The Cottonball Difference
We aren't like every other brand—or any other brand. And that's a good thing for your skin. Here, the 5 unique factors that ensure Cottonball delivers your best skincare results, in the simplest way.
Most skincare brands sell you the products they make. We make the products you need. At Cottonball, our experts start with proven anti-aging ingredients, then customize them around your biology, concerns, and lifestyle. The result? Formulas that significantly reduce wrinkles, diminish dark spots, even out tone and texture, firm, hydrate, and altogether revitalize your skin.
We aren't like every other brand—or any other brand. And that's a good thing for your skin. Here, the 5 unique factors that ensure Cottonball delivers your best skincare results, in the simplest way.
Dozens of scientific studies prove that our key ingredients deliver on their anti-aging promises. But the purity of those ingredients matters. While many companies use 80% pure prescription ingredients, Cottonball's Rx actives are 99% pure.
We create rare formulas you won't find elsewhere. Combining prescription actives with proven cosmetic ingredients offers the best of both worlds—the most noticeable results, textures that feel good on skin, and ingredients that have an effect both immediately and long-term.
There's more to customization than whether your skin type is dry, oily, or normal. Via our doctor-developed skin quiz, we ask about your skin concerns, skin tone, age, skincare routine, sleep habits, health history, and even climate. This guides our dermatologists to the right ingredients at the right concentration for your bespoke treatments.
We don't expect you to give up every product you love to get results from ours. At Cottonball, we offer turbocharged treatments that work in tandem with your existing skincare favorites. In fact, our formulas can even help your current regimen work better.
Utilizing the best of tech and telemedicine, you can get a personalized skincare cream without a doctor's appointment or, in most cases, even picking up the phone. Our board-certified dermatologists will determine your best prescription formula through our skin quiz, and you'll always always be able to contact them via our messaging center.
Cottonball Chief Cosmetic Chemist Advisor
"Cottonball delivers clinically effective and personalized prescription skincare directly to consumers, with formulas that also contain the best cosmetic ingredients—like multi-weight hyaluronic acid for hydration, ascorbic acid for brightening, and ceramides for skin barrier repair. Cottonball is solving a big gap in the Rx skincare market."
The Magic of Personalized Science
Your skin isn’t like anyone else’s. Your treatment is tailored to you and only you. Here's how it works.
STARTING POINT: Our formulations begin with gold-standard ingredients that have been clinically studied and selected for skin health.
BIOLOGY: Your age, gender, skin type, skin tone, and health history all play a role in your ideal skincare regimen. Through our dermatologist-developed skin quiz, your answers give our dermatologists insight into which ingredients and concentrations will deliver the best results for you.
GOALS: We'll ask about your primary skin concern as well as secondary and beyond. This helps us know which ingredients to ratchet up and which might not be necessary so your formula is never gummed up with fillers.
SENSITIVITY LEVELS: You’ll be able to flag any allergies in the quiz, and we’ll automatically exclude those ingredients from your formula. If your skin is sensitive, we'll eliminate or decrease the levels of potentially irritating ingredients, or offset them with soothing agents.
CLIMATE: Your formula adapts to your climate too. Dry air? You’ll get more hydration. High UV index? We’ll add ingredients that support sun-stressed skin. All Cottonball products consider your environment to ensure your custom formula supports skin longevity
EXISTING REGIMEN: Tell us the products you use regularly, and we'll ensure our prescribed treatments won't cause any negative interactions. In many cases, our formulas will help your current favorites work even better.
CONTINUED REFINEMENT: Our formulators obsess over efficacy and tolerability. If your skin changes—or you just want to tweak your formula—we’ll update your blend at no additional cost.
Powerful Actives, Transformative ResultsPowerful Actives, Transformative ResultsPowerful Actives, Transformative ResultsPowerful Actives, Transformative ResultsPowerful Actives, Transformative Results Our treatments are built to work immediately and long-term. Because they all contain high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, your skin will feel softer and plumper on first application. For other anti-aging changes, expect to see visible improvements in a few weeks, with dramatic results by week 12. That includes smoother texture, fewer lines, faded dark spots, and brighter, healthier skin. A quick breakdown of the details…
Weeks 1–2: Your skin is adjusting. Expect some mild dryness, flaking, or purging, especially if your blend includes tretinoin or brightening agents. Use a gentle moisturizer and stick with it. Consistency beats perfection.
Weeks 3–4: Subtle but meaningful changes start to show. Your skin may feel smoother, look brighter, and respond better to your other products.
Weeks 5–8: You’ll notice clearer tone, fewer bumps, less dullness, and improved texture. Lines may begin to soften. Dark spots may start to fade. Your skin is doing the work beneath the surface too—at a cellular level.
Week 9 and Beyond: This is your transformation phase. Fine lines and discoloration visibly improve. Your skin feels stronger, more even, and more radiant. Why? Because it is!
Getting a skincare Rx typically involves a doctor's office appointment, a one-size-fits-all prescription, and a pharmacy trip. It's…work. Here, we deliver bespoke formulas right to your doorstep—giving you the skin you want in the most convenient way possible. Ready?
Answer a few questions about your skin, goals, and routine. We'll ask about sensitivity, sun exposure, what products you already use, and where you live (humidity, pollution, and temperature all play a part).
Within 24 hours, one of our board-certified dermatologists will evaluate your profile, ask any additional questions, and write a prescription for your personal formula.
Our pharmacy will custom-blend your product from scratch. (We don't pull bottles off a shelf.) This ensures the freshest, most effective formula, which we'll ship to your home within two days.
We'll check in with you regularly. If we need to adjust any ingredients or manage side effects, our experts will blend and send an updated formula for free. And you can message a dermatologist anytime.
Every component in your formula has a clear purpose. We blend the best prescription ingredients with the best cosmetic ones to create the results you want.
Works With Your Skincare Regimen
You have your favorites, and we respect that. We tailor the ingredients and concentrations in our treatments so they perfectly pair with your existing products—and even help them work better. It's kismet.
What moisturizer are you currently using?
Most skincare brands sell you the products they make. We make the products you need. Our customized solutions are determined by your skin type, skin goals, lifestyle, even where you live. Our cosmetic dermatologists recommend the right prescription ingredients, at specific concentrations, to get you the best results—then our pharmacists compound your personalized formula.
At Cottonball, it's never a guessing game. Just take our quiz, designed to understand your skin type, goals, sensitivities, and routine. Based on your answers, a board-certified dermatologist will determine the custom product(s) best for you.
It depends on your skin and your goals, but most people notice visible improvements in a few weeks, with dramatic results by week 12. Think smoother texture, fewer fine lines, faded dark spots, and brighter, healthier skin.
That’s where our personalized approach comes in. If you’ve reacted to an over-the-counter or prescription retinoid, hydroquinone, or other ingredients in the past, or if you’re prone to redness, we’ll tailor your formula with gentler percentages or other actives that don’t sacrifice efficacy. Plus, you can message a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at any time. We’ll reformulate at no extra charge, or refund you entirely.
Yes, but you don’t need an in-office appointment or, in most cases, even a phone call. We’ll guide you through the process via our skincare quiz. After you complete the quiz, your recommended formula will be reviewed and prescribed by a board-certified dermatologist, compounded by a Cottonball pharmacist, and shipped to you within two days.
On our blog, top dermatologists and cosmetic chemists take you into the fine print of skin science, bespoke actives, and all the proven ways to get the results you want.
