Dermatica - Smiling woman with clean face

Personalized formulas for acne scars and pigmentation

We use prescription ingredients to tackle any remaining acne first, before treating pigmentation and uneven skin texture.

Start your free trial

Just pay a $4.99 prescribing fee.

Before
Dermatica - Deborah's before picture
After
Dermatica - Deborah's after picture

Deborah's journey


Duration 6 months

“Honestly, Dermatica is the best thing that has happened to me. I suffered from acne and scarring so the improvement to the size of my pores and reduction of fine lines was a bonus.”
Before
Dermatica - Umy's before picture
After
Dermatica - Umy's after picture

Umy's journey


Duration 8 months

“I have tried many products and treatments, Dermatica so far has worked the best, and is at an affordable price.”
Before
Dermatica - Paul's before picture
After
Dermatica - Paul's after picture

Paul's journey


Duration 9 months

“I am very thrilled of the result with only just a year. Dermatica really did a great job and boost my self esteem.”

How a personalized formula can help improve pigmentation

To prevent new scars, our dermatology experts will prescribe you with a personalized treatment to tackle any remaining acne first.

Our experts will then look at red or dark marks (post-inflammatory pigmentation), or uneven skin texture. Once your skin has cleared, we'll help you maintain results.

Moderate to severe acne scarring will need an in-person dermatologist review. They may suggest laser treatments, surgery or both.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Achieve clearer skin and treat red or dark marks with a personalized formula made for you.

Rolling (atrophic) acne scars

Rolling (atrophic) acne scars

The active ingredients in a personalized formula can help deliver smoother, more even, healthy skin.

Icepick or boxcar scars

Icepick or boxcar scars

You may need laser treatments or surgery. Please visit a dermatologist in person.

Dermatica - Check In With Your Dermatology Team Screen View

What’s included?

  1. Powerful personalized formula
  2. Evidence-based ingredients
  3. Up to 20x stronger than the high street
  4. Dashboard to track your progress
  5. Unlimited treatment adjustments
Discount Tag Illustration Just pay a $4.99 prescribing fee.

Selecting the correct ingredients

After assessing your skin, our dermatology experts may prescribe one or more of the following ingredients to treat your mild acne scarring.

  • Adapalene, benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin and azelaic acid for remaining acne.
  • Tretinoin, adapalene, azelaic acid and hydroquinone for dark marks (hyperpigmentation).
  • Adapalene and tretinoin for mild atrophic scarring.

The SmartBase

Your personalized formula is supercharged with powerful prescription ingredients and blended with our hydrating SmartBase cream, which contains hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin and panthenol for best results.

Locks in moisture and softens illustration

Locks in moisture and softens

Supports a healthy skin barrier illustration

Supports a healthy skin barrier

Woman applying SmartBase

How it works

  1. reaching goal illustration

    Step 01

    Complete an online consultation

    This will help our dermatology experts prescribe the right formula for your skin

  2. designing treatment plan illustration

    Step 02

    Apply your formula once a night

    With the perfect combination of active ingredients for your unique skin.

  3. adapting treatment formula illustration

    Step 03

    Check in throughout your journey

    We’ll monitor your progress and adjust your treatment as needed.

Start your free trial

Just pay a $4.99 prescribing fee.

Dermatology, designed for you

Dermatology designed for you
  • A personalized formula, developed by experts

    You’ll get a personalized, evidence-based prescription treatment, tailored to your treatment goals.

  • Delivered to you every 56 days (approx.)

    Your bespoke plan arrives with two bottles every 56 days (approximately), and adapts to your skin’s progress.

  • 24/7 support

    You’ll have free, unlimited access to dermatology experts, whenever you need.

  • You’re in total control

    You can pause, reschedule or cancel your plan online. No strings attached.

First month $4.99

then $29.95/month

A consistent routine is key

For the best results from your personalized formula, you’ll need daily skincare that’s designed by dermatologists to suit your skin’s needs. Luckily, we have you covered.

Read what others say, in their own words

Showing our favorite reviews
“I love the personalized service & for a great price. I have been really impressed with the product - my skin looks great. It was easy to do the consultation & the retinol cream has been a pleasure to use. It started on a lower % of 0.25 & is now 0.5. Fantastic.”
Sara Caistor
Verified Facebook review
“Amazing service. Brilliant product that I used to pay hundreds of pounds for and amazing results. Tailored to my own skin problems and I can’t recommend Dermatica enough. Easy to cancel if you’re not happy but I guarantee you will be so pleased with the results you will carry on just as I have 😊😊”
Claire Smith
Verified Google review
“Having tried many products before to help with my skin I can honestly say that I have been very impressed with Dermatica...my skin is probably the best it has been in years. Getting the formula was simple enough and the results speak for themselves. Worth every penny.”
Erin Beale
Verified Facebook review
“My skin has been the best it's ever been since I was a teenager my pigmentation has significantly cleared and acne has been kept at bay. I will never use anything other than dermatica I am so relieved I found this brand and have recommended to others. I receive compliments on how good my skin looks it's taken years off me.”
Maria
Verified Reviews.io review
“I am such a fan of Dermatica and their service. Very easy to manage your subscription but as someone with incredibly problematic skin (who last week got complimented by a stranger on it!) I wouldn't be without it. I truly believe prescription skincare offers so much more than all the creams and lotions you can buy OTC.”
TheOGCCL
Verified Mumsnet review
“I’ve been using Tretinoin for almost three months now, and I’m loving it. Great customer service, great results and I’m now up to my maximum dose. I’m definitely seeing some peeling, but nothing that wasn’t explained in the literature you receive with the product. It’s saved me an absolute fortune on skincare, as I used to buy every new product on the market that promised the earth and delivered nothing.”
Sarah Blackley
Verified Facebook review
“The initial process of having the assessment and getting my personalized formula was so fast. Shortly after I received my products which I love so much and it has only been 2 weeks. My major skin concern was uneven dull skin tone, enlarged pores and fine lines. My skin is so glowing like it has never been before! It just looks so healthy and feels so soft. I had a few acne marks which are now faded.”
Réka Bódi
Verified Facebook review
“Dermatica has completely revolutionised my skin care. I am now 63 but my skin has never looked so good or been so healthy. My monthly delivery has become a part of my life now and I will continue for as long as I am able. The service is also second to none. Any questions I've submitted have always been answered promptly and without fuss. I would highly recommend Dermatica to anyone who cares about looking their best for as long as possible.”
Catherine
Verified Reviews.io review
“I have PCOS and have struggled with acne for over 10 years, and have tried what feels like every acne medication available. My skin has never been better than while using my personalized Dermatica treatment, and I'm so happy! The subscription service is also very convenient, so I never have to worry about running out or having to go to the pharmacy for it.”
Bella Duncan
Verified Facebook review
“Love Dermatica. My skin is bright and the large pores and blackheads on my nose have gone. I've been using it for 6 months with Dermatica controlling the strength of the creams supplied to suit. I must say it has saved me a fortune on buying stuff to try and it not working and I can now use basic cleanser and moisturiser.”
Blossomgate22
Verified Mumsnet review

Acne scarring FAQs

What causes acne scarring?
When your skin starts to heal, acne scarring can develop in areas where you’ve had previous breakouts. This usually happens in moderate to severe cases, where there have been nodules or cysts on the skin.

During healing, skin cells will start to produce more collagen, and a protein called keratin to help the skin heal. The amount and type of scarring will depend on both your genetics and how severe your acne is, however picking, scratching and squeezing of spots can also stop the wounds from healing. This can prolong inflammation and increase your risk of scarring.
How can Dermatica treat scarring?
At Dermatica, you’ll be provided with advice and a personalized formula from our expert team based on your skin concerns.

Topical retinoids (adapalene and tretinoin) may improve mild to moderate acne scarring. If your scarring is mild, it would be a good idea to trial a topical retinoid for 12 weeks to see if the texture of your skin improves.

If you have moderate to severe scarring, like hypertrophic or keloid scars, topical creams or gels are unlikely to make a significant difference. To smooth skin after more severe scarring, you may need surgical and laser treatments, dermal fillers and chemical peels provided by a dermatology clinic in person.
What is Peri and Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)?
Peri and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a normal part of an inflammatory response from acne and other inflammatory conditions. ‘Peri’ means that the pigmentation is happening while you have active acne, while ‘post’ is when your pigmentation is visible after the acne has cleared. This process is also sometimes referred to as acne marks or dark marks.

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) can occur in any skin type but is more common in brown and black skin (Fitzpatrick skin types 4-6)1. Approximately 60% of people with black skin will have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne. Depending on your skin type, this can show up as red or pink in white skin, whilst brown and black skin will see darker areas that are brown or purple.

Face with hyperpigmentation Face with hyperpigmentation
What causes pigmentation with acne?
Inflammation is part of the healing process, but can signal the skin cells that generate melanin (melanocytes) to produce more pigment than usual. This is because melanin-producing cells are involved in the immune response of the skin and are activated in inflammation.

It’s also possible to experience hypopigmentation, where lighter patches on the skin appear once the acne has cleared. This is a response to inflammation where your skin produces less melanin. If the melanocytes stop working, post-inflammatory hypopigmentation looks like lighter patches on the skin.

Pigmentation with acne face Pigmentation with acne face
How do I treat pigmentation concerns with acne?
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can take 6-12 months to clear completely on its own, (and it can take up to 5 years for a small number of people). Fortunately, your Dermatica formula will be personalized with prescription active ingredients backed by scientific evidence, to address pigmentation concerns for all skin types. Using prescribed actives will help increase cell turnover and block melanin production in the skin, and you should see an improvement in the first 6-8 weeks.

Before treating pigmentation, it’s important to clear any active acne on the face first. Your personalized formula is also likely to include a retinoid that reduces inflammation and unclogs pores. Other ingredients also help prevent bacteria from growing while supporting your skin’s natural barrier and lightening the pigmentation.
How do I treat my pigmentation concerns and scars?
Before looking to treat acne scarring or post-inflammatory pigmentation, it’s important that breakouts are completely clear first. Once we’ve cleared any baseline inflammation, you’ll be on track to getting the best outcomes possible, and prevent any harmful side effects.
What else can I do to help with acne scarring?
Scarring is also a part of the acne healing process. To help it heal, the skin produces collagen and a protein called keratin, which in some cases will lead to scarring.

Topical retinoids (adapalene and tretinoin) may improve mild-moderate acne scarring. If your scarring is mild, it’s a good idea to trial a topical retinoid for 12 weeks to see if the texture of your skin improves.

To treat your acne scarring, we’ll also need to clear any breakouts and underlying inflammation first. To clear acne or post-acne scarring with one of our expert dermatologists, you can get started by clicking here.
References
  1. Bhargava, S., Cunha, P.R., Lee, J. et al. Acne Scarring Management: Systematic Review and Evaluation of the Evidence. Am J Clin Dermatol 19, 459-477 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-018-0358-5
  2. Kravvas G, Al-Niaimi F. A systematic review of treatments for acne scarring. Part 1: Non-energy-based techniques. Scars Burn Heal. 2017 Mar 30;3:2059513117695312. doi: 10.1177/2059513117695312. PMID: 29799567; PMCID: PMC5965325.
  3. Kravvas G, Al-Niaimi F. A systematic review of treatments for acne scarring. Part 2: Energy-based techniques. Scars Burn Heal. 2018 Aug 16;4:2059513118793420. doi: 10.1177/2059513118793420. PMID: 30627441; PMCID: PMC6305948.
  4. Maruthappu, T., & Taylor, M. (2022). Acne and rosacea in skin of colour. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 47(2), 259-263.