison
| Dermatica | Skin+Me | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From £20/month | From £25/month |
| Consultation | Free (photo-based) | Free (photo-based) |
| Formulation | Single custom formula | Up to 3 active ingredients |
| Key active | Tretinoin-based | Varies (tretinoin, azelaic acid, niacinamide, others) |
| Delivery | Monthly, free | Monthly, free |
| Conditions treated | Acne, anti-ageing, hyperpigmentation | Acne, anti-ageing, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, melasma |
| Adjustment | Photo review every 3 months | Photo review each month |
| Pause/cancel | Anytime | Anytime |
| Money-back guarantee | No | 30-day satisfaction guarantee |
| App | Yes | Yes |
How Dermatica works
Dermatica provides a personalised tretinoin-based formula tailored to your skin. The process:
- Online consultation — you upload photos and answer questions about your skin concerns, history, and current routine
- Dermatologist review — a prescribing dermatologist assesses your photos and designs a custom formula
- Monthly delivery — your formula arrives each month in a pump bottle; typically a single nightly cream
- Ongoing review — you submit progress photos every 3 months, and your formula is adjusted as your skin improves
Dermatica's formulations are built around tretinoin (prescription-strength vitamin A), often combined with other actives such as niacinamide, azelaic acid, or hydroquinone depending on your goals.
Dermatica pricing
| Plan | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard (monthly) | £22.99/month |
| Quarterly | £19.99/month (billed quarterly) |
| Trial | Often available from £20 for first month |
Prices as of April 2026. Dermatica frequently offers introductory discounts for new subscribers.
Dermatica's core strength is tretinoin. Tretinoin is the gold-standard prescription retinoid for acne and anti-ageing, backed by decades of clinical evidence. You cannot buy tretinoin over the counter in the UK — it requires a prescription, which Dermatica's dermatologists provide as part of the service.
How Skin+Me works
Skin+Me provides a personalised prescription with up to three active ingredients in a single formula. The process:
- Online consultation — photo upload and skin questionnaire, similar to Dermatica
- Dermatologist review — a prescribing clinician designs your formula, selecting from a broader ingredient library
- Monthly delivery — arrives in a daily dosette-style dispenser (the "Daily Doser"), pre-measured for each application
- Monthly review — you can submit progress photos every month, and your formula is updated more frequently than Dermatica
Skin+Me draws from a wider range of active ingredients including tretinoin, azelaic acid, niacinamide, clindamycin, metronidazole, and others. This allows them to target conditions like rosacea and melasma more directly.
Skin+Me pricing
| Plan | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly | £25.99/month |
| Quarterly | £23.99/month (billed quarterly) |
| Trial | Often available from £5-10 for first month |
Prices as of April 2026. Skin+Me also sells complementary products (cleanser, moisturiser, SPF) separately.
Formulation comparison
| Aspect | Dermatica | Skin+Me |
|---|---|---|
| Primary active | Tretinoin | Varies by condition |
| Number of actives | Typically 1-2 | Up to 3 |
| Ingredient range | Narrower, tretinoin-focused | Broader (tretinoin, azelaic acid, clindamycin, metronidazole, others) |
| Delivery format | Pump bottle | Daily Doser (pre-measured) |
| Strength adjustment | Gradual increase over months | Adjusted monthly |
| Rosacea formulas | Limited | Yes (metronidazole, azelaic acid-based) |
| Anti-ageing focus | Strong (tretinoin-led) | Good (tretinoin available but not always default) |
If your primary goal is anti-ageing or acne and you want a tretinoin-focused approach, Dermatica is the more direct option. If you have rosacea, melasma, or want a formula that combines multiple actives targeting different concerns, Skin+Me's broader ingredient library gives more flexibility.
When to choose Dermatica
- Acne treatment — tretinoin is highly effective for comedonal and inflammatory acne
- Anti-ageing — tretinoin is the most evidence-backed topical for fine lines, texture, and skin renewal
- Hyperpigmentation — tretinoin combined with niacinamide or hydroquinone targets pigmentation effectively
- Lower price point — £3-5/month lower-cost than Skin+Me on comparable plans
- Simplicity — single cream, single step, straightforward routine
When to choose Skin+Me
- Rosacea — Skin+Me can formulate with metronidazole and azelaic acid, which are first-line treatments for rosacea
- Melasma — the combination of multiple actives in one formula can be more effective for stubborn pigmentation
- Multiple concerns — if you have acne plus rosacea, or pigmentation plus sensitivity, the multi-active approach addresses several issues simultaneously
- More frequent adjustments — monthly photo reviews mean your formula evolves faster
- Pre-measured dosing — the Daily Doser removes guesswork about how much to apply
Limitations of both services
Neither Dermatica nor Skin+Me is a replacement for a full dermatology consultation. Important limitations:
- No physical examination — photo-based assessment cannot replace in-person dermoscopy or biopsy
- Not suitable for all conditions — inflammatory conditions like severe psoriasis, eczema requiring systemic treatment, or suspected skin cancer need in-person specialist care
- Prescription-only actives — both services prescribe real medications with potential side effects (dryness, irritation, sun sensitivity, purging)
- Slow results — expect 8-12 weeks for visible improvement; skin may initially worsen (purging) before it gets better
- Not for severe acne — cystic or nodular acne may need isotretinoin (Roaccutane), which requires in-person monitoring with blood tests and cannot be prescribed online
If your condition is moderate to severe, worsening despite treatment, or you are unsure of your diagnosis, see a dermatologist in person.
The verdict
Choose Dermatica if your primary goal is acne or anti-ageing and you want a tretinoin-led approach at a lower price. It is the more focused, value-for-money option for straightforward skin concerns.
Choose Skin+Me if you have rosacea, melasma, or multiple skin concerns that benefit from a broader ingredient mix. The monthly photo reviews and more varied formulations give greater flexibility for complex or evolving skin.
Both are legitimate services with dermatologist oversight and prescription-strength actives. For mild to moderate acne, anti-ageing, and pigmentation, either is a credible alternative to repeated private dermatology appointments at a fraction of the cost.
Compare online and in-person dermatology prices across UK providers.
Compare dermatology treatments pricesHealthcare data note
Sources, review and limits
Main sources
- TreatCompare compiled research and provider-published information
Methodology: This article compares two UK online prescription skincare services on programme structure, ingredient access, pricing and consultation model. Prices and formulations are based on published information at time of writing and may change. Neither service replaces a full dermatologist consultation for severe, systemic or unclear skin conditions.
Related guides
- Private Dermatologist Cost UK — consultation fees, treatment prices, and when to go private
- Mole Removal Cost UK — NHS vs private pricing and methods
- Compare dermatology prices — browse UK dermatology providers
UK comparison next step
Compare the full cost before taking the next step
- Headline prices may exclude assessment, diagnostics or follow-up.
- Provider routes and eligibility criteria can change the total cost.
- Use calculators and comparison pages to estimate likely out-of-pocket spend.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Dermatica and Skin+Me?
Dermatica provides a tretinoin-based custom formula (typically 1–2 actives) at £22.99/month standard or £19.99/month quarterly, with photo reviews every 3 months. Skin+Me provides a multi-active formula (up to 3 actives — including tretinoin, azelaic acid, niacinamide, clindamycin, metronidazole) at £25.99/month or £23.99/month quarterly, with monthly photo reviews and a pre-measured Daily Doser format.
Is Dermatica or Skin+Me lower-cost?
Dermatica is £3–£5/month lower-cost on comparable plans. Standard monthly: Dermatica £22.99 vs Skin+Me £25.99. Quarterly: Dermatica £19.99 vs Skin+Me £23.99. Both offer free photo-based consultation and monthly delivery. Skin+Me has a 30-day satisfaction guarantee; Dermatica does not.
Which is better for rosacea — Dermatica or Skin+Me?
Skin+Me, because it can formulate with metronidazole and azelaic acid (first-line treatments for rosacea) and combines them with other actives in a single formula. Dermatica's tretinoin-focused range has more limited rosacea options. Skin+Me's broader ingredient library also handles melasma and multiple concurrent concerns better.
Which is better for acne and anti-ageing — Dermatica or Skin+Me?
Dermatica is the more direct option if your goal is acne or anti-ageing and you want a tretinoin-led approach. Tretinoin is the gold-standard prescription retinoid for acne and anti-ageing, backed by decades of clinical evidence. Both services prescribe tretinoin, but Dermatica's formulations are built around it as the core active.
Can I get tretinoin without a prescription in the UK?
No — tretinoin is prescription-only in the UK. Both Dermatica and Skin+Me include the prescription as part of the service, with a UK-registered dermatologist or prescribing clinician reviewing your photos and questionnaire before prescribing. Allow 8–12 weeks for visible improvement, and expect potential initial purging, dryness, irritation, and sun sensitivity.
Are Dermatica and Skin+Me a substitute for seeing a dermatologist?
No — neither replaces a full dermatology consultation. There's no physical examination, dermoscopy, or biopsy. They're not suitable for severe psoriasis, eczema needing systemic treatment, suspected skin cancer, or cystic/nodular acne requiring isotretinoin (Roaccutane), which needs in-person blood test monitoring. For moderate-to-severe or unclear conditions, see a consultant dermatologist.
Which conditions can Dermatica and Skin+Me treat?
Dermatica treats acne, anti-ageing concerns, and hyperpigmentation. Skin+Me treats acne, anti-ageing, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, and melasma. Both are suitable for mild to moderate cases. Both prescribe real medications with potential side effects (dryness, irritation, sun sensitivity, initial purging). Expect 8–12 weeks for visible improvement.
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