Acne Treatment in Holborn, London — from £25
Ways Pharmacy offers a private pharmacist-led acne service for mild to moderate acne. We are a GPhC-registered pharmacy (premises number 9012227) at 77 Southampton Row, Holborn WC1, around two minutes' walk from the British Museum. You can start your consultation online and send photos of your skin, or come into the pharmacy. A pharmacist reviews your skin, your medical history and anything you have already tried, and only supplies a treatment if it is suitable for you. Consultations are available in English or Chinese (中文).
Acne treatment at a glance
| Treatment options | Prescription-only gels and creams for the skin: Skinoren, Duac and Epiduo. You choose an option and the pharmacist confirms whether it suits your type of acne |
|---|---|
| Price | From £25 for one pack of treatment. The full price list is below |
| Who it is for | People aged 12 and over with mild to moderate acne (blackheads, whiteheads, red spots and pus-filled spots) |
| How it works | Online, with clear photos or a short video of the affected skin, or in person at the pharmacy. No separate consultation fee |
| Pharmacist assessment | Required every time. If treatment is not suitable, the pharmacist will not supply it and will tell you where to go instead |
| Where and when | 77 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4ET · Monday to Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm |
| Language | English and Chinese (中英文服务) |
Start your free online assessment or call 020 8106 7084. Prices and treatment options are listed below.
Treatment options and prices
These are the treatments a pharmacist may suggest after your assessment. Which one, if any, depends on your skin and your health. Acne treatments usually take 6 to 8 weeks to show a clear improvement.
| Option | What it is | Price | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skinoren 20% cream | Azelaic Acid（壬二酸）20% cream, applied twice a day. Often considered for sensitive skin or if other treatments have irritated your skin | £25 | Skinoren cream |
| Duac gel | Clindamycin（克林霉素）1% with Benzoyl Peroxide（过氧化苯甲酰）5% gel, applied once a day in the evening. Often considered when red, inflamed spots are the main problem | £29.99 (30g) | Duac gel |
| Epiduo gel | Adapalene（阿达帕林）0.1% with Benzoyl Peroxide（过氧化苯甲酰）2.5% gel, applied once a day in the evening. Often considered when blackheads and whiteheads are the main problem | £32.99 (45g) | Epiduo gel |
You only pay once the pharmacist confirms a treatment is suitable. If you have already paid and the medicine turns out not to be suitable, the pharmacist may suggest another option or give you a full refund. There is no separate consultation fee: the price shown is the price of the medicine.
One pack is supplied at a time. Further supplies need a review with the pharmacist to check that the treatment is working and that your skin is tolerating it.
Who can use this service
- People aged 12 and over with mild to moderate acne on the face, chest or back. Young people can use the online service, but a parent or guardian must be present on the video call with the pharmacist
- Acne made up of blackheads, whiteheads, small red spots or pus-filled spots, without deep, painful lumps
- People who can send clear photos or a short video of their skin for an online consultation, or who can come into the pharmacy
Tell the pharmacist if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy. Epiduo contains a retinoid (adapalene) and must not be used in pregnancy or if you are trying to conceive, so the pharmacist will choose a different option or refer you.
When you should see a GP or get urgent help instead
A pharmacist cannot treat every type of acne. You should see your GP, who may refer you to a dermatologist, if:
- you have severe acne, such as large, painful lumps or cysts under the skin (nodular or cystic acne)
- your acne is leaving scars or dark marks
- your acne has not improved after a full course of treatment
- the spots might be something other than acne, for example rosacea or a rash around the mouth
- your acne is affecting your mood or confidence a lot
Stop the treatment and get urgent medical help (call 999 or go to A&E) if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing. Contact your GP or NHS 111 if you develop severe diarrhoea while using Duac, which contains clindamycin.
How it works
- Start your free online assessment. Answer the health questions online and confirm your identity (upload photo ID, or show it on a video call). In the questionnaire you also upload clear photos or a short video of the affected skin.
- The pharmacist reviews your answers and speaks with you by phone or video to confirm whether treatment is suitable.
- If suitable, choose and pay. The pharmacist confirms which treatment is suitable; you then order and pay online (for example Skinoren 20% cream), or call 020 8106 7084. If it is not suitable, you pay nothing (or get a full refund if you have already paid) — the pharmacist explains your other options.
- We post your medicine or you collect it. Orders approved by the pharmacist before 3:00pm on a working day are dispatched the same day; see our shipping information for delivery options and costs. You can also collect from the pharmacy once your order is approved.
If the photos are not clear enough for a safe assessment, the pharmacist may ask you to send new ones or to come into the pharmacy.
Why choose Ways Pharmacy
- Free online assessment — you only pay once the pharmacist confirms treatment is suitable, and prices are shown up front
- Assessment by a GPhC-registered pharmacist (premises 9012227), online or in a private consulting room
- Consultation and explanation in Chinese (中文) or English
- In Holborn, about two minutes' walk from the British Museum and close to Holborn and Russell Square stations
- Practical skincare advice alongside your treatment
Related services: eczema and dermatitis treatment and impetigo treatment.
Frequently asked questions
How much does acne treatment cost at Ways Pharmacy?
Treatment starts from £25 for Skinoren 20% cream. Other options are listed in the price table above. The online assessment is free, and you only pay for a treatment once the pharmacist confirms it is suitable. If you have already paid and it turns out not to be suitable, your payment is refunded in full.
Can I get acne treatment online?
Yes. You complete a questionnaire, upload clear photos or a short video of your skin and speak with the pharmacist by phone or video. If a treatment is suitable, it can be posted from our Holborn pharmacy or collected in person. There is no separate consultation fee.
How long does acne treatment take to work?
Most people notice improvement after 6 to 8 weeks of regular use. Keep using the treatment as directed, even if your skin looks worse for the first few weeks, and speak to the pharmacist if irritation is hard to manage.
What are the common side effects?
Dryness, redness, peeling, stinging or mild irritation where the treatment is applied, especially in the first few weeks. Using a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser helps. Benzoyl peroxide can bleach hair, towels, clothing and bedding, so let it dry fully before skin touches fabric.
Do I need to avoid the sun?
Some acne treatments make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a daily sunscreen and avoid sunbeds while using them.
Can I use acne treatment if I am pregnant?
Tell the pharmacist. Epiduo must not be used in pregnancy or if you are planning a pregnancy. The pharmacist will advise whether another option is suitable or whether you should see your GP.
Can a pharmacist treat severe or scarring acne?
No. Severe acne, cystic acne or acne that is causing scarring needs assessment by a GP and sometimes a dermatologist. The pharmacist will tell you if this applies to you.
Is this an NHS service?
No. Ways Pharmacy Holborn is a private pharmacy and does not provide NHS services.
Suspected side effects can be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.
This page gives factual information about pharmacy services and medicines. Any medicine is supplied only after a pharmacist has assessed that it is suitable for you.
Ways Pharmacy
77 Southampton Row, Holborn, London WC1B 4ET
Telephone: 020 8106 7084
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am–6:00pm, closed Saturday and Sunday
Around 2 minutes' walk from the British Museum, near Holborn station
GPhC-registered pharmacy premises: 9012227 · About Ways Pharmacy
