Honest thoughts on Curology 🧐
Melissa
𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 is a customized skincare subscription service - i’m sure we’ve all heard of it! Ever since I learned about prescription tretinoin, I knew I had to try it. I like that Curology can prescribe Tretinoin through an online consultation so it saved me a lot of money. I signed up and I received my first bottle in the first week of 2020.
𝐌𝐲 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞 & 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬:
I have combination, sensitized, acne-prone skin with PIH
𝐌𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 & 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭:
I used two formulas:
First month (January): Tretinoin 0.01% , Clindamycin 1%, Azelaic Acid 4%
Next two months: Tretinoin 0.018%, Clindamycin 1%, Azelaic Acid 8%
*NOTE: I specifically asked for tretinoin and azelaic acid
* I have been using Adapalene for two months before I started Curology and was at the purging stage.
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡:
My free trial arrived the first week of January and I tried it right away. As per the instructions, I washed my face with a gentle cleanser, applied moisturizer then the cream. I used it 2x a week. I was alternately using it with Adapelene. For the first month, the effects weren’t super obvious - other than my skin becoming smoother and softer feeling than it ever had before.
𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡:
I think my skin was at its worst in my second month of Tretinoin (4th month adapalene). I had more cystic acne and I was literally red all day -- I like to call it my full-on purging stage. I just stuck to it anyway. By this time, my skin was also feeling dry and I had slight peeling. My routine was: cleanser, thick moisturizer, and tretinoin. I was using my formula 3x a week.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡:
The last weeks of the third month was when I saw the big changes in my skin. I was able to use the cream nightly by this time. Only word I can use to describe it is - shocked. I went from having cystic, red acne and rough patches to having smooth and completely calmed skin. Though left with hyperpigmentations, my skin was better than ever.
𝗪𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐰:
After 3 months with Curology (with simplified skin care routine and adapalene) almost all of my cystic acnes were gone. Something I had thought months ago never would be possible. In April, I started my Triluma journey (tretinoin 0.5% + hydroquinone +mild steroid) to treat the hyperpigmentations left behind. I finished my tube last May and from then on used another brand of tretinoin (0.5%) for maintenance and to treat PIH.
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
All I gotta say is that Curology is a great service, for most people. Unfortunately there are some of us for whom the base and/or certain ingredients simply won't work, and I believe that's no fault of Curology.
I thoroughly recommend Curology. It’s a great option to get our hands on prescription strength products, like Tretinoin cream, without paying for an expensive private consultation.
Tretinoin
Acne treatments
Hyperpigmentation
Skincare treatments for redness
janssen
GALDERMA
Curology
DIFFERIN
Face Cream
Acne Treatment
1 DAY AGO
Product Mentioned
My acne holy grail
I’ve been using these for about a month or so and I LOVE them! I still have acne but it is significantly reduced and my acne hyperpigmentation has gone down quite noticeably.
Curology - Curology formula Mine has 4% niacinamide, 1% clindamycin, and .25% zinc pyrithione. It did dry me out a little bit and I flaked a little on my cheeks. I did not purge which was great! I gave it 4 stars because I’ve only been using it for a little over 3 weeks and I feel it’s too soon to fully give it 5 stars considering I (understandably) still have acne.
DIFFERIN - Acne Treatment Gel This gave me significant drying and took a couple weeks to adjust to. But I noticed a difference in literal days!! I’ve been using it for almost 5 weeks now and love it! Also didn’t purge with it. And I’m giving it 4 stars for the same reason as curology.
The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% this is an incredible product!! I have such oily skin and this really controls it. The only reason it’s getting 4 stars is because if I miss even one day the oiliness comes back fast and hard. The only reason I skip it sometimes is if my skin is extra dry, but I’ve started just applying less on those days because otherwise I’ll wake up VERY oily. I only use it in the AM because my curology has niacinamide in it for the PM.
The Ordinary - AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution my absolute FAVE product ever. It stings a little bit but my skin was used to acids so I think that’s why it isn’t painful to me. I use it about every 10 days or so because I feel my skin is still adjusting to the differin and curology. I’ve had it for maybe 2 months now? And it’s made my hyperpigmentation much much lighter and smaller.
marbal05
Hormonal acne
DIFFERIN - Acne Treatment Gel contains apalene which is a retinoids derivative to promote collagen production to help get rid of scars and acne. It used to be a prescriptive treatment so ask your dermatologist before using it. It helped me control my hormonal acne. These acne mostly grow along my jawline and are very painful. They persist for weeks and are not poppable. I used to get 4 or 5 of them a week before I get my cycle. With this gel, I get 0-1 or 2 every cycle. One thing about this gel is if you have severe acne, you must use it every day for at least half a year to see the medication working so don’t stop after a couple weeks thinking that it isn’t working. The gel may cause peeling so if you have sensitive skin, be careful with this product.
surfinghippos
Let’s talk tretinoin
If your skin concerns include acne or aging, you’ve probably heard of tretinoin: the prescription-only ingredient that promises to speed up skin cell turnover, revealing bright, wrinkle-free, clear skin. I’ve been using tretinoin for close to a year now, so here are some tips if it’s new to you:
don’t underestimate it. it’s prescription only for a reason: it’s very strong and can very easily dry out your skin.
read the directions. my Curology - Curology formula is supposed to be applied about 20 minutes after I wash my face, so my skin has time to completely dry. however, the #Apostrophe - formula[products]#[FourStars] can be applied immediately after cleansing.
ease into it. your derm will probably advise you to apply every other night at first, working up to every night.
buffer it. buffering just means you apply moisturizer BEFORE applying tret, or that you mix the two together. this can reduce the drying effects of the tret without reducing its efficacy.
USE SUN PROTECTION. like many other skincare products, tret increases skin’s sensitivity to sun, so layer on the SPF!
and lastly, give it time. tret is not an overnight solution; like all skincare, you won’t see the full results until you’re several months in.
for those who are wondering, I recently switched from curology to apostrophe because apostrophe offers a wider range of oral medications in addition to topical treatments. curology is cheaper and I definitely still recommend it: my providers were always very responsive and adjusted my formula multiple times. sadly, I have very stubborn hormonal acne and after trying everything curology had to offer, I decided to switch. I’m hoping the oral meds + tret are the right combination for me.
has anyone else tried either of these telemedicine services? how have they worked for you?
lizbentley17
Needing some advice on which products I should use for dark spots and minmizing pores!
I have oily and acne prone skin
My current routine is...
CeraVe - Renewing SA Cleanser For Normal Skin
THAYERS - Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Toner
Curology - Curology formula
Curology - The Moisturizer
The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
pixi - Vitamin-C Serum (only use once in a while)
ORIGINS - Super Spot Remover Acne Treatment Gel (only when needed)
please help😊😊
Annel.Britt
Skincare 101: Exfoliation Basics
Exfoliation is the best way to slough away debris and dead skin cells that are sitting on top of your skin and can clog your pores. Exfoliation speeds up cell turnover. If done correctly, it leaves you with healthier and happier looking skin, and makes moisturizing and applying actives more effective.
There are two types of exfoliators:
𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 ~ are body scrubs and products formulated with grainy particles that provide the actual scrubbing sensation.
I think the best physical exfoliating method is, still, the use of 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐡 — which most of us already have at home. Gentlest of them all, and is even safe to use nightly. Simply dampen the washcloth in warm water, add your cleanser, and rub in small circles beginning at the forehead and working your way down - be sure to use medium pressure.
I also love 𝐏𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐞𝐥𝐬. My favorites are Cure - Natural Aqua Gel and Pyunkang Yul - Pyunkang Yul Peeling Gel . While they don’t exactly fall under the category of physical or chemical exfoliators , I find them innovatively helpful and safe even for sensitive skin. Peeling gels use high acidity ingredients and utilizes a blend of surfactants like dicocodimonium chloride and carbomers that help to bind oils together to attract and remove dead skin.
I also enjoy using facial scrubbers like the DERMAFLASH - Ultrasonic Pore Extractor & Serum Infuser
𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 ~ use acids such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or retinoid to mildly exfoliate deeper the skin.
One of the main benefits of chemical exfoliation is that it does not require scrubbing, so it’s less likely to cause major irritation to the skin. I have written about AHAs and BHAs in my recent posts -- do check them out if you’d like to learn more about the ingredients🙈Most results aren’t seen until 4-8 weeks with chemical exfoliators.
Some of my favorites are:
Neutrogena - Rapid Clear, Stubborn Acne, Daily Leave-On Mask
PAULA'S CHOICE - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA (Salicylic Acid) Liquid Exfoliator
The Ordinary - Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
janssen - Retino-A 0.05% Tretinoin Cream
Curology - Curology formula
Still not sure how to exfoliate? you can actually use both a chemical and physical exfoliator if you’d like to. I personally find alternately using two types beneficial for me (don’t overdo it!).
Skincare is a tough job. It’s best to listen to your skin, try out different methods, and you’ll learn what works best for you eventually❤️
Melissa
How to: GLOWING SKIN✨✨
Let’s face it. There is no real quick fix to get a 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 without taking care of it on a daily basis. Wearing sunscreen and supplying your body enough hydration are probably the most important tips we should follow. In this post, I'd like to share my top favorite skincare ingredients that will get you great results even quicker.
𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭:
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐇𝐀 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞.
AHA: Glycolic Acid - effectively removes the outermost layer of dead cells from the complexion, revealing brighter, fresher skin. It is for use for dry to normal skin.
Glycolic acid gently removes dead skin cells and also generally well tolerated, even by acne-prone skin. It may not work enough to get rid of acne but it’s a great supplemental product to keep in your vanity. I would recommend starting with 10%-12% and gradually move up to 15%.
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:ALPHA SKIN CARE - Enhanced Renewal Cream
Contains 12% Glycolic Acid. Free of oils and fragrances. Helps even skin tone and texture. Contains peptides to help plump & improve skin’s texture. It also has antioxidants, vitamins, and green tea to prevent signs of aging.
( alternative: liquid form, TO Gycolic Toner)
𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧:
𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐁𝐇𝐀 𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.
BHA: Salicylic Acid - they are proven to clear clogged pores and improve bumpy texture. BHAs like salicylic acid is oil soluble. This characteristic allows them to penetrate below the skin’s surface and dive deep into your pores. They can penetrate blocked pores by making their way into the oil glands, dissolving the paste-like mixture of sebum that can lead to breakouts. They are typically safe for use once or twice per day. For home use, maximum strength of 2% is advised.
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: PAULA'S CHOICE - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA (Salicylic Acid) Liquid Exfoliator
This BHA is in a toner formulation. Make sure to pat dry your skin after washing the face before using this. Concentrate on the areas like the T-zone which is usually more oily. It’s critical to apply a gentle moisturizer before salicylic acid completely dry the top layer of skin to avoid irritation and apply sunscreen if used in the daytime.
𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐧𝐞:
𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨.
Retinoid: Tretinoin - retinoids like Tretinoin stimulate cell turnover on your skin. Dead skin cells are cleared off your skin more quickly as new skin cells rise to the surface thus, revealing glowing skin. Quicker cell turnover opens your pores, releasing trapped bacteria or irritants. Tretinoin has also been studied extensively for its impact on the visible signs of aging (healthline.com).
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: customized Curology formula, Retin-A, Retino-A, Atralin, Avita, etc.
To get the best results with tretinoin, it is necessary to use it properly. Start off with no more than the strength of 0.025% to avoid irritation. In order to reduce the initial flaking/side effects that can accompany the Tretinoin, you can put on a moisturizer before your application. Allow it to sink into the skin completely then apply a pea-sized amount of the cream. Tretinoin can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight so be sure to use sunscreen daily!
Melissa
More Reviews
How I Deal With My Acne
Big disclaimer before I begin: I don’t get a lot of huge breakouts. My main problems are dark spots and dullness. Acne? Not so much, although I do get pimples here and there around my monthly period. My methods for getting rid of my acne may not work for people who deal with a lot of cystic acne, but if I manage to at least point you in the right direction, it would make me really, really happy! ☺️
So anyway, like many other people out there, I tend to get pimples on my nose, forehead, jaw, and chin. There’s nothing wrong with getting pimples, but I can’t deny that not only do they not look pretty, they’re also a hassle to deal with (painful pimples, I’m glaring at you right now).
This method has never failed to solve my issue with my pimples. Whenever I get them, I simply use these three products. If I happen to have a breakout, I switch my toner to COSRX - Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner because it’s really gentle and soothing to the skin.
Centella is an ingredient that is known to be really effective for blemished skin. But not all Centella products are effective in removing pimples.In fact, for a while, I also used COSRX - Centella Blemish Cream but it worked so slowly that I wasn’t sure if it even helped. Plus, with a price tag of $20 per 30ml tub, I found it too expensive for something that didn’t work too well.
Thankfully, I discovered MARIO BADESCU - Plastic Bottle Drying Lotion It’s roughly $25 per 30ml bottle, which is technically more expensive than Cosrx’s Blemish Cream. But since it works like magic, it’s really worth the price you pay. Just dip a q-tip into the bottle and apply the solution right on your pimple. When you wake up the next day, your pimple will be either be flat or considerably smaller. That’s why I said it works like magic.
Once the pimple starts drying, I use COSRX - Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch to cover it up and to speed up the healing. I also use it on pimples that have already popped, because again, it helps greatly with the healing process. It also helps me avoid scars that could come from pimples.
With just these three products, I could easily deal with my pimples, especially around that time of the month. What about you, what do you use to combat your acne? Let me know in the comments below!
COSRX-Centella Blemish Cream
Reaction from curology
While nobody talks about the actual thing here about curology . Let’s me give y’all a enlightement. So my skin okay and I ended up ordering curologyCurology - Curology formula for the trial package you will get a customized formula according to your skin from a dermatologist which is great . You have to pay $4.99 for only shipping and handling. But after that you can chose their treatment plan like I have only their customized bottle for $20/month and $39.99 for 2 months . So I finished my trial package and saw great results and I was curious and happy to order my next bottle. Everything was going fine but suddenly my skin starting to get worst. Instead of clearing up my acne it got worst. So I contacted my provider and told her situation. She asked me bunch of questions about routine and products. After consulting’ with her she told me that I might be getting reaction from curology which is normal . Let me tell you I was not happy to hear about that. Like why my skin is getting worst instead of getting better by using your own prescribed formula. She told me that it’s normal and I need to stop using my curology prescribed bottle ASAP.. and let my skin healed .
As my provider said :
Ah! In this case, you are probably temporarily reacting to your Curology medication. New onset of burning, stinging or irritation after you had been adjusted to your Curology medication is usually due to other factors that have impaired the barrier function of your skin. Dry or extreme hot or cold air, or other products causing some low-grade irritation can make skin more vulnerable. This may also occur at times when your skin is subjected to heat and moisture or sweat, such as after starting a new exercise routine or using a sauna, or even going on a vacation to a different climate could be a factor.
You’ll want to make some or all of these temporary adjustments:
- Stop applying your medication for several days.
- Then go to M/W/F night application, increasing to nightly when your skin is back to normal.
- Discontinue all other active ingredients, including exfoliants ands scrubs.
- Cleanse gently using your fingertips; avoid washcloths or devices such s rotating brushes.
- If you are going to hot yoga, or spin classes or taking part in any activity that might increase perspiration, I’d suggest that you skip application of your Curology medication the night before.
- When you are experiencing any sensitivity, it’s best to wait at least 10-20 minutes after washing your face before applying the medication. When the medication is applied too soon after washing, it really absorbs quickly and can cause irritation. This wait may not be necessary at all after your skin has fully adjusted again.
- If needed, dilute the medication by mixing it with some moisturizer in the palm of your hand before applying it.
- If the air is dry, running a humidifier can help immensely!
Let me know if this helps!
Now , I am following her steps to heal my skin .
Curology-Curology formula
Honest Curology review!!!
✨I first started curology back in 2016 when my skin was doing really bad, the acne I had was terrible and I constantly tried to hide it with my hair and hands.... bought my first bottle and at first my skin broke out more which confused me but I soon learned that’s a normal process of purging and slowly my skin began to look better especially around my jawline. I was very impressed with my results after one year. I stayed on curology for another 2 years before taking a couple months long break in 2019. When I returned to the product it simply was not working the same. The two most recent pictures are a couple weeks ago (April 2020), ive been back on curology for a year now. they adjusted my ratios and it helped slightly but my skin will not go back to what it once was. I don’t suffer from acne so much anymore but seemingly incurable dark spots and scarring.
That being said I do highly recommend curology for acne.
💛The doctors you can chat with are very helpful and understanding
💛the product does provide improvement for acne but not much for dark spots
💛it’s pretty affordable ($25 for a one month supply or $40 for a two month supply)
I will definitely accept advice on what to do with my skin moving forward!! (Focused on removing dark spots)
Curology-Curology formula
post accutane skincare routine??
hi guys. about 8 months ago i finished my second round of accutane and now i feel as though i am starting to break out again :/ accutane changed my skin so much and it was the first time in my life it was really fully clear! just wondering if anyone can relate and has any ideas of any products i should get to maintain my skin. my skin is kind of combination and i get break outs everywhere on my face mainly my jawline and t zone right now though
Brand Review: COSRX
As someone with problematic skin, I can’t count on one hand how many COSRX products I’ve tried before.
COSRX is a brand that was established in Korea almost two decades ago in 2002. Its name comes from Cosmetics + Rx, showing how much the brand focuses on solving different skin issues.
Since most of its products are fairly affordable, I’ve become a pretty huge fan over the years. Although I started using the brand as a university student in my late teens, I never stopped patronizing their products. In fact, until now I still use COSRX products especially for my acne.
Here are some products I’ve tried from this Korean skincare brand!
1. COSRX - Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner To this day, this is the toner I use when I have breakouts. It has a water like consistency and is easily absorbed into the skin. It also soothes my pimples, reducing redness and irritation.
2. COSRX - Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch These are actually hydrocolloid patches, the same type of product that is used on patients who are healing from surgeries. I use these when I have a pimple that is already on its way out in order to speed up the healing process and avoid acne scars.
3. COSRX - AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner This was the toner I had before switching to my current toner. It has a similar consistency to the Centella toner and I think it complemented my other AHA products nicely.
4. COSRX - Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser Not a fan of this cleanser at all, but I will admit that it’s not a bad product. It did manage to make my skin smooth, soft, and ready for my routine. However, I prefer cream type cleansers to gel type.
5. COSRX - Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser This is actually my boyfriend’s cleanser, but he kept one at my place so when I used up my AM cleanser, I used this for a while. It lathers well but it’s also really drying, so get a nice moisturizer if you wanna use this product.
6. COSRX - Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence I only got this because I saw a lot of reviews hyping it online. Can’t say I noticed any considerable changes with this product. As an essence, it was rather moisturizing... and that was pretty much it. I didn’t get any breakouts or suffer from irritation though, so there’s that.
7. COSRX - Centella Blemish Cream I bought this product as spot treatment for my acne. It did work, sort of, but it was so slow that I’m not sure if it was even because of this product or if the pimples were simply at the end of their life. 😂 With a price of $20 for a 30ml tub though, I definitely didn’t think it was worth paying that much for a so-so product.
I’ve been using COSRX for so long that I’m pretty sure I’m forgetting a few more products, but these are the ones I’ve tried in the last 3 years, at least. What about you? Let me know in the comments! 💋
COSRX-AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Hormonal acne
DIFFERIN - Acne Treatment Gel contains apalene which is a retinoids derivative to promote collagen production to help get rid of scars and acne. It used to be a prescriptive treatment so ask your dermatologist before using it. It helped me control my hormonal acne. These acne mostly grow along my jawline and are very painful. They persist for weeks and are not poppable. I used to get 4 or 5 of them a week before I get my cycle. With this gel, I get 0-1 or 2 every cycle. One thing about this gel is if you have severe acne, you must use it every day for at least half a year to see the medication working so don’t stop after a couple weeks thinking that it isn’t working. The gel may cause peeling so if you have sensitive skin, be careful with this product.
DIFFERIN-Acne Treatment Gel
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