Nurx Review: Honest Take on Their Telehealth Skincare (2026)
Nurx offers telehealth tretinoin and skincare at $30/month. Here's the honest review, how it compares to Curology and Apostrophe, and when it's worth it.
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Nurx is a general telehealth service that includes skincare (tretinoin, azelaic acid, other actives) alongside birth control, mental health, and other services. Skincare pricing: ~$30/month. Advantages: existing Nurx users can bundle services, broader medical service integration. Disadvantages: less specialized than Curology for tretinoin users, typically more expensive for skincare-only needs. For skincare-only, Curology wins. For patients already using Nurx for other services, skincare is convenient add-on.
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 is a telehealth platform offering: birth control, emergency contraception, HIV prevention, mental health services, migraine treatment, and skincare (tretinoin, spironolactone for hormonal acne). Founded in 2015, FDA-compliant. Skincare at Nurx typically $30/month for tretinoin, $30-50 for combination treatments with spironolactone.
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
Nurx skincare focuses on: Tretinoin (various strengths), Spironolactone (for hormonal acne), Clindamycin (antibiotic for acne), combination compounded products. Prices typically $30-50/month depending on specific prescription. All through US-licensed providers. FDA-approved medications.
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 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
Nurx wins if: you’re already using Nurx for other services (birth control, mental health) and want bundled skincare, you need tretinoin AND spironolactone for hormonal acne, or you want a broader medical service integration. Otherwise, Curology is cheaper and more skincare-focused.
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
Nurx’s unique skincare strength: combining tretinoin + spironolactone. Spironolactone is a prescription-only hormonal acne treatment that’s often the most effective option for women with hormonal adult acne. Combined with tretinoin, this stack addresses both the hormonal cause and the topical treatment. Curology doesn’t offer spironolactone — for hormonal acne specifically, Nurx has a real advantage.
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
EltaMD
UV Clear SPF 46
Essential daily SPF for any tretinoin user.
Best for: Mandatory complement to any retinoid
CeraVe
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Essential tretinoin-user moisturizer.
Best for: Any retinoid user
Maelove
Glow Maker Vitamin C Serum
Morning antioxidant for post-acne brightening.
Best for: Any telehealth skincare user
The honest verdict
Nurx is a general telehealth service that offers skincare as an add-on. For skincare-only needs, Curology is better (cheaper, more specialized). For hormonal acne, Nurx’s spironolactone + tretinoin combo is a real advantage. For existing Nurx users, adding skincare is convenient. Doesn’t beat specialist competitors on pure skincare value but has niche strengths.
Premium Beauty
Products that pair with any telehealth tretinoin
Essential OTC additions for the complete routine.
SkinMedica
$295TNS Advanced+ Serum
Dual-chamber growth factor + peptide serum. Actually worth the splurge.
Buy on Amazon →SkinCeuticals
$182C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum
15% L-ascorbic + 1% vitamin E + 0.5% ferulic. The gold standard.
Buy on Amazon →SkinCeuticals
$182Phloretin CF Antioxidant Serum
For oilier skin — phloretin + vitamin C + ferulic acid combo.
Buy on Amazon →Augustinus Bader
$290The Cream
TFC8 tech. The one celebrities keep talking about.
Buy on Amazon →EltaMD
$41UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
The derm favorite. Zinc + niacinamide, no white cast.
Buy on Amazon →Supergoop!
$38Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
Goes on like a primer. Zero white cast, zero scent.
Buy on Amazon →Frequently asked
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.
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More Premium Beauty picks
If money isn't the object, these are our Premium Beauty favorites.
SkinMedica
$295TNS Advanced+ Serum
Dual-chamber growth factor + peptide serum. Actually worth the splurge.
Buy on Amazon →SkinCeuticals
$182C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum
15% L-ascorbic + 1% vitamin E + 0.5% ferulic. The gold standard.
Buy on Amazon →SkinCeuticals
$182Phloretin CF Antioxidant Serum
For oilier skin — phloretin + vitamin C + ferulic acid combo.
Buy on Amazon →Augustinus Bader
$290The Cream
TFC8 tech. The one celebrities keep talking about.
Buy on Amazon →EltaMD
$41UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
The derm favorite. Zinc + niacinamide, no white cast.
Buy on Amazon →Supergoop!
$38Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
Goes on like a primer. Zero white cast, zero scent.
Buy on Amazon →