Clearer skin, guided by a doctor

Adults with mild to moderate acne: blackheads, whiteheads and red spots or small pustules, mainly on the face. Nodules, cysts, scarring acne or acne that has not responded to previous prescription treatment need an in-person dermatology review, and the questionnaire will tell you so.

One of three topical options, chosen by the doctor: azelaic acid 15% gel, twice daily, for mild to moderate acne; adapalene with benzoyl peroxide, once nightly, when comedones come with papules or pustules; or clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide, once nightly, for inflammatory acne, limited to 12 weeks to avoid antibiotic resistance. Oral antibiotics and isotretinoin are not prescribed online.

Topical acne treatments usually take 6 to 8 weeks to show a visible change, and a full course is 12 weeks. Mild dryness, redness or peeling in the first weeks is expected, and the doctor explains how to build up gradually and moisturise. Do not switch or stop early; the review at 12 weeks decides the next step.

Photos are recommended rather than mandatory for acne. A front and both side views in daylight, without make-up, help the doctor grade severity and spot signs that need in-person care. You can add them in the chat after submitting.

Yes. Adapalene and azelaic acid make skin more sensitive to the sun, and benzoyl peroxide can leave it drier. Use a non-comedogenic SPF 30 or higher every morning, a gentle cleanser, and skip scrubs and other exfoliating acids while you are on treatment.

The acne pathway does not prescribe online if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding. Topical retinoids such as adapalene are contraindicated in pregnancy, and the other options need an individual assessment. The questionnaire checks this before you pay.

The consultation is €40, one-off; the medicine is paid at the pharmacy. If the doctor cannot treat you online, the fee is refunded in full. When the course ends, a follow-up consultation with new photos lets the doctor decide whether to continue, change the product or refer you.

Apply a thin layer to the whole area where spots appear, not just to single spots, on clean, dry skin. Keep it away from the eyes, lips, the corners of the nose and broken skin. Benzoyl peroxide can bleach hair, towels and pillowcases, so wash your hands after applying and use white linen if you can.

Mild dryness, redness, stinging or peeling in the first weeks is common and usually settles. Message the doctor in the chat if you get severe burning, swelling, blistering or crusting, hives or a spreading rash. With clindamycin, severe or prolonged diarrhoea or stomach cramps need prompt medical advice.

A few extra spots in the first weeks can happen while the skin adjusts. If your acne gets clearly worse, starts to scar, or has not improved by the review, message the doctor in the chat. The doctor may change the product or refer you to an in-person dermatologist, who can consider oral treatments that are not prescribed online.

Treating active acne early helps prevent new marks and scars. Flat red or brown marks left by spots often fade slowly over months, and daily sun protection stops them darkening; azelaic acid and adapalene can help them fade. Raised or pitted scars do not respond to these creams and need an in-person dermatologist to discuss procedures.