Nurx Review: Honest Take on Their Telehealth Skincare (2026)

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Nurx is less skincare-focused than Curology or Apostrophe, it’s a general telehealth service that happens to offer skincare. Here’s the honest take.

What Nurx actually is

Nurx’s service range:

• Birth control
• Emergency contraception
• PrEP / HIV prevention
• Mental health (anxiety, depression)
• Migraine treatment
• Hair loss (minoxidil)
• Skincare: tretinoin, spironolactone, clindamycin

Skincare offerings

Skincare menu at Nurx:

• Tretinoin (0.025%, 0.05%): $30/month
• Spironolactone (50-100mg daily): $30-40/month
• Clindamycin gel: $25/month
• Combination treatments: $40-60/month

Nurx also writes custom formulas beyond acne: a dark spots and melasma formula (typically built on hydroquinone, tretinoin and azelaic acid) and a rosacea formula (azelaic acid or metronidazole are the usual bases). The exact actives depend on the provider’s assessment and the menu changes, so check the current offering before you sign up.

Nurx vs Curology vs Apostrophe

Service	Base price	Tretinoin	Spironolactone	Hydroquinone	Specialization
Curology	$26/month	✓ Custom	✗	✗	Skincare-focused
Apostrophe	$25+$20	✓ Pure	✗	✗	Pure tretinoin
Nurx	$30/month	✓	✓	✗	General telehealth
Musely	$30-60/month	✓	✗	✓ (Spot Cream)	Melasma specialist

When Nurx wins

Go with Nurx if:

• Already using Nurx for other services
• Need spironolactone alongside tretinoin (hormonal acne)
• Want broader telehealth integration
• Need birth control consultation alongside skincare

When Curology wins

Go with Curology if:

• You want tretinoin only (cheaper at $26)
• You want custom compounding with niacinamide/azelaic
• You want free trial option
• Skincare-only focus

The hormonal acne use case

If hormonal acne is your concern:

• Spironolactone (oral): treats hormonal acne cause
• Tretinoin (topical): treats acne directly + prevents scarring
• Combined via Nurx: $60-80/month vs $150-300 for in-person derm

Alternative stacks

Budget hormonal acne stack:

• Curology tretinoin: $26/month
• Naturium Azelaic Acid 10%: $20 (anti-inflammatory)
• Paula’s Choice 2% BHA: $35 (clogged pores)
• Total: ~$45/month

Full hormonal acne stack (Nurx):

• Nurx tretinoin + spironolactone: $50/month
• Add OTC BHA: $35
• Total: $85/month

Nurx is more expensive but addresses the hormonal pathway that topicals alone can’t.

Skincare we’d add to any telehealth service

The honest verdict

Premium Beauty

Products that pair with any telehealth tretinoin

Essential OTC additions for the complete routine.

CurrentBody

Under $500

LED Light Therapy Face Mask Series 3

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Dr. Dennis Gross

Under $500

DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro

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Omnilux

Under $500

Men LED Face Mask

Omnilux's in-stock flexible LED face mask (the Contour Face is out of stock on Amazon).

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Therabody

Under $500

TheraFace PRO

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Therabody

Under $500

TheraFace PRO

Red light + microcurrent + percussive + cleansing. Sci-fi gadget.

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Augustinus Bader

Under $500

The Cream

TFC8 tech. The one celebrities keep talking about.

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Frequently asked

Does Nurx treat melasma and dark spots? +

Yes. Nurx offers a custom dark spots and melasma formula, usually a compounded blend of hydroquinone, tretinoin and azelaic acid, prescribed after an online assessment. Pair it with a mineral sunscreen every morning or the pigment comes back.

Does Nurx treat rosacea? +

Nurx lists a rosacea formula built on azelaic acid or metronidazole, the same first-line topicals a dermatologist would start with. Expect to send photos and answer questions about flushing triggers before a provider confirms it is a fit.

Is Nurx FDA-compliant? +

Yes, US-licensed providers, FDA-approved medications. Operates under state telemedicine regulations.

Can I get spironolactone without Nurx? +

Yes, any dermatologist or primary care doctor can prescribe it. But telehealth is easier and cheaper than in-person for prescription renewal.

Can men use Nurx? +

Yes, some services. Others (spironolactone at typical anti-acne doses) are primarily for women due to hormonal mechanism.

Does Nurx accept insurance? +

Some services yes, some no. Skincare typically cash-pay. Birth control often insurance-accepted.

Can I combine Nurx tretinoin with OTC products? +

Yes. Tretinoin plays well with OTC moisturizer, SPF, vitamin C, azelaic acid. Don't combine with prescription AHAs without provider approval.