Ending your Dermatica membership made easy

About Dermatica

Dermatica is a UK-based online skincare service that provides personalised prescription treatments for common skin concerns including acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and signs of ageing. Founded in 2018, the service operates through a telemedicine model where customers complete an online consultation, receive a prescription from a qualified dermatology professional, and have custom-formulated treatments delivered directly to their door.

The service has gained popularity among UK consumers seeking professional skincare solutions without the need for in-person GP or dermatologist appointments. Dermatica creates bespoke formulations containing active ingredients such as tretinoin, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and other prescription-strength compounds tailored to individual skin needs. This means you receive treatments that would typically require a face-to-face medical consultation, all managed through their digital platform.

As a subscription-based service, Dermatica operates on a recurring payment model where treatments are dispatched regularly. Whilst this convenience appeals to many users, circumstances change, and you may find yourself needing to cancel your subscription. Understanding your rights as a consumer and the proper cancellation procedures is essential to ensure you're not charged for products you no longer wish to receive.

The company is registered at Kemp House, 160 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX, and operates under UK consumer protection laws. This means you have specific rights when it comes to cancelling subscription services, and the company must comply with regulations set out by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.

Subscription plans and pricing

Dermatica offers several subscription options designed to accommodate different treatment needs and budgets. Understanding the pricing structure is important because it affects when charges occur and how cancellation timing impacts your final payment obligations.

Standard subscription options

The service typically operates on a monthly subscription basis, though pricing and plan structures may vary depending on the specific treatment prescribed and any promotional offers available at the time of sign-up. Generally, customers can expect the following structure:

The initial consultation fee may be lower than subsequent monthly charges as an introductory offer. As a result, many customers find the first month more affordable, but it's crucial to understand that continuing the subscription means accepting the standard monthly rate going forward. This pricing structure is common among subscription services and is perfectly legal, provided the terms are clearly disclosed during sign-up.

What your subscription includes

Your monthly subscription typically covers the personalised treatment formulation, ongoing access to dermatology professionals for formula adjustments, and delivery to your UK address. Some plans may include additional consultations or check-ins to monitor progress and modify treatments as needed. Therefore, the value proposition extends beyond just the physical product to include the medical oversight component.

Understanding what you're paying for helps you make an informed decision about whether to continue or cancel. If you're no longer using the products, experiencing adverse reactions, or have found alternative treatments, cancelling promptly ensures you're not paying for services you don't need or want.

Cancellation terms and conditions

As a UK consumer, you have substantial rights when it comes to cancelling subscription services. Dermatica, like all companies operating in the United Kingdom, must comply with consumer protection legislation that governs how subscriptions can be cancelled and what notice periods apply.

Your legal rights under UK law

The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 provide you with a 14-day cooling-off period from the date you receive your first order. During this time, you have the right to cancel for any reason without penalty. This means if you've recently started with Dermatica and decide it's not suitable, you can exercise this right immediately.

Beyond the cooling-off period, your cancellation rights depend on the terms and conditions you agreed to when signing up. However, UK consumer law requires that cancellation processes must be straightforward and not unreasonably difficult. Companies cannot make it deliberately complicated to cancel, and they must process cancellations within a reasonable timeframe.

Notice periods and billing cycles

Subscription services typically require advance notice before cancellation takes effect. This notice period allows the company to process your request and prevent the next shipment and charge. For Dermatica, it's important to understand when your billing cycle renews to ensure your cancellation is processed before the next payment is taken.

In practice, giving more notice than the minimum requirement protects you from potential processing delays. If your cancellation arrives after the next billing cycle has already been processed, you may still be charged for one more month. Therefore, acting promptly is in your best interest.

Common reasons people cancel

Understanding why others cancel can help you feel confident in your decision. Common reasons include skin reactions or sensitivity to the formulation, achieving desired results and no longer needing treatment, finding the subscription cost unsustainable, switching to alternative treatments recommended by a GP, or simply no longer using the products regularly. All of these are perfectly valid reasons to cancel, and you don't need to justify your decision to exercise your consumer rights.

Why postal cancellation is most reliable

Whilst many services offer multiple cancellation methods, sending your cancellation request by post using Recorded Delivery provides the strongest legal protection and creates an indisputable paper trail. This approach is particularly valuable when dealing with subscription services where billing disputes can arise.

Legal standing of postal cancellation

A written cancellation letter sent by Recorded Delivery creates legally admissible evidence that you requested cancellation on a specific date. The Royal Mail tracking system provides independent verification that your letter was delivered to the company's registered address. This means if any dispute arises about whether you cancelled or when you cancelled, you have concrete proof that stands up to scrutiny.

Online cancellation methods, whilst convenient, can be subject to technical issues, account access problems, or claims that the request wasn't received or processed. Email confirmations can be disputed, and screenshots can be questioned. In contrast, a Recorded Delivery receipt signed by someone at the company's address provides irrefutable evidence.

Protection against billing disputes

If you're charged after cancelling, having postal proof makes it significantly easier to dispute the charge with your bank or card provider. Financial institutions take Recorded Delivery evidence seriously when processing chargeback requests. As a result, you're in a much stronger position to recover any money taken after your cancellation date.

This protection is particularly important with subscription services where automated billing systems may continue charging if cancellation isn't properly recorded in their system. Your Recorded Delivery receipt proves you fulfilled your obligation to notify the company, shifting responsibility to them to process your request correctly.

How Postclic simplifies the process

Sending formal letters by post can feel time-consuming, especially if you're unfamiliar with proper formatting or concerned about getting the address details correct. Postclic is a service that helps UK consumers send tracked cancellation letters without visiting the post office. You provide your cancellation details digitally, and Postclic handles the printing, posting, and tracking on your behalf.

The benefits include saving time by avoiding post office queues, ensuring your letter is professionally formatted and includes all necessary information, receiving digital proof of postage and delivery, and having tracking information accessible online. Whilst you can certainly send cancellation letters yourself, services like Postclic offer convenience for those who value having the administrative work handled professionally.

How to cancel Dermatica by post

Cancelling your Dermatica subscription by post involves several straightforward steps. Following this process carefully ensures your cancellation is processed correctly and you have the evidence needed if any issues arise.

Preparing your cancellation letter

Your cancellation letter should be clear, concise, and include specific information that identifies your account and states your intention unambiguously. Include your full name exactly as it appears on your Dermatica account, your account email address or customer number, your delivery address, and a clear statement that you wish to cancel your subscription immediately.

You should also request written confirmation of your cancellation and specify that you do not wish to receive any further deliveries or charges. Including the date on your letter is essential as it establishes when you submitted your cancellation request. Keep your language professional and factual—there's no need to explain why you're cancelling unless you choose to provide feedback.

Addressing your letter correctly

Ensuring your letter reaches the correct destination is crucial. Send your cancellation letter to Dermatica's registered office address:

• Kemp House, 160 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX

Double-check that you've written the address exactly as shown, including the postcode. An incorrectly addressed letter may be delayed or returned, potentially causing your cancellation to be processed late and resulting in additional charges.

Using Recorded Delivery

Always send your cancellation letter using Royal Mail Recorded Delivery. This service costs a few pounds but provides tracking and proof of delivery, which is invaluable if disputes arise. When you send by Recorded Delivery, you receive a reference number that allows you to track your letter's progress online.

Most importantly, you receive confirmation when your letter is delivered, including the date and time, and often the signature of the person who received it. This creates an audit trail that proves your cancellation was received by the company. Keep your Recorded Delivery receipt and tracking information for at least six months after cancellation.

Timeline and what to expect

After posting your cancellation letter, it typically takes 1-2 working days for Recorded Delivery to reach London addresses. Once received, Dermatica should process your cancellation within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 5-10 working days. You should not be charged for any billing cycles that begin after your cancellation letter was delivered.

If you don't receive confirmation within two weeks of your letter being delivered, you should follow up. Your Recorded Delivery tracking information proves they received your request, so they cannot legitimately claim they never got it. In practice, this proof usually resolves any processing delays quickly.

What to do if problems arise

If you continue to be charged after your cancellation letter was delivered, you have several options. First, contact Dermatica directly, referencing your Recorded Delivery tracking number and delivery date as proof of your cancellation. Most issues are resolved at this stage once you provide evidence.

If charges continue, contact your bank or card provider to dispute the transactions. Provide them with your Recorded Delivery evidence, which supports your claim that you cancelled the subscription. Under UK payment regulations, you may be entitled to a refund of charges taken after your cancellation date.

For persistent problems, you can report the issue to Citizens Advice Consumer Service, which can provide guidance and potentially escalate the matter. As a last resort, you may consider a chargeback through your card provider or a claim through the small claims court, though this is rarely necessary when you have solid postal evidence.

Customer reviews and tips

Learning from others' experiences helps you navigate the cancellation process more effectively and avoid common pitfalls. Customer feedback about Dermatica and subscription cancellations reveals several useful insights.

Common experiences with cancellation

Many customers report that cancelling Dermatica is straightforward when done correctly with proper documentation. Those who sent cancellation requests by Recorded Delivery generally had positive experiences, with their subscriptions ending as requested and no further charges applied. This reinforces the importance of using a tracked postal method that creates verifiable proof.

Some customers have reported confusion about billing cycles and when cancellations take effect. This typically occurs when cancellation requests are sent too close to the renewal date, resulting in one additional charge. Therefore, timing your cancellation well in advance of your next billing date is crucial to avoid this situation.

Tips from consumer rights specialists

Based on years of helping consumers with subscription cancellations, several best practices emerge. Always act promptly once you've decided to cancel—delaying only increases the risk of additional charges. Send your cancellation by Recorded Delivery regardless of whether other methods are available, as this provides the strongest legal protection.

Keep copies of everything, including your cancellation letter, Recorded Delivery receipt, tracking information, and any correspondence with the company. Photograph or scan these documents and store them digitally as well as keeping physical copies. This documentation is your insurance policy if problems arise.

Check your bank statements carefully for at least two billing cycles after cancellation to ensure charges have stopped. If you spot any unauthorized charges, dispute them immediately whilst the transactions are still recent. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to recover money.

Understanding your ongoing rights

Even after cancellation, you retain certain consumer rights. If you were charged incorrectly after cancelling, you have the right to a refund. If you experienced problems with the service or products before cancelling, you may have grounds for compensation depending on the circumstances.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires that services must be performed with reasonable care and skill. If your Dermatica treatments caused unexpected problems that weren't adequately addressed, or if the service failed to meet the standards you were promised, you may have additional claims beyond simple cancellation. Seeking advice from Citizens Advice can help you understand whether you have grounds for compensation.

Moving forward after cancellation

Once your Dermatica subscription is successfully cancelled, ensure you've received written confirmation and that your final statement shows no future charges scheduled. If you achieved positive results with Dermatica but are cancelling for financial reasons, you might discuss with your GP whether any of the active ingredients could be prescribed through the NHS, potentially at lower cost.

If you're cancelling due to skin reactions or lack of results, consulting with your GP or a dermatologist about alternative approaches is advisable. Your experience with Dermatica, even if ultimately unsuccessful, provides valuable information about how your skin responds to certain ingredients, which can guide future treatment decisions.

Remember that cancelling a subscription service is your right as a consumer, and you should never feel pressured to continue a service that no longer meets your needs. By following the postal cancellation process with Recorded Delivery, you protect yourself legally and financially whilst exercising your consumer rights with confidence. The small investment in tracked postage provides peace of mind and legal protection that far outweighs the minimal cost involved.