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CeraVe vs. Curology: How Does Drugstore Skincare Compare to Prescription Rx?

I finally tested out the big guns

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Byallison priceOct 30, 2023Sponsored

My skin is mostly clear, but I’ve dealt with stubborn breakouts on my chin for years. And as much as I’d love to be the kind of person who settles for “good enough,” I’m pretty much always on the lookout for a holy grail product that will leave my face totally acne-free.

A friend of mine mentioned I might get a little more bang for my buck if I upgraded my skincare routine with a personalized, prescription Rx from Curology. I’ve been using mostly drugstore skincare brands for years with mixed results—including cult fave CeraVe—but I’ve always wondered if stronger actives might make a bigger impact on my acne.

Well, I took the plunge and ordered Curology—and now I definitely have some thoughts!

For a professional consultation experience tailored to my individual needs… Curology

In my opinion, nothing beats having an actual conversation with a licensed professional who understands my unique skincare needs.

My Curology provider took into account a photo of my skin, my medical history, lifestyle factors, and even weather changes in my area before creating my custom formula: Tretinoin 0.01%, Clindamycin phosphate 1%, and Azelaic acid 4%. 

Knowing how many factors went into my Rx before it arrived at my doorstep was extremely comforting, and I love knowing I can reach out to my Curology provider if I have any questions, or need a formula adjustment. It’s a really collaborative experience!

For a routine of products that work together to care for your skin… Curology

With over 9k ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews, the Curology Custom Formula is their true claim to fame. And for good reason; they’ve been around since 2014 and have treated over 5 million people.

But if you’re looking for products that work in tandem with your acne treatment, Curology is definitely the winner. With two types of cleansers AND moisturizers respectively (depending on skin type), spot patches, a micellar-based makeup remover, sunscreen, and even lip balm, you can craft a full skincare routine with Curology alone. Hello, skinimalism. ✨

CeraVe offers a whole line of skincare, too, but I didn’t notice a huge difference if I swapped out their acne-focused products with a moisturizer or a cleanser from a different drugstore brand.

And while Curology is definitely more expensive than CeraVe, it’s still a total bargain. I got six free gifts at sign up (a cleanser, moisturizer, micellar makeup remover, acne body wash, and a lip balm), and my custom formula is just $29.99 per month + free shipping on your first order.

For those who like to shop in person… CeraVe

Far and away the biggest reason I stuck with drugstore skincare for such a long time is its availability. I can run into just about any drugstore, Target, Walmart, and even some grocery stores to find CeraVe’s line of products. It’s really easy to replace empty bottles whenever I need to.

Curology does offer many of their products in store at Target, but the custom formula Rx is currently online only (for obvious reasons). However, my prescription is delivered at the same time every 60 days, which lets me avoid running to the store altogether! I love that I can count on my boxes having enough product to last me until my next delivery.

For those with stubborn acne… Curology

While my skin is mostly clear, the acne on my chin has never responded well to traditional, single-ingredient acne treatments. I love that my Curology Rx includes a combination of several powerful ingredients, many of which aren’t even available over the counter—especially in higher concentrations.

If you’re the type of person who has tried everything in the drugstore to manage your acne, Curology’s targeting, personalized formulas are a major win for your skin’s specific needs. One-size-fits-all skincare just doesn’t work for everyone!

My ultimate winner… Curology

While both Curology and Cerave offer skincare solutions to tackle a pretty wide range of concerns, there’s just no downplaying the power of prescription-strength active ingredients. I’ve already noticed a pretty significant difference in my skin, and even though I only just got started, the acne on my chin seems to be healing much faster.

If you’re looking to upgrade your drugstore routine, you need to try Curology.