Curology Review

Imagine having a personal dermatologist that takes time to get to know your skin so they can formulate a concoction specifically for your skin problems and future goals at a reasonable price. Sounds great, right? Well, that’s exactly what Curology – a brand that creates personalized skincare and then delivers it to your door – seems to offer.

While Curology does seem to have solutions for most skin issues (from occasional spots to full-on breakouts, according to their website) we can’t help but wonder, are their skincare treatments really worth it? After all,  their products are more expensive than your average drugstore skincare solutions, and despite what certain influencers might tell you, they are no miracle and do not work for everyone.

To help you decide whether Curology’s prescription creams are something your skin and wallet might appreciate, we give you our unbiased and detailed Curology review. Read on for an in-depth look at the brand, the ingredients they use, their most popular products, and more!

What is Curology?

Curology is a subscription service that sells personalized skin treatments to patients who otherwise do not have easy (or perhaps affordable) access to dermatologists. Each cream or solution is formulated by medical providers specifically for your skin issues and goals, so no prescription is exactly the same.

But exactly who are these “medical providers”, you may ask? Excellent question. As is required by law in all 50 states, they are board-certified dermatologists, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners. In other words, legit professionals who take the time to get to know your skin by asking you questions, checking your progress, and so on.  Still, it’s good to keep in mind that telemedicine – which is what Curology is based on – is not legal in all states and territories, so it’s important to check Curology’s state-by-state availability before trying to order.

Overview of Curology

Formerly known as PocketDerm, Curology was founded in 2014 by Dr. David Lortscher, Glenn Lortscher, and their mother  Dr. Nancy Satur. The company’s mission? To provide truly effective skincare products, especially anti-acne products, to everyone including folks who don’t have access to dermatologists.

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, the company currently employs over a dozen medical providers who work as a team to bring professionally guided anti-acne care to their customers. The team consists of not only licensed dermatologists but nurses with prescription-writing privileges as well, who all work together to custom-formulate medications that help fight acne and acne scars, fine lines, uneven skin tone, and other skin imperfections.

Curology Ingredients

Because Curology creams and serums are designed based on the customer’s questionnaire answers, the ingredients will vary from product to product. This being said, the company typically uses the following ingredients in their custom treatments.

Tretinoin: one of the best researched anti-acne medications. Boosts skin cell turnover, so it can also help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, sunspots, and acne scars.

Niacinamide: a form of vitamin B3, niacinamide is an antioxidant that helps protect the skin against environmental stresses. Helpful for inflammatory acne such as papules and pustules.

Azelaic acid: naturally occurring acid with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Exfoliates the skin and reduces hyperpigmentation.

Zinc pyrithione: another well-researched ingredient that has antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. Great for controlling pimples, especially fungal acne.

Tranexamic Acid: a synthetic derivative of an amino acid called lysine, tranexamic acid has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It’s great for fighting hyperpigmentation, dark spots and improving skin texture.

Clindamycin: a topical antibiotic that fights acne-causing bacteria. Suitable for mild to moderate acne.

Metronidazole: an antibiotic that helps control rosacea. Can also help fight adult acne.

Curology Product Reviews

Typically, Curology’s products come in a three-piece kit that includes a custom formula specifically designed for your skin concerns, a non-custom cleanser for all skin types, and either a regular gel moisturizer for combo and oily skin or a rich moisturizer for dry and aging skin.  Since a custom formula is different for each patient, let’s take a closer look at the cleanser and moisturizer.

Curology Cleanser

Gentle but effective at cleansing the skin, Curology’s cleanser is marketed as suitable for all skin types. While we wish the cleanser was also custom-made, we’re not mad at it either because it’s fragrance-free and rather simple, with a pH of  5.5-6.5. Formulated with an oat extract, the cleanser is quite soothing and can help sensitive skin feel and look less irritated. As a bonus, it’s delightfully foamy, so very pleasant to use as well.

Curology Moisturizer

There are two Curology moisturizers to choose from, the Regular Moisturizer and the Rich Moisturizer. The regular moisturizer is suitable for all skin types but especially oily and acne-prone as it comes in a non-clogging gel form. Containing hyaluronic acid, this moisturizer packs a hydrating punch so it leaves the skin nice and supple. Most Curology reviews agree that the Regular Moisturizer is perfect for oily and problematic skin because it’s plain (a good thing when it comes to acne-prone skin!) and reliable, with a cloud-like texture. The Rich Moisturizer is great for very dry and/or mature skin, as aside from hyaluronic acid, it also contains shea butter and squalane.

Aside from the custom formula, non-custom cleanser and moisturizer, you can also order:

• Emergency Patches, which are simple hydrocolloid patches that absorb oil and pus from active pimples
• Acne Body Wash, which is a dermatologist-designed formula with salicylic acid that both treats and prevents acne
• and Dark Spot Formula, which contains hydroquinone and desonide in order to efficiently but gently fade away dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
• Bear in mind that you can order these additional products only if you opt for a large custom formula.

How Much is Curology?

The price of your Curology kit will depend on whether you choose a small or large formula.

The small custom formula ships and bills every 30 days and costs $19.95 per month + $4.95 for shipping and handling. This kit includes your custom formula, which is prescription skincare made specifically for your skin concerns, and nothing else. With this subscription, you cannot add extra products to your box, so if you’re interested in the personalized formula, plus moisturizer, cleanser, and an Acne Body Wash for example, you have to choose the large custom kit.

The large custom formula costs $39.90 per shipment (free shipping) and it ships and bills every 60 days because it comes in bigger bottles. Aside from a bigger custom formula, with this subscription, you can also order the cleanser and moisturizer set (80ml cleanser and 50ml moisturizer) at the price of $20, as well as the additional products, such as the acne body wash (200ml bottle, $18) or emergency spot patches (20 patches for $4.95).

Curology Free Trial Review

As of this writing, Curology offers a 30-day free trial (which is not entirely free, but we’ll get to that in a minute) which we highly recommend you take advantage of. This offer includes the three-piece kit with your custom treatment, plus additional products picked for your specific skin conditions and goals. The catch? You have to cover the shipping. Thankfully, it’s only $4.95, plus tax if applicable.

As the trial version lasts 30 days, you should have enough time to decide whether Curology works for you and whether you really want to invest in their products on a regular basis.

How to Sign Up for Curology

Signing up for Curology is pretty simple. You start by visiting their website and filling in a questionnaire that helps Curology’s medical providers determine your specific skin needs and goals. This quiz includes questions about your skin type and issues you may be experiencing, your medical history and any allergies you may have, your current skincare routine, and overall lifestyle.

After you fill in the questionnaire, you submit a few close-up pics of your skin so that the experts at Curology can have a better idea of what you’re dealing with. Then, a dermatologist or other medical provider emails you to discuss your concerns and give you basic diet and lifestyle advice, after which they formulate your prescription formula.

Finally, the company sends you your prescription skincare via mail. Pretty convenient, especially for folks who don’t have easy access to dermatologists. Of course, once you start using Curology, you can ask your provider for additional advice if you need it. They stay in touch with you anyway so they can track your progress and fine-tune your skincare routine if needed.

Curology Shipping and Return Policy

How long does it take for Curology to ship?

Once you order your Curology treatment and are charged for the shipping and handling (if applicable) you can expect your product(s) to be shipped out within one to three days. If you opt for a free trial offer, the first paid shipment will ship out after your trial ends, which is 30 days after it was shipped.

Can I return Curology?

Unfortunately, Curology doesn’t accept returns or exchanges. That said, you may be able to cancel your subscription and request a refund in the first 90 days of your subscription plan if you contact their support team. The good thing is, the no-cost trial offer is available, giving you the chance to see if using Curology has any positive effects on your skin without spending any money (except on shipping).

Curology Customer Reviews

While many people who try Curology seem to love the results, the customer reviews are pretty mixed. For instance, our Curology review found that on Influester, Curology has a 4.2/5 rating from over 8,000 reviews, while on Facebook, we found a 4.3/5 rating from over 3,000 reviews.

Overall, it seems that most customers are pleased with the results, however, Curololgy doesn’t seem to work for everyone, while for some it doesn’t work well enough. In fact, for some individuals, Curology products have caused even more acne and clogged pores, and it’s important to keep this in mind because skincare, after all, is individual.

Editors Verdict: Is Curology Worth It?

The million-dollar question: is this product really worth it? Well, based on survey responses collected from 432 Curology patients, Curology is indeed worth it – but for 88% of people. The company also has pretty great ratings on most websites, including Influenster, Facebook and Review.io, while on Better Business Bureau, they have a spotless A+ rating. Clearly, they’re doing something right.

So, the verdict? Yes, Curology is worth it for most people!