Starting Prescription Skin means your formula is crafted for your skin by an AHPRA-registered doctor, compounded fresh, and express-posted. Before any prescription is issued, a brief phone consultation is required to confirm suitability and plan your titration. Your booklet includes important instructions — this guide brings it all together so you know what to do and when.
Before you begin: what to have ready (Week 0)
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Patch test: Apply a small amount behind the ear and monitor for 24 hours. If irritation occurs, wash off and get in contact with your GP for advice.
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Read the CMIs: Review the Consumer Medicine Information for each ingredient in your formula before you start. You can find the QR code to the ingredient CMIs in your Prescription Skin booklet, which will come with your order.
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Baseline photos: natural light, front and both sides.
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Core products: a gentle cleanser, moisturiser, SPF 50+ every morning.
Helpful reads: Retinoids, Azelaic acid, Niacinamide
The booklet titration schedule (how often to use your cream)
Follow the titration guide on page 7 exactly — it’s designed to maximise results while protecting your barrier:
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Week 1: apply once every 5 days
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Week 2: apply once every 4 days
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Weeks 3–4: apply once every 3 days
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Weeks 5–6: apply every second day
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Week 7+ (thereafter): apply daily (as tolerated)
If you develop persistent dryness, flaking or redness, pause for ~3 days, increase moisturiser, then resume at the last comfortable frequency. (See titration and care notes in the booklet, pp.6–7.) Track applications and how your skin feels in the progress diary (pp.8–10).
Week 1: settle in, go slow
What to do
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Use your custom prescription skincare exactly as directed in the titration guide. Follow the once-every-5-days cadence.
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Sandwich with moisturiser if advised (moisturiser → prescription → moisturiser).
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AM: cleanse, SPF 50+. PM: cleanse, Prescription Skin (on schedule), moisturiser.
What you may notice
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Mild tightness or dryness is common as skin adjusts.
Week 2: mild dryness or flaking = normal
What to do
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Move to once-every-4-days, as per the titration schedule.
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Add hyaluronic acid under moisturiser on off-nights if you feel dry.
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Avoid harsh scrubs, new actives, or scented oils.
What you may notice
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Some flaking around nose/mouth or a few new spots (“purging” with retinoids) can appear.
Week 3: consistency beats intensity
What to do
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If comfortable, you can increase the frequency to once every 3 days, as per the titration schedule.
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Spot buffer sensitive areas (corners of nose/mouth) with moisturiser first.
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Keep SPF 50+ daily—non-negotiable, especially for melasma/hyperpigmentation.
What you may notice
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Texture may feel a touch smoother; redness should be manageable with moisturiser/niacinamide.
Week 4: mini check-in
What to do
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Review your progress photos.
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If irritation is persistent (stingy, hot, peeling), reduce frequency and take at least 3 days off from using the cream. If you feel you aren't tolerating your formula, get in contact.
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Consider adding azelaic acid on mornings or off-nights for tone and redness (if your prescription plan allows).
What you may notice
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Early changes in tone/texture; deeper pigmentation needs longer.
Week 5–6: visible changes for many concerns
What to do
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Maintain frequency that keeps you comfortable (not maximum strength at all costs). The titration guide increases to applying your Prescription Skin every second day, if tolerated.
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Introduce a very gentle exfoliant only if recommended by your clinician.
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Keep hydrating layers simple: cleanser → moisturiser → SPF.
What you may notice
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Fewer clogged pores and breakouts; early softening of fine lines; PIH (dark marks) may fade gradually.
Week 7–8: consolidate gains
What to do
- If you are tolerating your Prescription Skin well, you can now increase to using the cream every day. If irritation arises, drop back to every second day for another week or two.
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Stick with the schedule that works; your doctor may step up strength/frequency at follow-up.
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Keep SPF 50+ strict to help maintain results, especially for melasma.
What you may notice
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Smoother texture, more even tone. Pigmentation conditions continue to improve beyond 8–12 weeks with consistency.
When to contact us sooner
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Burning, swelling, or a rash that doesn’t settle with moisturiser
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Worsening redness that makes application uncomfortable
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New pregnancy or breastfeeding (treatment may need to change)
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Eye or lip irritation despite buffering
Ingredient spotlights
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Retinoids (tretinoin/tazarotene): boost cell turnover; great for acne, texture, fine lines.
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Azelaic acid: calms redness, helps with acne and PIH; well-tolerated.
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Niacinamide: supports the barrier and oil balance.
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Hyaluronic acid: attracts water to keep skin hydrated and comfortable.
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Hydroquinone: doctor-supervised, time-limited courses.
FAQs
Do I have to do a phone consult?
Yes. A brief phone consultation with an AHPRA-registered doctor is required before prescribing.
How long until I see results?
Often 6–12 weeks for texture and breakouts. Pigmentation concerns usually need longer and strict sun protection.
Can I use vitamin C (ascorbic acid) with my prescription?
Often yes (usually AM), but follow your personalised plan.
What if my skin is very sensitive?
We can adjust strength, add buffers, or switch to alternative actives—message us.
Get started
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