Curology vs. Agency vs. Musely vs. Dermatica: Which Brand is Best for Custom Skincare?
- We customize everything in our life from our style to our diet — the same should be applied to skin care. Whether you want to smooth fine lines, hydrate travel-weary skin, even overall tone, or all of the above, the customized skincare delivers a unique combination of products and ingredients to address your specific needs. Sustomized skincare products are typically created with the start of an introductory quiz that builds a profile based on factors like skin type, skin concerns, sensitivities, and even external factors, like dietary habits and location. With your results, company experts design a unique formula tailored to you and your skin goals, which can include both prescription and nonprescription options. Popular brands in this category include Curology, Agency, Musely, and Dermatica. How do you decide which one is best suited for you? Below, we will make a comparison to help you choose.
About Skincare Brands
| Curology
Curology is a personalized skincare brand founded by Dr. David Lortscher in 2014 and has made personalized skincare accessible in all 50 states. Curology believes that everyone deserves expert care and effective ingredients, which is why they make it easy to access clinically proven ingredients and science-backed treatments without any in-office visits or costly co-pays.
Curology offers traditional all-over topical treatments, cleansers, body washes, and even medicated pimple patches for spot treatment. Fill out an online questionnaire to outline your skin care goals and concerns like excessive oil, redness, or lack of firmness. You'll also be able to list any current medications and conditions that could interact with ingredients to ensure that your Curology product is the safest for you.
Average Cost: A monthly treatment plan with Curology will roughly run you between $25-$60 per month, depending on your needs. Your initial month is also free, so you'll only have to pay the $4.95 shipping cost the first time around.
Pros:
Simple ordering from home
Low cost for prescription and nonprescription products
Free 30-day trial to test products
Easier access to prescription-only acne treatments
Cons:
Subscription required for prescription orders
The initial examination of the skin takes place only through photos and an online assessment
Shipping is only free for orders over $30
WHERE TO BUY:
Curology (up to $10 cashback from Extrabux)
Bestsellers:
Curology Custom FormulaRX for acne
Help clear your skin with a personalized, Rx acne cream—prescribed for you by a dermatology provider. Your Curology Custom Formula is made with acne-busting ingredients picked for you, which can include tretinoin, azelaic acid, clindamycin, and more.
Curology Future-ProofRx for anti-aging
Prevent early signs of aging while also helping promote healthy, glowing skin with a prescription-strength formula customized for you, which can include anti-aging ingredients like tretinoin, niacinamide, and more.
| Agency
Agency is a new personalized anti-aging skincare brand, brought to you by the founders of the buzzed-about brand Curology. The goal behind Agency Skincare is to offer anti-aging products that are customized for each person's unique skin with the help of the brand's licensed dermatology providers.
For patients, the Agency adventure begins by completing a questionnaire about their unique skin and medical histories, after which they upload three photos of their skin — one from the front, and two from each side of their face — via the brand's website. Once the photos are uploaded, patients are matched with one of Agency's licensed dermatology providers, who is one of the nearly 100 physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in-house at the company — no bots or algorithms involved.
PRICE RANGE: $30+/month
What is The Difference Between Agency and Curology?
Both Agency and Curology were founded by board-certified dermatologist Dr. David Lortscher, and both brands share the same network of providers and skincare facilities. However, Agency and Curology are separate brands with different skincare focuses.
While both brands offer customized formulas, Agency and Curology each leverage different active ingredients to treat specific skin concerns. Curology's ingredients are customized to target acne skin concerns, while the Agency Skincare custom formulas are designed to treat signs of aging, like texture, wrinkles, fine lines, and more.
Pros:
Agency skincare ingredients are supported by research
Agency is cruelty-free
The online assessment and ordering is convenient
Easier access to prescription-only acne treatments
Cons:
No Agency skincare reviews
You must get a subscription to order Agency skincare products
The online assessment will not be as thorough as seeing a dermatologist in person
WHERE TO BUY:
Agency Skincare (up to $5 cashback from Extrabux)
Bestsellers:
Agency Cream Oil Cleanser
Anchor your daily skincare ritual with this rich-yet-weightless cleanser and moisturizer duo that nurtures your skin's glow. The Cloud Cream to Oil Cleanser and the Cloud Cream Weightless Whipped Moisturizer. The Cloud Cream Cleanser starts off as a gentle, creamy balm that transforms into a milky oil as you lather. It completely dissolves every last trace of the makeup, sweat, and SPF.
Agency Future Formula
The Future Formula is the brand's hero product—it's your custom, prescription-strength anti-aging formula designed specifically for you. This Future Formula is a custom cream made for your unique skin by your dermatology provider. It will be designed for your needs and goals to target skin concerns like fine lines, texture, firmness, and more.
Money Saving Tip: If you like online shopping, don't forget to sign up at Extrabux!(What is Extrabux) , then you can enjoy up to $10 cashback on your purchase from Extrabux! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus! Student Benefits: As long as you are a student at school, you can get a free whole year long VIP Card worth $199.
| Musely
Launched in 2019 in Silicon Valley by four-time serial entrepreneur Jack Jia, Musely is the fastest-growing DTC telemedicine company specializing in treating skin conditions such as Melasma, hyperpigmentation, aging, and more, all with board certified dermatologists and proven prescription medications.
Musely's branding centers on the fact that their products are "prescription skincare," which suggests that they contain more potent ingredients than OTC formulations. The brand claims that it "makes the science of youth accessible, affordable, and convenient," and brands their prescription skincare as "FaceRx."
Price: starts at $84 for three months.
Pros:
Users get a personalized treatment that targets their actual skin problem
You will have access to Musely eNurse which will help you know the progress of your treatment
There is a dermatologist available for any queries you may have during your treatment journey
No visiting the doctor or lining up at the pharmacist
Cons:
The products are available upon the doctor's approval
There is a doctor's visit fee
You might find the treatment pricy
WHERE TO BUY:
Bestsellers:
Musely The Spot Cream
A no-nonsense prescription dark spot correcting cream packed with hydroquinone and powerful skin brightening ingredients that fade dark spots and brighten the complexion on the face.
Musely The Private Cream
A prescription dark spot correcting cream specifically formulated with powerful brightening ingredients such as hydroquinone, tranexamic acid, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to fight the dark spots and pigmentation in your most intimate areas.
| Dermatica
Dermatica, the personalised skin care platform, has undergone a brand makeover with an emphasis on providing affordable skin care solutions tailored to customers' needs. The online diagnosis platform made its debut in 2018, offering consumers tailored skin care advice and treatment plans to help tackle a variety of skin issues including acne, aging, pigmentation and rosacea.
Their goal is to make skincare accessible and affordable for everyone. The process is really simple: you complete a free, online consultation where you upload photos of your skin from all angles and provide information about your skin and your desired results.
Pros:
Users get a personalized treatment that targets their actual skin problem
The online assessment and ordering is convenient
No visiting the doctor or lining up at the pharmacist
Cons:
The products are available upon the doctor's approval
The online assessment will not be as thorough as seeing a dermatologist in person
WHERE TO BUY:
Bestsellers:
Dermatica Clarifying Azelaic Acid 20% Cream
Azelaic Acid helps fade the appearance of dark spots, leaving your skin looking clearer and smoother. This lightweight cream combines hydrating Squalane and Glycerin with brightening and antioxidant Azelaic Acid. Designed by dermatologists to work alongside active ingredients like your personalized formula. Fragrance free and gentle and effective for all skin types.
Dermatica Balancing Glycerin Gel Cleanser
The Balancing Glycerin Gel Cleanser has been formulated according to the NICE guidelines. This gentle cleanser effectively removes makeup, dirt and SPF without stripping or irritating the skin. Designed by dermatologists to work alongside active ingredients like your personalized formula. Moisture-locking glycerin won't clog your pores or sting, so it's perfect for anyone with oily or blemish-prone skin.
Extrabux.com cooperates with many merchants, such as: Walmart (Up to 4% cashback), Sephora(4% -5% cash back), Moosejaw (5% -6% cash back), LOOKFANTASTIC (Up to 10% cash back), Sam's Club (Up to 15% cashback), Norton(Up to 20% cashback), Microsoft (Up to 7% cash back) and so on. You can save on buying daily necessities, fashion, beauty, electronic products, broadband installation, mobile communication, air tickets, hotels and other aspects of life!
Extrabux is an international cashback shopping site, offering up to 30% cashback from 10,000+ Stores!
B&H Photo Video, Dyson, Woodland Direct, Ooni UK, Bed Bath and Beyond, TUSHY, Zoro, Anthropologie, 4seating.com, GDF Studio, simplehuman, Appliance Parts Pros, etc.
Join to get $20 welcome bonus now! (How does Welcome Bonus work?)
Recommendation
-
Is Turkish Airlines Good for International Flights?
-
10 Best & Stylish Winter Coats for Women on NET-A-PORTER in 2025
-
Top & Best 12 Sneaker Apps/Websites for Raffles, Releases & Restocks in 2025
-
7 Best Gift Card Exchange Sites - Buy, Sell and Trade Discount Gift Card Safely and Instanly!
-
Top 9 Professional Skincare Brands for Licensed Estheticians 2025