Dermatica vs Skin+Me 2026: Online Dermatology Compared

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.

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 cheaper 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.

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