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SKINCARE

MIXED

Curology for Acne

RESEARCH

  • Tretinoin and clindamycin combined work for acne, but formulation matters—low concentrations may not be effective.

COMMUNITY

  • Results vary widely: some see major improvement, others find the low ingredient percentages ineffective or more irritating than separate prescriptions.

SAFETYTretinoin causes birth defects; don't use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Can irritate skin and increase sun sensitivity.

WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS

ALL 15 ON PUBMED ↗
01

Clindamycin and tretinoin gel combines antibacterial and skin-normalizing effects.

view on pubmed ↗
02

Tretinoin is a proven acne treatment but historically causes irritation.

view on pubmed ↗
03

Newer delivery systems and formulations improve tretinoin tolerability.

view on pubmed ↗

COMMUNITY SENTIMENT

45% positive

Appreciate this! I used Curology for a year or so because I was too anxious to see a derm in person and this service was so convenient. My skin was at its worst on Curology and when I went to an in person derm later and shared the formula they had put me on, the derm said "well, that formula wouldn't do anything. The percentages of the ingredients are so low" A few years and an accutane treatment later, my skin hardly breaks out now.

U/WILLIBEWILLABY

I might be the exception here but I feel I had to add—I have been using Curology since they were “Pocketderm”. Their products have truly changed my life. I had horrible cystic acne until I started using their Tret blend, after a horrific purge my skin cleared for the first time in my life and I have genuinely nice skin now. If I stop the product it usually stays for a while but up to a year later the acne will come back. I agree, I HATE their subscription model, I wish I could just order when I ran out.

U/ROYALPENNY

I used Curology for years and I agree. For me, their formulas were less effective and more irritating than using tret and clindamycin from my dermatologist separately.

U/VIRGORISING91

COMMENTS

Add context that might help others — skin type, conditions like PCOS, what you'd tried before. The more specific, the more useful.

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Veda is not a doctor, pharmacist, or medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice — talk to a professional about your health.