First 8 weeks on prescription skincare: how to use your cream

Starting Prescription Skin means your formula is prescribed for your skin by an AHPRA registered doctor, compounded fresh and express posted to your door. Before any prescription is issued, you have a brief consult to confirm safety, medicines, pregnancy status and your skin goals. Your printed booklet covers the formal instructions. This guide brings the first 8 weeks together in one place so you know what to do and when.

Whether your formula targets acne, pigment such as melasma or hyperpigmentation, or fine lines and wrinkles, the pattern is the same. Go slow at the start, protect your barrier and your pigment with SPF 50 plus, and reach out early if things are not tracking as expected. This is general information only and does not replace individual medical advice.

Key takeaways

• Use the titration schedule in your booklet, start every few nights, then build up gradually to support long term use rather than chasing quick wins.
• Mild dryness, tightness and a few extra clogged pores or breakouts in the early weeks can be normal, especially with retinoids. Moisturiser and short breaks usually help.
• Daily SPF 50 plus, hats and shade are essential, particularly if you are treating melasma or other pigment conditions, and they also reduce medication side effects.
• If your skin is burning, hot, very red or peeling in sheets, or you are worried at any point, stop your cream and contact us or your usual doctor.
• Most people notice clearer texture and fewer breakouts around 6 to 12 weeks. Pigment and fine lines usually need longer and strict sun protection.

Before you begin: Week 0

Set yourself up before the first application so you are not guessing on the night you start.

• Patch test first if your skin is reactive: Apply a pea sized amount of your cream behind one ear or along the jawline, leave it on overnight, then check the area over the next 24 hours. If you get marked burning, swelling or a rash, wash off and contact us or your usual GP for advice.
• Read the ingredient CMIs: Review the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) for each active in your formula before you start. Use the QR code in your Prescription Skin booklet to access up to date CMIs and check for specific precautions such as pregnancy, breastfeeding or other medicines.
• Take baseline photos: In natural light if possible, front on and both sides. For pigment, include close ups of your cheeks, forehead and upper lip. For texture and breakouts, include the jawline, chin and any areas on the chest or back that are being treated.
• Lock in your core products: A gentle, non foaming cleanser, a simple moisturiser and a broad spectrum SPF 50 plus every morning. If you are still choosing products, keep them basic and fragrance free. You can read more on ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C in our ingredient guides.

Helpful reads before you start: Prescription retinoids, azelaic acid, niacinamide, plus our guides on retinol vs prescription tretinoin and prescription skincare during pregnancy.

 

 

The booklet titration schedule

Your Prescription Skin booklet has a step by step titration guide on page 7. It is designed to maximise results while protecting your barrier and reducing the risk of irritation.

Typical titration looks like:

• Week 1: apply once every 5 days
• Week 2: apply once every 4 days
• Weeks 3 to 4: apply once every 3 days
• Weeks 5 to 6: apply every second night
• Week 7 and beyond: apply nightly if your skin is comfortable

Topical prescription actives like retinoids and azelaic acid are powerful and can cause dryness, peeling, redness or temporary acne flares if you start too fast. Clinical guidance recommends introducing retinoids gradually, then building up strength or frequency once your skin adjusts, and using daily sunscreen to reduce irritation and photosensitivity, especially in pigment conditions like melasma.[1][2][3][4][5]

If you develop persistent dryness, flaking or redness, pause your prescription cream for around 3 days, increase moisturiser, then resume at the last comfortable frequency. Use the progress diary in your booklet to track application nights and how your skin feels.

Weeks 1 to 2: settle in and go slow

Week 1: first applications

What to do

• Use your custom prescription skincare exactly as directed in the titration guide. Follow the once every 5 days cadence rather than guessing.
• Apply a pea sized amount to completely dry skin, avoiding the eye area, corners of the nose and lips.
• Morning: gentle cleanse if needed, moisturiser, SPF 50 plus.
• Night: cleanse, Prescription Skin on schedule, then moisturiser.

The Sandwich Method

If you have sensitive skin, applying your prescription cream directly to bare skin might feel too active. Instead, apply a light layer of moisturiser first and let it dry. Then apply your prescription cream, wait 5 minutes, and follow with a final layer of moisturiser. This "sandwich" buffers the absorption speed without stopping the medication from working.

What you may notice

• Mild tightness, dryness or a short lived stinging sensation after you apply your cream is common in the first one to two weeks, especially with retinoids.[1][3]

Week 2: mild dryness or flaking is common

What to do

• Move to once every 4 days, as per the titration schedule, if week 1 was comfortable.
• Add a hydrating serum or moisturiser with hyaluronic acid under your moisturiser on off nights if you feel dry.
• Avoid harsh scrubs, new exfoliating acids or scented facial oils.

What you may notice

• Some flaking around the nose and mouth or a few new spots can appear as follicles clear out. This type of early flare or purging has been described with topical retinoids and usually improves over the next few weeks.[1]

Weeks 3 to 4: consistency beats intensity

What to do

• If your skin is coping, increase to once every 3 nights, matching the titration guide. If you are still quite dry, stay at the previous step for a little longer.
• Buffer sensitive areas such as the corners of the nose and mouth with moisturiser first, then apply your prescription cream over the top.
• Keep SPF 50 plus every morning as a non negotiable, particularly if you are treating melasma or other pigment issues.[2][4][5]

What you may notice

• Texture may start to feel a little smoother and your skin may look slightly more even, but bigger changes usually take 6 to 12 weeks or more, especially for pigment.[1][2]

Use this point as a mini check in. Review your progress photos in similar lighting. If your skin is very stingy, hot or peeling in sheets, take a 3 to 5 day break, then restart at a lower frequency and contact us if it does not settle.

Weeks 5 to 6: visible changes for many concerns

What to do

• If comfortable, move to every second night, as per the titration guide. If you needed a break earlier, you may choose to stay at every third night for longer.
• Keep your routine simple around your prescription cream. A gentle cleanser, moisturiser and SPF 50 plus in the day is enough for most people.
• Only introduce a very gentle exfoliant if your clinician has recommended it and your skin is calm. Many patients do not need additional acids on top of their prescription actives.

What you may notice

• Fewer clogged pores and breakouts, softening of fine lines and a gradual fade in post acne dark marks. Pigment such as melasma often needs several months of consistent treatment plus strict sun protection.[2][5]

Week 7 and beyond: consolidate gains

What to do

• If you are tolerating your Prescription Skin formula well by week 7, you can usually increase to nightly use. If irritation appears, drop back to every second night for another week or two.
• Stay on the schedule that keeps your skin comfortable. At follow up, your doctor may adjust strengths, switch actives or change how often you use your cream.
• Keep your SPF 50 plus strict, particularly if you are treating melasma or general hyperpigmentation. Hats, shade and tinted sunscreen provide extra protection against visible light driven pigment.

What you may notice

• Smoother texture and more even tone. Acne and congestion may be significantly improved. Pigment conditions often continue to improve past 8 to 12 weeks when prescription skincare is combined with careful photoprotection.[1][2][5]

When to contact us sooner

You do not need to push through severe irritation to get results. Pause your cream and contact us or your usual doctor promptly if you notice:

• Burning, swelling or a rash that does not settle with moisturiser and spacing out applications
• Worsening redness that makes it uncomfortable to apply your cream, or skin that looks raw or cracked
• New pregnancy or breastfeeding, as your treatment plan may need to change
• Eye or lip irritation despite buffering with moisturiser
• Any new symptoms you are worried about, particularly if you are using other prescription medicines or in clinic treatments at the same time

You can also book a check in if you are simply unsure whether your results are on track. Many people find a short review around 8 to 12 weeks helpful.

Ingredient spotlights in your Prescription Skin formula

Your exact blend is personalised, but these are some of the core actives that may appear in your prescription skincare over time:

• Retinoids such as tretinoin or tazarotene to boost cell turnover, treat acne and congestion and soften fine lines and photoageing.[1][2]
• Azelaic acid to calm redness, support rosacea type bumps and help with post acne marks and uneven tone.[2]
• Niacinamide to support the barrier, smooth texture and balance oil, often used alongside prescription actives to improve comfort.
• Hyaluronic acid and other humectants to attract and hold water in the outer skin layers, helping counter dryness from stronger actives.
• Hydroquinone in time limited, doctor supervised courses for melasma and other stubborn pigment, always combined with careful sun protection.[5]

FAQs

Do I have to do a phone consult?

Yes. A brief phone or video consultation with an AHPRA registered doctor is required before any prescription is issued. This is to confirm safety, discuss your goals and choose an appropriate starting strength and titration schedule.

How long until I see results?

For acne and congestion, many people see calmer, less inflamed breakouts and fewer clogged pores from around 6 to 12 weeks. Pigment and fine lines usually take longer. Melasma and other hyperpigmentation often need several months of consistent prescription skincare plus strict SPF 50 plus and sun protection to hold results.[1][2][5]

Can I use vitamin C with my prescription?

Often yes. A common pattern is vitamin C, such as an ascorbic acid serum, in the morning under sunscreen, and your prescription cream at night. If your skin is very sensitive you may choose to introduce one active at a time.

What if my skin is very sensitive?

We can adjust your strengths, change how often you use your cream, add more buffering with moisturiser or switch to alternative actives such as azelaic acid or niacinamide. Use the titration schedule, keep the rest of your routine simple and book a review if you feel your current plan is too strong.

Can I keep using my existing over the counter actives?

Sometimes, but often less is more. Using multiple exfoliating acids, scrubs or high strength retinol on top of prescription skincare can overload the barrier and increase irritation. In the first 8 weeks, most people do best with a simple routine built around their Prescription Skin cream, a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and SPF 50 plus.

Do I need to change anything for pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Yes. Some prescription ingredients, particularly retinoids and hydroquinone, are generally avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you become pregnant or are planning pregnancy, stop your prescription cream and contact us promptly. You can also read our guide on prescription skincare during pregnancy for general information.

Get started with Prescription Skin

If you have not started yet and would like a personalised plan, you can begin online in a few minutes. Many patients choose our flexible subscription option, which includes regular formula reviews, while others prefer a one off custom prescription skincare bottle to trial first.

For more detail on how our service works, pricing and what to expect, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or explore related reads such as our first 8 weeks on prescription skincare overview, men’s skincare guide and our article on hydroquinone 2 percent vs 4 percent in Australia.