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Skin CareSkin Care

Acne treatments, pigmentation creams, topical corticosteroids and other dermatology medicines for a wide range of skin conditions make up this collection, including Accutane, Differin and Isotroin.

Accutane

Isotretinoin

5mg · 10mg · 20mg · 30mg · 40mg

Isotretinoin capsules for severe acne. The skin becomes much more sensitive to sunlight during treatment.

From$0.45/ capsuleView

Accufine

Isotretinoin

30mg

Formulated to alleviate severe acne to target deep lesions and support long-term skin clearance.

From$1.25/ capsuleView

Isotroin

Isotretinoin

10mg · 20mg · 30mg

Intended to relieve severe recalcitrant acne to support epidermal resolution and target deep follicular swelling.

From$2.07/ capsuleView

Differin

Adapalene

0.1% 15g

Adapalene cream for acne. It helps keep pores from getting blocked.

From$31.30/ tubeView

Eukroma Cream

Hydroquinone

20g

Hydroquinone cream for melasma and chloasma. It slows melanin production, the pigment behind dark patches.

From$21.30/ tubeView

Benoquin Cream

Monobenzone

20gr

Monobenzone cream for vitiligo. It removes pigment from unaffected skin so the lighter patches blend in.

From$69.38/ tubeView

Aziderm Cream

Azelaic Acid

20% 15g

Azelaic acid cream for acne vulgaris and rosacea. It works inside the pores to reduce the bacteria that cause spots.

From$25.00/ tubeView

Soolantra

Ivermectin

30g

Ivermectin cream for rosacea. It treats the condition by tackling the skin mites that often drive it.

From$23.40/ tubeView

Elocon

Mometasone Furoate

1mg 5g

Mometasone furoate ointment for eczema and psoriasis. It is a potent topical steroid that suppresses skin inflammation.

From$33.30/ tubeView

Betnovate

Betamethasone

20g

Betamethasone cream for eczema and psoriasis. It reduces the chemicals that cause inflammation in the skin.

From$9.83/ tubeView

Protopic

Tacrolimus

0.03% 10gm

Tacrolimus ointment for atopic dermatitis. It calms the skin and helps clear redness and itching.

From$27.60/ tubeView

Acticin

Permethrin

30g

Permethrin cream for scabies. A second application is usually needed to kill mites that hatch from eggs that survived the first treatment.

From$13.70/ tubeView

Vaniqa

Eflornithine

13.9% 15g

Eflornithine cream for hirsutism. It slows the growth of unwanted facial hair.

From$94.33/ tubeView

Aldara Cream

Imiquimod

5% 250mg

Imiquimod cream for actinic keratosis and genital warts. It works by triggering the body's own immune response against the affected cells.

From$12.00/ sachetView

Tazorac

Tazarotene

0.1% 15gm

Tazarotene gel for plaque psoriasis and acne. It slows the rapid buildup of skin cells.

From$24.00/ tubeView

Key points

  • Skin medicines here span acne, pigmentation, eczema, psoriasis and other diagnoses, each keeping its own route and potency rather than forming one class.
  • Acne treatment spans topical and oral medicines, with intensity matched to severity and scarring risk.
  • Topical corticosteroids are used for inflammatory skin conditions and are grouped by potency.
  • Three isotretinoin capsules (Accutane, Accufine and Isotroin) and three single-ingredient tretinoin creams are listed here for acne, alongside separate medicines for pigmentation, eczema and rosacea.

Isotretinoin, tretinoin and other acne treatments

Isotretinoin is the ingredient in Accutane, Accufine and Isotroin, listed for severe recalcitrant nodular acne. Tretinoin is listed for acne vulgaris in Retin A 0.05% and in two Tretinoin Cream strengths. Differin (adapalene), Aziderm Cream (azelaic acid) and Tazorac (tazarotene) are also listed for acne vulgaris, with Aziderm and Tazorac additionally listed for rosacea and plaque psoriasis.

Pigmentation, corticosteroid and other skin medicines

Hydroquinone is listed for melasma in Eukroma Cream and, combined with mometasone furoate and tretinoin, in Melacare Forte Cream. Benoquin Cream (monobenzone) is listed for vitiligo. Elocon and Betnovate are topical corticosteroids listed for atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema, and Protopic (tacrolimus) is a non-steroid option for atopic dermatitis. Soolantra (ivermectin) is listed for rosacea, Vaniqa (eflornithine) for hirsutism, and Aldara Cream (imiquimod) for actinic keratosis and external genital warts.

Further reading

Which skin care medicines are available on Direct Meds?

Direct Meds lists 19 skin care medicines. Together they contain 14 different active ingredients, including tretinoin, isotretinoin and hydroquinone. Examples include Retin A 0.05% and Tretinoin 0.025% Cream; all 19 medicines are listed on this page.

What conditions are skin care medicines used for?

Between them, the skin care medicines on Direct Meds are used for acne vulgaris, severe recalcitrant nodular acne, melasma, rosacea and atopic dermatitis.

What forms do skin care medicines come in?

Mostly as creams, with some capsules and ointments. The forms and strengths are listed on each product page.

How do I compare skin care medicines?

Start with the active ingredient: there are 14 different ones in this range. Products with the same active ingredients contain the same medicine. Compare their strength, form and price per unit. Each product page's details table lists uses, how quickly it works, side effects and interactions. If you take other medicines, are pregnant or have a long-term condition, check with a doctor or pharmacist first.

Will I receive branded or generic skin care medicines?

Usually a generic. Names such as Accutane and Differin identify the medicine: you receive a generic with the same active ingredient and strength. Others, such as Retin A 0.05% and Accufine, are listed under their own names; for these you receive a branded generic or generic with the same active ingredient, depending on stock.

What you will receive →

What do skin care medicines cost in rand?

Compare each medicine, strength and pack on its product page. Prices are shown in rand, converted from US dollars, so the final rand total can change with the exchange rate. Larger packs usually cost less per unit.

Payment and prices →

Can I buy skin care medicines over the counter in South Africa?

Yes, online. Direct Meds does not ask for a prescription to order skin care medicines. We are a broker, not a dispensing pharmacy. We arrange orders and delivery with our affiliated supplier on your behalf.

Ordering without a prescription →

How do I order skin care medicines for delivery in South Africa?

Choose a product, strength and pack, then check out. Our affiliated supplier delivers across South Africa. Estimated delivery is 7 days with Express Delivery, which includes online tracking, or up to 3 weeks with Regular Delivery.

How ordering works →

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