If you’ve watched any of Emma Chamberlain’s recent videos or been on Snapchat sometime in the last month, you’ve probably heard about Curology.
If you haven’t, here’s the rundown. Curology is a customized skincare solution that’s delivered to you at home. It’s personalized based on your skin type and the skincare issues that you want to address. It’s been featured in Teen Vogue, Bustle and InStyle and retails for about $19.95 for a two-month supply. However, Curology has a trial offer on getting your first month’s supply free, where you just have to pay for shipping (which is only $5!).
Ready to jump on board? Still feeling skeptical? Don’t worry. I decided to try out Curology so that you can hear some honest thoughts on it before you commit.
Before: The ordering process
Getting your custom Curology bottle starts with an online consultation. This is a lot less intimidating than it sounds. After creating your account on Curology’s website, you answer several questions about your skin – like whether it’s oily or dry and how many pimples you have in an average week.
Then, you upload some no makeup selfies from a couple of different angles. Once that’s complete, you just have to wait for the medical provider assigned to you to write your prescription. Before you know it, your Curology order is on its way!
My thoughts on the ordering process: Ordering my first Curology bottle wasn’t complicated at all! All of the questions were worded simply, so I didn’t have any trouble answering them. The only part of the process that took any real effort from me was taking pictures of my skin – and even that wasn’t hard.
Two days after I answered the questions and uploaded my selfies, I got an email saying that my skincare expert had written my skincare plan. Two days might sound like a long time, but remember the plan is customized just for you.
Something I liked was that Curology gave me the name and picture of my expert. It was good to know there was an actual person who read over my answers and looked at my skin before they wrote the prescription.
During: My experience using Curology
Shortly after your medical professional writes your Curology prescription, it gets shipped to you. It arrives in a bottle with a label on it that has your name, prescription and directions for usage. My formula is 4 percent azelaic acid, 1 percent clindamycin and 0.25 percent zinc pyrithione. The instructions said to apply nightly after washing my face, then apply my moisturizer.
My Curology order arrived promptly with no issues, and it was easy to add to my skincare routine. All you have to do is pump some out and gently rub it into your skin.My thoughts on using Curology:
Admittedly, I was a little confused when my product arrived. I didn’t know what any of the ingredients listed were, so I was a little skeptical about putting them on my skin. Fortunately, when I went to my profile on the Curology website, it offered a more detailed explanation of what each of the ingredients does.
The formula didn’t feel abrasive to my skin, unlike some products I’ve tried before. The first few times I used it, it made my skin feel a little tingly, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. The product has a very clinical smell to it. However, that’s probably for the best because it means that you don’t have to worry about fragrances irritating your skin.
Also, remember that these are my thoughts on the product prescribed to me, so the details may vary!
After: The results
Caption: All that was really left of my breakout was this one stubborn pimple! The difference was subtle but still noticable.
Something Curology really emphasizes on their website is committing to using the product. They don’t try to tell you that you’ll see results right away – because you likely won’t. Curology says that the best way to see significant results is to use the product consistently over an extended period of time.
My final thoughts: I had a pretty bad breakout going on when I first started using Curology. It definitely took a while for me to start noticing a dramatic difference in my skin. When I look back on the pictures I took throughout the process, though, I notice some subtle changes. I used Curology for a month, and by the end of it, I can definitely say it helped clear up my skin.
I will say that if you’re having a breakout and want to clear it up quickly, you might be disappointed by Curology. If that’s the case – Curology isn’t the solution for you. You have to wait for it to arrive in the mail and use it every day to see gradual results. It’s not for a quick fix.
It’s not too pricey, so I definitely think it’s worth it if you’ve had long-term issues with your skin. It’s a commitment, but I think it’s very likely you’ll see results. You can get a free trial if you’re hesitant about it.
I won’t be ordering Curology again now that my free trial is up, but that’s because I have a skincare routine that generally works for me. When I get the occasional breakout, I know it’ll soon go away, so I just want to clear it up as quickly as possible. If you have long-term skin problems, though, give Curology a shot! Your skin will probably thank you.