As someone who, fortunately, grew up not having to think much about my skin (other than the occasional breakout), I’d never considered investing in prescription or custom skin-care products. My trips to the dermatologist’s office always centered on skin cancer checks, and I was more than satisfied with my over-the-counter products. Then I entered my thirties, had children, lost (a lot of) sleep, got lazy about SPF, and well, things look a little different now.
As they should. I know that recapturing the exact skin of my teens and 20’s is a fool’s errand, but when the effects of aging, pregnancy hormones, stress and exhaustion started presenting on my face with fervor, I knew it was time to take stock of my entire skin-care routine and streamline it. I could have done the research on every active ingredient myself or experimented with the buzziest products everyone else swore by, but instead I turned to Agency, the anti-aging-focused skin-care brand from Curology that uses licensed dermatology providers and clinically proven ingredients to build custom formulas just for you.
Is there a difference between the Agency and Curology brands?
Yes. While Agency and Curology share the same network providers and facilities, they are separate brands that focus on different sets of skin concerns. Agency’s formulas are designed to specifically treat signs of aging, like texture, wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots and more.
How Does Agency work?
The first step is a skin-care quiz. Questions range from determining skin type to what concerns you’re looking to address and then into your medical history. (The entire quiz takes just minutes.) From there, and based on your answers, you’ll get personalized recommendations on a full skin-care routine—including prescription and non-prescription products—that are then shipped right to your door on a recurring basis.
Before each shipment, you also get a virtual “check in” with your dermatology provider to ensure the products are working as intended or if any changes need to be made.
How much does an Agency subscription cost?
Try it for free! The first shipment is a 30-day trial run; you’ll just need to cover the $4.95 cost of shipping. After the first month, the cost depends on the products you’re prescribed, but you have the option to add, remove and edit the products as you wish.
My products
My concerns included wrinkles, dryness, dark spots and a complexion that just looked tired and dull. My dermatology provider from Agency outlined four products for me to try.
- Future Formula: A prescription serum to be used at night to target firmness, dark spots, skin texture and wrinkles. Its key ingredients are tretinoin, dexpanthenol, tranexamic acid and niacinamide.
- Dark Spot Formula: A prescription spot treatment to be used twice a day to treat dark spots and patches. Its key ingredients include hydroquinone, kojic acid, azelaic acid and hydrocortisone.
- Cloud Care Cream Oil Cleanser: A creamy cleanser made with squalane and glycerin that soothes skin and melts away dirt and makeup (and I swear smells like butterscotch!).
- Cloud Care Whipped Moisturizer: A rich, hydrating cream made of shea butter, ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin that settles into skin with a “light as air” finish.
My results
I received my Agency products in mid-June and I used them exclusively, with only the additions of my favorite SPF and must-have face mist. My morning routine went as follows: mist, moisturizer, Dark Spot Formula, SPF. Nighttime steps were cleanser, Future Formula, moisturizer, Dark Spot Formula. After 30 days of this simple routine, I am shook at my results. Specifically, how even my skin tone is—numerous dark spots and patches dotting my face have visibly faded.
I have to admit I was a little hesitant to try ingredients like hydroquinone and tretinoin for the first time, but I’m happy to report zero instances of irritation. In just one month, my skin looks firmer, smoother, definitely more even and naturally glowy—the best it’s looked in years.
And one more note: I love browsing through my treatment plan page on Agency.com. Agency provides detailed information on the products you’re using, explainers on every ingredient they utilize in their formulas and suggested edits to make to your products as your skin adjusts to them. For the first time ever, I feel like I really know what I’m putting my skin and how it really works.
How to start your plan with Agency
To start your personalized skin-care journey with Agency by Curology, click here.
