Personalised Skincare: Compounded Medication and Confidence
Summer weather and social media trends are intensifying pressure on UK adults with a skin condition, finds new Roseway Labs research, but compounded medication can give patients a alternative route to skin confidence, writes Elizabeth Philp, CEO and Co-Founder, Roseway Labs
As the days grow longer and temperatures rise, many welcome the start of summer. But for millions with skin conditions, the season brings new pressures, with heat, sun and allergens fuelling flare-ups and undermining summer confidence.
Summer weather and social media beauty ideals fuelling skin anxiety
We surveyed 2,000 UK adults living with a skin condition – including psoriasis, eczema or rosacea – and found 76% feel more anxious about their skin in summer.
Our research also revealed that 77% – around 27 million Brits – feel that viral social media trends, such as the Korean beauty ideal of ‘glass-like skin’, have heightened pressure to achieve flawless skin.
This was even more apparent among younger generations, with 85% of millennials and 93% of Gen Z respondents feeling impacted, rising to 94% among female Gen Z, highlighting a particularly strong influence on young women. Worryingly, 79% of adults with a current skin condition said they had tried off-the-shelf or GP-prescribed treatments that proved ineffective.
How compounded medication could help support skin confidence
Unlike standard skincare treatments, compounded medication – such as creams, ointments or gels – is custom-made to suit an individual’s needs, helping to manage seasonal flare-ups and support greater confidence in their skin.
At Roseway Labs, we work closely with private prescribers and dermatologists to create compounded formulations for a range of skin conditions, including acne, disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP), hyperpigmentation, psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and scarring.
This personalised approach means treatments are tailored to a patient’s specific skin type, needs, and sensitivities – including allergies. Compounded medication allows us to create formulations containing only the necessary active ingredients while excluding those commonly found in standard treatments that could trigger adverse reactions.
By reducing the risk of unwanted side effects, personalised skincare makes it easier for patients to stay on track with treatment plans and experience more effective, lasting relief.
Creating greater choice for patients
Many people with a skin condition wait years – sometimes decades – for an accurate diagnosis, often experiencing ongoing discomfort and growing frustration.
When treatments then fail to work, it’s not only physical symptoms that persist – the emotional toll of disappointment and diminished confidence can deepen too.
Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin and enjoy a good quality of life. Greater access to personalised, compounded treatments can have a life-changing impact – reducing anxiety, easing symptoms, and allowing patients to focus more on what they love.
Real-world impact: patients finding confidence again
One skin condition that often worsens in summer is disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP), which can cause light sensitivity, itchiness, and visible lesions.
One of our patients, Bridie Hill, a retiree and grandmother from Merseyside, lived with DSAP symptoms for decades, often dismissed or misdiagnosed with eczema and psoriasis.
After starting on a compounded cream tailored to her needs just a month ago, she has already noticed a significant improvement – with her previously flared, scaly skin on arms and legs becoming calmer and smoother. While the British Association of Dermatologists notes that there is no cure for DSAP, Bridie’s personalised cream has helped lighten the appearance of her lesions, making them easier to conceal and improving her comfort and confidence.
Similarly, 49-year-old Kirsty Robertson also struggled for years before receiving a correct diagnosis. She was initially advised to avoid the sun entirely, leading her to constantly cover up and even carry an umbrella on sunny days to feel secure. Before finding treatment at Roseway Labs, she tried a range of ineffective over-the-counter remedies, including wart treatments aimed at freezing off lesions. Kirsty describes her compounded treatment as transformative, helping her regain both physical comfort and emotional ease.
The future of skincare: expanding access to compounded treatments
Currently, compounded medication in the UK is accessed via a private doctor’s prescription. As we continue to see the difference personalised treatments can make – easing symptoms and restoring confidence in patients with conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis and more – it’s clear that greater awareness and wider access are crucial.
At Roseway Labs, we are committed to expanding access to compounded medication, working closely with dermatologists and private prescribers across the UK.
But compounded treatments are not just limited to dermatology. We also offer personalised options in areas such as women’s and men’s health, haircare, gut health, sleep, longevity, wellness and more – providing patients tailored support across every aspect of their health journey.
Personalised medicine is already transforming outcomes for people of all ages and genders – offering more effective solutions, rebuilding confidence, and improving quality of life. As compounding becomes better understood and more accessible, we hope even more patients will come to us to experience the powerful difference it can make.
The research was conducted by Opinion Matters on behalf of Roseway Labs among a sample of 2,000 UK adults with a current skin condition between 21.03.25 and 25.03.25.