About 50 million Americans are affected by acne

Say goodbye to stubborn acne with derm-trusted, clinically-proven treatments. From oral medication to luxe prescription gel creams, we’ve got what dermatologists turn to for real results—and really clear skin.

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Custom Rx treatments for
mild to moderate acne

Acne Rx Cream

From $29/month

Custom blend of up to 5 ingredients including prescription-only tretinoin

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information that I should know about the Acne Treatment?
  • Do not use the Acne treatment if you are:
  • Allergic to any of the ingredients that may be found in the acne formulas, including*:
  • Tretinoin
  • Clindamycin
  • Niacinamide
  • Azelaic Acid
  • Zinc Pyrithione
*We offer a variety of formulas to address specific skin concerns in addition to acne, including dark spots and redness. The formulas may contain some or all of the ingredients listed above. If you are allergic to any of these ingredients, please discuss which formula is right for you with your healthcare provider.
  • Younger than 13 years of age
  • If you have severe cystic acne (you should be evaluated in-person by a healthcare provider)
Can I use the Acne Treatment while I am pregnant or breastfeeding?:
We offer 2 acne formulas for pregnant and breastfeeding women that do not contain tretinoin. Tretinoin should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Topical clindamycin, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and zinc pyrithione are all generally considered safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Please inform the healthcare provider who is overseeing your pregnancy and/or postpartum period that you are using this product. The Acne treatment is free of the following ingredients:
  • Gluten
  • Parabens
  • Phthalates
  • Sulfate
  • Synthetic fragrance
What if I am currently using a product containing a retinoid (tretinoin, Retin-A®, Tazorac®, or over-the-counter retinol)?
Please stop the treatment that you are currently using and continue using the Acne Treatment in the same fashion. While using the Acne Treatment, please do not use any other treatments on your face that contain a retinoid (including over-the-counter products)
What are the most common side effects of this medication:
You may experience side effects with this medication. These side effects are common and typically go away with time and regular use:
  • Stinging of the skin
  • Irritation
  • Itching
  • Burning
  • Redness
  • Dryness
  • Peeling
  • Increased sensitivity to the sun
You should also avoid other products known to cause skin irritation on the area of treatment, such as medicated or abrasive (rough) soaps, products with alcohol or astringents, chemical hair removers, and cosmetics with a strong drying effect. If you are having any treatments such as a facial, electrolysis, or waxing, please inform the individual providing the service that you are using a product with tretinoin.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before the Acne Treatment is prescribed?
  • If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
  • If you are currently using any products containing a retinoid (e.g., tretinoin, Retin-A®, Tazorac®, over-the-counter retinol)
  • If you have a hypersensitivity or allergy to tretinoin, other retinoids, or any component of your acne formula
  • If you have a history of perioral dermatitis or rosacea
  • If you have a current or past history of skin cancer
  • If you are currently taking other medications that make you more sensitive to sunlight (e.g., tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, thiazides, phenothiazines)
  • If you are currently sunburned on your face
Can I use the Acne treatment more than once a day?
  • No - the treatment is meant to be applied no more than once a day in the evening
Will my skin be more sensitive to the sun while using the Acne Treatment?
  • This treatment may make your skin more susceptible to sunburn and other adverse effects of the sun (this includes the use of tanning beds, artificial sunlamps, etc.). It is important to apply sunscreen on a daily basis with an SPF of at least 15 while using this treatment.
  • What if I get a sunburn while using the Acne treatment?
  • Stop your treatment until your skin has recovered
What type of facial cleanser should I use with the Acne treatment?
  • It is recommended that you wash your face with a 2.5% - 4% benzoyl peroxide wash twice a day. These can be found at most major drugstores or grocery stores. Please do not use abrasive or rough soaps as they may irritate the skin. If your skin is sensitive, you may want to wait 20-30 minutes after washing your face before you apply this treatment.
What will happen once I stop using the Acne Treatment?
  • Once this treatment is stopped, the improvement that you achieved with use may gradually disappear

Compliment any skincare routine

Clear Waters Cleanser

$15

Wash away pollution, dirt, and makeup buildup—perfect for acne-prone skin

Additional fees may apply

Hydrobounce Moisturizer

$24

Lock in hydration with this lightweight moisturizer formulated with hyaluronic acid

Additional fees may apply

Multiscreen SPF 50

$22

Protect skin from UVA, UVB, and blue light with this mineral sun sunscreen

Additional fees may apply

Fast Fader Dark Spot Corrector

$25

Fade and forget dark spots with clinically-proven ingredients

Additional fees may apply

Real women. Really good skin.

Real women.
Really good skin.

4.5 Average Rating

Before/after images shared by customers who have purchased varying products, including prescription based products. These customers’ results have not been independently verified. Individual results will vary. Customers were given free product.

The science of clear skin

Welcome “The Purge”

When using prescription acne treatments that include tretinoin (a retinoid), you may experience redness, flaking, or worsening acne at first. This is known as “The Purge” and trust us, it’s temporary.

Regeneration phase

After your acne has been purged, the other active ingredients in your prescription acne cream get to work healing blemishes, improving skin’s texture, and preventing future breakouts.

Gorgeous results

With continued use of your prescription acne treatment, you should see ongoing results including clearer skin, reduced scarring and pigmentation, and overall healthier complexion.

Clear skin starts here

Not sure what you need? That’s our specialty. Start your free online consultation to connect with a licensed provider today.

FAQs about women’s acne

What causes acne?

Acne is caused when the pores in your skin become blocked with oil, bacteria or dead skin cells. In your pores, there are glands that release an oil called sebum, which helps to keep your skin moisturized. With clear skin, your oil glands release the right amount of sebum and your pores remain clear of bacteria and dead skin cells. However, when your body releases too much sebum or there is an overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria, pores can become blocked and cause acne.
While nearly everyone experiences acne to some degree, some people experience occasional mild acne, while others have constant, severe acne. Mild acne may not have a root cause and may be treatable with homemade remedies or over-the-counter acne medications like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Severe acne, and especially hormonal acne, may require a prescribed treatment from a dermatologist.

How do you treat cystic acne?

Cystic acne is a severe type of acne characterized by inflamed, painful cysts deep under the skin and inflamed, red acne on the skin’s surface. Acne cysts are typically infected and difficult to treat with over-the-counter medications. Because cystic acne is painful and long-lasting, treatments from a dermatologist can be the most effective option. A dermatologist can look at your skin and prescribe a clinical-strength medication, either topical or oral, which can treat your cystic acne and keep it away for good.

How do you treat hormonal acne?

Hormonal acne is caused when certain hormones, especially androgens, cause an overproduction of sebum, clogging pores and causing breakouts. Hormonal acne can often flare up during menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy or puberty, but some women experience constant and annoying hormonal acne. Because androgens are often the root cause of hormonal acne, treatment typically involves reducing the level of androgens. Many women take oral contraceptives (birth control pills) for their skin benefits, and others take spironolactone, a diuretic with anti-androgen properties.

Why do pimples hurt?

Painful acne is typically caused by inflamed and infected cysts deep in the skin. It is the infection and inflammation that causes the irritation and pain, so painful pimples can best be treated with medication that reduces inflammation, namely a hydrocortisone cream or a corticosteroid shot from a dermatologist. If you consistently get painful pimples, you may have cystic acne and should talk to a dermatologist about treating the root cause of your acne with a prescription topical or oral acne treatment.

How long does acne last?

Most people have acne at some point during their lives and some people struggle with acne throughout their adult lives. The duration of acne depends on its cause. If you have a constant issue with excess sebum on your skin, acne could go on indefinitely without treatment. On the other hand, acne may be temporary and go away on its own. After starting a new acne treatment, it typically takes at least a month to start seeing results, as the skin needs time to turn over and heal.
With antibiotic medications like doxycycline, you may start to see improvement after just a couple weeks as the p. acnes bacteria begin to clear. With hormonal treatments, it may take significantly longer to see results. With all acne treatments, the full effects of treatment should be visible in approximately three months.

How do I get rid of adult acne?

The key to getting rid of adult acne, and all acne, is to determine the root cause of the acne breakouts and treat the cause. Problematic cystic acne that doesn’t respond at all to over-the-counter or topical medications may be hormonal in nature and need treatment with hormonal contraceptives or spironolactone. If the acne is primarily papules, pustules and redness, a treatment with tretinoin and clindamycin might be the best option. Dermatologists are able to examine your acne and prescribe you the right treatment.

How to get rid of stubborn acne?

Stubborn acne is really just acne that hasn’t been attacked with the right treatment method. If you are trying to treat your acne with drugstore benzoyl peroxide, but your acne is hormonal, the treatment will not be effective. If you have tried every over-the-counter acne treatment, it is important to visit a dermatologist to figure out what is causing your stubborn acne and develop a treatment plan. A dermatologist can prescribe a variety of medications that are prescription-only, such as antibiotics and stronger retinoids. Even stubborn acne can be eliminated with the right treatment.

What is the best acne treatment?

The best acne treatment is usually a personalized prescription treatment plan developed with a dermatologist. Some people can treat their acne with routine face care or over-the-counter treatments. People with an overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria may respond best to topical clindamycin cream or oral doxycycline. Women who are experiencing severe hormonal acne may need to consider oral contraceptives, spironolactone or a combination of both. A dermatologist can help you figure out which treatment is going to work the best for your specific acne. CONNECT WITH A PROVIDER on our website to start this conversation or keep learning about the HOW TO GET RID OF ACNE on our blog.

What is the best birth control for acne?

There are three types of birth control that are FDA-approved to treat acne. These are Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Estrostep and Yaz. All of these pills are combination birth control pills, which contain both estrogen and progestin. Other oral contraceptives have also been shown to treat acne, but have not received FDA approval. However, progestin-only pills, also called the “mini-pill,” typically do not have the same effect on acne and some progestin-only birth control actually makes acne worse. If you have acne, it is important to discuss this with your doctor when choosing birth control. Sometimes, a combination of spironolactone and birth control is used to treat acne. This is an excellent combination because it is important to prevent pregnancy while on spironolactone, and the birth control provides added anti-acne benefits. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR about whether birth control is the best option to treat your acne.

Get the facts on skin care

Learn more about acne, derm-approved treatments, and medication options specifically designed for women.

How to Get Rid of Acne
Kristin Hall, FNP
Is Acne Genetic?
Katelyn Hagerty, FNP

Skincare is just the beginning

Get a custom skin routine prescibed by a licensed skin expert.

Skincare is just the beginning

Get a custom skin routine prescibed by a licensed skin expert.


Acne Rx Cream

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