Key takeaways:
Many dermatology medications aren’t covered by insurance, especially when they’re used for cosmetic concerns.
It’s common to self-pay for dermatology medications that treat wrinkles, hair loss, or skin discoloration. Prescription treatments for rosacea, droopy eyelids, and toenail fungus may also have limited coverage or high out-of-pocket costs.
GoodRx discounts, manufacturer savings programs, and lower-cost generics can help lower your out-of-pocket costs. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare team if you’re having trouble accessing your medication at an affordable price.
Save on related medications
Dermatology medications can treat a wide range of conditions, from acne to hair loss. But many of these treatments are considered cosmetic (for appearances only). This means that they’re less likely to be covered by prescription insurance plans.
If your insurance doesn’t cover a dermatology medication, there are ways to help lower the cost. Below, we’ll cover common self-pay dermatology medications and ways to save on these prescriptions.
1. How to save on topical retinoids for anti-aging
Topical retinoids can help reduce fine lines and improve uneven skin tone. Some are FDA approved for this, but others are prescribed off-label. Insurance plans are less likely to cover off-label prescriptions. And anti-aging isn’t typically seen as a medical need. So it’s common to self-pay for topical retinoids.
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This chart shows common prescription retinoids that may not be covered by insurance, their average cash price, and how to save on their cost. Note that in some cases, brand-name Retin-A may be more affordable than the generic version. Be sure to tell your prescriber and pharmacy if you prefer a brand-name product — they may need to adjust how your prescription is written and filled.
Medication name: | Average cash price | GoodRx low price | Other ways to save |
|---|---|---|---|
Tretinoin (Retin-A) | |||
• Retin-A 0.01% gel, 45 g | $81.36 | ||
• Retin-A 0.025% gel, 45 g | $73.05 | ||
• Retin-A 0.025% cream, 45 g | $73.05 | ||
• Retin-A 0.05% cream, 45 g | $73.05 | ||
• Retin-A 0.1% cream, 45 g | $73.05 | ||
• Tretinoin 0.01% gel, 45 g | $181.40 | ||
• Tretinoin 0.025% gel, 45 g | $185.46 | ||
• Tretinoin 0.025% cream, 45 g | $97.18 | ||
• Tretinoin 0.05% cream, 45 g | $123.24 | ||
• Tretinoin 0.1% cream, 45 g | $136.99 | ||
Tretinoin micro (Retin-A micro) | As little as $25 each for brand-name Retin-A Micro 0.06% and 0.08% gel pump with a manufacturer copay card | ||
• Tretinoin micro 0.04% gel, 45 g | $542.96 | ||
• Tretinoin micro, 0.1% gel, 45 g | $524.31 | ||
Tretinoin emollient (Renova) | |||
• Renova 0.02% cream, 40 g | $324.56 | ||
• Refissa (branded generic) 0.05% cream, 40 g | $278.97 | ||
Tazarotene (Tazorac) | As little as $125 per tube for brand-name Tazorac with a manufacturer savings card | ||
• Tazarotene 0.05% cream, 30 g | $462.58 | ||
• Tazarotene 0.05% gel, 30 g | $419.68 | ||
• Tazarotene 0.1% cream, 30 g | $179.15 | ||
• Tazarotene 0.1% gel, 30 g | $472.90 | ||
Adapalene (Differin) | |||
• Adapalene 0.3% gel, 45 g | $271.20 | ||
• Adapalene 0.1% cream, 45 g | $178.53 | ||
• Adapalene 0.1% gel, 45 g | $102.53 | ||
• OTC Differin 0.1% gel | $31.45 |
Keep in mind: To use a GoodRx discount on over-the-counter (OTC) Differin, you’ll need a prescription for the form you use from a healthcare professional.
2. How to save on hair-loss medications
Medications that treat hair loss are also often considered cosmetic. In many cases, you’ll need to self-pay for these medications.
The chart below shows common prescription medications for hair loss that may not be covered by insurance, their average cash price, and how to save on their cost.
Medication name: | Average cash price | GoodRx low price | Other ways to save |
|---|---|---|---|
Finasteride (Propecia) 1 mg 30 tablets | $45.37 | Pay as little as $16 per month for finasteride with GoodRx for Hair Loss | |
*Dutasteride (Avodart) 0.5 mg, 30 capsules | $167.31 | ||
Minoxidil 5% foam 60 g | $24.36 | ||
Minoxidil 5% liquid 60 mL | $26.84 | ||
Minoxidil 2% liquid 60 mL | $14.87 | ||
*Minoxidil tablets 2.5 mg, 30 tablets | $13.99 | Pay as little as $20 per month for oral minoxidil with GoodRx for Hair Loss |
*Off-label use
Keep in mind: To use a GoodRx discount on OTC minoxidil products, you’ll need a prescription for the form you use from a healthcare professional.
3. Eyelash growth and droopy eyelids
Two unique cosmetic medications are Latisse (bimatoprost) for eyelash growth and Upneeq (oxymetazoline) for drooping eyelids. These are often self-pay dermatology medications, since their use is cosmetic instead of medical. But there are still ways to reduce the cost of these treatments, as shown in this chart.
Medication name | Average cash price | GoodRx low price | Other ways to save |
|---|---|---|---|
Bimatoprost 0.03% 5 mL | $186.06 | ||
Upneeq 0.1% 30 single-use vials | $267.35 | N/A | As low as $139.50 for 30 vials with a subscription service through the manufacturer |
4. Rosacea
Many prescription treatments for rosacea are covered by insurance. This is especially true for older medications with lower-cost generics, such as metronidazole gel (Metrogel) and azelaic acid (Finacea).
But newer rosacea medications are less likely to have insurance coverage or may have a higher copay than expected. Thankfully, many of these products have savings programs or other ways to reduce your cost. The chart below shows the average cash price of common self-pay rosacea medications along with ways to save.
Medication name | Average cash price | GoodRx low price | Other ways to save |
Rhofade (oxymetazoline) 1% cream, 30 g | $867.51 | $150 (exclusive GoodRx savings) | Pay as little as $0 per month (with commercial insurance coverage) or $50 per month (if coverage is denied) with a coupon card from the manufacturer |
Zilxi (minocycline) 1.5% foam, 30 g | $610.20 | Pay as little as $25 per month (with insurance coverage) with a copay card from the manufacturer | |
Soolantra (ivermectin) 1% cream, 45 g | Pay as little as $20 for brand-name Soolantra (with insurance coverage) using a copay card from the manufacturer | ||
Ivermectin 1% cream, 45 g | $309.96 | ||
Brimonidine (Mirvaso) 0.33% gel pump, 30 g | $457.50 |
5. Hyperpigmentation and melasma
Several topical prescription medications can help with skin discoloration due to conditions such as melasma or hyperpigmentation. Treating dark sports or skin discoloration is generally considered cosmetic, since these conditions typically aren’t harmful. So it’s common for insurance to deny coverage for these medications.
This chart shows common prescription medications for skin discoloration that may not be covered by insurance, their average cash price, and how to save on their cost.
Medication name | Average cash price | GoodRx low price | Other ways to save |
|---|---|---|---|
Hydroquinone 4% cream 28.35 g | $68.39 | ||
Tri-Luma (fluocinolone / hydroquinone / tretinoin) 0.05% cream 30 g | $296.58 | As low as $20 with insurance and $90 without insurance per tube with a manufacturer discount card | |
Finacea (azelaic acid) 15% foam 50 g | As low as $30 per can of brand-name Finacea foam with a manufacturer copay card | ||
Azeleic acid 15% gel 50 g | $236.38 |
6. Topical nail antifungals
Topical liquid medications can help treat toenail fungus. But they aren’t as effective as oral options. So your insurance may not cover them.
The chart below shows common topical nail antifungals that may not be covered by insurance, their average cash price, and how to save on their cost.
Medication name | Average cash price | GoodRx low price | Other ways to save |
|---|---|---|---|
Ciclopirox (generic Penlac) 8% solution, 6.6 mL | $77.58 | ||
Ciclodan (ciclopirox) 8% solution, 6.6 mL | $471.14 | ||
Jublia (efinaconazole) 10% solution, 4 mL | $976.21 | A little as $0 per month with a manufacturer copay card (with insurance coverage) or patient assistance program (without insurance coverage) | |
Tavaborole (Kerydin) 5% solution, 10 mL | $1226.00 |
Other ways to save
If you’re still having trouble accessing your dermatology medication at an affordable price, here are some other things to try:
Consider GoodRx Companion: You can access over 250 medications for free and hundreds more for under $10 per month with a GoodRx Companion subscription. This program also includes benefits to help you cut your other self-pay costs, such as lower prices for telehealth, discounts on dental care, and other healthcare savings.
Compare pharmacy prices: Out-of-pocket prices can differ between pharmacies, even within the same area. GoodRx can help you compare prices and transfer your prescription to a more affordable location if needed.
Ask your prescriber for an alternative: There may be a different medication for your condition or an OTC option that’s more affordable or more likely to be covered by your insurance.
The bottom line
Many dermatology medications aren’t covered by insurance. This is especially true when they’re used for cosmetic concerns such as wrinkles, hair loss, or skin discoloration. Treatments for conditions such as rosacea and toenail fungus may also have limited coverage or high out-of-pocket costs.
If you need to self-pay for dermatology medications, there are ways to lower your cost. GoodRx discounts, manufacturer savings cards, and lower-cost generic options can help you save money. There may also be more affordable options for your condition, so don’t hesitate to talk to your healthcare team if you’re having trouble accessing your medication at an affordable price.
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References
Bausch Health. (n.d.). Eligible Bausch Health medications.
Finacea. (n.d.). Save with LEO Pharma Connect.
Galderma CareConnect. (n.d.). The patient savings program for adults.
Journey Medical. (2022). Start saving on Zilxy today.
Mayne Pharma. (2025). Eligibility criteria.
National Rosacea Society. (2026). New review highlights disparities in insurance coverage for topical rosacea therapies.
Ortho Dermatologics. (n.d.). Rx access program.
Tazorac. (2026). East, affordable access to Almirall’s Tazorac (tazarotene) cream 0.05%, 0.1%. Almirall.
Upneeq. (n.d.). Upneeq. RVL Pharmaceuticals.
