Curology is a unique prescription skincare subscription service that pairs you with a licensed dermatologist and sends you prescription medication every three months.
The licensed healthcare providers are based in San Diego, and the list of states Curology is licensed in is here. Curology medication is targeted toward acne and anti-aging. Not only do you receive prescription medication tailored to your skincare needs, but you also get one-on-one access to your medical provider. Prescription bottles are shipped every 90 days (three months). However, if you run out early or need it sooner, you simply request an earlier next shipment in your account.
Since this article's original publish date, we've continued to review Curology and provide updates on our progress. See all of our Curology Reviews to learn more.
I've had Curology for a couple of months. Now that I received a second bottle I figured it's a good time to take a look at the subscription service!
My Subscription Addiction paid for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Curology
The Cost: $19.95 per month + free shipping (prescription medication ships once every three months but you can request to receive it earlier at no additional cost)
COUPON: Get your first month free! No coupon needed, just click here.
The Products: Acne or Anti-aging prescription medication cream sent every three months + access to your dermatologist at all times
Ships to: Curology providers are licensed in the following US states listed here.
Check out the Beauty Subscription Box Directory and make sure to add Curology to your subscription list or wishlist!
Upon signing up for Curology you'll be asked to fill out a questionnaire about your skin and skincare needs. Next, upload photos of your bare face so your provider can assess the skin and determine the appropriate medications.
Curology uses multiple active ingredients, but each person gets a combination of three. This combo is determined by your provider.
The shipment comes with a little fold-out card containing some useful instructions.
The prescription medication arrives in the mail once every three months. Like I stated above, you can request to receive it earlier at no additional cost. The bottle with the mint colored label is my very first bottle. My newest bottle has a black label.
The bottle lists your name, your provider's name, three active ingredients, and the expiration date. To be clear, the active ingredients and percentages differ for each person. Since my medication is targeted at reducing acne and hyperpigmentation, my bottle contains 4% azelaic acid, 1% clindamycin, and 4% niacinamide. More information on the ingredients can be found on Curology's website.
Before my new bottle shipped, my provider and I determined via Curology's messaging system that the current ingredients were fine as is, so we kept the same formulation. That said, you are able to tweak the ingredients for the next bottle if you discuss it with your provider!
Since the bottles are opaque, one trick I learned from Curology was to shine my phone flashlight up the underside of the bottle to see how much medication is left. Since the bottle is a hygienic airless pump, you can see the cream slowly rise to the top as time goes on.
The photo on the left is my first bottle. As you can see, it is close to empty. The photo on the right is my new 3-month supply. This is what the bottle looks like when it's full.
The medication is a white cream with light-to-medium consistency. Just a single pump is enough to cover my face. It feels a little tacky at first but dries down to a comfortable finish when fully absorbed. It has a mild medicinal scent that fades quickly.
Since my medication targets acne and stuff, it's only fair that I show some before and after photos. It takes a while to muster the courage to show my face, much less blotchy bare skin, but here you go (ahhhhh!)! My bathroom lighting magnifies every imperfection, which, while unattractive, is useful for the purpose of this review. Of course, there are still improvements to be made, but I'm loving the progress.
Overall, I've seen a dramatic decrease in large pimples and tiny, annoying whiteheads. I used to get angry pimples every week. Now it's only one every few months. I have issues with acne scarring and hyperpigmentation but the medication has ameliorated much of that too. In the span of around three months, my skin has become smoother and less splotchy. Before, I didn't feel comfortable going anywhere without high-coverage makeup. Now, I can leave home with minimal makeup and not feel too anxious! It's nice to feel confident in your own skin.
Verdict: I love Curology. It singlehandedly tackled acne issues in the span of months when other acne treatment systems could not do so for years (I'm looking at you, Proactiv). If you see a dermatologist, all of this may be very obvious or redundant to you. But, if you're like me and don't have a regular provider, Curology is both convenient and effective. I can't attest to their anti-aging ingredients, but I absolutely love their anti-acne benefits!
I'm not claiming this is the "end all and be all" miracle solution to your skincare problems, but Curology is a great place to start. You receive one bottle of medication every three months, so it's the equivalent of paying around $60 for a bottle. However, compared to other things I have tried in the past, this is a great deal. I also appreciate that it's easy to talk to my provider through their direct messaging system not only about medications but also about any skincare-related topics.
If you are interested in signing up, check here to make sure Curology is available in your state.
Do you subscribe to Curology?
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