Acne
The Complete Guide to Prescription Skin Care for Women in Singapore
6
Min Read
For a comprehensive guide to prescription skin care in Singapore, see our complete guide.
Last medically reviewed: April 15, 2026
Medically reviewed by Dr. Kevin Chua, Medical Director
Disclaimer: This article provides general medical information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a licensed doctor before starting any treatment.
It's a Tuesday evening. Your jawline has broken out again — two days before your period, exactly on schedule. You've been using the same OTC spot treatment for six months and it's doing nothing. You know you need something stronger, but booking a dermatologist means a two-week wait and S$200+ before you've even seen a prescription.
That gap — between knowing what you need and being able to access it — is what zoey™ is built for.
zoey™ is an MOH-compliant telehealth platform that connects Singaporean women with SMC-registered doctors who can assess, prescribe, and arrange delivery of medical-grade skin care. No clinic visit. No specialist wait times. This guide explains how it works, what you can get, and what separates it from a GP drop-in or a Dermatologist referral.
zoey™ is well-suited to women who:
It is not the right path if you have: - Rapidly changing or suspicious skin lesions (require physical examination) - Active skin infections or inflammatory conditions needing hands-on assessment - Severe cystic acne likely to require isotretinoin (specialist oversight is necessary) - Conditions requiring biopsy or procedural diagnosis
When in doubt, your zoey™ doctor can help you determine whether online or in-person care is appropriate.
You complete a structured medical questionnaire covering:
Be thorough. A better questionnaire produces a better prescription. Don't understate symptoms or omit products you're currently using.
You'll submit clear, well-lit photos — typically front-facing and both profiles. These let your doctor visually assess your skin condition: acne type and distribution, pigmentation pattern, skin texture, and any relevant features.
Tips for useful photos: - Natural or ring-light lighting; avoid harsh direct flash - No makeup, filters, or heavy colour correction - If showing acne: photographs in the morning before cleansing often capture the skin more accurately - If showing pigmentation: neutral indoor lighting works well
An SMC-registered doctor reviews your questionnaire and photos, assesses your suitability for treatment, and determines a personalised prescription. This is a genuine clinical review — not a checkbox algorithm.
Typical turnaround: 1–2 business days.
You receive: - A personalised prescription for your recommended treatments - A clear routine — exactly what to apply, when, and in what order - Guidance on what to expect, including the adjustment phase for retinoids - Instructions on when to contact your doctor
Medications are dispensed by a licensed pharmacy and delivered to your address.
Progress monitoring is built in. If you're not responding as expected, or experiencing significant side effects, your doctor can adjust your prescription without requiring a new consultation from scratch.
| Treatment | Available via zoey™ | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tretinoin (0.025–0.1%) | ✓ | The most common starting prescription |
| Adapalene | ✓ | Gentler retinoid; good for sensitive skin |
| Topical clindamycin | ✓ | For inflammatory acne |
| Azelaic acid (15–20%) | ✓ | Acne, PIH, rosacea, melasma |
| Hydroquinone (2–4%) | ✓ | Melasma and persistent dark spots |
| Oral doxycycline | ✓ | Moderate inflammatory acne |
| Spironolactone | ✓ (case-by-case) | Hormonal acne; requires suitability assessment |
| Oral contraceptive pill | ✓ (case-by-case) | Hormonal acne with contraception intent |
| Isotretinoin (Accutane) | ✗ | Requires specialist dermatologist oversight |
| Factor | zoey™ Online | Dermatologist Clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Wait time for review | Same day to 2 business days | 1–4 weeks |
| Consultation fee | Included with prescription | S$150–350+ |
| Physical examination | Not possible | Yes |
| Procedural treatments | Not available | Available |
| Isotretinoin | Referral only | Yes (dermatologist) |
| Best suited to | Mild-to-moderate concerns; ongoing management | Complex, severe, or treatment-resistant cases |
zoey™ is not a replacement for dermatological care in complex cases. It's a first-access layer for the majority of women with manageable skin concerns who shouldn't need a specialist appointment just to start an evidence-based retinoid.
Singapore's Ministry of Health guidelines for telemedicine require that:
zoey™ operates within these requirements. Every prescription is reviewed and signed by a registered doctor, and your clinical record is maintained through the platform.
Weeks 2–6 are often the adjustment phase — expect some dryness, peeling, and possible purging. This is a normal part of how tretinoin works. Resist the urge to stop. For a full guide to managing the adjustment period, see the tretinoin guide.
Results build slowly — most women see meaningful clearing at month 3–4, not week 2. Your doctor will want to know about any dizziness or menstrual changes. See the spironolactone guide.
Contact your doctor through the zoey™ platform if: - You experience severe or unexpected side effects - Skin worsens significantly beyond week 6 without improvement - You become pregnant or plan to (several actives are contraindicated) - You start new medications or have relevant health changes
| Medication | Approximate Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Tretinoin cream 0.025–0.05% | S$15–30 |
| Topical clindamycin 1% | S$15–25 |
| Azelaic acid 20% | S$20–35 |
| Hydroquinone 4% | S$20–40 |
| Oral doxycycline (30 days) | S$15–30 |
| Spironolactone (30 days) | S$20–45 |
| Typical starter plan (tretinoin + routine guidance) | From S$35/month |
For a detailed cost comparison between prescription treatments and OTC alternatives, see the skin care cost guide.
Prices approximate. Updated April 2026.
Every case is reviewed by an SMC-registered doctor. Singapore's MOH telemedicine guidelines require genuine clinical review before prescribing. This is not an automated product recommendation system.
Contact your zoey™ doctor through the platform immediately. They can adjust your prescription, advise a temporary pause, or refer you for in-person assessment if needed. Do not stop abruptly without guidance if you're on oral medications like spironolactone.
Yes — including prescribing topical retinoids, topical antibiotics, spironolactone (assessed for suitability), and discussing whether the OCP is appropriate. For a full overview, see the hormonal acne treatment guide.
Clear, well-lit, unfiltered photos of your face — front and both profiles. No makeup. The better your photos, the more accurate the assessment. Your doctor may request additional angles if needed.
Inform your doctor of any possibility. Several prescription skin care actives — including tretinoin and spironolactone — are contraindicated in pregnancy. Safe alternatives exist, and your doctor will build a pregnancy-safe routine if appropriate.
→ Return to pillar: Complete Guide to Prescription Skin Care for Women
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed doctor before starting any treatment.
Articles featured on Zoey are for informational purposes only and should not be constituted as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. If you're looking for a healthcare provider, click here.
