Hallie Bing's skin transformation with Curology

Meet our supercool friend Hallie Bingaman, aka @halliebing. Besides her artistic talent and killer Instagram aesthetic, we love her because of how bravely she’s shared her Curology journey from painful cystic acne to clear skin, becoming a vibrant and supportive member of our community in the process. So we invited Hallie to visit us in San Diego, California — all the way from Fort Worth, Texas, where she lives with her cat, Potato — to share her 100% authentic acne-defeating success story with you on Facebook Live.

Full disclosure: we didn’t pay Hallie to give us this glowing endorsement (although we did cover her travel costs to come visit us). We’re so grateful for her just being herself!

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

When did you first start to see results?

Hallie Bing: “I had really, really difficult cystic acne and textured, hyperpigmented skin. After two weeks, I saw my first major progress: my skin was COMPLETELY smooth, which was freaking amazing. I looked in the mirror and touched my skin… and started crying! It was an amazing moment. I had always felt bumps and blisters and texture and broken skin, so to feel smooth skin was incredible.

Three months later, I had actually clear skin: barely any redness, and no acne for the first time in… I don’t even know. I have no words for that. Like, it was completely life-changing. Everyone and their dog has heard about it from this mouth right here because it completely changed my life.”

What products did you use before Curology?

HB: “A shorter answer would be what hadn’t I used! I tried everything in the skincare aisle at Target or CVS: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Clean and Clear Deep Action Cream Wash, blah, blah, blah. Any mixture of those words put together, I’ve tried it.

I also tried Proactiv, and let me tell you friends: that was not the right choice for me. It does work for a lot of people, but for myself it was not pleasant. It did not treat my skin kindly. I literally cried every time I used it, it was so painful. It felt like a chemical peel every single application. I’m also pretty lazy about my skincare, honestly. I just can’t keep up with a three-step or four-step skincare regimen. But Curology’s just one step, and it takes, like, two seconds. It’s perfect.”

How did your skincare routine change after getting into Curology?

HB: “Now that I’ve been able to achieve clear skin, I want to maintain it. So I use the products that my provider recommends, and things that Curology has on their page. They have lists of recommended moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens—all kinds of things. I recently went back and checked again because it’s almost summer, and Texas is a boiling oven of death, so I’m gonna have to start wearing sunscreen again, especially on my face. Which I should be doing anyway, but again — lazy. (Don’t tell my Curology provider!)”

So what products besides Curology are you using now to keep your skin so clear?

I use Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Cleanser. I was using an acne-specific one with acids in it, and that was bad. I only use gentle cleansers now. I also use an alcohol-free witch hazel toner, and an oil-free moisturizer (also from Neutrogena, I think). Super-gentle stuff. I pay attention to the ingredients in things now. Curology has made me a little more educated about my skin.”

Do you have any advice for people who are about to start their Curology journey, or who are thinking about trying it?

HB: “Yes. Do it! Literally every single day I have people message me on Instagram or on Facebook asking me if it’s for real. It is so freaking for real! You can go on Curology’s Instagram or on my Instagram and see my before-and-afters. It has absolutely changed my life 100%. I have more confidence in my skin and in my just general going-abouts. Just give it a shot. Like, honestly, your first month is free. You have a 90 day money-back guarantee, so why not?”

You sound like you work here or something!

“I mean, I should, let’s be real. My best friend uses it, my roommate uses it, my old roommate uses it. So many of my friends use it and have seen results, it’s amazing.”

What kind of makeup do you use?

“I do a mix of drugstore and high-end. Right now I’m using Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation in light-neutral (it passed the CosDNA test!), a bronzer by Tarte for contouring, and Maybelline mascara.”

Did you go through a purging phase (breaking out worse) when you started using Curology?

“I had really, really severe cystic acne that was inflamed, so my provider suggested I go on antibiotics for the first month. I think that probably cut down on any purging that might have happened. But not everybody experiences a purging period when you start using it.

So many people have messaged me, like, ‘What if I break out and have a purging period?’ Keep using it, talk to your provider. I’m practically BFFs with my provider—she’s legit. She’s my magical freaking unicorn, I love her! But if you don’t talk to your provider, they can’t help you. You have to send them pictures and send them updates and let them know what’s going on. So, that’s my advice. Keep in touch with your provider if you have any issues, and be nice to them, ‘cause they’re really nice.”

Written by

Curology Team