Curology is a skincare brand built around personalized formulas. It offers a broader routine-based product range that includes cleansers, moisturizers, serums, sunscreens, acne patches, and body formulas.
The brand connects you with a licensed dermatology provider who evaluates your skin concerns and creates a custom formula with active ingredients selected for your needs. This approach can be helpful if you’re dealing with acne, dark spots, or uneven texture.
In this review, we discuss the brand’s offerings, the claimed benefits of its personalized approach, the limitations to be aware of, and how it compares to similar brands. We will also evaluate user experiences that will help you assess whether it aligns with your skincare goals.
As per the official website, Curology offers prescription offerings that include Custom FormulaRx, which is personalized with specific active ingredients selected by your provider, and HydroTretRx, a hydrating tretinoin formula designed for smoother, more even-looking skin.
The brand also provides Rx options such as DayPrimeRx for daytime acne support and Body CleanseRx for body breakouts. These formulas require consultation and are intended to address concerns that typically benefit from prescription-strength ingredients.
Curology complements its Rx products with a broad catalog of non-prescription skincare. This includes cleansers like the Gentle Cleanser and Hydro+ Foaming Gel Cleanser, moisturizers such as the Gel Moisturizer, and serums including the Hydro+ Hydration Serum, Brightening Vitamin C Serum, and Dark Spot Serum. The lineup also includes Daily Moisturizing Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30, Emergency Spot Patches for sudden breakouts, Acne Body Wash, and various curated sets designed to simplify routine building.
The brand’s offerings cover multiple skincare categories such as acne care, hydration, dark-spot management, anti-aging support, sun protection, and body care. Across these categories, it combines dermatologist-developed formulations with clinically supported ingredients to create routines that are straightforward and results-focused.
Curology Custom Formula may help address multiple concerns, such as acne, clogged pores, texture irregularities, rosacea-related redness, and dark spots. After reviewing your skin quiz and photos, a licensed dermatology provider selects up to three active ingredients at custom strengths, allowing the formula to align with your skin’s needs and adjust over time.
Niacinamide is frequently included for its role in supporting the skin barrier and moderating inflammatory pathways. It participates in cellular energy processes and helps regulate the activity of inflammatory mediators that contribute to redness and uneven texture. Niacinamide could help reduce excess sebum production and improve epidermal resilience, which can support clearer pores and reduce the appearance of blotchiness over consistent use.
Azelaic acid is another potential ingredient, selected for its ability to influence both pigment-producing cells and acne-related inflammation. It maintains a mild antimicrobial effect and could help normalize keratinization, which can reduce clogged pores and surface roughness.
Curology Custom Formula may also include clindamycin, which works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, reducing the presence of C. acnes on the skin. It may also help calm active blemishes and interrupt the cycle that leads to new inflammatory lesions by lowering bacterial activity.
DayPrime combines a prescription-strength acne formula with a primer base. The primer component may help create a soft-focus finish by diffusing light on the skin’s surface, which can visibly blur imperfections, minimize the look of pores, and provide a smoother appearance under makeup or worn alone. While the primer works on the surface, the prescription actives selected by a dermatology provider address acne, clogged pores, oiliness, uneven texture, dark spots, and rosacea beneath the surface.
A licensed provider reviews your skin profile and prescribes three active ingredients in strengths suited to your goals. Azelaic acid is included for its ability to influence keratin production within follicles. It could help prevent buildup inside pores and support clearer texture by moderating how skin cells shed.
Clindamycin phosphate works at the microbial level by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. This interferes with the growth of C. acnes, the bacteria that contribute to inflamed breakouts. It might help calm existing blemishes and decrease the triggers that lead to new inflammatory lesions by reducing bacterial density.
Zinc pyrithione may work by disrupting membrane transport across microbial cells, helping limit overgrowth on the skin’s surface. This may contribute to reduced inflammation in conditions where microorganisms aggravate acne or redness.
Salicylic acid could be added as it offers a stronger exfoliating effect by penetrating pores and dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells. It might assist in clearing buildup that contributes to congestion and uneven texture.
As per the official website, the Gel Moisturizer provides a breathable layer of hydration through a lightweight formula that absorbs easily and blends seamlessly into your routine. Its buildable texture allows you to apply a thin veil or multiple layers depending on your skin’s needs, without feeling heavy or occlusive.
Gel Moisturizer combines hyaluronic acid, which may help maintain the skin’s hydration level by drawing water from deeper layers and the surrounding environment. This might support short-term plumping, improved elasticity, and a smoother appearance, especially in areas where dehydration creates fine surface lines.
The makers have also added glycerin in this formula, which forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, helping retain moisture within the stratum corneum. This process supports barrier function by keeping the skin’s surface more flexible and reducing transepidermal water loss.
According to the official website, HydroTret blends personalized concentrations of tretinoin with dexpanthenol to help maintain moisture while addressing concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture, and dark spots.
Tretinoin in HydroTret functions by binding to retinoic acid receptors in skin cells, which influences gene expression, which is related to cell turnover and collagen production. This may encourage older keratinocytes to shed more efficiently and support the formation of new collagen fibers in the dermis, contributing to smoother skin over time.
Dexpanthenol complements tretinoin by supporting moisture retention and soothing the skin. Once applied, it converts into pantothenic acid that participates in lipid production within the skin barrier. It could help improve water retention and counteract dryness commonly associated with retinoid use by strengthening barrier lipids.
The brand highlights that additional active ingredients in HydroTret may be prescribed based on your skin needs, such as niacinamide and azelaic acid. Curology also offers a tretinoin-free option within the HydroTret line if you are seeking similar hydration and barrier-focused benefits without introducing a retinoid.
The Gentle Cleanser may help remove dirt, excess oil, and daily buildup without disrupting the skin’s natural balance. It may support a clean, refreshed feel while helping maintain the integrity of the skin barrier by avoiding ingredients that strip or clog pores.
As per the official website, Gentle Cleanser allows your skin to stay flexible and hydrated during and after cleansing. It combines glycerin, which integrates well with the skin’s lipid–protein matrix and may support barrier resilience even when used in a rinse-off product.
Oat extract in Gentle Cleanser could help modulate pathways that trigger redness and irritation, making the cleanser suitable for reactive skin. It also contains polysaccharides that help maintain surface hydration and support barrier function.
According to the official website, Emergency Spot Patch provides discreet coverage for unexpected blemishes while helping reduce the urge to pick or pop. Its thin, low-profile design allows it to sit comfortably on the skin and blend naturally under makeup, making it suitable for daytime wear. The waterproof and sweat-resistant structure helps the patch stay in place, offering consistent coverage throughout the day or night. The patch is made from hydrocolloid, which interacts with moisture on the skin’s surface. It creates an occlusive environment that draws excess fluid from inside a blemish while maintaining a moist surface that supports the skin’s natural repair processes.
The Cream Moisturizer could help strengthen the skin barrier without creating heaviness or clogging pores. Its formulation may help replenish moisture, soften the skin, and maintain overall barrier function.
The makers highlight that The Cream Moisturizer combines hyaluronic acid, which might help maintain hydration between cells and supports elasticity by cushioning the surrounding tissue. This contributes to a plumper, smoother surface, especially in areas prone to dryness.
The Cream Moisturizer also has aloe vera, which may help calm irritation and support moisture retention. It could also assist in maintaining a hydrated surface while reducing visible dryness or discomfort. The moisturizer also has shea butter, which contributes emollient properties through its blend of fatty acids, helping create a protective layer that seals in moisture and softens rough areas.
Squalane in The Cream Moisturizer might help reduce water loss and maintain smoothness, while allantoin complements the formula with its ability to support soft tissue repair. It encourages gentle exfoliation of dead surface cells while soothing the skin.
Curology highlights a dermatologist-founded identity as the company was created in 2014 by David Lortscher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. Dr. Lortscher’s clinical experience showed him that many people faced barriers to dermatology care, including long wait times and limited specialist access in rural communities. These observations shaped the company’s model, which aims to deliver medical-grade skincare through an online platform rather than relying solely on in-person visits.
Curology presents itself as a skincare company built on clinical principles rather than cosmetic trends by grounding the service in dermatology expertise from its inception. The founder’s background supports the brand narrative that its formulas, assessments, and formulations follow dermatology-based reasoning. This includes the use of prescription ingredients, individualized evaluations, and ongoing provider oversight.
Curology’s digital presence is anchored by its large clinical team, which includes board-certified dermatologists, family physicians, and nurse practitioners. Clinicians such as Nancy Satur, MD; Maryam Afshar, MD; Alia Ali, MD; Jasmin Chang, NP-BC; Laura Demuth, NP-BC; Kiko Gladsjo, MD; Charmaine Gutjahr, MD; and Camille Henninger, MD contribute to the brand’s medical review process. This team evaluates each member’s photos, medical history, and skin concerns, then prescribes a personalized topical formula. Providers continue to adjust formulas and answer questions through digital messaging, strengthening the platform’s ongoing clinical presence.
Curology’s subscription-first model is supported by required recurring payments, which further limit flexibility. After completing the online assessment and receiving a personalized prescription formula, you can enroll in a paid plan that renews automatically.
Its subscription costs start around $29.95/month for basic prescription access (Custom Formula ) and range higher for multi-product plans shipped bi-monthly (e.g., $59.90 for 60 days), covering medication, virtual provider care, and formula adjustments. As these plans bill on a recurring cycle, you must remain enrolled to continue receiving their prescription options. The model does not emphasize one-time purchases or short trials, and pausing or adjusting shipments requires managing the subscription directly. This structure supports steady use of active ingredients, which often need consistent application to work effectively, but it also reduces control over how and when products are purchased.
Curology operates without physical clinics, which limits the types of care it can provide. All evaluations, prescriptions, and follow-ups take place online, so you do not have access to in-person procedures that licensed estheticians or dermatologists perform.
For example, the brand cannot offer manual extraction of blackheads, whiteheads, or hardened sebum plugs, procedures that require sterile tools, controlled pressure, and hands-on assessment. Instead, the brand relies on prescription and topical formulas such as the Custom Formula Daily Acne Clearing Treatment and HydroTret to gradually improve clogged pores over time.
As the service is fully virtual, if you have stubborn congestion or deeper comedonal acne, you may need outside in-person care if topical formulas are not enough. Curology’s supportive products, such as the Gentle Cleanser, Gel Moisturizer, DayPrime, Cream Moisturizer, and Emergency Spot Patch, can help maintain skin health, but they do not provide the immediate effects that professional extractions or in-person dermatology practices can deliver.
Heyday and Curology both offer structured skincare options, but differ clearly in how care is delivered and how products are selected for users.
As per its official website, Heyday operates through in-person, esthetician-led services where licensed professionals evaluate your skin and personalize each facial in real time.
The brand complements these options with a multi-brand retail variety of more than 70 clean-label products, including One Love Organics Botanical B Enzyme Cleansing Oil, Naturopathica Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream, Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser, Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream, Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes, and Hero Mighty Patch Invisible+. The brand claims that all its products adhere to cruelty-free, vegan, fragrance-free, artificial dye–free, nut-oil–free, gluten-free, and paraben- and phthalate-free standards.
On the other hand, Curology takes a clinical, teledermatology-based approach where you complete an online consultation and receive a personalized prescription formula crafted by a dermatology provider. These formulas may include active ingredients such as tretinoin, azelaic acid, clindamycin, or niacinamide, depending on the user’s concerns.
The range includes DayPrime Acne Treatment + Blurring Primer, HydroTret hydrating tretinoin formula, Custom Formula for acne, and Body Cleanse, which targets body breakouts. Curology also offers a cohesive non-Rx product line designed to accompany the procedure, including the Hydro+ Foaming Gel Cleanser, Hydro+ Hydration Serum, Brightening Vitamin C Serum, Dark Spot Serum, Emergency Spot Patch, Gel Moisturizer, Cream Moisturizer, and Micellar Makeup Remover. This structure benefits you if you are seeking medical guidance and access to prescription-strength options for concerns like acne, discoloration, or texture irregularities.
The brands differ not only in methodology but also in how personalization is applied. Heyday relies on esthetician observation during appointments, allowing adjustments to masks, enzymes, exfoliation levels, or post-facial recommendations based on immediate skin feedback. Meanwhile, Curology personalizes through prescription formulations that evolve over time, guided by digital check-ins and progress photos rather than in-person assessment.
Heyday emphasizes in-person care supported by curated clean-beauty brands, while Curology focuses on clinical procedures with prescription actives and digital provider guidance.
Musely functions more like a full-spectrum tele-dermatology platform, offering a wide range of freshly compounded prescription options for concerns such as melasma, facial and body dark spots, acne, rosacea, menopausal skin changes, aging hair, and longevity. Its catalog includes targeted formulas such as The Spot Cream (hydroquinone, tranexamic acid, azelaic acid), The Anti-Aging Cream (tretinoin and hydrating actives), The Aging Repair Cream (estriol and vitamin C), The Facial Hair Cream (eflornithine), and a structured hair-loss lineup including The Hair Topical Solution – Classic and Modern with ingredients like exosomes, latanoprost, and caffeine.
The brand also includes oral options such as The Spot Pill (tranexamic acid) and The Age Well Pill (metformin, fisetin, CoQ10, Ca-AKG, NR), allowing the brand to cover skin, hair, and systemic aging concerns within one ecosystem.
Curology focuses on a narrower set of dermatology needs, primarily acne, basic anti-aging, and overall skin maintenance. Its clinical offerings revolve around its personalized Custom FormulaRx and targeted prescriptions like DayPrimeRx and HydroTretRx, which use actives such as tretinoin, azelaic acid, and clindamycin.
Curology also claims to support routines with over-the-counter products, including the Gentle Cleanser, Hydro+ Hydration Serum, Brightening Vitamin C Serum, Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30, and Dark Spot Serum. These OTC additions keep the overall routine streamlined and accessible, without expanding into hormonal or hair-related options.
Musely highlights using high-potency compounded blends such as hydroquinone-based discoloration formulas, exosome-infused serums, sulfur and ivermectin combinations for rosacea, and hormone-based creams for menopausal skin. On the other hand, Curology maintains a more simplified model designed for everyday use, with emphasis on consistent prescription application and routine-building rather than multi-concern intervention.
The service experience also differs. Musely conducts a three-minute medical questionnaire, which reviews user photos, and compounds products shortly before shipping to maintain potency. It provides ongoing eNurse check-ins and a 60-day result guarantee on select options. Meanwhile, Curology’s process centers on provider review, customized prescription assignment, and routine guidance, but without Musely’s extensive compounding or broad product catalog.
Pricing further reflects these structural differences. Musely’s prescriptions typically range from $30–$49 per month, with specialty products like The Spot Peel starting at around $99, while Curology’s non-Rx products fall between $10–$28, strengthening its focus on core dermatology care supported by essential skincare options.
Musely offers a more comprehensive medical approach with specialized products for pigmentation, hormonal shifts, aging, redness disorders, and hair loss. Curology provides a streamlined, acne-first model with a prescription routine paired with supportive basics.
Founded in 2014, Curology focuses on making prescription-strength skincare more accessible through online dermatology support. Its offerings include customized formulas for acne, hyperpigmentation, sensitivity, and early signs of aging, along with routine essentials such as cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen.
The brand has received an A+ rating on the BBB, which reflects stable business practices and consistent complaint handling. We also checked its rating on platforms like Tenereteam, where Curology has a 5.0 rating based on 9+ reviews currently.
This evaluation indicates that the brand offers a credible and structured approach to personalized skincare. Its clinical oversight and service ratings strengthen its reliability, although the effectiveness of the products ultimately depends on individual needs and comfort with a subscription-based model.
To evaluate Curology, we reviewed more than Trustpilot reviews, where the brand holds a 4.1 rating from 1,200+ reviews.
Many users praised quick communication, timely follow-ups, and detailed explanations when their formulas needed adjustments. Several also mentioned receiving free replacements for missing or incorrect options, immediate assistance with shipping concerns, and personalized guidance that helped them feel supported throughout their procedure. Others shared noticeable improvements in acne, inflammation, and skin texture after using their custom prescriptions and moisturizers.
However, some users also highlighted concerns related to subscription issues, such as unexpected charges after the 30-day trial, difficulties canceling on time, and the lack of return options for unwanted shipments.
Others noted delays in receiving responses or found it challenging to resolve issues through chat or text without the option of phone support. A few users also described irritation from formulas or felt their prescriptions did not match their skin needs, and these experiences were often made more frustrating when billing or cancellation concerns could not be addressed quickly.
Our evaluation indicates that Curology provides consistently supportive communication and medically informed guidance for many users, and the team often goes out of its way to correct mistakes or offer solutions. At the same time, subscription clarity, refund limitations, and reliance on digital communication remain areas where customers report difficulty.
Curology focuses on providing prescription skincare through a digital platform, using ingredients commonly supported in dermatology research, such as tretinoin, azelaic acid, clindamycin, and niacinamide.
While this can be helpful, it is essential to understand that a virtual setup cannot replace procedures or detailed in-office evaluations that certain concerns may require, and photo-based assessments may not always capture subtleties that matter for diagnosis. The subscription format also involves recurring payments and scheduled shipments, which may not fit you if you prefer more flexible purchasing habits.
Prescription topicals can cause dryness, irritation, or increased sun sensitivity, especially during the initial adjustment period. If you have more complex or persistent skin concerns, it may also be helpful to maintain access to in-person dermatology care for formulas or evaluations that cannot be performed online.
Curology offers a structured approach to personalized skincare, though the subscription system and virtual-only model remain important factors to consider when assessing whether the brand meets your needs.
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