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Proactiv vs Curology vs Hers vs Apostrophe: What’s Best for Prescription Acne Care?

About the Author

Jane Feddersen

Jane is a former DI student-athlete and lifelong health enthusiast. Since graduating from College of Charleston where she played both indoor & beach volleyball, Jane’s spent the last four years building her marketing career with experience in project and partner management. Outside of work, her nutrition certification, dog, travel and yoga flows keep her busy.

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Medically reviewed by:
Dr. Steve Kim, MD

About Dr. Steve Kim, MD

Physician Advisor

Dr. Kim received his BA in Human Biology at Stanford University, before receiving his M.D. degree (Primary Care Track) from UC Davis School of Medicine. He completed his Internship & Residency in Family Practice from Glendale Adventist Hospital and is Board-Certified in Family Medicine via the American Board of Family Medicine. He has held faculty appointments at Stanford & UCSF medical schools and has championed telemedicine for decades. He is also a decorated, retired Flight Surgeon from the US Air Force Reserves.

In this Article

In this Article

Jane Feddersen

By some estimates, acne treatment is now a $10b market globally.  While blemishes have always been an acute source of insecurity, the industry’s growth should come as no surprise given the rise of the “selfie”. Snapchat, dating apps, and the infamous ‘gram have propelled human vanity to new heights. Although fancy photo filters do an incredible job concealing imperfections, flawless skin IRL is as important as ever. Anyone who’s had blemishes knows that beautifully clear skin is a true luxury that typically requires a lot of work behind the scenes.

Luckily there many new online dermatology providers offering high-quality acne treatment that can help! You’ve likely heard of Proactiv, which has been around since 1995 and remains extremely popular among women of all ages, but what about Curology, Apostrophe, or Hers? In this article, we compare these skincare brands and the solutions that they offer to combat unsightly pimples. Which is best for you and your budget? Use this handy chart to get a lay of the land.

What's the best online acne treatment subscription for women?

Proactiv vs Curology vs Hers vs Apostrophe

Program OverviewThree-step routine designed to fight acneThree-step routine with a formula personalized to your skinAM & PM solutions individually formulated to combat acneDermatologist prescribed (virtually) acne meds for your condition.
Prescription Needed?✅ $20 consultation fee is refunded when you order meds
Monthly PriceStarting at $19.95, with 30 or 90 day subscriptionStarting at $19.95 a monthStarting at $44, plus $5 medical feeStarting at $25 a month
Free Shipping?
Trial10% discount & 60 day money back guaranteeFree trial for 30 daysOnly $5 for the first monthUse code FIN15 to get $15 off your first order
Active IngredientsBenzoyl peroxide
Adapalene
Salicylic Acid
Avobenzone
Octisalate
Octocylene
Tretinoin
Niacinamide
Clindamycin
Zinc Pyrithione
Azelaic Acid
Vitamin C
Tretinoin
Niacinamide
Clindamycin Phosphate
Tretinoin
Clindamycin
Benzoyl Peroxide
Azelaic Acid
Metronidazole
Doxycycline
Spironolactone
Tranexamic Acid
Hydroquinone
Niacinamide
Tazarotene
Minocycline
Other conditions treated?- Anti-aging
- Melasma
- Anti-aging
- hyper-pigmentation
- rosacea
- latisse
Website

Acne Treatment for Dummies

Acne typically starts once puberty hits, in both girls and boys between 10 to 13 years old. If you’re lucky, it clears within five years as raging hormones level out, but for some it persists into adulthood. While mild symptoms are treatable with inexpensive ointments found in any beauty and personal care aisle, many suffer from more acute cases that require more attention.

In the past, getting advanced acne care required scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist, asking for a prescription for anti-acne meds, and then picking them up from your local pharmacy. This lengthy and expensive process discouraged many, but changes in telemedicine over the last decade mean it’s legal for doctors in most states to conduct visits and prescribe drugs over the phone, leading to a surge in remote medical services. Skincare companies like Hers and Curology are taking advantage and making prescription acne meds more accessible than ever.

Without a doubt, Proactiv, Curology, Apostrophe, and Hers are four of the most advanced acne subscriptions on the market. If you’re suffering from more than an occasionally ill-timed whitehead, it’s worth looking into them. All three offer easy-to-follow regimens and convenient delivery direct to your doorstep. Most importantly, they deliver results. There’s a growing body of evidence demonstrating that all three actually WORK to clear up your skin. How exactly do they do so? What science behind these formulas?

Let’s dig into the underlying active ingredients inside treatments from Apostrophe,  Curology, Proactiv and Hers to learn how they work to clear up your skin.

Active ingredients: What's in Proactiv, Curology, Apostrophe, and Hers skincare?

Here’s a quick breakdown of the most important chemicals in Proactiv, Curology, and Hers skincare concoctions that work to minimize and eliminate acne.

Benzoyl Peroxide

. . . brings oxygen to pores where acne-causing bacteria live, which then kills them since they don’t want oxygen. It also helps unclog pores and reduces inflammation that comes with pimples.

Retinoids

. . . are derivatives of Vitamin A that help acne in three major ways; they regulate skin cell turnover to keep dead skin cells from blocking pores, and clear existing blemishes as well as keep inflammation at bay. The most common topical retinoids are Adapalene and Tretinoin, with the latter only available through a prescription. Read out in-depth article on how to get tretinoin online for even more info on this common active ingredient.

Salicylic Acid

. . . works by exfoliating the surface of your skin. It sloughs off the top layer and gets to work deep in your pores, unclogging them of debris and reducing the secretion of sebum (an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands). It works well to remove whiteheads and blackheads, but only marginally improves cystic acne, so it’s typically paired with another treatment.

Azelaic acid

. . . works in a similar way to unclog pores and polish skin texture. It’s an exfoliant that helps fade blemishes, spots, and discoloration, leaving a more even skin tone and smoother complexion.

Niacinamide

. . . is like a magic potion that works for a whole slew of skin types and concerns. It helps with improving dullness and tone, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and general improvement of skin texture. Niacinamide also plays well with other common skincare ingredients, making it a great addition to any routine.

Clindamycin

. . . is an antibiotic that’s used to treat a wide spectrum of bacterial infections. It’s commonly used as a topical treatment, although in some cases of severe acne, doctors can prescribe it as oral medicine. It has anti-inflammatory effects, so it calms down redness and swelling of existing acne, and also prevents new breakouts by killing acne-causing bacteria.

Doxycycline

. . . is an oral treatments for inflammatory acne (that means red, painful, and cystic bumps). It works by reducing inflammation and killing acne-causing bacteria.

Spironolactone

. . . treats hormonal acne in women, reducing the effects of testosterone, helping clear acne from the inside out. It is most commonly prescribed as an oral medication there are also topical forms of spironolactone that that can be used by both women and men.

Proactiv Review: An industry leader

Proactiv has been in business since the mid-90’s, and many of you will likely remember their TV infomercials. They introduced a three-step acne clearing system consisting of a renewing cleanser, revitalizing toner, and repairing treatment, with benzoyl peroxide as its silver bullet. This ingredient is found in many over-the-counter zit creams, but Proactiv’s is much more finely milled, allowing it to work deeper into your pores.

Proactiv now offers three different acne solution sets to choose from, each with a distinct formulas or active ingredients. The second set adds salicylic acid in the mix, while the latest iteration, ProactivMD, uses Adapalene and was previously unavailable without a prescription. Hooray for more access to potent, well-tested treatments without an in-person doctor’s appointment! (PS here’s a coupon for 10% off!)

Curology Review - Personalized Rx Skincare

Like Proactiv, Curology also has a three-step kit that focuses on the acne treatment in the “superbottle”, flanked by a cleanser and a moisturizer. This second step contains a customized formula that targets your needs whether it’s acne, clogged pores, dark spots, firmness, skin texture, or wrinkles.

Curology requires you to complete a quick online quiz before ordering your bottle, which helps narrow down and personalize your treatment. Afterward you get paired with a medical provider to chat and make sure you receive the right doses of each active ingredient.

These 1-1 chats also let your provider evaluate your progress via selfies and tweak your formulation as needed. They’re essentially consultations with medical professionals, which is how Curology is able to send Rx-strength blends.

Hers Skincare Review: Acne care made simple

Hers simplifies the skincare process even further by offering only two steps—one in the AM and another at night. For a small fee, they provide a consultation with a physician before your order ships so they can formulate the right prescription for you. They require a session on each of your recurring orders to ensure that your skin is improving and free from any side effects. Sounds like overkill to me, but again, this is how they stay compliant and many people may enjoy the subsequent check ups.

Hers also offers other products for anti-aging and hyperpigmentation, but you have to buy those items separately rather than blended together like in Curology’s superbottle.

Apostrophe Review: affordable acne care

Apostrophe is refreshingly transparent and personalized. They pair you with a board-certified dermatologist to create your individual treatment plan and guide you through your skincare journey. If you’d tried other acne remedies without success, it may be time to step it up with a prescription-strength formula from Apostrophe.

They prescribe both topical and oral medications so you can treat your acne from the outside-in and the inside-out. And they also offer  additional products for wrinkles, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. Read our full review of Apostrophe for more even more information.

Proactiv vs Curology vs Hers vs Apostrophe: Why buy acne meds online?

Right off the bat, these companies offer skincare solutions that are a lot more potent than anything at a drugstore or beauty boutique. Proactiv formulates its product with micro-crystal benzoyl peroxide, while Curology and Hers are able to deliver prescription-strength solutions. All three have created a system that uses ingredients that work together, removing the guesswork of what products to use for which skin care concern, and when to use them.

Apostrophe, Curology, and  Hers all connect you with an MD to consult with over the internet. It’s super convenient not having to book an appointment months out, schedule time off of work, and fork over an expensive copay. Instead, you can get acne advice from the comfort of your own home, and you’re also able to talk to the consultants through the course of your treatment, which often means eliminating multiple visits. All in all, these three virtual dermatologists make it a lot easier and cheaper to start and maintain a treatment plan formulated by experts.

Speaking of cost, all four companies also make these products available for less than a visit to the dermatologist (even WITH health insurance!), making them inherently cheaper since their package already includes the skincare itself. Some treatments are even considered elective and won’t be covered by insurance at all, and some doctors require a referral from your primary care physician—doubling the cost even before you get to the products.

And of course, everyone loves free shipping. Proactiv, Curology, Apostrophe, and Hers all offer a subscription service that delivers to your home, ensuring that you’ll never run out of product. This convenience also makes it easy to stay on track with your daily routine, which is very important when you’re using prescription skincare.

What do customers say about Curology, Proactiv, and Hers online?

Reading online reviews, it’s clear that finding the right products to give you clear skin can really make you feel like a million bucks likes. Here’s what some people are saying after trying Proactiv, Curology, and Hers:

This lady saw results fairly quickly from ProactivMD that uses Adapelene.

After finding that Proactiv worked for her, she got her husband on board too.

Love the MD
Tina Susino
Read More
"I bought this 3 weeks ago and I'm so glad I did! My face was getting really bad and needed something strong and this does its job! My face feels refreshed and exfoliated. I love the green tea moisturizer, it's lightweight and it absorbs fast. I recommend this product!"
At 51 yrs old I would have thought...
Sharron of Coconut Creek, FL
Read More
"At 51 yrs old I would have thought I would be done with acne, but unfortunately that's not the case. I tried every over the counter product out there, and even saw a dermatologist seeking help. Nothing worked. Then I tried Proactiv. It not only worked for my adult acne, but my husband who suffers from rosacea started using it and it has helped him as well. I like that I am able to order as I need it, and not have it shipped every 30 days. I also like being able to select what items I want to order each time, and not having to receive items we may not use. I highly recommend to anyone suffering from acne or rosacea."
I've only just started the line but ...
tatiana Y
Read More
"I've only just started the line but I'm really enjoying the cleanser and the moisturizer. The actual medicine is different for each person. And is made to combat your individual skin issues. The trial month is only 5 bucks which is the shipping. After that it's $60 for a two month supply which is nice and not half what I spend on my other stuff."
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They say a picture is worth ten thousand words and after Curology, this subscriber only needed to caption with two:

The ability to get prescription medicine was the highlight of this user’s Hers skincare experience:

We published our own in-depth review of Apostrophe if you’re curious about our take on their products.

The Verdict: Proactiv vs Curology vs Hers vs Apostrophe - Which is best for acne?

As we all know, zits suck. Inflamed, cystic, and recurring acne is even worse, and it’s great to finally get your hands on skincare with stronger active ingredients that will be more effective than anything over the counter. With these acne treatment subscriptions, you can even get a quick and affordable professional consult that gives you access to prescription-strength products, and medical advice to go with it. As an added bonus, the products are conveniently delivered to your house, leaving you with one less thing to worry about.

Here’s a summary of how each brand (apostrophe vs proactiv vs curology vs hers) stacks up:

Proactiv is best for beginners.

If you’re trying acne treatment products for the first time, Proactiv may be your best choice. Technically, they still use over the counter ingredients but process them so they work more effectively than other, more readily available products.

Since it’s over the counter, it would be wise to start here before moving onto stronger, doctor-prescribed Rx skincare, unless you’re dead set on working with a dermatologist directly.

Apostrophe is the most affordable

If so, Apostrophe might be right for you. They connect you with a licensed dermatologist via the web to recommend and prescribe the right topical and oral meds for your specific case.

It’s only $25/month for powerful and personalized acne treatment, plus you can save $15 more by entering code FIN15 at checkout. They also offer quality skincare products for more than just acne, which brings us to the next contender…

Curology is the most personalized.

Curology offers solutions to a wide range of skincare needs, and their formulas can be customized to treat more than just acne since they use a number of active ingredients, including a few that help with wrinkles, tone, and more.

Like Apostrophe, they provide a medical consult with the subscription, unlocking access to more Rx solutions. Another cool thing about Curology is that they offer financial assistance to teenagers and young adults who qualify for aid, making it available to those with limited funds for up to two years, free of charge.

Hers is best for anti-aging.

Likewise, Hers requires an online assessment by a doctor since they also formulate your solution with prescription-grade ingredients. Hers make things a little simpler by sending you two bottles — one blend for use during the day and another for night. This treatment is especially palatable for anyone tired of the more involved routine required by Proactiv.

A major benefit of hers skincare is their large variety of options that you can use in conjunction with other skincare favorites (sheet mask, anyone?) without interfering with the acne-clearing process. They also offer a separate anti-aging formula to try down the road.

It can’t be said enough—acne can be devastating, especially now when there’s pressure to look camera-ready straight out of bed (Thanks Beyoncé). It can really eat away at your confidence and trying a bunch of things that haven’t worked is discouraging. Hopefully one of these acne treatment subscriptions is the answer you’ve been looking for. Give them a shot. It may just be your ticket to that #nofilter life.

Unsure where to start?

We’ve tested most popular Rx skincare treatments first hand. Sign up to see which work best, as well as which our medical advisory team recommends most!

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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 ProcessKey MetricsWeighting
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

Discover more skincare reviews

About the Author

Jane Feddersen

Jane is a former DI student-athlete and lifelong health enthusiast. Since graduating from College of Charleston where she played both indoor & beach volleyball, Jane’s spent the last four years building her marketing career with experience in project and partner management. Outside of work, her nutrition certification, dog, travel and yoga flows keep her busy.

Learn more
Jane Feddersen

Jane Feddersen

Jane is a former DI student-athlete and lifelong health enthusiast. Since graduating from College of Charleston where she played both indoor & beach volleyball, Jane’s spent the last four years building her marketing career with experience in project and partner management. Outside of work, her nutrition certification, dog, travel and yoga flows keep her busy.

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