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Curology Skincare Box Review + Free Trial Coupon – June 2017

Jira Sai
ByJira SaiAug 30, 2017 | 33 comments

Curology June 2017

Curology
5 overall rating
4 Ratings | 0 Reviews

Curology is a unique prescription skincare subscription service that targets acne and pairs you with a licensed dermatologist and sends you prescription medication every month or every other month. However, if you run out early or need it sooner, you can request an earlier next shipment in your account. Not only do you receive prescription medication tailored to your skincare needs, but you also get one-on-one access to your medical provider.

Curology June 2017

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

Curology June 2017

The Subscription Box: Curology

The Cost: Monthly bottle $19.95 + 4.95 shipping or 2-month bottle $39.90 + free shipping ($19.95 a month)

ACTIVE DEAL: Get your first box free! No coupon needed - just use this link.

The Products: Customized prescription skincare delivered to your doorstep + access to your dermatologist at all times

Ships to: Curology is currently licensed in 37 US states.

Check out all of our Curology reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add Curology to your subscription list or wishlist!

Curology June 2017

Curology June 2017

Curology June 2017

Upon signing up, I was asked to answer a short questionnaire to let my dermatologist understand my skin concerns and goals I want to achieve. Although I don’t have a lot of visible acne and only get occasional pimples before that time of the month, I’m never satisfied with my skin texture, pores, and discoloration. I also have a TON of blackheads that I want to get rid of!

Curology June 2017

Similar to last month, there was a little fold-out card containing some useful instructions on how to apply the product.  

Curology June 2017

Curology June 2017

After my trial period ran out, I subscribed to the bi-monthly plan, and now receive a bottle every other month. This bottle is 27 ml., almost twice as big as my first bottle (14 ml.). The bottle stated my name, my provider, and the 3 active ingredients in my formulation (each user’s personalized prescription consists of 3 of Curology’s 6 basic ingredients, which you can read about here).

My formulation includes:

  • Azelaic acid 4% - antibacterial, reduces redness, hyperpigmentation, and blocked pores
  • Clindamycin 1% - antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
  • Niacinamide 4% - fights inflammation and hyperpigmentation/dark spots/post-acne marks

Here is the new bottle compared to my first one:

Curology June 2017

I’ve been using it every day for about 40 days (since 5/12) before my night time moisturizer, and I really enjoy it. The cream is fast-absorbing and dries almost instantly, leaving zero oiliness and residue. I did break out a bit during the second week as my provider warned, but the breakout receded relatively quickly.

*** Warning - the following photos may contain graphic images 😛 ***

Curology June 2017

Since I took these 2 photos at different times, the lighting may be a little bit off. However, after a little over a month of Curology, I notice that some of my dark spots are significantly lighter, I can feel fewer bumps on my skin (a.k.a my skin is getting smoother and finer!), and last but not least, I’m impressed by how it reduced my acne scars. As you can see, a small pimple on my chin in the before photo totally disappeared in the second one. Overall, I am very pleased with the progress!

Verdict: I usually wouldn’t go out without my pore minimizing primer and a medium-to-full coverage foundation, but I have been willing to try a lightweight foundation and BB cream now thanks to Curology. I am impressed by their product and service, and I feel like the whole experience has been customized to me. I think this subscription is definitely worth the price, especially when I have access to my Curology provider all the time!

What do you think of Curology? Are you interested in their service so far?

Starting at $59.50
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Curology is a health and wellness subscription that offers personalized skincare formulas prescribed by medical providers. No matter your skin type, Curology will work with you to understand your skin’s history and condition, and provide a powerful formulation tailored to your specific needs. Cur... read more.

Jira Sai
Jira Sai
Jira discovered the world of subscription boxes when she first moved to New York in 2017 (subscription box is not a thing in her home country!). Thanks to MSA, she's now subscribed to almost 10 beauty and lifestyle boxes, with FabFitFun, BeautyFIX, and Clean Beauty Box as her favorites. Ps. Her boyfriend thinks that she's only subscribed to Ipsy, so please keep this a secret between us ;-)

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33 comments

Sheri

Please stop telling people to just exfoliate! There are several people like myself in which doing so would decimate their skin.

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Calli

Amen

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Whatsupmeg

Seriously has been so amazing to me! I’ve been using it for over 7 months now! I have clear skin and am never stopping it! I I love how it’s not a monthly fee anymore, because I didn’t need it every single month. One bottle lasts me way longer than the normal month, so now I only pay for what I use! Love it!

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Danielle

Does anyone know if this works for rosacea?

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Melissa W.

It can, if you get the prescription with the azelaic acid in it.. but they sell a much higher percentage and a lower price at The Ordinary. It has amazing reviews on reddit for rosacea.

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Danielle

Thanks Melissa, I will check out The Ordinary.

Bella01

Don’t fall for it. Just exfoliate.

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Calli

If only it were this simple, everyone would be doing it.

Exfoliation (chemical? physical?) does not work for everyone nor for every skin concern. My personal formulation includes Azealic Acid and Tretinoin, both of which are available by prescription only in my country. On my insurance, a copay for a visit to a dermatologist is the same price as one bottle, and I value the advice I get from the real doctors of Curology.

Curology is most definitely not a scam, and the effects of these ingredients can be found in medical journals, unlike the completely unverified promises (“your skin will be glowing in 7 days!”) of most other sub box items. As I said, the best (but not the only) use of my sub box dollars. YMMV.

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Bella01

Please ladies do not fall for this. It’s a waste of money. Those ingredients are in most products and in the foods we eat and vitamins we take. The only way to clear pigment skin is laser or retinal. I did see a pimple on her skin but pimples usually disappear after 5-7 days. It didn’t disappear because of the product. That’s mis leading. As for smoother skin, ladies just exfoliat every 3-4 days. You’ll see a big difference.

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Janie

I completely disagree. I’ve been using Curology now for about 4 months and for the first time in my life I’m able to go without a full face of foundation to cover up my acne and acne scarring that I’ve had since I was 14. No exfoliation routine, vitamins, or dietary restriction has ever been able to do that for me. Plus this is only $40 dollars for a big bottle that lasts ages and with the ingredients in it (mine has anti-aging as well) I’ve stopped any other skin creams, face masks, etc and my skin has never looked better so I’m actually saving a LOT of money and my routine takes five minutes instead of 30 now.

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SarahFrances

Actually, clindamycin, which is in my formulation, and tretinoin, which will be added to my formulation once I’ve used up my current retinoid, are prescription only. Considering Curology provides that prescription as well as the actual product for $20/month, I don’t think I’m “falling for” anything.

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Ashley

Word!

Melissa W.

Agree 100%!! All of the ingredients out of their 6, except for the tretinoin, you can buy for very cheap, and at a much higher % at The Ordinary! Now.. I do get Curology, but I made sure I got the tretinoin, which I love so far! I think I’m going to raise my dose next bottle though..

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Chelsea

I tried Curology for about 8 months. My cystic acne from my youth had come back (a round of Accutane in high school finally wiped it out, but apparently not forever!) and as a 27 year old adult, I couldn’t stand the 2-3 cystic spots I had on my face at all times.

Six months of it was all I could take. I followed all instructions but apparently my skin reacted VERY badly to the base lotion (it’s basically coconut oil, which can be highly comedogenic). My face went from two cystic spots at a time to more than a dozen on each side of my face. These were the hard, deeply imbedded cysts that throb for weeks.

I finally accepted that it could be the Curology and not just my skin getting worse on its own and started seeing a local dermatologist. Yes fitting the appointments into my life was ROUGH but in just one month, my skin was dramatically improved. 6 months later, I have clear skin and am fighting back all the scarring I developed from the Curology-caused cysts. There is still a lot of PIH and some minor textural issues from the scars, but it’s a lot faster to damage your skin than to heal it.

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jira

Hi Chelsea, I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

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SarahFrances

Oh man, I was starting to get worried reading your comment, because coconut oil and my skin do not get along, but I looked up the ingredients for the base, and they seem to be using sweet almond oil now instead of coconut. It’s still early days for me, so I have no idea if it will work, but I’m hopeful. I’m sorry it was a bust for you.

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Sharon in SE TX

Thanks for the review Jira! Your “after” photo looks great. Do you tell Curology what skin care products you are already using when you subscribe? I would like to try this to improve my skin texture and lighten some spots.

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jira

Hi Sharon, sorry I only get a chance to read your question just now. I told my provider about my skin care products and medicine I take regularly. Then, she incorporated that information to the formula she picked for me. Hope that helps!

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Sharon in SE TX

Thanks Jira! I’m not sure this sub is for me, but I’ll keep it in mind.

SarahFrances

I just started Curology about two weeks ago. I’d been half-heartedly trying to use differin before that, and my provider worked it into my routine. I’m going to use up what I have and see how everything works together, and then we might reformulate my Curology blend after that.

I will say, though, that my provider recommended I stop using most of my treatments and serums until my skin has a chance to adjust (basically no AHAs or BHAs), and I’m finding it such a relief. At night, I do either the differin and a light moisturizer or just the curology, and in the morning just sunscreen (I have oily skin). I’m seeing results and will probably save a fortune in the long run.

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Adele

I just signed up and you do have the option to tell them your current products and routine.

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Sharon in SE TX

Thank you Adele. I didn’t want to put their stuff on my face without them knowing what other stuff I put on my face. LOL.

Suzanne

I want to try this desperately, but I live in Oregon and they don’t service Oregon yet. 🙁

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Betty

Same. I’m also wondering if they have an anti-aging formula rather than just anti-acne formulas?

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Melissa W.

They do have an anti-aging formula.. as that is what my prescription is curated for. It has 4% Niacinamide, 5% Vitamin C, and 0.012% Tretinoin. I love it so far!

jira

Hi Betty, as far as I know of, they do have an anti-aging formula, but it’s just not as popular as anti-acne ones. Upon signing up, you can consult with your provider and provide them your skin concerns so that they can prescribe the right formula for you. Hope that helps!

Nicole R

I also live in Oregon and really want to try it. I wonder why it isn’t offered in every state?

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Emily

Just a guess, but it probably has to due with each state’s laws regarding pharmaceuticals.

Melissa W.

Love Curology.. I just don’t like that it’s not a monthly fee anymore and if needed they would send you your bottle early, at no extra charge. Now you pay the $39.00 per bottle and if you run out early, you have to pay that price again…

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jira

Hi Mellissa, Thanks for letting me know. I usually use around 1.5 pumps so my I didn’t finish it quickly, but that’s good to know!

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Calli

I’ve been subscribing for a few months now and would not go without it, ever. These are powerful ingredients with noticeable effects on my skin for an incredibly reasonable price. Consistently the best use of my sub box dollars.

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jira

Hi Calli, I’m glad this works for you too 🙂

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