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With so many prescription skincare platforms to choose from these days, and it can be difficult to decide which is best for you.
In this article, we will compare three of the most popular online dermatolody platforms: Musely vs Curology vs Apostrophe.
In addition to my personal experience on each platform, our medical advisory team examined their approaches to treating common skin conditions like acne, rosacea, melasma, and more. See what they have to say about each.
What's the Best Platform for Rx Dermatology Online?
In this table, we’ll compare Musely, Curology, and Apostrophe to help you decide which online dermatologist is best for you.
Musely vs Curology vs Apostrophe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Skincare conditions treated | Wrinkles & fine lines Dark spots Rosacea | Acne Breakouts Wrinkles & fine lines Dark Spots | Acne Wrinkles Rosacea Melasma |
| Prescription skincare products | Anti-aging Night Cream Spot Cream (face) Body Cream Spot Peel Private Cream Neck Cream Red Set | Custom Formula for anti-aging Custom Formula for acne | Custom Topical Formula Custom Oral Medications |
| Online doctor/dermatologist visit? | ✅ $20 | ✅ free | ✅ $20 |
| Free messaging with dermatologist? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Video visits available? | ❌ | ❌ | 🟡 Certain states: AR, DC, DE, ID, KS, MS, NH, NM, OK, RI, UT, VT & WV |
| Consultation overview | 1. Answer online questions regarding skin 2. Upload photos of problem-areas 3. Dr. will review questionnaire within 24h 4. If treatment is right for you, dr. will write a prescription & then ship to your door | 1. Take photos of your skin & share specific skin goals 2. Your dermatology provider will prescribe you a custom bottle 3. Apply products nightly | 1. Create an account & complete online consultation form + photos 2. Board-certified dermatologist will evaluate assessment & create your first customized treatment plan (or a video visit in certain states 3. Purchase your treatment plan |
| Free delivery? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Compounded medications? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Guarantee? | ✅ 60-Day Guarantee | ✅ 90-Day money-back guarantee | ❌ |
| Areas delivered to? | All U.S states. No international shipping | All U.S states. No international shipping | 49 US states + DC Service to NC pending |
| Other conditions treated? | Hair loss | N/a | Eyelashes Hair Loss |
| Non-prescription products available? | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Website |
Related reading:
What’s best onlne dermatologist for acne treatment?
Acne is a common skin condition that can be treated effectively with the right ingredients. All three of these platforms offer different approaches to treating acne, so it’s important to choose the one that’s right for you.
Best online treatment for acne - Musely vs Curology vs Apostrophe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Acne treatments | Anti-Aging Night Cream | Custom Formula for acne | Custom Topical formula Custom Oral medication |
| Compounded prescription? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Prescription treatments | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Size | 30ml | 27ml | unspecified |
| Pricing | $64 for 2 month supply ($32/mo, $2.13/ml) | $39.90 for 2 month supply ($19.95/mo, $1.48/ml) | Topical: $75 for a 3 month supply
($25/mo) Oral: $30 for a 3 month supply ($10/mo) |
| Customizable? | ✅ Gentle, Balanced, Veteran | ✅ | ✅ |
| Key active ingredients | Tretinoin (.025%, .05%, .1%) Niacinamide (4%) Hyaluronic Acid (.5%) | Tretinoin (customizable) Azelaic Acid (customizable) Niacinamide Clindamycin (customizable) Metronidazole Zine Pyrithione Tranexamic Acid | Tretinoin (.018-.1%) Metronidazole (1%) Clindamycin (1%) Azelaic Acid (15%) Tazarotene (.05%) Hydroquinone (6%) |
| Subscription available? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Delivery frequency? | 2 months | 2 months | 3 months |
| Website |
Related reading: Compare the Best Tretinoin Online
Musely does not offer a prescription formulation that is specific to acne, but their Anti-Aging Night Cream contains Tretinoin, which speeds up the skin cell turnover process to treat wrinkles, acne, and more.
Curology’s Custom Formula for acne contains numerous active ingredients that fight breakouts, clogged pores, whiteheads, redness, and blackheads in 90 days or your money back. The formula is customizable and you can consult a licensed dermatologist to determine the best ratio of tretinoin, azelaic acid, and clindamycin to clear your skin.
Note that while Azelaic acid is an exfoliant that works to unclog pores, smooth texture, and brighten skin, clindamycin is an antibiotic that fights acne-contributing bacteria and also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Apostrophe offers access to a variety of topical and oral medications for the treatment of acne, including over 16 prescription medication combinations that include different ratios of tretinoin, niacinamide, metronidazole, benzoyl peroxide, and more. Apostrophe is different than Musely and Curology because they can prescribe antibiotics for acne.
Which is best for anti-aging – Curology, Musely, or Apostrophe?
Anti-aging treatments are most often composed of tretinoin, which is derived from vitamin A. By increasing cell turnover, tretinoin can improve elasticity and replenish skin cells’ collagen stores, both of which reduce wrinkles. Here are the main differences between Musely, Curology, and Apostrophe for Anti-aging.
Musely vs Curology vs Apostrophe: What's Best for Anti-Aging? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-aging treatments | Anti-Aging Night Cream | Custom Formula for anti-aging | Custom topical formula |
| Compounded prescription? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Prescription treatments | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Size | 30ml | 27ml | unspecified |
| Pricing | $64 for 2 month supply ($32/mo, $2.13/ml) | $39.90 for 2 month supply ($20/mo, $1.48/ml) | $75 for 3 month supply ($25/mo) |
| Customizable? | ✅ Gentle, Balanced, Veteran | ✅ | ✅ |
| Key active ingredients | Tretinoin (.025%, .05%, .1%) Niacinamide (4%) Hyaluronic Acid (.5%) | Tretinoin (customizable) Azelaic Acid Niacinamide (customizable) Clindamycin Metronidazole Zinc Pyrithione Tranexamic Acid (customizable) | Tretinoin (.018-.1%) Niacinamide |
| Subscription available? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Delivery frequency? | 2 months | 2 months | 3 months |
| Website |
Musely’s Anti-Aging Night Cream treats wrinkles and fine lines and contains tretinoin, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. Their three different formulas, Gentle, Balanced, and Veteran, all contain varying levels of tretinoin. Musely’s dermatologists will determine which is best for you based on your medical history and skin condition.
Curology’s Custom Rx Formula for anti-aging is a customizable combination of anti-aging ingredients that work to fight wrinkles, dark spots, firmness, fine lines, and skin texture. The personalizable ratios of niacinamide, which fades dark spots, and tranexamic acid, which brightens skin and reduces redness, work together with tretinoin to improve fine lines through skin cell turnover.
Curology also offers a range of non-prescription skincare products, such as cleansers, moisturizers, and serums, all of which (with the right routine & dermatologist guidance) can help to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.
Apostrophe’s topical formula for anti-aging can be customized to you with between .018-.1% tretinoin. Combined with niacinamide, the formula treats fine lines, promotes collagen growth, improves hyperpigmentation, decreases inflammation, and enhances the skin’s natural radiance.
Curology vs Musely vs Apostrophe – Which is best for Rosacea?
Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes redness, inflammation, and sometimes bumps on the face. It can be difficult to find the right skincare products to help manage this condition and almost always requires prescription treatment in the end.
All three of the platforms discussed in this article offer prescription-strength formulations to help treat rosacea. Musely’s team of experts creates custom formulas based on each individual’s specific needs. Curology also offers custom formulas created by board-certified dermatologists.
Apostrophe offers a range of topical products for rosacea. These include both prescription and over-the-counter options. The company also offers a free online consultation with a licensed dermatologist.
Which is best for rosacea - Curology, Musely, or Apostrophe? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosacea treatments | Rosacea Mask + Cream set Custom Oral Medicaitons | Custom Formula for rosacea relief | Custom Topical Formula Custom Oral Medicaitons |
| Compounded prescription? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Prescription treatments | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Size | Mask: 50ml Cream: 30ml | 27ml | 12ml |
| Pricing | $118 for 2 month supply | $40 for 2 month supply | Topical: $90 for 3 month supply Oral: $40-90 for 3 month supply |
| Customizable? | ✅ Red Cream or Blush Cream | ✅ | ✅ |
| Key active ingredients | Ivermectin (none or 1%) Metronidazole (none or 1%) Niacinamide (2% or 4%) Azelaic Acid (none or 17%) | Azelaic acid Metronidazole Ivermectin | Metronidazole (topical) <br Azelaic Acid (topical) Doxycycline (oral) Minocycline (oral) |
| Subscription available? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Delivery frequency? | 2 months | 2 months | 3 months |
| Website |
Musely offers a 2-Step treatment set containing a Rosacea Mask and separate Rosacea Cream. The Rosacea Mask is a cleanser that calms sensitive skin and reduces inflammation and redness. The Cream is available in 2 formations and is applied after the mask to reduce redness, flushing, and acne-like bumps.
Musely and Apostrophe both offer a Rosacea Pill: oral medication that is used to help treat severe cases and flare-ups.
Curology offers a custom formula created by board-certified dermatologists for rosacea that soothes your inflamed skin and reduces inflammation and redness, while still fighting acne. Two of the customizable active ingredients in Curology’s rosacea treatment include:
- Azelaic acid – clears the bumps and swelling caused by rosacea
- Sodium sulfacetamide – A sulfur-containing compound that has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
These, in combination with other key ingredients, are delivered in Curology’s cream formulation for rosacea.
Like Curology, Apostrophe allows you to customize a formulation to increase or decrease active ingredients to best reduce inflammation and treat rosacea. You can also meet with one of their dermatologists virtually to adjust your prescription as needed.
Best online doctor for melasma: Musely or Apostrophe?
Melasma is a common skin concern that is characterized by brown or gray patches on the face. It can be caused by pregnancy, hormones, certain medications, and sun exposure.
Musely’s The Spot Cream is a prescription dark spot removing cream that is available in 4 different formulations. They contain different levels and ratios of hydroquinone, niacinamide, hydrocortisone, vitamin C, azelaic acid, tranexamic acid, and tretinoin to prevent hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and melasma.
Apostrophe’s approach to melasma treatment is similar to Musely’s in that it contains hydroquinone, used to lighten hyperpigmentation. Apostrophe also offers an oral medication that can be used in combination with their topical treatment for quicker results.
The Verdict – Which is better for skincare online, Musely, Curology, or Apostrophe?
All three platforms offer skincare and dermatology treatments that are by prescription only to address the smallest or biggest of your concerns. However, each one has its own unique approach to prescription skincare.
Musely is the most affordable.
Musely is the best option for those who are looking for prescription products to treat a number of different skin concerns including anti-aging, rosacea, and dark spots (face or anywhere else on the body).
Musely is likely to yield the best results
Curology is ideal for those who are looking for the most customizable skincare routine with access to a dermatologist – especially for acne. They also offer the broadest selection of over-the-counter skincare products that you can bundle with prescriptions and a 30-day free trial to try their products!
Apostrophe is ideal for those with…
Apostrophe is the best choice for those who want a more heavy-hitting treatment with a combination of both oral and topical prescription treatments. If you don’t need OTC products and you want a super customized, powerful treatment, Apostrophe is for you.
If you are looking for acne treatments, Curology is the best option because they offer the most customizable prescription formula for multiple different ingredients. They also can bundle OTC products like their acne body wash and emergency spot patch at a discount for a multi-faceted approach.
When it comes to rosacea, Musely is the best option as their Red Set offers the most comprehensive prescription treatment with both a medicated mask and cream. Curology does offer a custom skincare routine, but it may not be as effective for rosacea. Apostrophe offers some OTC options, but they do not have any prescription options.
If you’re looking for anti-aging treatments, Curology’s custom anti-aging formula is the best option because, again, it is the most customizable. Musely’s anti-aging treatments are not as comprehensive and Apostrophe’s are just as effective as Curology, but are a little more expensive.
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Methodology
We conduct extensive research to evaluate the pricing, effectiveness, accessibility, overall quality, and user experience of every telehealth service we review. This also includes examining and comparing each provider to comparable telemedicine alternatives. We also evaluate usability, treatments, prescription delivery time, and more to determine the best value for those seeking fast and reliable telehealth services.
| Review Process | Key Metrics | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Sign up online | - ease to complete intake form - affordability - upfront commitment or subscription required? - money back guarantee or refund policy? | 0.5 |
| Vitual consult with provider / determine eligibility | - ease to get appointment to determine eligibility - need to leave house for labs or other in-person care? | 1 |
| Shipping + unboxing | - shipping cost - time from order to treatment delivery - discreet packaging to maintain privacy | 0.5 |
| Test + journal for 1-3 months | - ease of application - transition into habitual use - taste / smell / feel / pain | 1.5 |
| Results after 3 months of use | - efficacy / results - lack of side effects - ease of refill / reordering - quality of ongoing clinical support - responsive customer support - willingness to recommend to a friend | 1.5 |
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