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How it works:

  • Share your skin goals and snap selfies

  • Your dermatology provider prescribes your formula

  • Apply nightly for happy, healthy skin

How it works:

  • Share your skin goals and snap selfies

  • Your dermatology provider prescribes your formula

  • Apply nightly for happy, healthy skin

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  2. > Curology

What’s the deal with Curology?

Does Curology work? Our skincare science, explained.

Curology Team Avatar
by Curology Team
Updated on Jul 6, 2023 • 5 min read
The Curology set on the edge of a pink bathtub
Curology Team Avatar
by Curology Team
Updated on Jul 6, 2023 • 5 min read
We’re here to share what we know — but don’t take it as medical advice. Talk to your medical provider if you have questions.

Let’s face it — no one knows your skin better than you. When a skincare product claims to perform miracles, you’d be right to have a healthy dose of skepticism. But Curology isn’t your typical skincare brand — Curology makes medical-grade skincare more accessible with their custom approach to care. More than a product line, Curology is a teledermatology company that pairs members with a medical provider trained in dermatology, meaning you can find a dermatology provider without ever having to leave your couch (or put on pants).

Is Curology legit?

If you are trying to see a dermatologist, you’re probably doing a lot of waiting. Waiting for a referral from your doctor, waiting weeks or even months for an open appointment, waiting in an office for hours for a consultation that lasts just a few minutes, and then waiting to get your skincare prescription filled (if you can afford it).

Even though acne is a common and treatable skin condition, there can be a lot of barriers to receiving medical care. That’s why Dr. David Lortscher decided to found Curology — to give patients on-demand access to high-quality dermatology care and custom skincare at a lower cost.

How does Curology work?

When signing up for Curology, new members take a skincare quiz and snap a few selfies. The quiz also asks about your medical history, like if you’ve tried any other acne treatments or are currently taking any medications. When you submit the quiz, you’re matched with one of our in-house dermatology providers, who evaluates your skin and prescribes you a custom cream with a mix of 3 active ingredients. They’re formulated to target your specific skin woes, including breakouts, leftover dark spots, sun damage, signs of aging, or even all of the above.

With only 10,000 dermatologists in the country, access to expert care is limited, but we aim to solve this problem through the provision of convenient online consultations and prescription formulas compounded in our in-house laboratory and pharmacy. Our medical providers are dermatologists, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who have all been specially trained in dermatology and licensed to practice in your state.

Your custom Curology cream can also change as your skin does — just reach out to your Curology provider for a consultation! Each Curology member is paired with an in-house medical provider, licensed to practice in your state. And your cream isn’t the only thing you can customize — you can choose how often you want to receive your Curology subscription and add on extra products to complete your skincare routine.

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What are Curology’s ingredients?

Because Curology is customized to your skin needs, your prescription cream will include a mix of 3 active ingredients, several of which aren’t available over the counter at your drugstore or department store. But even with prescription-grade ingredients, the cost of Curology’s custom cream compares with OTC products, starting at just $29.95 a month. You and your Curology provider can tweak ingredients and concentrations over time as your skin needs and goals change — in other words, come for the acne treatment, stay for age-defying skin maintenance!

In addition to your prescription cream, you can upgrade to the complete set and let Curology take care of your daily cleansing and moisturizing needs. The Curology cleanser and moisturizers were formulated with simple, gentle ingredients to give your skin all it needs and nothing extra. While the complete set isn’t completely customized, the Curology cleanser and moisturizers are fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, making them ideal for sensitive, acne-prone skin.

The cleanser: A gentle, hydrating, balancing, light-foaming cleanser made for everyday use. Simple and versatile, it’s designed to be the only cleanser you’ll ever need — no matter what your skin’s individual quirks may be. The cleanser is formulated with a combination of plant sugars and anti-inflammatory oat extract.

The gel moisturizer: A gel-cream hybrid with a cloud-like texture, the moisturizer is gentle enough to use every day, morning and night. Its buildable, breathable formulation lightly hydrates the skin and keeps moisture levels balanced, leaving the skin soft without clogging pores.

The rich moisturizer: With an ultra-creamy texture, the rich moisturizer is perfect for any skin that could benefit from deeper hydration. Formulated with 6 key ingredients to soften and plump the face, the rich moisturizer soothes dry, dehydrated skin. Layer up as much as you like — this formula won’t clog pores.

The acne body wash: A splash of our dermatologist-designed body wash treats and helps prevent acne — plus washes your pores of regular dirt and grime. Our body wash is formulated with just enough salicylic acid to be tough on acne but kind for all skin types, so you can use its lightly foaming goodness every day.

The emergency spot patch: If you have a skincare emergency, call in a spot patch for backup. Our hydrocolloid bandages are low-profile acne patches that you can wear out and about — they’re even thin enough to layer under makeup. Our emergency spot patch is free of added active ingredients, so it’s gentle on sensitive skin.

Start your #SkincareJourney now

If you’re still a skincare skeptic, why not put Curology to the test? You can give Curology a try to see if it’s right for you when you sign up for a free trial and pay just $4.95 (plus tax) for shipping and handling on your first custom cream or the complete 3-step set. You’ll also get access to consultations with your dermatology provider to help guide you to happier looking skin.

So what are you waiting for? Start your #SkincareJourney now and see why Curology works.

Curology Team Avatar

Curology Team

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