Skin conditions
Acne (mild)
The skincare aisle promises everything and explains nothing. For mild acne, an Ontario pharmacist can now do what the aisle cannot: assess your actual skin, grade the severity honestly, and either start a proper treatment plan or refer you before scarring becomes the price of waiting. Murray Shore Pharmacy has served North York families since 1983, and acne visits here are unhurried and judgement-free.
Common signs
- Blackheads and whiteheads clustered on the forehead, nose, or chin
- Small red bumps, some with white centres, scattered on the face
- Oily skin, especially through the T-zone
- Breakouts that flare with stress, sweat, or certain products
- Occasional spots on the chest, shoulders, or back
See a doctor instead if
- Deep, painful lumps or cysts under the skin, which mean moderate to severe acne needing a physician
- Scarring or dark marks left behind as spots heal
- Acne appearing suddenly with irregular periods or excess hair growth, which needs hormonal workup
- Acne that started after a new medication
- Significant distress or skin picking, where earlier physician involvement helps
Any of these sound like you? Call 416-789-1800 and we will point you the right way — or reach Health811 (opens in a new tab) by calling 811.
How the assessment works
The pharmacist looks at your skin, counts the types of lesions present, since comedones, red papules, and deep nodules each say something different, and asks what you have tried and for how long. Mild acne stays with us: a topical treatment may be prescribed where appropriate, alongside a stripped-down routine that will not sabotage it. Anything moderate or severe, or already scarring, is referred promptly, because those cases have a real deadline. OHIP covers the assessment.
Source 1Three ways to get started. Do it all from home, or come in.
Start online from your phone, call us, or walk in and ask for the pharmacist. No appointment is needed. When you start online, a pharmacist calls or messages you back to finish the assessment. Prefer email? Write to us.
Frequently asked questions
Plain answers from the pharmacy team. Tap a question to open it.
How do you decide whether my acne is mild or needs a doctor?
Mainly by lesion type and extent: blackheads, whiteheads, and a modest number of small red bumps point to mild acne, while deep painful nodules, widespread involvement, or any scarring pushes it to a physician. The grading takes minutes and you get a straight answer.
My teenager will not talk to a doctor about their skin. Can they see the pharmacist alone?
Teens are welcome, and many find a pharmacy counter conversation far less intimidating than a clinic. A parent can be present or nearby, whichever your teen prefers, and the consultation happens in a private area.
I have tried every cleanser at the drugstore. What would an assessment change?
Cleansers are not acne treatment. The assessment identifies which lesion types you have and matches an actual treatment to them, plus flags the products in your routine that may be clogging pores or stripping the skin into rebound oiliness.
Will you tell me to stop wearing makeup?
No. We will talk through non-comedogenic choices and removal habits that coexist with treatment. A plan you will not follow is a useless plan, and we build around your real life.
How soon should I come back after starting treatment?
We typically book a follow-up several weeks in, because skin turnover is slow and judging too early leads people to quit right before improvement shows. The follow-up is where we adjust, continue, or refer.
What should I bring to the assessment?
Your health card, a list of medications and supplements, and the names of the skincare and acne products you currently use. Photos of how your skin looks on a bad week can help if today happens to be a clear day.
Do I need an appointment?
No, walk in during pharmacy hours, or call 416-789-1800 if you or your teen would prefer a quieter time of day. The consultation itself happens in a private area.
Is the assessment covered by OHIP?
Yes, the assessment is free with a valid Ontario health card, for teens and adults alike. Products are a separate purchase.
Is this only for teenagers, or can adults be assessed?
Adults are welcome, and adult acne is common. The assessment is the same, with attention to adult patterns and possible triggers such as new medications, which sometimes point to a physician referral instead.
What can I do day to day to support the plan?
Keep the routine simple: a gentle cleanser twice daily, a non-comedogenic moisturizer, and hands off the spots, since picking drives scarring. Consistency matters far more than adding extra products.
What other conditions can the pharmacist assess?
Acne is one of many minor ailments covered by the Ontario program, from skin conditions to headaches and heartburn. Browse the full list of pharmacist services to see what can be handled without a doctor's appointment.
Sources & further reading
Numbered references, linked from the sections above.
Your pharmacist is one call away.
416-789-1800 Call nowPrefer not to call? Email info@murrayshore.com or visit us at Bathurst & Baycrest.