Dermatology & Skin
The Best Online Dermatologists of 2026
From custom acne prescriptions to a real board-certified dermatologist by video, we ranked the best online dermatology services on price, care model, and results.
Quick answer
Honeydew (4.5/5) is our top-rated dermatology provider, best overall, starting at $25/mo. Curology (4.2/5) is our Best Custom-Formula Subscription pick.
Online dermatology splits into a few models, and knowing which you need saves both money and disappointment. Curology, Agency, and Hims and Hers match you with a licensed provider, which may be a nurse practitioner or physician assistant rather than a dermatologist, to build or prescribe a personalized formula billed as a monthly subscription. Honeydew, MDLIVE, and Musely put a board-certified dermatologist in the loop (Honeydew also uses licensed nurse practitioners). First Derm cases are read by a board-certified dermatologist too, but it returns a written expert opinion rather than a formal diagnosis or a prescription.
We evaluated each service on clinician quality, price transparency, how fast you get seen, and how well it fits the problem it claims to solve. None of the rankings below are paid placements.
Pick by what matters to you
The right choice depends on your priority. Here is the standout for each.
Our top pick overall, 4.5/5 on the rubric.
Lowest PriceBest value for the money, from $25/mo.
Most ClinicalStrong clinical quality, 4.3/5.
Best for Multiple ProductsOne provider for several needs, not just this one.
Best for InsuranceTakes insurance (Commercial).
Best for Cash PayBest no-insurance option, from $25/mo.
At a glance
| # | Service | Best for | Rating | From | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honeydew | Best Overall | ★★★★★4.5 | $25/mo | Visit |
| 2 | Curology | Best Custom-Formula Subscription | ★★★★★4.2 | $25/mo | Visit |
| 3 | MDLIVE | Best for a Board-Certified Dermatologist | ★★★★★3.7 | $0–$108/visit | Visit |
| 4 | Agency | Best for Anti-Aging | ★★★★★4.2 | ~$40 per month (billed bimonthly) | Visit |
| 5 | First Derm | Best for a Fast Expert Opinion | ★★★★★3.8 | From $34.95 per consult | Visit |
| 6 | Musely | Best for Melasma and Hyperpigmentation | ★★★★★3.5 | ~$50 to $90 per formula | Visit |
| 7 | Hims & Hers | Best All-in-One Telehealth | ★★★★★4.1 | $79/mo | Visit |
Honeydew
Online acne care including Accutane access
Pros
- ✓Prescribes full acne range including Accutane
- ✓Responsive, attentive care team
- ✓Low monthly membership with unlimited messaging
Cons
- ✕Medications billed separately from membership
- ✕Younger brand with shorter track record
- ✕Annual commitment needed for lowest price
Our verdict: Strong, affordable acne-focused teledermatology.
Visit Honeydew →Curology
Custom prescription skincare
Pros
- ✓Custom-compounded formulas
- ✓Affordable
- ✓Provider messaging
Cons
- ✕Subscription model
- ✕Not a full dermatology workup
Our verdict: Best value for custom prescription skincare.
Visit Curology →MDLIVE
Insurance-based virtual care, now part of Evernorth
Pros
- ✓Strong insurance integration
- ✓Dermatology included
- ✓24/7 urgent care
Cons
- ✕Dated UX
- ✕Inconsistent clinician continuity
Our verdict: A dependable insurance-covered all-rounder.
Visit MDLIVE →Agency
Custom prescription skincare by Curology team
Pros
- ✓Strong Trustpilot rating
- ✓Founded by Curology's dermatologist co-founder
- ✓Personalized prescription Future Formula
Cons
- ✕Subscription-only, no one-time purchases
- ✕Some cancellations mishandled, leading to extra charges
- ✕Can be pricey when OTC items are bundled
Our verdict: Polished anti-aging Rx, but subscription-locked.
Visit Agency →First Derm
Anonymous ask-a-dermatologist image consults
Pros
- ✓Anonymous, no account or appointment needed
- ✓Real dermatologist review, not AI
- ✓Fast turnaround on image-based triage
Cons
- ✕Advice and triage only, limited US prescribing
- ✕Very few Trustpilot reviews to gauge
- ✕Many cases resolve with OTC, not a script
Our verdict: Good for fast triage, not full treatment.
Visit First Derm →Musely
Prescription skincare for spots and aging
Pros
- ✓Strong results reported for melasma and dark spots
- ✓Custom compounded prescription formulas
- ✓Board-certified dermatologist prescribing
Cons
- ✕Frequent subscription and cancellation complaints
- ✕Reports of unauthorized charges and hard-to-reach support
- ✕Some users report irritation, peeling or burning
Our verdict: Effective formulas, but watch the auto-ship billing.
Visit Musely →Hims & Hers
Mass-market telehealth across many categories
Pros
- ✓Broad category coverage
- ✓Sleek app
- ✓Frequent promos
Cons
- ✕Upsell-heavy flow
- ✕Variable provider response times
Our verdict: Best for shoppers who want one app for many needs.
Visit Hims & Hers →How we ranked online dermatology services
We separated custom-prescription subscriptions from true diagnostic teledermatology, because they solve different problems, and we weighted whether a licensed clinician is actually reviewing your case rather than an algorithm. Price transparency and the absence of surprise renewals mattered too.
Custom formula vs seeing a real dermatologist
If your goal is ongoing acne or anti-aging treatment, a custom-formula subscription is usually the cheaper, more convenient choice. If you have a rash, a changing mole, or a condition that needs a diagnosis, choose a service that connects you to a board-certified dermatologist, and see an in-person clinician for anything urgent or suspicious.
What to look for
- Whether a licensed clinician, not just an app, reviews your case
- Board-certified dermatologist access if you need a diagnosis
- Transparent monthly pricing that includes the medication
- Clear cancellation terms with no surprise renewals
- A plan to escalate to in-person care for anything serious
The bottom line
Honeydew is our overall pick: it is dermatologist-led, affordable at about $25 a month billed annually, and effective across acne and beyond. Curology remains the most popular custom-formula subscription, though its providers are licensed clinicians who may not be dermatologists. If you need an actual diagnosis rather than a cosmetic prescription, MDLIVE connects you to a board-certified dermatologist, Musely is the pick for melasma and hyperpigmentation, and First Derm returns a fast written expert opinion, though not a formal diagnosis or a prescription. Hims and Hers is the most convenient all-in-one option if you want skincare alongside other telehealth, though it folded its dedicated dermatology brand into its main service in 2025, which makes it a lighter dermatology-specific pick.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see a real dermatologist online?+
Yes. Services like MDLIVE connect you to a board-certified dermatologist by video or image review for diagnosis and treatment. Custom-formula services like Curology use licensed clinicians who may be nurse practitioners or physician assistants rather than dermatologists, which is fine for routine acne or aging but not for diagnosing a new or changing skin problem.
How much does online dermatology cost?+
Custom-formula subscriptions typically run about $20 to $50 a month including the medication, while a one-time teledermatology consult for a diagnosis often costs $35 to $110. Always confirm what is included and check the cancellation terms.
Is online dermatology good for a suspicious mole?+
Use it for a fast initial review, but a mole that is changing, bleeding, or irregular should be seen in person. Image-based services can flag concern and speed a referral, but they do not replace an in-person skin exam or biopsy when one is needed.