As we make our way from winter to spring, our skin might need some extra help. That’s because, between yo-yo temperatures and seasonal allergies, your skin in spring may act as unpredictable as the weather.

Spring allergies combined with winter skin woes like dryness and windburn can mean your skin may be more sensitive this time of year. Warm temperatures make us sweat (and can ramp up our skin’s oil production) and coax us out into sunlight, meaning you might be exposed to more damaging UV rays.

So we gathered our best seasonal beauty tips by skin type so that you can help your skin transition from winter to spring, whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin.

What to do if your skin is dry

Chilly days and exposure to allergens can mean you experience skin dryness and flaking. And if you’re prone to allergies, you may also be prone to irritation and have a higher tendency towards atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema). Whatever the source of your dry skin, it’s important to use a gentle moisturizer that soothes and protects.

If you have seasonally dry skin or dry skin year-round, look for a good facial moisturizer to add to your skincare routine, like the Curology rich moisturizer. This deep moisturizer has 6 key hydrating ingredients to help smooth the skin, add moisture, and keep that moisture locked in.

And of course, dry skin on the body can benefit from moisturizing too! If you’re prone to eczema or skin allergies, you’ll want to read your product’s label to make sure it’s right for you. We like Gold Bond Ultimate Eczema Relief for soothing very dry skin and Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Mineral SPF 45 for protecting skin from UV rays.

What to do if your skin is oily

Spring brings warmer weather . . . eventually. When the heat and humidity ramps up, so can the oil content of our skin. Oily skin can also be caused by other factors like hormones, diet, and stress. For a quick (but temporary) fix, blotting papers (like the ones by NYX) can help.

Niacinamide is an antioxidant that may help reduce oil production (sebum) in the skin, so look for skincare products that feature it as a key ingredient — you can ask your Curology provider if adding it to your Custom Formula is right for you.

You may also want to switch to a lightweight gel moisturizer, like the original Curology moisturizer. And reach for oil-free sunscreens with mattifying effects to help keep your skin protected without feeling greasy.

What to do if your skin is combination

Most people have a mix of oily and dry skin — and you may also experience a mix of seasonal skin changes in spring. If your skin is as unpredictable as April weather, you might have combination skin. Even though combo skin is totally common, your skin still has unique needs, so it can be tricky to figure out good treatments for skin concerns like acne, fine lines, or dark spots.

Start with a simple skincare routine with just the essentials: a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen. Your Curology provider can also review your skin and help mix a Custom Formula that’s right for you.

A facial moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher is a great multitasking product — just make sure it’s free of potentially pore-clogging or irritating ingredients.

When in doubt, custom skincare is what it’s about

Our ever-changing skin is with us from day one — that’s why we all do our best to take great care of it! But if you’re tired of trying to Google your way out of skin woes like acne, hyperpigmentation, and uneven texture, then put yourself in the hands of experts and give Curology a try for free.

Just snap a few selfies and take a quick skin quiz to be matched with one of our in-house medical providers who will review your unique situation. If we can help, we’ll prescribe you a Custom Formula with a mix of three active ingredients for your skin concerns. Add on your choice of moisturizer and any other Curology product at no extra cost — you’ll just pay $4.95 (plus tax) to cover shipping and handling on your first box.

Skin refresh: How to transition your skin into spring was originally published in Curology on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

As we make our way from winter to spring, our skin might need some extra help. That’s because, between yo-yo temperatures and seasonal allergies, your skin in spring may act as unpredictable as the weather.

Spring allergies combined with winter skin woes like dryness and windburn can mean your skin may be more sensitive this time of year. Warm temperatures make us sweat (and can ramp up our skin’s oil production) and coax us out into sunlight, meaning you might be exposed to more damaging UV rays.

So we gathered our best seasonal beauty tips by skin type so that you can help your skin transition from winter to spring, whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin.

What to do if your skin is dry

Chilly days and exposure to allergens can mean you experience skin dryness and flaking. And if you’re prone to allergies, you may also be prone to irritation and have a higher tendency towards atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema). Whatever the source of your dry skin, it’s important to use a gentle moisturizer that soothes and protects.

If you have seasonally dry skin or dry skin year-round, look for a good facial moisturizer to add to your skincare routine, like the Curology rich moisturizer. This deep moisturizer has 6 key hydrating ingredients to help smooth the skin, add moisture, and keep that moisture locked in.

And of course, dry skin on the body can benefit from moisturizing too! If you’re prone to eczema or skin allergies, you’ll want to read your product’s label to make sure it’s right for you. We like Gold Bond Ultimate Eczema Relief for soothing very dry skin and Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Mineral SPF 45 for protecting skin from UV rays.

What to do if your skin is oily

Spring brings warmer weather . . . eventually. When the heat and humidity ramps up, so can the oil content of our skin. Oily skin can also be caused by other factors like hormones, diet, and stress. For a quick (but temporary) fix, blotting papers (like the ones by NYX) can help.

Niacinamide is an antioxidant that may help reduce oil production (sebum) in the skin, so look for skincare products that feature it as a key ingredient — you can ask your Curology provider if adding it to your Custom Formula is right for you.

You may also want to switch to a lightweight gel moisturizer, like the original Curology moisturizer. And reach for oil-free sunscreens with mattifying effects to help keep your skin protected without feeling greasy.

What to do if your skin is combination

Most people have a mix of oily and dry skin — and you may also experience a mix of seasonal skin changes in spring. If your skin is as unpredictable as April weather, you might have combination skin. Even though combo skin is totally common, your skin still has unique needs, so it can be tricky to figure out good treatments for skin concerns like acne, fine lines, or dark spots.

Start with a simple skincare routine with just the essentials: a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen. Your Curology provider can also review your skin and help mix a Custom Formula that’s right for you.

A facial moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher is a great multitasking product — just make sure it’s free of potentially pore-clogging or irritating ingredients.

When in doubt, custom skincare is what it’s about

Our ever-changing skin is with us from day one — that’s why we all do our best to take great care of it! But if you’re tired of trying to Google your way out of skin woes like acne, hyperpigmentation, and uneven texture, then put yourself in the hands of experts and give Curology a try for free.

Just snap a few selfies and take a quick skin quiz to be matched with one of our in-house medical providers who will review your unique situation. If we can help, we’ll prescribe you a Custom Formula with a mix of three active ingredients for your skin concerns. Add on your choice of moisturizer and any other Curology product at no extra cost — you’ll just pay $4.95 (plus tax) to cover shipping and handling on your first box.

Tretinoin is a powerhouse ingredient beloved by skincare aficionados of all stripes — its pore-clearing, collagen-boosting benefits make it an option for both anti-acne and anti-aging skincare. Of course, with great power comes great responsibility — so before you run out to get a prescription, here’s what you need to know about what tretinoin does for the skin.

What’s tretinoin?

Tretinoin is a retinoid (aka a derivative of vitamin A) that impacts the way your skin generates new cells. Tretinoin is known to help unclog pores while speeding up the cell turnover process — meaning it clears away dull, dead skin cells more quickly. So it may be an option if your skin goals include a bright and smooth complexion free of blemishes.

The ingredient is a more potent cousin of over-the-counter retinol, and a key difference between tretinoin and retinol is that you need a prescription to use tretinoin. To get tretinoin, you must first consult with a medical professional who will evaluate your skin concerns. If tretinoin is right for you, you’ll get a prescription for a tretinoin cream or gel to be applied nightly after cleansing (or as otherwise directed by your dermatology provider).

If you don’t want to wait to see an in-person provider, Curology is a teledermatology service that can deliver you prescription-grade skincare. (Subject to consultation, of course — it is a prescription, after all!)

What’s skin purging?

When you first start on tretinoin, you might experience something called “purging.” Your cell turnover rate increases, meaning the way your skin regenerates speeds up. And as this process starts clearing out your pores, you might see some new pimples.

Believe it or not, this is actually a sign that the tretinoin is working! “Purging” is a (semi-scary) term for temporary breakouts, and though we know that breakouts are never fun, sticking with it for those first 6–8 weeks can pay off.

Other potential side effects of tretinoin include

• Increased sensitivity (including sun sensitivity)
• Dry skin
• Redness

Keep in touch with your prescribing provider while you’re adjusting to tretinoin — they can help you adjust or make the decision to stop using tretinoin if it’s causing you discomfort. No matter what treatment you choose, remember that acne won’t disappear overnight!

Ready to go?

If you want to try tretinoin, you’ll need to consult with a medical provider. They can evaluate your skin and decide if tretinoin makes sense for you. You should work closely with this provider when first starting out on tretinoin.

One of the easiest ways to get a skincare consultation is through Curology. Curology members are paired with an in-house dermatology provider, licensed to practice in your state. Just take a quick quiz and snap a few selfies, and then we’ll review your skin concerns to determine the best way to meet your goals.

Your first month of Curology is free — just pay $4.95 (plus tax) to cover shipping and handling. You’ll get your Custom Formula + any of our dermatologist-designed skincare products at no extra cost to you. You can cancel any time or edit your subscription to meet your needs.

Ingredient spotlight: Tretinoin was originally published in Curology on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Curology is certified as a Great Place to Work for lots of reasons. Our favorite perk? A lifetime Curology membership that includes our flagship Custom Formula. We sat down with our senior manager of influencer marketing, Lexie Barnhorn, to get the real insider’s scoop on what it’s like to work for a skincare company while having acne yourself.

Can you tell us a little bit about where you’re from and your educational background?

I am originally from a small town in southern Ohio. I graduated from Miami University with a degree in strategic communication and interactive media studies.

How did you end up working for Curology?

During my junior year, I was sitting in a class on social media marketing when they mentioned a study abroad program that allowed you to spend an entire semester in San Francisco, working an internship for a tech startup. Of course, I took the real-world learning experience in San Francisco over spending another semester in Ohio in a heartbeat. That led me to Curology.

I started out as a social media intern in the fall of 2017 and transitioned to full-time in 2018. Now I’m a senior manager who gets to talk with influencers who use the product and see their amazing transformations. It’s really rewarding that part of what I do makes people feel more confident about themselves.

Why Curology?

Out of all the companies I could have wound up working for, I really resonated with the fact that Curology was making the experience of loving your skin easier and more accessible. It hits close to home because I have struggled with acne my entire life.

What has your skincare journey been like so far?

I started getting acne in 7th grade. I went to multiple dermatologists and tried oral medications, prescription topicals, over-the-counter recommendations — the list goes on. I know everyone says this, but I can truthfully say that it wasn’t until my Curology formula that I found a skincare product that actually worked for me.

What does the rest of your skincare routine like?

Besides Curology, I now get facials monthly. I like to give my skin the extra care it needs, and I always feel like my best self after.

In general, I’ve found that self-care not only improves my skin but improves my overall well-being and stress levels. That’s a benefit in and of itself, but it probably leads to fewer breakouts too!

What’s it like to work for a skincare company while learning to love your skin?

When I first started, I was scared that I would need to have perfect skin to reflect our product. Thankfully, that hasn’t been the case, and I’ve learned to love my skin and love the process! I no longer feel like getting a breakout is the worst thing in the world because I have an entire support system that’s there to help when needed.

It’s a judgment-free zone for sure. My coworkers and I constantly share skincare recommendations and help each other out. My team has a shared Google doc with all of our skincare routines so we can get tips and tricks from each other.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their skincare journey, what would it be?

First of all: don’t give up! Consistency is key — thankfully, working at Curology has made me stick with my Curology routine, and it has paid off.

Secondly, use skincare as self-care! It really does make a difference and gets you excited to do your routine every night and morning.

Last but not least, WEAR SUNSCREEN. I’m trying to look 30 when I’m 50, and this is hopefully the best start.

This interview was edited for length and clarity.

Want to get on Lexie’s level? We’re always hiring, and you can always start your free trial of Curology for just $4.95 to cover the cost of shipping + handling.

My Curology journey: an inside look was originally published in Curology on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

We are committed to building a company & brand that celebrates skin of all shades — and the stories they inspire. Building products that celebrate and serve all skin tones is just one part of our journey. As we strive to be a skincare brand for all, our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging initiatives will help us get there. To be more, we’ll need to do more — to inspire change through practice, not just promises. It is our responsibility to create a space and a platform that showcases Curology’s diverse member community as a medium of self-care and self-love — so that it might continue to empower others to embrace their healthiest skin and their happiest selves. Celebrating the beauty, power, and strength of the Black experience will be foundational in honoring that commitment. A celebration of Black History Month will extend beyond February; spotlighting Black stories should be perpetual, not seasonal — because those narratives are a part of what makes us human. With the help of our DEIB Team and initiatives like the Curology Black Joy Campaign, we’ll strive to make a celebration of Black history a fundamental cornerstone of our brand — every month of the year. In better understanding our privilege(s) and investing in allyship, we’ll aim to dismantle the systemic oppression that has historically held back cultural progress in the skincare space.

Actions speak louder than words.

Here’s what we’re committed to in 2021:

Frontline support

• We’ve donated more than $25,000 to four organizations we’re honored to support: the ACLU, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Minnesota Freedom Fund, and Campaign ZeroBy June 2021, we’ll donate an additional $75,000 to key organizations and individuals that support racial equity.

Accessible care for all

• We’re expanding our Curology Access Program to remove barriers disproportionately faced by marginalized communities in getting access to effective care. Starting January of 2021, we’ll award 1,000 free two- year Curology subscriptions or comparable product credits to qualifying young adults (25 and under) in need — every month.

Empowerment through education

• In an effort to acknowledge barriers faced by the BIPOC community in receiving specialized care, we’re partnering with Xavier University, a historically black university, to award $50,000 scholarships to 10 aspiring Black dermatologists.

Practicing what we preach

• We’ll continue to conduct extensive audits of our own internal corporate structure and practices, from who and how we hire — to how we can better honor our own commitment to facilitate diversity and inclusion at Curology.
• We’ve reevaluated the standing company holidays we currently acknowledge — and incorporated new dates of importance, like Juneteenth, that more democratically reflect the moments and movements our diverse team believes in commemorating.

Diving deeper, we’ve launched five Employee Resource Groups to create an inclusive workplace for individuals whose identities and experiences have been historically underrepresented. Our Melanin Rich group , for instance, is on a mission to provide a safe space for Black employees to build community, create programming that supports group interests, and promote a corporate culture of diversity, inclusion, and empowerment at Curology . Read on to meet the faces behind these ERGs below:

Employee Spotlights

Jerome Pargo III

What does BHM mean to you?

• “Black history to me is a time of remembrance for the hardships and triumphs of African Americans in the United States.”

How do you celebrate your heritage and skin?

• “I celebrate my Skin and heritage by making sure the younger generation in my family is educated on the events that took place to shape America the way it is for African Americans today.”

What Black Role Models do you look to for inspiration?

• “Here are a few of my favorite role models:

1. Malcolm X
2. Ermias Asghedom
3. Harriet Tubman
4. Curtis Jackson
5. Huey P Newton
6. Barack Obama”

Joel Roberts

What does BHM mean to you?

• “It reminds me of the struggle that both black, white, and people of color have gone through to be and feel equal here in America. But it also reminds me of how much further we need to go, I don’t know how we’re going to get there, but at least we haven’t stopped trying.

How do you celebrate your heritage and skin?

• “ I celebrate my heritage and skin by trying to treat people how I want to be treated. Even if they let me down I don’t give up and start acting indifferent. I think that’s how stereotypes get started and perpetuated. So enjoy spending time with people of other races and cultures eating their type of food, living a day in their lives, getting to know them as people. That way we can see, we all want the same things. Peace and Happiness”

What Black Role Models do you look to for inspiration?

• “Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Kobe Bryant — are a few names that come to mind. But my real black role models are my Mother and my Sister. Without those two I wouldn’t be alive. My mom taught me how to be a good man in a world where it seems like everything is stacked against you, and my sister taught me how to show genuine love. They are my real black role models”

Accountability is key — help us honor our commitments by reaching out to our team with feedback, callouts, or insights. We’ve got a lot to learn — and that’s where growth blossoms. Stay tuned in the coming months for our first- ever DEIB Journey Update, where we’ll share how our initiatives have progressed and what we’re doing to inspire change in ourselves — and across the skincare space.

The Belonging Collective: BHM & Us was originally published in Curology on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

You might say that squalane is the true neutral of moisturizing ingredients. No matter your skin type, it helps with maximizing the absorptions of moisturizing agents into your skin, keeping your face fresh, hydrated, and glowing.

Squalane is also lightweight and non-pore clogging, making it great for acne-prone skin. Historically, squalane oil was harvested from the livers of sharks,¹ but this was obviously harmful to marine ecosystems (not cool). In skincare today, squalane is most often synthetic or plant-based, derived from sources like olive oil, sugarcane, and rice.

Squalane vs. squalene

When it comes to your skin, squalane is better than squalene. We know, we know — what difference could one letter make? Basically, squalene is found in nature, and squalane is its refined form.²

Which one is right for your skin routine? We’ll repeat: you definitely want squalane, not squalene. Pure squalene needs to be refined in order to be stable;³ that’s why you’ll find its shelf-stable form, squalane, in certain skincare products.

How to use squalane in your skincare routine

Because of squalane’s balancing properties, it’s a popular ingredient in cleansers and moisturizers. You can also buy pure squalane oil, which can be used two ways: a) add a couple drops to your moisturizer, or, b) add a couple drops directly to your skin, like a serum.

When you opt for a product with squalane, it can help your skin feel soft without feeling greasy — so long as it has the right mix of ingredients. We’ll vouch for the following products with squalane as not having any potentially pore-clogging or irritating ingredients.

3 moisturizers with squalane

• Curology rich moisturizer
• Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream
• Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Emulsion

3 cleansers with squalane

• The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
• Biossance Squalane + Elderberry Jelly Cleanser
• Mad Hippie Cleansing Oil

3 squalane oils

• The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
• The Inkey List Squalane
• Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil

If you want to take the guesswork out of skincare, then start your free trial of Curology. You’ll receive a custom formula with a mix of up to 3 active ingredients chosen for your unique skin concerns. You can add on any of our other products (like our rich moisturizer with squalane) at no extra cost — just pay $4.95 (plus tax) to cover shipping/handling.

P.S.

We did our research so you don’t have to.

1. “The SQ extracted from shark liver oil is the most appreciated for its high yield (up to 40% of the weight of the organ); however, the extraction of plant sources is becoming increasingly important, given the protection of marine species in danger of extinction and the release of prohibitive norms on the extraction of SQ from marine species.” From Plant Sources, Extraction Methods, and Uses of Squalene. M. Azalia Lozano-Grande, et al. International Journal of Agronomy. (2018, March 2).
2. Anisha Sethi, et al. Moisturizers: The Slippery Road. Indian Journal of Dermatology. (May 2016).
3. Ibid.

Ingredient Spotlight: Squalane was originally published in Curology on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

In our last update this fall, we shared the changes we’ve made to our hiring practices and internal culture to help promote diversity, equity, and belonging within the walls of our organization. In this update, we shift the lens to our Marketing organization and the ways in which we are striving to correct for Curology’s underrepresentation in our advertising and marketing. We’ve sought to address this across every aspect of our Marketing efforts: from market research, to our casting process, to the education in what equity truly means that we continue to undertake as a team. In June, we set the goal of increasing representation in our advertising and content to include 30% BIPOC and have been delivering on this goal consistently across our assets. And we’re not stopping here.

We’ll start by sharing our team’s ongoing education in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our leaders have hosted 6 training sessions in the last 6 months, all of which were led by members of the Curology community (our full-time employees, influencers, and outside experts who we hired for their expertise). Topics included colorism, how to better amplify Black voices, how to avoid tokenism and cultural appropriation in advertising, skincare for people of all backgrounds, ableism and inclusive design, and social media algorithm biases. These training sessions were well-attended by the Marketing team: close to 60% of team members attended each session.

We also focused on capturing better, more complete information from our Curology members in order to better serve their skincare needs and desires. We added an optional section to our new member onboarding, in which individuals can select as many ethnicities as they desire to self-identify. Our Influencer Marketing team has conducted an audit of their vetting process for selecting new influencers to mitigate bias in the way this is done. Concurrently, the team has partnered with 13 Black-owned agencies to source and partner with a more representative group of influencers. In the last 8 months, the Influencer Marketing team has created a program that gives influencers the opportunity to use our platforms for the diversity and inclusion initiatives they are specifically passionate about. “Skincare Facing Forward” was our first of such initiatives, launched on our Curology social channels. We found that this campaign coincided with an 11% uptick in user-generated content submissions from people who identified themselves as members of the BIPOC community, perhaps pointing to improved resonance and relevance of our content with groups we previously weren’t reaching.

The Social Media team has been steadily making progress on our goals of increasing representation and eliminating tokenism and bias from our marketing. September kicked off our “Amplify Black Voices” initiative, a social campaign surrounding diversity and inclusion within the skincare industry. The team hosted 8 influencers and 4 providers on the Curology Instagram who spoke on 4 different topics: Beauty Standards and Race, Skincare 101 for different ethnicities, Skincare for the Transgender community, and How to Age like a Pro. These conversations happened on IG Live, IGTV, IG stories, and on the Curology feed to directly address the discrimmination within the beauty and skincare industries when it comes to race, gender identity, and age. In October, the team was honored to host a member of the Black and LGBTQIA+ community for LGBTQIA+ History Month, who spoke to the topic of becoming your “most invincible self.” We’ve been meeting or surpassing our representation goals: for October, our goal was 30% BIPOC representation and we achieved 33% by the end of that month. Our activation with Ayana Therapy was incredibly powerful. LeNaya Crawford, a therapist with Ayana, sat down and chatted with our own Jenn Kolinski about ways marginalized communities can practice self-care, as well as the skin concerns patients of color may disproportionately face and how our Curology providers care for them.

On the Creative team, much of the work has centered on improving representation and eliminating bias from our casting process. First, the team conducted a retrospective audit of the demographic breakdown of our casting funnel, and established a new process to track and report back on representation of patients going forward. The refined process is now optimized for eliminating potential sources of bias (such as highly subjective qualities like “attractiveness”). We’ve democratized how talent is sourced by including mentions on social media and direct messages, which are fielded by our support team. We rolled out a long-overdue payment plan to equitably compensate patients who are featured in our Curology Journeys. Finally, our casting process now focuses on uncovering and centering how identity affects each patient’s unique skin journey to unlock deeper, more resonant stories.

Zeroing in on our video content as an area of opportunity for Curology, we began tracking the percentage of our brand’s screen time that features individuals from historically underrepresented groups. The Video Creative team now incorporates reviews from the internal Employee Resource Group to ensure we’re authentically representing our BIPOC characters. We’re excited to share that we’ve begun production on a new Curology Journeys series that features 100% BIPOC members and their personal stories.

This is just the beginning of our journey toward creating a more equitable, inclusive community for all of our Curology members and employees. We just launched our latest brand campaign, “In Support of Black Joy,” and we’re excited to know what our community thinks. The team worked to amplify authentic, emotional stories from the Black community members about how they find and create joy in their lives. Next month, look for Curology’s first-ever Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Report, in which we’ll drill down into the details of where our representation stands today and where we are committed to going.

Part 2: Reshaping Our Marketing Efforts to Prioritize Inclusion was originally published in Curology on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Let’s face it: skin below the neck needs love too. Once you start a skincare routine for your face, it makes sense you’d wonder, “How can I take care of my body’s skin?”

The skin on your body tends to be thicker than the skin on your face, so what works on your mug might not work on your bod — even if you’re facing similar skin concerns.

Body acne can be stubborn to treat (especially if you’ve confused folliculitis for body acne), and the skin on our bodies is just as vulnerable to UV rays. Eventually, sun damage can manifest as dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, and other signs of accelerated aging. So it’s important to protect our skin and do what we can to help repair existing damage!

These recommendations might give you a quick start to building your bodycare routine. The best products for you might vary, but we think these are a solid place to begin.

Do you need…

…a body scrub?

You don’t need a body scrub, but if you’ve got a buildup of dry, dead skin, it can definitely help! Just don’t overdo it — exfoliators like scrubs work best when used as needed: typically, once or twice weekly — beware of over-exfoliating!

We recommend: First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA ($28).

What it’s for: Dissolving and scrubbing away dead skin cells for smoother, fresher skin. (It has both physical and chemical exfoliants!)

How to use it: While showering or bathing, gently massage scrub onto the upper arms, backs of legs, and any other areas that need it. Don’t use it more than twice a week!

Heads up: Don’t use it on your face, or any sensitive/acne-prone areas, since there’s a chance this could cause breakouts. .

…an anti-aging body lotion?

Honestly, regular ol’ sunscreen will go a long way, when used correctly. We like body lotions with SPF that multitask by protecting skin from UV rays while helping to repair skin with antioxidants.

We recommend: Hempz Yuzu & Starfruit Daily Herbal Body Moisturizer SPF 30 ($29.95).

What it’s for: Protecting against UV rays and lightweight moisturizing. It also gives your skin a surge of antioxidant benefits!

How to use it: Apply liberally — they say that about 2 tablespoons is enough to cover your whole body, but use more if needed! Let it set for 15 minutes before heading outside.

…a body butter?

Body butters are intense body hydrators that are great for dry skin. These thick creams tend to lay on top of the skin and can help reinforce its moisture barrier.

We recommend: Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil SPF 45 Body Butter ($42).

What it’s for: Soothing and protecting skin that needs extra moisture. This may come in handy on dry winter days!

How to use it: Slather about 2 tablespoons all over your body. This is a physical sunscreen, which gets to work quickly (and is great for sensitive skin!).

…a hand serum?

We use our hands a lot in our daily lives, which means they can be prone to more wear-and-tear. A hand serum is a way to show your hands some extra love!

We recommend: Verso Hand Serum ($55).

What it’s for: Hand rejuvenation. It may help treat dark spots with niacinamide and help prevent fine lines and wrinkles with retinol.

How to use it: Apply a small amount to the back of your hands and gently massage to rub in.

Heads up: Don’t use it on your face, or any sensitive/acne-prone areas, since there’s a chance this could cause breakouts. .

…a dry brush?

Most people don’t need a dry brush (and it’s a myth that it helps improve skin concerns like cellulite). That said, it does exfoliate, which can help soften tough areas prone to dead skin buildup like your elbows and knees.

We recommend: Biossance Dry Body Brush ($17).

What it’s for: Buffing away the buildup of dry, dead skin (hello, seasonal dryness!).

How to use it: Before you hop in the shower, gently brush dry skin using small strokes in a circular motion. Repeat once or twice weekly, as needed.

Heads up: For best results, follow our guide to physical exfoliation.

…an acne body wash?

If you’ve got body breakouts, then an acne body wash is the way to go. These may have active ingredients like salicylic acid, which help to unclog pores. Look for a body wash that’s gentle enough to use a few times a week (or even every day!) and doesn’t include ingredients that can make breakouts worse, like sodium lauryl sulfate.

We recommend: The acne body wash by Curology.

What it’s for: Breakouts on the chest, shoulders, and back.

How to use it: While showering or bathing, gently massage into wet skin — feel free to use just your hands or your bath tool of choice — and then rinse away.

Heads up: You can get your first month of Curology for free, including the acne body wash — just pay $4.95 to cover shipping + handling.

Want to keep it super simple?

The best thing you can do is practice sun protection. We know we sound like a broken record, but it’s the truth! Your future self will thank you for wearing sunscreen now.

Any questions? Feel free to reach out to your Curology provider, or leave a comment below!

Curology Lists: Bodycare Essentials was originally published in Curology on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Biotin (aka vitamin B7) is essential for your overall health. Many swear by this nutritional supplement as a way to promote healthy hair, nails, and skin — so it might be surprising to hear that too much biotin can (in theory) lead to acne.

So, is biotin good for skin?

Should you take biotin to treat acne? We say no.

Because everyone’s skin is unique, there’s no way to predict how your skin will react to biotin supplements. Plus, no scientific studies prove biotin supplements are an effective acne treatment.

And there’s another reason to avoid it for skincare purposes: biotin may interfere with the absorption of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid).¹ Vitamin B5 has been shown to help with acne,² so messing with its absorption might indirectly contribute to breakouts for some people.

While researchers have found some examples of biotin supplements leading to acne flares, this isn’t scientifically proven, either. Biotin’s effects are still somewhat mysterious, so more research is needed to understand its relationship to skin.

On the other hand, a biotin deficiency can impact your fingernails, hair, and skin — but this tends to be rare! Most of us get enough biotin from the foods we eat. More on this later!

What are the other B vitamins?

There are 8 forms of B vitamins,³ including biotin. Generally speaking, B vitamins help your body make energy, and they also help with the formation of red blood cells.⁴ They play an essential role in metabolism and immune system function.

• B1: Thiamin.
• B2: Riboflavin.
• B3: Niacin (aka niacinamide).
• B5: Pantothenic acid.
• B6: Pyridoxine.
• B7: Biotin.
• B9: Folic acid.
• B12: Cobalamin.

Vitamins B3,⁵ B5,⁶ and B⁷ may have skin benefits including improving skin tone, texture, and inflammation (including acne).

Do you need a biotin supplement?

Many people get enough biotin through diet — you can ingest it easily through foods like meat, eggs, fish, nuts, seeds, and certain vegetables. Certain diets (like veganism) might lead to nutritional deficiencies. Ask your medical provider about what supplements are right for you.

The relationship between diet and acne is complicated, but it never hurts to learn more about what your body needs to be its healthiest. Here are a few places to start:

1. Foods that can trigger breakouts
2. The truth about anti-aging food
3. The elimination diet for acne

Of course, practicing a daily routine can help your skin, too. Get a free month of custom skincare when you sign up for Curology. You’ll get a formula for your skin with a mix of up to 3 active ingredients to help you reach your skin goals. Complete your routine and add extra Curology products for no extra cost. Your first box is just $4.95 (plus tax) to cover shipping/handling.

P.S.

We did our research so you don’t have to.

1. Hamid M. Said. Cell and Molecular Aspects of Human Intestinal Biotin Absorption. The Journal of Nutrition. (January 2009).
2. Michael Yang, et. al. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of a Novel Pantothenic Acid-Based Dietary Supplement in Subjects with Mild to Moderate Facial Acne. Dermatology and Therapy. (2014, May 16).
3. Frank Fischer, et. al. Folic acid and creatine improve the firmness of human skin in vivo. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. (March 2011).
4. Medline Plus. B Vitamins. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2015, April 2).
5. Josefina Navarrete-Solís. A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial of Niacinamide 4% versus Hydroquinone 4% in the Treatment of Melasma. Dermatology Research and Practice. (2011, July 21).
6. Michael Yang, et. al. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of a Novel Pantothenic Acid-Based Dietary Supplement in Subjects with Mild to Moderate Facial Acne. Ibid.
7. Frank Fischer, et. al. Folic acid and creatine improve the firmness of human skin in vivo. Ibid.

Does biotin cause breakouts? was originally published in Curology on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

If you’ve been looking at your skin up-close, you might have noticed tiny black, gray, or tan specks in your pores. You might assume these dots are blackheads, but that may or may not be the case. And, while your first thought might be to extract them, safe blackhead removal at home usually requires a more nuanced approach than simply stripping your pores.

Is it a blackhead, or is it a sebaceous filament?

Blackheads are open comedones, i.e., small clogged pores. When the contents of blackheads (sebum/oil and dead skin cells) are exposed to the air, the melanin (pigment) in skin cells reacts with oxygen and turns black (hence the name blackheads!). By comparison, whiteheads are covered by a thin layer of skin, so the contents don’t get oxidized.

Sebaceous filaments are not “clogged pores.” Sebaceous filaments naturally line the inside of pores. They are actually normal parts of every person’s skin! In most people, sebaceous filaments aren’t really noticeable. If you have extra oily skin, though, you’re more likely to see them.

Treating blackheads

Pore strips, vacuums, and tweezer-like tools might sound appealing, but they’re not right for everybody! At best, these methods work temporarily — they don’t actually treat the cause of the blackheads, let alone permanently remove them. Reach for ingredients like salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and tretinoin instead.

Products we like

1. Paula’s Choice 2% BHA liquid
2. Stridex — Daily Care Acne Pads
3. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension

Treating sebaceous filaments

If they’re not bothering you, there’s no need to treat sebaceous filaments. And even if you do, they often come right back! That said, the same ingredients used to treat blackheads may also improve the appearance of sebaceous filaments. In addition to the ingredients mentioned above, you can also try an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) like glycolic acid.

Products we like

1. Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
2. Pixi Skintreats Glow Tonic
3. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

When in doubt, custom skincare is what it’s all about

If over-the-counter products aren’t cutting it, then it might be time to see a dermatology provider. Thankfully, getting medical-grade skincare has never been more accessible or affordable than with Curology. Just answer a few questions and snap a few selfies — you’ll be matched with one of our in-house medical providers. They’ll prescribe you a custom cream with a mix of up to 3 active ingredients for your unique skin concerns (blackheads included).

You can try Curology for free (just pay $4.95 + tax to cover shipping/handling on your first box). Need a complete routine? You can add any of our dermatologist-designed products at no extra cost. After that, you can edit your box to meet your ever-changing skin’s needs, so why not? Let us take the guesswork out of it and help you achieve the skin of your dreams.

P.S.

We did our research so you don’t have to.

1. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. Acne: An Overview. Informed Health. (2019, September 26).
2. G. Plewig & H. H. Wolff. Follikel-filamente. Archives of Dermatological Research. (1976, n.d.).