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If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Curology is a skin care company that provides personalized remote treatment and sells customized products online. Share on PinterestA Curology provider works with each customer to create a skin care plan. The company requires customers to sign up for a monthly prescription to purchase products. This article discusses Curology in more detail, including what the company offers and the advantages and disadvantages. It also lists some alternative treatment options and skin care brands to consider. Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information is purely research-based. What does Curology offer The basic Curology skin care routine includes:Personalized Curology formula: This formula is a lightly moisturizing base layer that in-house dermatologists design to meet each individual’s specific needs. The company recommends applying it in the evening.Cleanser: Free from oil and fragrance, the cleanser uses hydrating plant sugars and soothing oat extract.Moisturizer: Hyaluronic acid is a base ingredient of this product, which is free from fragrances, oils, parabens, and gluten.Rich moisturizer: Along with hyaluronic acid, this product contains shea butter, aloe, and three additional moisturizing ingredients. Other products include:Curology spot patch: Available only as an add-on to other Curology products, the company claims that these semitransparent emergency stickers draw out pus and oil and promote healing.Acne body wash: This product contains 2% salicylic acid to treat and prevent breakouts. Curology claims that it is safe for all skin types.Dark spot formula: The company says that this formula is for use in the morning when a person should use it alongside sunscreen and in the evening. People can use this product to reduce areas of hyperpigmentation, but they should follow a dermatologist’s instructions carefully because it is important to take breaks from treatment. Curology makes all of its products in the United States. The company does not test on animals, so all products are vegan. People can use these products alongside other skin care products. However, they should check on the website or with a dermatologist to ensure that doing so will not cause interactions or irritation. Curology products use prescription-only acne treatments as active ingredients. Who should use Curology The company markets its products to those with acne-prone skin. It also has products to suit those with blackheads, whiteheads, wrinkles, and occasional breakouts. The company caters to those who have acne anywhere on their body and offers online access to skin experts to whom they can submit photographs and discuss their skin history. Following this discussion, individuals can receive a personalized formula. Pricing and insurance Curology offers a free trial to new customers. However, a person with a free trial still needs to pay $4.95 for shipping. Once the free trial ends, prices range from $4.95–39.95 per shipment. Some products qualify for free shipping, while others incur the $4.95 shipping cost. Curology does not accept insurance. However, if a person’s prescription contains oral medication, these are usually covered by most insurance plans. Curology also accepts flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) cards, except for the first initial payment. How to order Customers start by filling out a questionnaire to describe their skin concerns, general physical health, and current skincare practices. They can also upload photos of their skin. Curology states that a board certified physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant, licensed to operate in an individual’s home state, reviews their skin health and goals before contacting them. They then recommend a personalized skin care product based on the details a customer provides. The healthcare professional will stay in contact to check on a person’s progress and answer questions. Care plans and products may change based on the updated information an individual provides. People must take out a monthly subscription to buy Curology products. The company offers a free 30-day trial, although customers must still pay for shipping. A person will have to opt out of their subscription if they choose not to continue.SHOP NOW Customer reviews Curology has an average customer rating of 4.1 out of a possible 5 stars on Trustpilot. Positive reviews on Trustpilot frequently mention the effectiveness of the products. Additionally, some comments also mention that, although Curology products cost more than typical skin care products, the cost is lower than seeking in-person dermatology treatment. Negative reviews mention reactions to these products, with customer complaints noting that some people may experience dryness, discoloration, and mild itching when they first start using Curology. In some cases, their breakouts may initially become more frequent or severe. However, the company offers tips to help people adjust to their new skin care routine. The company also has a Better Business Bureau (BBB) page. Here, they have a rating of A+, but they lack accreditation. They have closed 28 complaints in the last year. Pros and cons The typical Curology review is positive. Some benefits and drawbacks that customers mention include: Prossimple ordering from homeonline access to Curology providersstraightforward skin care routineseasier access to prescription-only acne treatments Consit is necessary to get a subscriptionthe initial examination of the skin takes place only through photos and an online assessmentif a person does not have acne, the company may misdiagnose the cause of their skin symptomsthe active ingredients are available at a lower cost elsewherepeople cannot use health insurance to pay for Curology products Side effects Curology notes that hydroquinone, an active ingredient in its dark spot formula, can cause halo spots around areas of use or lead to darkening or staining of the skin. Although rare, more serious side effects are possible, such as Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, and eye problems. People should report all unusual reactions to their providers and stop using the products immediately. Anyone with concerns should speak with a doctor or dermatologist before starting a new skin care regimen. Alternatives Before signing up for Curology, a person may consider reviewing advice from experts and consider other options. The American Academy of Dermatology Association maintains that almost every person with acne can get successful treatment. It says that including the following self-care practices can help clear up breakouts:using gentle, alcohol-free products on the skinwashing the face twice a day, using the hands and a gentle cleanserrefraining from popping pimples or scrubbing the skin and avoiding touching the face during the dayrinsing with lukewarm water rather than hot wateravoiding tanning beds and protecting the skin from the sun Learn more about how to treat and prevent acne here. The following practices can help prevent premature skin aging:limiting exposure to the sunusing sunscreen and moisturizer every daystopping smoking and limiting exposure to secondhand smokemoderating alcohol consumptioneating a healthy diet and exercising regularlyavoiding the use of products that irritate the skin or make it burn or sting People wishing to compare other online skin care companies with Curology can consider: Formulyst This company asks prospective purchasers to complete an online assessment to determine the appropriate formula for their skin care. It allows people to save money by purchasing a bundle of products but only sells anti-aging products. Atolla This company also offers personalized skin care online, which it provides through at-home assessments, virtual calls with experts, and the ability to tweak products over time. The core products include cleansers, serums, and moisturizers, which the company can formulate to address a range of skin issues. Frequently asked questions Below we answer some common questions relating to Curology. Is Curology really worth it Curology has a good customer rating on Trustpilot. There are also a wide array of reviews that award the company five stars and state the effectiveness of the product. Should I avoid other products while using Curology The company states that dryness or irritation may occur if a person uses other products such as physical exfoliators in conjunction with Curology products. The brand also advises avoiding alternative products that contain the following ingredients:alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as lactic and glycolic acidbeta-hydroxy acid (BHAs), such as salicylic acidvitamin Cretinolphysical exfoliatorsbenzoyl peroxide What are Curology consultation credits Consultation credits work like a points system. Every time a person orders a shipment, they earn one credit. This credit allows a person to have a one-on-one conversation with a healthcare professional. Summary Curology is an online skin care platform that offers customers online assessment and virtual consultation with its providers. The providers then develop a personalized formula to suit each individual’s needs and offer ongoing support. The products are only available through a monthly subscription. Anyone who has concerns about their skin health or is considering a course of treatment should speak with a doctor or dermatologist. Last medically reviewed on March 14, 2022Dermatology 4 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.11 ways to reduce premature skin aging. (2021). https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/reduce-premature-aging-skinAcne: Tips for managing. (n.d.). https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/skin-care/tipsRodan, K., et al. (2016). Skincare bootcamp: The evolving role of skincare. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5172479Skin conditions by the numbers. (n.d.). https://www.aad.org/media/stats-numbersFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — By Danielle Dresden — Updated on April 19, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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