Doxycycline
From £12.99
We’re here to help.
Our friendly team is available to help Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm.
If you need urgent assistance, do not use this service. Call 111, or in an emergency call 999.
Our friendly team is available to help Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm.
If you need urgent assistance, do not use this service. Call 111, or in an emergency call 999.
0 items in your cart
Get prescription acne treatment — Treclin, Duac and azelaic acid following a short online consultation with GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers. No GP appointment needed. Next-working-day delivery.
Effective acne treatment targets one or more of the four processes that drive acne: excess oil (sebum) production, blocked follicles, overgrowth of Cutibacterium acnes bacteria, and inflammation. The most effective regimens often combine treatments that tackle several of these at once — which is why combination topical products and topical-plus-oral regimens are commonly prescribed.
For a full explanation of what acne is and what causes it, see our acne conditions guide. This page focuses on the treatments available and how to access them.
Our clinicians may recommend one of the treatment options below, depending on your symptoms, medical history, and whether the treatment is appropriate for you.
| Acne type | Typical first-line | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Comedonal (blackheads/whiteheads) | Topical retinoid (e.g. in Treclin) or azelaic acid | Unblocks follicles; normalises skin cell shedding |
| Mild-moderate inflammatory | Treclin or Duac gel | Combines anti-bacterial + anti-comedonal action |
| Sensitive skin / pigmentation | Azelaic acid (Skinoren / Finacea) | Well tolerated; helps fade dark marks |
| Moderate-severe / back & chest | Oral doxycycline + topical | Systemic action for widespread or resistant acne |
| Severe nodulocystic | Specialist referral (isotretinoin) | Requires dermatologist-led care — not prescribed online |
Not Sure Which Acne Treatment You Need?
If over-the-counter products have not cleared your acne, prescription-strength treatment is available following a short online consultation. Access Doctor's GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers can prescribe topical retinoid and antibiotic combinations, azelaic acid, and oral antibiotics — matched to your acne type and severity. No GP appointment needed.
Identify your acne type — predominantly comedonal (blackheads and whiteheads), inflammatory (papules and pustules), or a mix. This determines which treatment is most effective. Not sure? Our acne conditions guide explains the types.
Complete a short online consultation — questions about your skin, history, and any previous treatments. Takes 3–5 minutes.
A GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber reviews your answers and recommends an appropriate regimen, with safety checks (including pregnancy status for relevant treatments).
Dispensed and sent for next-working-day delivery in discreet packaging.
Speak to a clinician if your symptoms are persistent, worsening, or affecting your quality of life.
Fact: Acne treatments take 6–12 weeks to work. Expecting results in days leads people to give up too early. Consistency over weeks is what clears acne.
Fact: Topical retinoids commonly cause an initial flare and dryness in the first few weeks — this is expected and usually settles. It is not a reason to stop.
Fact: Treating the whole affected area prevents new lesions forming. Spot-treating only existing blemishes does not control acne.
Fact: Antibiotics should always be combined with benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid, and used short-term, to avoid resistance. Long-term antibiotic monotherapy is no longer recommended.
Fact: Harsh or overly strong products irritate the skin and can worsen acne. The right treatment for your acne type, used consistently, matters more than strength.
Over-the-counter products have not improved your acne after 2–3 months
You have moderate-to-severe acne with papules, pustules, or nodules
Your acne is leaving scars or persistent dark marks
Acne is affecting your confidence, mood, or quality of life
You have acne on your back or chest that is hard to treat with creams alone
You want a prescriber to recommend the right regimen for your acne type
For informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Access Doctor is the trading name for Pharmadocs UK Ltd, a GPhC-registered online pharmacy (Registration #9011198). All prescriptions are issued by GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers following a clinical assessment. Oral isotretinoin (Roaccutane) is not prescribed online and requires specialist dermatology care. In an emergency, call 999.
Yes. Access Doctor provides prescription topical and oral acne treatments following a short online consultation reviewed by GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers. No GP appointment needed. Next-working-day delivery. GPhC pharmacy #9011198.
It depends on your acne type and severity. Topical retinoid and antibiotic combinations (Treclin) or benzoyl peroxide and antibiotic combinations (Duac) are effective for mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne. Azelaic acid (Skinoren / Finacea) suits sensitive skin and pigmentation. Moderate-to-severe acne may need an oral antibiotic such as doxycycline alongside a topical. A prescriber will recommend the right option.
Most acne treatments take 6–8 weeks to show meaningful improvement, and up to 12 weeks for full benefit. It is common for acne to appear slightly worse in the first few weeks of a topical retinoid before it improves. Consistency is essential — do not stop early.
Using a topical or oral antibiotic on its own can promote antibiotic resistance. Combining it with benzoyl peroxide (as in Duac) significantly reduces this risk while improving effectiveness. This is why modern acne regimens pair antibiotics with benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid rather than using antibiotics alone.
No. Oral isotretinoin (Roaccutane) is a specialist-only medication that must be prescribed and monitored by a consultant dermatologist due to its side-effect profile and strict pregnancy-prevention requirements. It cannot be prescribed by an online pharmacy. Access Doctor treats mild-to-moderate acne and can advise when specialist referral is appropriate.
Some are not. Topical retinoids (tretinoin) and oral tetracyclines (doxycycline) are contraindicated in pregnancy. Azelaic acid is generally considered a safer option, but any acne treatment in pregnancy should be prescriber-led. Always tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive.
Acne is a chronic condition, so it can return when treatment stops, particularly if the underlying drivers (hormones, genetics) are still active. Many people use a maintenance topical treatment long-term to keep acne under control. Your prescriber can advise on a maintenance plan once your acne has cleared.
Often yes — combination treatment is frequently more effective than a single product. However, combining too many active treatments (or applying them incorrectly) can cause excessive irritation. Follow your prescriber's regimen rather than layering multiple products on your own.
Complete a short online consultation with a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber. Same-day assessment, next-working-day delivery in discreet packaging. GPhC pharmacy #9011198.