Cream
Acne Cream
Triple-action topical for acne: antibiotic (clindamycin + erythromycin) and antifungal (ketoconazole). Covers bacterial and fungal acne.
Starting at $101/mo
AntioxidantBrighteningAll-in-one
Vital C5 Cream
RxPrescription onlyApplied to the skin · Once a day · Antioxidant · Brightening · All-in-one
Starting at $109/mo
Vital C5: vitamin C complex with five supporting actives for comprehensive antioxidant protection and brightening. Daily treatment and preventative.
Choose your plan
Real prices from our pharmacy. Longer plans cost less per month and are billed up front. Pause or cancel anytime.
- Vitamin C reduces hyperpigmentation and brightens
- Five-ingredient antioxidant blend protects against free radicals
- Use daily; no irritation or sun sensitivity
Every plan includes
- Personalized, physician-guided plan
- Monthly, 3-month and 6-month plans
- Dispensed by a US-licensed compounding pharmacy
- Unlimited protocol adjustments and messaging
- Ongoing support and check-ins
- Pause or cancel anytime
- Reviewed by our in-house physicians
- Physician-guided care
- Ongoing, expert support
- 100% online
- Free, discreet shipping
What is Vital C5?
(stabilized vitamin C + five-ingredient complex)
Vital C5 combines stabilized vitamin C (ascorbic acid) with four supporting antioxidants (resveratrol, green tea, ferulic acid, vitamin E) for broad-spectrum free-radical protection and brightening. It is gentler than active treatments like tretinoin or salicylic acid, making it suitable for sensitive skin and daily use. Results are cumulative over 8-12 weeks.
- How it is taken
- Applied to the skin
- How often
- Once a day
- Form
- Antioxidant · Brightening · All-in-one
Antioxidant
protection with mild brightening effect; safe for all skin types
Vitamin C is light and air-sensitive; proper storage (cool, dark container) ensures potency. Results take 8-12 weeks; most for prevention and long-term glow.
How it works,
week by week.
Week 1
Start with one or all four depending on your skin needs. All are gentle and safe to layer.
Week 2–4
Skin feels more hydrated. Subtle radiance improvements. No irritation.
Month 2–3
Fine lines appear softer. Dark circles under eyes less noticeable. Skin tone more even.
Month 3–6+
Cumulative antioxidant and peptide benefits compound. Skin appears firmer, brighter, more resilient.
What you may notice,
and when.
Improved radiance
skin brightness and clarity build over weeks
No irritation
all four are gentle enough for daily use
Firmness over time
peptides and collagen support strengthen skin
Targeted benefits
LuminEye for eyes, HydroTone for hydration, etc.
Individual results vary. Benefits reflect what Zepym Health members commonly report to their physician at check-ins; they are not the results of a clinical trial.
Safety first:
what to know before you start.
Important safety information and common side effects
All four products are gentle, non-irritating, and suitable for daily use. No sun sensitivity or downtime. Safe during pregnancy after consultation. No contraindications with other treatments. Tell your physician if you have sensitivity to any ingredient (vitamin C, peptides, etc.). These are supportive skincare, not active treatments; they complement tretinoin, acids, and other prescription options. No adverse effects reported at standard doses.
The research behind
skin brighteners.
These creams mix several actives. Azelaic acid, niacinamide, tranexamic acid, vitamin C and hydroquinone have the most human data for dark spots; the rest have little or none.
- Azelaic acidMASI -1.23 vs hydroquinone
Meta-analysis of six randomized trials with 673 people with melasma: azelaic acid lowered the melasma severity score more than hydroquinone (mean difference -1.23, 95% CI -2.05 to -0.40). The trials used 20% azelaic acid; the creams here contain 10%.
Albzea et al., Cureus 2023;15(7):e41796 - Niacinamidereduced spots vs vehicle
A moisturizer with 5% niacinamide was tested in 18 women with hyperpigmentation in a paired design. After 4 weeks, hyperpigmentation fell and skin lightness rose compared with vehicle. The 35–68% figure is from a laboratory model, not a skin result.
Hakozaki et al., Br J Dermatol 2002;147(1):20-31 - Tranexamic acid22 studies, 1,280 patients
A 2024 meta-analysis found tranexamic acid significantly reduced melasma severity, with oral use showing the largest drop; studies were highly heterogeneous. A 2019 systematic review rated it a strong recommendation.
Calacattawi et al., J Dermatolog Treat 2024; Austin et al., J Drugs Dermatol 2019
What the studies found
- Azelaic acid lowered the melasma severity score more than hydroquinone in pooled trials (mean difference -1.23 MASI; Albzea et al., Cureus 2023).
- In a paired study of 18 women, 5% niacinamide lightened hyperpigmentation vs vehicle after 4 weeks (Hakozaki et al., Br J Dermatol 2002).
- Tranexamic acid significantly reduced melasma severity across 22 studies with 1,280 patients (Calacattawi et al., J Dermatolog Treat 2024).
- A six-month trial of 5% vitamin C cream showed clinically apparent improvement in photoaged skin vs vehicle (Humbert et al., Exp Dermatol 2003).
Each cream's actives are at the strength on its label. Trial results are for the single active at the strength studied, not for the mixture. The hydroquinone creams (brightening cream and ClearTone) are prescription drugs; compounded versions were not studied.
What this does not say
- Vitamin C has a six-month double-blind trial of 5% vitamin C cream against vehicle in photoaged neck and arm skin, which reported clinically apparent improvement and a smoother skin relief (Humbert et al., Exp Dermatol 2003). It is not a melasma trial.
- We found no melasma outcome trial for hyaluronic acid, caffeine, dexpanthenol, vitamin E or resveratrol in these creams; they hydrate or support.
- Clindamycin, erythromycin and ketoconazole in the acne creams have evidence in acne, not in brightening.
- Hydroquinone carries a theoretical risk of ochronosis with long use.
The research
behind it.
Vitamin C is a proven antioxidant and brightener. Resveratrol, green tea, ferulic acid, and vitamin E multiply its antioxidant effect and stabilize the formula.
Suitable for daily use alongside any other treatment. No interaction with tretinoin, acids, or peptides when applied at different times of day.
Getting started
takes a few minutes.
- 1
Connect with a physician
Answer a few questions online and a US-licensed physician reviews your health, history and goals to make sure treatment is right for you. 100% online. No in-person visit required.
- 2
Get your discreet shipment
If approved, your treatment is compounded by a US-licensed, LegitScript-certified pharmacy, inspected for quality, and shipped discreetly to your door.
- 3
Receive continuous support
Start with one goal, then keep building over time. Unlimited physician messaging, easy refills and dose adjustments, all from the Zepym Health app.
Frequently asked questions
Contact supportHow do I use Vital C5 Cream?
Applied to the skin, once a day, in the morning. The starting prescription is 1 pump each time. Your physician sets your own dose and it is printed on your label.
What exactly is in it?
Vitamin C 5%, Niacinamide 5%, Resveratrol 1%, Vitamin E 1%, Hyaluronic Acid 0.3%.
How much arrives in each shipment?
1 tube at the starting strength, shipped to your door from a licensed US pharmacy.
Should I use Vital C5 or vitamin C serums?
Both work similarly. Serums are lighter and absorb faster; creams provide more hydration. Choose based on your skin type. Vital C5 is convenient as an all-in-one; serums are minimalist.
Can I use all four together?
Yes. Apply in order: GHK-Cu cream + Vital C5 in morning, HydroTone as hydrating layer, LuminEye under eyes. At night, use GHK-Cu again. They layer well.
Can I use these with active treatments like tretinoin?
Yes. Use actives at night; these in morning or as base layers. They support and protect your skin while tretinoin accelerates renewal.
How long before I see results?
Immediate: improved hydration and texture. At 4-8 weeks: brightening and firmness. At 12 weeks: noticeable anti-aging benefit. Results compound.
Are these sufficient anti-aging alone?
These are maintenance and support. For significant wrinkle reduction or dark spot removal, combine with active treatments (tretinoin, hydroquinone, etc.). Alone, these prevent aging and support radiance.
Vital C5 cream educational content reviewed by our physician
Scott Nass, MD Doctor of Medicine, board-certified in Family Medicine
Charles R. Drew University and David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Family Medicine residency at Ventura County Medical Center.
More options
in this area.
Cream
Acne Cream with Tretinoin
Acne treatment combining antibiotics (clindamycin/erythromycin/ketoconazole) with tretinoin for faster clearance and post-acne healing.
Starting at $101/mo
Cream
Brightening Cream
Stronger prescription cream for stubborn melasma and dark spots: hydroquinone 6% with tretinoin, hydrocortisone, kojic acid and vitamins C and E. A short course, usually up to 8 weeks.
Starting at $109/mo
Cream
Clarity Cream
Acne and post-acne formula combining azelaic acid, niacinamide, clindamycin, and tretinoin. Anti-inflammatory and cell-renewing.
Starting at $109/mo
References
- 1.Vitamin C and antioxidant stability: mechanisms and skincare delivery. Cosmet Dermatol, 2015
- 2.Peptides in moisturizers: collagen stimulation and barrier support. J Cosmet Dermatol, 2019
Prescription products require an online evaluation with a licensed medical professional who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Products are compounded by a licensed pharmacy. The FDA has not reviewed or approved compounded products for any use for safety, efficacy, or quality. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved brand-name products.