The Agency by Curology is a subscription-based skincare service that offers personalized formulas designed to target your unique skin concerns. Similar to Curology, The Agency takes customization a step further by focusing on both preventive and regenerative skincare—ideal for addressing early signs of aging and maintaining long-term skin health. It’s essentially biohacking for your skin—using science-backed ingredients and personalized formulas to optimize skin health and slow the visible signs of aging.
How It Works
After completing an online questionnaire and uploading photos of your skin, a licensed dermatology provider reviews your case and creates a custom formula. Unlike Curology, which primarily targets acne and basic skin concerns, The Agency offers a two-step approach:
- Future Formula – Focuses on preventing signs of aging and maintaining youthful skin.
- Night Shift Formula – Packed with advanced active ingredients to repair and rejuvenate your skin overnight. (I haven’t tried this)
These formulas are delivered directly to your door on a subscription basis, making it easy to maintain a consistent routine.
Key Ingredients in The Agency’s Custom Formulas
The Agency’s personalized formulas often include several powerhouse ingredients, such as:
- Tretinoin: A derivative of vitamin A, tretinoin promotes cell turnover, unclogs pores, and smooths fine lines. The Agency’s formulations leverage encapsulated tretinoin for gentler and more effective delivery, minimizing potential irritation.
- Niacinamide: A form of vitamin B3 known for its anti-inflammatory and brightening properties. It helps reduce redness, improve skin barrier function, and even out skin tone.
- Tranexamic Acid: Addresses hyperpigmentation and dark spots by inhibiting melanin transfer. It also has anti-inflammatory benefits, making it effective for treating melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- Azelaic Acid: Reduces inflammation and combats acne while addressing hyperpigmentation. It brightens the complexion by inhibiting melanin production.
- Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline: A peptide that improves skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines, providing a firming effect.
- Green Tea Extract: A powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radical damage and calms inflammation.
(Note: Depending on your specific skin concerns, your formula might include other ingredients like glycolic acid or salicylic acid. The precise combination is tailored to your needs.)
What I Like:
- Advanced Customization: The formula ensures it’s targeted for your skin type and concerns.
- Encapsulated Ingredients: Minimizes irritation while maximizing efficacy, especially with tretinoin.
- Convenience: The subscription model makes it easy to stick to a routine and adjust the formula as needed.
- Expert Guidance: Licensed dermatology providers craft your formula, bridging the gap between over-the-counter products and traditional dermatology.
Things to Consider
- Subscription Model: The service requires a commitment, so make sure it fits your budget and skincare routine. I find that the products go a long way, so I often skip a month or two without running out.
- Adjustment Period: As with any active skincare regimen, there may be an adjustment phase where your skin acclimates to the active ingredients, which can sometimes cause mild irritation. The use of encapsulated ingredients, however, helps reduce this risk.
- Individual Results: Since every skin type is different, some users might see rapid improvements while others may need more time to experience noticeable changes.
My Thoughts
I appreciate the no-hassle approach of having professional expertise combined with the convenience of personalized skincare. The focus on science-backed ingredients—like encapsulated tretinoin, tranexamic acid, and peptides—provides a targeted approach that makes a real difference. It feels like a biohacking approach to skincare—using powerful actives and expert guidance to unlock your best skin possible.
I haven’t tried the Night Shift Formula, which focuses on addressing existing pigmentation and signs of aging. I also haven’t tried their cleanser, moisturizer, or eye products. For now, I mostly stick with the Future Formula to save a trip to an in-person dermatologist. Uploading photos and having a remote dermatologist adjust my formula as needed is much easier for me.
If you’re looking for a simple yet effective way to upgrade your skincare routine with expert-backed solutions, The Agency by Curology is worth considering.