Here’s something you should know about me: I’m a self-proclaimed skincare enthusiast. Right now, I have at least five cleansers in my “stash,” and I say this proudly … about eight different sunscreens. Naturally, the concept of custom skincare formulated to my needs excites me. If I could, for once, get rid of my clutter and have products that would do something for my main concerns. So, that got me questioning, is custom skincare all that worth it? I've used custom acne medication, so why wouldn’t a custom skincare routine also work? While I was looking into this, PROVEN Skincare, featured on Shark Tank, caught my attention. Let’s dig deep into custom skincare and whether or not it's worth it.
Custom Skincare vs. Generic Products
I hate to call skincare generic, but these are the average products you can get over-the-counter. You see them on TikTok, you read their claims, and if you’re anything like me, you try to research the ingredients to see if they’ll be good for you. Here’s a true story: it takes me about 3-4 weeks to decide to purchase a new skincare product. (Gasp!) Because I’ve suffered from acne almost all my life, I take too many precautions before purchasing generic products.
Now, custom skincare is entirely different. It relies on AI and computer algorithms to find ingredients and formulations designed for my skin type and skincare concerns. PROVEN, for example, will ask what your acne looks like, how your skin feels post-shower, what type of foods you eat, and even your zip code. All of these factors are considered when its software creates your formula. The result? A skincare routine with the right ingredients for your skin type that also addresses aspects such as UV exposure, hard water exposure, and even seasonality.
What’s PROVEN Skincare?
PROVEN is smart skincare using a data-powered, ultra-personalized approach to address skincare concerns. They use over 47 data points about your environment, lifestyle, and skin concerns to create a routine that matches your needs. As the seasons change and your skincare needs change, PROVEN updates your formula to give you an ever-evolving routine. Altogether, PROVEN takes the guesswork out of skincare by understanding your needs and creating data-backed skincare formulas that adapt with you.
The PROVEN Promise
PROVEN simplifies your life. They are rooted in simplicity and authenticity. For them, unrealistic beauty standards have no place. Their goal is to help you declutter your counter and beauty routine with products formulated to your needs. Because of this, their complete skincare routine is based on three single products:
- Personalized cleanser
- Personalized anti-pollution SPF 30
- Personalized night cream
My Skincare Routine
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As someone who has tried at least two different custom skincare lines before, I was blown away by the skin quiz that PROVEN uses. Of all, this one felt the most comprehensive, and it really allowed me to explain the state of my skin today and my skin’s concerns. I thought I was answering questions straight from a dermatologist.
For reference, my current skincare routine involves seven different products that I use daily and two products I use weekly. So, PROVEN can simplify my routine into a simple 3-step process, making it worth it already.
My formula included ingredients to target acne and fine lines. But, to my surprise, it also had ingredients based on my environment. I learned that the water in my area is very hard. The UV index is moderate, and humidity is usually high. My personalized skincare included ingredients to help counteract these environmental factors.
But that wasn’t what made it worth it for me. The PROVEN progression was what really sold me. Immediately, the system anticipated changes around my lifestyle and environment, so it created a suggested timeline for my skin.
Based on my results, my new skincare routine will first focus on my sensitivity, fight the hard water in my area, and help with hydration. The second set will focus on sleep deprivation and pollution, while the third set will continue to work on sensitivity and digital pollution. How amazing is that? I don’t have to switch up my routine since PROVEN does this for me already.
What I Liked & Didn’t Like
Things I Loved
More ingredients. One of the things I loved the most was the diversity of ingredients available. Unlike other custom skincare products that give you 1-3 ingredients, my PROVEN formula had over 10 different ingredients. All cruelty-free and never tested on animals!
Simpler routine. I personally don't mind my 7+ steps routine. It’s part of my self-care routine and how I force myself to wind down before bedtime. But, I appreciate the simple routine and the fact that it’s all condensed into this 3-step process. This is a huge plus for anyone looking to get a skincare routine started.
Progression. One thing I hate about generic skincare products is the trial and error. While I know that I’m supposed to switch my routine for the summer, I’m not exactly sure what I am meant to switch up. So, this custom routine changes every couple of months to take out the guesswork. In fact, they recommend that you retake their Skin Genome Quiz every 5-7 weeks to address your latest skin concerns.
Things I Didn’t Love
No targeted treatment. While the 3-step skincare routine is targeted to your needs, as someone with acne, sometimes I just need the help from a spot treatment. Of course, I’m sure long-term use of the custom products will eventually help with my acne. Still, I like to have options available whenever that nasty pimple decides to show up on my forehead.
Pricing. This isn’t your average skincare routine. But, the PROVEN skincare kit goes for $189.97 and lasts about two months! I spend A LOT on skincare, but this will really need to show me some visible results to sustain it.
Is It All Worth It?
In a nutshell, yes. I believe spending almost $190 every two months to get a truly customized skincare routine that continues to target my latest skincare woes is worth it. More than just providing treatment with retinoid or niacinamide, or any of the latest popular ingredients, PROVEN goes above and beyond to develop a science-backed formula for my skin’s needs.
The fact that their routine can fit a cleanser, toner, exfoliant, moisturizer, serum, and sunscreen into a 3-step routine wows me. Not to mention, they really consider everything in your environment to make their recommendations. Trying to replicate the same routine using generic skincare products (at least to me) is almost impossible. You’ll really have to dig deep into the different formulas out there to figure this out. Plus, you won’t have the progressive updates from PROVEN.
So, to sum it up, yes, custom skincare is definitely worth it. Even more so, if you’re dealing with skin concerns like fine lines, dark spots, sensitivity, or other skin concerns.
Try your first PROVEN Skincare routine for $99 with code MSA99.
