The Three Pricing Models, Fast
- • Curology, Hers, Hims
- • ~$25-$60/mo (estimate)
- • Review + custom cream included
- • Auto-renews monthly
- • Nurx
- • ~$30-$40 consult, 1 yr care
- • Meds billed separately ~$25-$30/mo
- • Insurance for acne/rosacea
- • DermatologistOnCall
- • Flat ~$95/visit (estimate)
- • 30-day follow-up included
- • Meds filled at your pharmacy
The Bottom Line
- • You want one custom cream, set and forget
- • Your concern is ongoing acne or anti-aging
- • You value bundled price over insurance billing
- • You want a diagnosis, not a subscription
- • You have a single rash or flare to resolve
- • You want to fill the script at your own pharmacy
What We'll Cover
"Online dermatology cost" is a confusing search because the answer depends entirely on the business model behind the brand. One service charges you a monthly subscription that quietly bakes in the clinician. Another charges a single consultation fee, then bills medication on top. A third works like a one-off virtual visit. Compare the headline numbers without understanding the model and you will pick wrong. Here is the honest, model-by-model breakdown.
The Three Online-Derm Pricing Models
Almost every online dermatology brand falls into one of three structures. Knowing which one you are buying is the whole game.
1. Subscription (clinician included)
Services like Curology and Hers/Hims sell a monthly plan. A licensed provider reviews your intake and photos, prescribes a custom-compounded cream, and ships it to you on a recurring basis. There is no separate "visit fee" — the review is folded into the subscription. This is the simplest model for ongoing concerns, and usually the cheapest per month, but it auto-renews and the medication is tied to the plan.
2. Consultation fee + medication
Nurx charges a one-time consultation fee that covers a year of care from its medical team, then prices medication separately. For acne and rosacea it can also bill insurance for the medication. This unbundles the clinician from the drug, so the true cost is the consult plus whatever your prescription runs each month.
3. Pay-per-visit teledermatology
DermatologistOnCall works like a virtual office visit: a flat fee for a single consultation with a board-certified dermatologist, who sends a diagnosis and a prescription to your pharmacy. There is no subscription and no compounding — you fill the script yourself and pay the pharmacy separately. Best when you want a diagnosis, not a standing plan.
Why this matters: a $30 subscription and a $95 visit are not really comparable numbers. The subscription includes the medication; the visit does not. Always compare the all-in cost — clinician fee plus medication — for the way you will actually use it.
Brand-by-Brand Cost Comparison
The figures below are estimates drawn from each provider's published pricing as of mid-2026, not live quotes. Pricing and promotions change frequently, so confirm the current number on the provider's own page before you sign up.
| Service | Model | Clinician fee (estimate) | Ongoing cost (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curology | Subscription | Included; trial box ~$5.45 S&H | ~$29.95/mo after trial |
| Hers / Hims | Subscription | Included | ~$29-$40/mo custom cream |
| Nurx | Consult + meds | ~$40 acne/rosacea, ~$30 anti-aging (1 yr care) | Meds from ~$25-$30/mo + ~$3/mo support fee |
| DermatologistOnCall | Pay-per-visit | ~$95/visit (30-day follow-up) | Medication filled at pharmacy (separate) |
| In-person dermatologist | Office visit (cash) | ~$150-$400 new patient | ~$100-$250 follow-up + meds/procedures |
The pattern: for a routine, photo-diagnosable concern, every online option lands well below an in-person visit. The cheapest monthly path is a subscription; the cheapest one-time path is Nurx's consult-plus-medication; and the closest thing to a traditional "see a dermatologist once" is DermatologistOnCall's flat visit fee.
Curology's custom formula, bought outright
If you prefer not to subscribe, Curology also sells its Custom Formula as a standalone bottle — roughly $59.90 for a 60-day supply with free shipping (estimate). That can work out cheaper per month than the recurring plan for some users, but you still complete a clinician review to qualify. Compare the per-month math both ways.
Cost by Condition: Acne, Anti-Aging, Rosacea
Pricing also shifts by what you are treating — partly because some conditions can be billed to insurance and some cannot.
Acne
The most competitive category. Curology and Hers both sell custom acne creams in the ~$25-$40/month range. Nurx charges its ~$40 acne consultation (covering a year of care) and then prices prescription topical medication from about $25/month self-pay, or bills insurance where it applies. Acne is the textbook online-derm use case: clear photos, well-established treatments, no hands-on exam required.
Anti-aging
Anti-aging formulas usually pair a retinoid like tretinoin with ingredients such as azelaic acid and niacinamide. Curology's anti-aging Custom Formula and Hers' custom anti-aging cream both sit in the ~$29-$40/month range (estimate). Nurx prices anti-aging as a ~$30 consultation plus roughly $90 for a three-month medication supply (about $30/month). Note: insurers generally treat anti-aging as cosmetic, so it is almost always out of pocket. For the drug-specific detail, see our how to get tretinoin online guide.
Rosacea
Rosacea is treatable online and, importantly, is often considered medical rather than cosmetic — so it can sometimes run through insurance. Nurx lists rosacea treatment as a ~$40 consultation, then medication from about $30/month self-pay (potentially $0 with insurance). Curology can also formulate for rosacea within its subscription. Because rosacea has several subtypes, the right medication varies, which is exactly what the clinician review is for.
| Condition | Typical online cost (estimate) | Insurance? |
|---|---|---|
| Acne | ~$25-$40/mo (sub) or ~$40 consult + $25/mo meds | Sometimes (medical) |
| Anti-aging | ~$29-$40/mo (sub) or ~$30 consult + ~$30/mo meds | Rarely (cosmetic) |
| Rosacea | ~$40 consult + ~$30/mo meds (or sub) | Often (medical) |
Online vs In-Person: What Is Included
Price is only half the comparison. The other half is what each format can and cannot do.
| Factor | Online dermatology | In-person dermatologist |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cash cost | ~$25-$95 (visit or month) | ~$150-$400 new patient |
| How it's assessed | Intake + photos, reviewed remotely | Hands-on skin exam |
| Prescriptions | Yes — shipped or sent to pharmacy | Yes — same-day |
| Biopsies / procedures | No | Yes (extra cost) |
| Best for | Acne, rosacea, anti-aging, rashes | Moles, skin cancer, surgery |
The hard line on what online cannot do
Online dermatology is genuinely good for common, visible conditions — acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, hyperpigmentation, hair loss, and cosmetic anti-aging. It is not a substitute for in-person care when something is changing, bleeding, or growing. A suspicious or evolving mole, a possible skin cancer, or anything that may need a biopsy belongs in an office where a dermatologist can examine and sample it. A good online provider will tell you to come in.
A Note on Apostrophe (It Shut Down)
You will still see Apostrophe recommended in older comparisons, so it is worth being clear: Apostrophe was acquired by Hims & Hers and then discontinued in March 2025. It no longer accepts new patients, consultations, or prescriptions. If a guide still lists it as a live option, that guide is out of date.
The practical replacement is Hims & Hers' own skincare line — the same custom-compounded, dermatologist-designed formula approach Apostrophe used, now offered under Hims and Hers. If you held an Apostrophe prescription, you cannot transfer the subscription; you would start a fresh consultation with Hers/Hims, Curology, Nurx, or another board-certified service.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
The headline price is rarely the whole price. Before you commit, check for these:
- Monthly support or processing fees. Nurx adds about $3 in any month an order ships, on top of the medication.
- Add-on products. Subscriptions love to upsell a cleanser and moisturizer, which can double the box price.
- Medication is separate on pay-per-visit. A ~$95 DermatologistOnCall visit does not include the drug — you pay the pharmacy too.
- Cosmetic = out of pocket. Anti-aging and melasma are usually not billable to insurance; budget the full cash price.
- Auto-renewal. Subscriptions keep charging until you cancel; the discounted first month is not the steady-state price.
- Trial-to-full jump. A $5 first box can become ~$30+ the next month — read the renewal terms.
HSA/FSA can quietly cut the cost
Online dermatology visits and prescription treatments are generally HSA/FSA-eligible because they are medical care. DermatologistOnCall and Nurx both note that patients commonly pay with HSA, FSA, or HRA funds, and some visits may be reimbursable as an out-of-network insurance benefit. Confirm eligibility with your plan administrator first.
How to Choose
Best for: a simple monthly plan
- You want one custom cream handled for you, no separate pharmacy trip
- Your concern is ongoing acne or anti-aging maintenance
- Curology or Hers/Hims fit this: ~$25-$40/month, review included
Best for: lowest all-in cost on a treatable condition
- You have acne or rosacea and want the option to use insurance
- You want a one-time consult that covers a year of follow-up
- Nurx fits this: ~$40 consult, then medication from ~$25-$30/month
Best for: a real diagnosis without a subscription
- You want a board-certified dermatologist to assess a specific issue once
- You prefer to fill the prescription at your own pharmacy
- DermatologistOnCall fits this: flat ~$95 visit with a 30-day follow-up
A simple decision framework
- If anything is changing, growing, or bleeding, see an in-person dermatologist first
- For ongoing acne or anti-aging, price a subscription (Curology, Hers)
- For acne or rosacea where insurance might help, price Nurx's consult + meds
- For a one-off diagnosis, price a pay-per-visit service like DermatologistOnCall
- Add up the all-in cost — clinician fee plus medication — before deciding
Related cash-pay guides
- One medication, in depth: our tretinoin online guide covers the retinoid most of these creams are built around
- Other telehealth costs: compare online ED treatment for how visit-vs-subscription pricing works elsewhere
- In-office aesthetics: see the laser hair removal cost guide and Botox cost guide for procedures online derm cannot do
Compare Cash-Pay Telehealth Options
See online dermatology and other virtual-care services side by side, with transparent self-pay pricing.
Browse Telehealth ServicesFrequently Asked Questions
How much does online dermatology cost without insurance?▼
It depends on the model. Subscription skincare services like Curology and Hers fold the clinician review into the plan and run roughly $25-$60 a month for a custom prescription cream. Nurx charges a one-time consultation fee (about $40 for acne or rosacea, $30 for anti-aging) that covers a year of care, then bills medication separately from around $25-$30 a month. A pay-per-visit teledermatology service like DermatologistOnCall is a flat fee of about $95 for a single visit, with medication filled at your pharmacy on top. These are estimates that change often — confirm current pricing on each provider’s own site.
Is online dermatology cheaper than seeing a dermatologist in person?▼
Usually, yes, for the visit itself. A cash-pay in-person dermatologist visit commonly runs $150-$400 for a new patient and $100-$250 for a follow-up, before any procedure or medication. An online visit or subscription is typically $25-$95, which is why teledermatology is often 30-50% cheaper than an office visit for routine concerns. The trade-off: online care cannot do a hands-on skin exam, a biopsy, or in-office procedures. Prices vary by location and provider — verify before booking.
What conditions can online dermatology actually treat?▼
Online dermatology is well-suited to common, visible, photo-diagnosable conditions: acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, hyperpigmentation and melasma, mild rashes, hair loss, and cosmetic anti-aging. It is not appropriate for suspicious or changing moles, possible skin cancer, anything that needs a biopsy, or surgical and in-office procedures — those require an in-person dermatologist. When in doubt, an online provider should refer you in.
What does an online dermatology subscription include — and what is extra?▼
A subscription like Curology or Hers typically bundles the clinician review, the prescription, and a custom-compounded formula shipped to you, usually monthly or every two months. Watch for extras: monthly support fees (Nurx adds about $3 in any month an order ships), add-on cleansers and moisturizers, and the fact that a pay-per-visit service does NOT include the medication — that is filled at a pharmacy separately. Read the cart total, not just the headline price.
Can I use HSA or FSA money for online dermatology?▼
Generally yes. Online dermatology visits and prescription treatments are typically HSA/FSA-eligible because they are medical care. DermatologistOnCall and Nurx both note that patients commonly pay with HSA, FSA, or HRA funds, and some online visits may be reimbursable through an insurer as an out-of-network benefit. Confirm eligibility with your plan administrator before assuming a charge qualifies.
Is Apostrophe still available for online dermatology?▼
No. Apostrophe was acquired by Hims & Hers and then discontinued in March 2025; it no longer takes new patients, consultations, or prescriptions. Former Apostrophe-style custom formulas are now offered through Hims and Hers skincare, and other board-certified online options include Curology, Nurx, and DermatologistOnCall. If you held an Apostrophe prescription, you would need to start a new consultation with another service.
Medical & Pricing Disclaimer
This guide is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. We are not affiliated with Curology, Nurx, Hims & Hers, or DermatologistOnCall. Pricing is based on publicly available data from each provider and third-party reporting, and is presented as estimates that vary by service, formula, condition, location, and current promotions — always verify the current price directly with the provider before purchasing. Online dermatology is appropriate for many common skin concerns but is not a substitute for in-person care; a suspicious or changing mole, possible skin cancer, or any concern that may need a biopsy should be evaluated by a dermatologist in person. Discuss any new treatment with a licensed clinician.
Sources & References
- • Curology — support.curology.com / curology.com (subscription, trial, and Custom Formula pricing; conditions treated)
- • Nurx — nurx.com FAQs (acne, rosacea, and anti-aging consultation fees and medication pricing; support fee)
- • DermatologistOnCall — dermatologistoncall.com (per-visit fee, 30-day follow-up, HSA/FSA payment)
- • Hers / Hims — forhers.com / hims.com (custom anti-aging and acne cream pricing and ingredients)
- • Miiskin — online vs in-person dermatology cost and scope comparison
- • Cosmetics Business — reporting on Hims & Hers discontinuing Apostrophe (March 2025)