# Curology **Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/curology **Vertical:** Consumer Lifestyle & Wellness **Subcategory:** Personalized Beauty **Tier:** Growth **Website:** curology.com **Last Updated:** 2026-04-14 ## Summary Telehealth-powered prescription skincare platform connecting patients with licensed dermatology providers online; pioneering custom compounded serums with tretinoin, niacinamide, and clindamycin shipped directly; projected revenue approaching $100M annually. ## Company Overview Curology is a San Francisco-based telehealth skincare company founded in 2014 by Dr. David Lortscher. The platform connects patients with licensed dermatology providers who review photos and skin concerns online, then prescribe custom compounded serums containing pharmaceutical actives such as tretinoin, niacinamide, and clindamycin. Products are shipped directly to subscribers as part of a monthly plan.\n\nCurology has raised approximately $40 million in venture funding and projects revenues approaching $100 million annually. The company has expanded its service beyond acne treatment to cover anti-aging, melasma, and rosacea. It launched a sister brand, Agency, specifically targeting men's skincare concerns. The combination of telehealth prescription authority with DTC manufacturing and delivery positions Curology at the intersection of digital health and beauty — a unique regulatory moat that over-the-counter brands cannot replicate.\n\nThe brand has attracted a loyal subscriber base among millennial and Gen Z consumers who prefer personalized, clinician-backed skincare over generic pharmacy products. By eliminating the in-person dermatology visit, Curology democratizes access to prescription-strength ingredients at a fraction of traditional office costs. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How does Curology work? Customers sign up online, share a photo, and complete a skin questionnaire. A licensed dermatology provider reviews the submission and prescribes a custom-compounded formula with pharmaceutical actives shipped monthly. ### What skin concerns does Curology treat? Curology addresses acne, anti-aging, hyperpigmentation, melasma, and rosacea using prescription-strength ingredients including tretinoin, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and clindamycin. ### Is Curology a telehealth company or a beauty company? Both — Curology blends licensed telehealth provider consultations with DTC manufacturing and subscription delivery, creating a prescription beauty model that bridges clinical dermatology and consumer skincare. ### How much does Curology cost? Curology's custom formula subscription starts at approximately $29.95/month for the custom formula plus a free 30-day trial for new customers. Additional skincare products (moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreen) can be added to the subscription at additional cost. ### What is Curology's Body brand? Curology launched Body as a separate brand offering prescription body care, extending its telehealth skincare model to keratosis pilaris ('chicken skin'), body acne, and dry skin conditions with custom-compounded body formulas prescribed by licensed providers. ### Who can use Curology? Curology is available to adults 18+ in the US and teens 13-17 with parental consent — addressing the significant teenage acne market that has historically required in-office dermatology visits for prescription-strength treatment access. ### What happens during a Curology dermatology provider consultation? After submitting photos and a skin questionnaire, a Curology-affiliated licensed dermatology provider (NP, PA, or dermatologist) reviews the case asynchronously and prescribes a custom formula. Follow-up check-ins occur every two months to adjust formulas as the patient's skin responds. ### How does Curology compare to traditional dermatology? Curology provides access to prescription-strength actives (including tretinoin) at significantly lower cost and without office visit wait times — typically $30-50/month versus the time and cost of in-person dermatology. The tradeoff is asynchronous (not real-time) consultation and no in-person examination. ### How does Curology's telehealth skincare model work? Customers complete an online skin assessment and submit photos, which are reviewed by a licensed dermatology provider (dermatologist or nurse practitioner). The provider prescribes a custom compounded serum containing pharmaceutical actives tailored to the patient's specific concerns, which is then manufactured and shipped monthly as part of a subscription. ### What prescription ingredients can Curology include in custom formulas? Curology's custom formulas can contain tretinoin (Retin-A), niacinamide, azelaic acid, clindamycin, zinc pyrithione, and other prescription or high-potency actives depending on each patient's skin concerns. The specific combination and concentration are determined by the prescribing provider based on the patient's diagnosis and skin assessment. ### How much does Curology cost per month? Curology's subscription starts at approximately $20-$30 per month after a free trial period, with the custom prescription serum included. Additional cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen products can be added to the subscription. The monthly fee covers both the product and ongoing provider oversight and messaging support. ### What is Curology's Agency brand? Agency is Curology's sister brand targeted specifically at men's skincare concerns including acne, oiliness, and anti-aging. It operates the same telehealth prescription model with men-focused branding, packaging, and marketing that addresses the barriers men often have to engaging with traditional skincare products. ### Does Curology accept health insurance? Curology does not accept insurance. The service operates as a direct-pay telehealth and prescription service. However, the cost is typically far below what insurance-required dermatology office visits plus separately dispensed prescription medications would cost, making it an affordable alternative for patients managing common skin conditions. ## Tags b2c, healthtech, platform, north-america, startup, mobile-first --- *Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*