There are two truths in skincare: product selection can be daunting, and everyone’s skin needs are different.
Choices in the market are endless and promise to treat every skin concern for every skin type. You'll find cleansers for acne-prone skin, eye creams for sensitive skin, and moisturizers for dry skin. But the reality of actually unlocking the *chef's kiss* skincare routine can be time-consuming and extremely costly. That's where personalized skincare comes into play.
Like you see a tailor to alter an outfit for a special occasion, personalized skincare brands can match you with the right products in minutes. “[Personalized skincare] uses data from skin tests, questionnaires, or even DNA analysis to recommend products that fit you specifically,” says Shelia Malek Kassir, MD, plastic surgeon and co-founder of Kassir Plastic Surgery and Inside Beauty Spa.
This curated approach “ensures targeted, effective solutions that address your specific concerns, delivering more precise results than over-the-counter skincare,” explains Renata Khelemsky, MD, a double board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon. Rather than plucking a random niacinamide serum off the shelf, your custom concoction is quite literally tailor-made. Maybe your personalized skincare combines niacinamide with azelaic acid to target redness or salicylic acid for double-duty blackhead treatment.
“Personalized skincare has revolutionized access to prescription-strength formulations that were once the exclusive domain of dermatologists and trained physicians,” explains Dr. Khelemsky. “[It has only] recently emerged on the market and aims to deliver a uniquely tailored approach, one that is guided by a professional who understands your skin’s unique needs,” she adds. Essentially, personalized skincare removes the guesswork surrounding the right products for your skin with expert recommendations and custom formulations, sometimes incorporating prescription-strength ingredients.
Ahead, learn more about how personalized skincare works, as well as our picks for the best ones to try right now.
How Does Personalized Skincare Work?
Most personalized skincare brands operate online and are easily accessible on your phone. Typically, the process starts with a questionnaire that delves into specific questions about your skincare concerns (from acne to rosacea to dark spots and hyperpigmentation), skin type, current product use, makeup habits, sun exposure, and sensitivities. Each brand uses its own unique assessment, often factoring in lifestyle elements like diet, stress, sleep, and smoking, all of which affect skin health. "Based on your answers, allergies, medical history, and preferences, tailored products are recommended to address your concerns,” explains Dr. Khelemsky.
Some brands may also request pictures of your skin to help evaluate your concerns and overall skincare goals. From these evaluations, a ‘personalized skincare’ regimen is formulated,” explains Carmen Castilla, MD FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
What Are the Benefits of Personalized Skincare?
Customized skincare offers peace of mind in knowing that you’re using the right products targeted to your skin concerns. Most personalized skincare brands offer a clear, data-driven approach, which helps to “make it easier to navigate which products to get for patients that are overwhelmed by skincare options. For those who don’t have access to a board-certified dermatologist, it can help to start addressing some common simple skin concerns,” says Dr. Castilla.
“The biggest perk of personalized skincare is its precision and efficiency. Instead of using generic products that may or may not work for your skin, you’re using ingredients and formulations designed specifically for you. This often leads to quicker and more noticeable results, less risk of irritation, and better long-term skin health,” says Dr. Kassir. It's a "best of both worlds" approach that merges cosmetic elegance with medically-backed ingredients that require a prescription from a licensed professional.
Are There Any Risks With Personalized Skincare?
Skin is a living organ with its own environmental triggers, so what works for one person may not work for another. “When starting a personalized skincare routine, you might experience initial skin adjustments, such as breakouts (often referred to as ‘purging’) or peeling, especially with products containing higher concentrations of active ingredients like exfoliants. Other potential issues include inflammation, redness, and allergic reactions,” explains Dr. Khelemsky.
That said, dozens of platforms have emerged in recent years, and some might preach being more personalized than they actually are. “I found that different patients, such as a 20-something with acne and redness and a 50-something with fine lines and brown spots received identical recommendations, which raises concerns about true personalization," says Dr. Khelemsky.
While personalized skincare is a worthwhile cosmetic pursuit, it won't replace the benefit of having a dermatologist. Daniel Belkin, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in New York City says that though he sees great benefit in personalized skincare services, as not everyone has access to a dermatologist, he recommends that, if possible, to use them in tandem. Dermatologists can help manage any adverse reactions and guide you through normal skin adjustments and genuine concerns, adds Dr. Khelemsky.
The Best Personalized Skincare Brands
Curology
Curology's lineup is a dermatologist-favorite.
Curology has been around for some time, and its premise is pretty straightforward: Replace your entire routine with their prescription-strength compounds delivered to your doorstep. They determine which formulas are best for you based on a quick quiz, with questions that ask about your skincare goals, areas of breakouts, skin type, and health history (gender, prescription topicals, and other medications). You will also have access to a licensed dermatology provider who will choose the best formula based on your answers. Your provider prescribes one of Curology’s personalized formulas and then selects three clinically proven ingredients that work synergistically to give you the most effective results.
Processing Time: Once you sign up with Curology, you receive a trial bottle of your formula that ships out within three business days. You receive your first full-sized order 30 days after your trial order is processed
What the Brand Needs From You: Quiz, skin information, and lifestyle background
How Long the Products Last: Products are designed to last 60 days with daily use
Musely
Musely Dark Spot Treatment is a fan favorite.
A quick visit to the website will allow you to see celebrities who have tried and loved Musely–with before and after pictures to boot. Musely touts itself as a user-friendly platform with a quick turnaround and products for skin concerns. Though Musely does not connect you with a provider over the phone, a board-certified dermatologist emails you information about your personalized prescription. Through the app, you can message your assigned doctor if you have questions about your prescription or are experiencing any adverse reactions.
Processing Time: After taking your quiz, your customized products are shipped within two to seven business days
What the Brand Needs From You: Three-minute questionnaire, upload photos of your skin condition
How Long the Products Last: About 60 days with daily use
Prose
Prose offers customized hair care as well.
Customizable skincare that’s environmentally conscious? Sign us up. As the first and only carbon-neutral custom beauty brand, Prose uses a made-to-order model to prevent waste and deliver fresher ingredients. Membership-based, Prose, like many of the other personalized skincare services, uses an extensive online quiz that asks for the basics regarding your skin but also factors in your lifestyle and environment to help formulate your products and custom routine.
Processing Time: After taking your quiz, your customized products are shipped within three to five business days after formulated
What the Brand Needs From You: Extensive questionnaire
How Long the Products Last: About 60 days with daily use
Proven Skincare
Proven Skincare is one of the more luxe options on the market.
A fitting personalized skincare brand for today, Proven Skincare uses an AI-powered quiz to create products tailored to your skin type, concerns, and environment. Data-driven and clinically backed, this brand utilizes “dermatological data points” and scientific studies to formulate the most effective products for you. Proven Skincare uses a quiz and its own Skin Genome Project™, which is a comprehensive AI-driven skincare database, to generate truly unique, customized products.
You can then purchase their 3-Step PROVEN System (which includes a personalized cleanser, daily moisturizer with SPF, and night cream) with or without a subscription. The brand also promises that as your skin and the seasons change, so will your customized skincare as part of their subscription service.
Processing Time: After taking your quiz, Proven Skincare takes two to four days to finalize your customized products and once shipped, you will receive them in seven to 10 business days
What the Brand Needs From You: Extensive questionnaire
How Long the Products Last: About six to eight weeks with daily use
SkinCeuticals Custom D.O.S.E.
Skinceuticals Custom D.O.S.E needs to be created at one of the brand's in-person outposts.
A brand known for its scientifically-backed products that work to correct and prevent skin damage, its custom D.O.S.E provides personalized serums based on detailed skin consultation. Skinceuticals Custom D.O.S.E. is the perfect way to incorporate a Skinceuticals product tailored to your skin concerns into your routine.
Though a professional in-office service is available at certain providers and Skinceuticals SkinLabs, a quick three to five-minute consultation and your customized serum is dispensed in approximately five minutes. Not only does the serum help to optimize your existing skincare routine (treating fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and skin clarity), but your provider will also recommend aesthetic treatments to compliment your skincare journey.
Processing Time: Your serum is created five minutes after your consultation is completed
What the Brand Needs From You: In-person consultation
How Long the Products Last: If used once or twice daily, the serum will last three months
Meet the Experts
Dr. Renata Khelemsky, MD, is a double board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon in New York City.
Dr. Shelia Malek Kassir, MD, is a plastic surgeon and co-Founder of Kassir Plastic Surgery and Inside Beauty Spa in New York City
Dr. Carmen Castilla, MD FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
Dr. Daniel Belkin, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in New York City
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