Apostrophe Acne was an online service that connected patients with board-certified dermatologists for prescription acne care. Beginners submitted phone photos and a questionnaire, then received a personal treatment plan filled through mail-order pharmacy. BeautyMatter reports that Hims and Hers discontinued the Apostrophe brand on March 7, 2025, after acquiring it in July 2021 the BeautyMatter report. Existing subscriptions were canceled, and dermatology care moved to core Hims and Hers offerings.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- How did the visit work?
- What ingredients did plans use?
- What do the first weeks feel like?
- When should you pause or avoid retinoids?
How did the visit work?
TechCrunch described the original model as photo-based visits plus a medical questionnaire, reviewed by a dermatologist. The dermatologist created a personalized prescription plan, and Apostrophe dispensed it through its own mail-order pharmacy.
For a beginner, that meant no waiting room or in-person exam. Clear, well-lit photos and a complete acne and health history helped the dermatologist choose safe options.
What ingredients did plans use?
The Derm Review notes that custom formulas commonly combined tretinoin, clindamycin, spironolactone, azelaic acid, and oral doxycycline. Different combinations targeted hormonal, inflammatory, or persistent acne.
Newswise summarizes 2024 American Academy of Dermatology guidelines that strongly recommend benzoyl peroxide, retinoids including tretinoin, and antibiotics including doxycycline the Newswise summary. Combinations of these treatments are also recommended, which explains why online plans often paired ingredients.
What do the first weeks feel like?
GoodRx notes that topical tretinoin commonly causes dryness, peeling, redness, and greater sun sensitivity during the first weeks the GoodRx side-effects guide. These effects are often strongest at the start, then improve as skin adjusts. Beginners can reduce trouble by following a simple routine:.
- Use moisturizer alongside treatment.
- Start exactly as directed.
- Apply tretinoin at night.
- Wear daily sunscreen and protective clothing.
When should you pause or avoid retinoids?
The Drugs.com interaction summary warns patients with sunburn to avoid retinoid acne products until recovered. It also warns against prolonged sunlight and sunlamps during tretinoin treatment, a practical limit for outdoor workers and tanners.
FDA DailyMed labels state topical tretinoin should not be used during pregnancy because oral tretinoin caused fetal harm in animals. The same labels carry a boxed warning that any fetal exposure to isotretinoin can cause life-threatening birth defects. Tell your prescriber right away if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or become pregnant while using a retinoid.