Future Formula: What to expect

July 3 2024 8:13pm • Est. Read Time: 4 MIN

The go-to guide for getting the most out of your Future Formula

Your Future Formula journey is a marathon—not a sprint; it’s intentionally designed to gradually increase in strength, so your skin can adjust while always getting effective-but-gentle treatment. 

No two Agency journeys will look the same, because every person’s skin is unique. That said, this guide will help you learn how to incorporate Future Formula into your skincare routine and what to expect as you care for your skin—today and tomorrow.


What to expect along the way

Your Future Formula is customized to help you achieve your personal skin goals—whether you’d like to address a specific concern (like fine lines) or you simply want to establish a better skincare routine. To help you set the stage for your future skin, your Agency provider will create a just-for-you prescription that includes powerhouse ingredients like tretinoin, azelaic acid, and niacinamide. These research-backed, anti-aging essentials are ideal for caring for your skin longterm and treating a range of concerns, from fine lines to skin texture to dark spots. 

What will your Agency journey look like as you begin using your formula? Well, something like this:

  • Your Agency provider will start you off on a strength they think is appropriate for your skin. A lower-strength formula is still effective and builds from there. Ideally, you should be applying your formula nightly, unless your skin is feeling irritated.
  • Formula strength increases: Your treatment plan will most likely include 3 formula strengths that you can incrementally use over the course of 5-6 months. Read our guide about what it means to increase your formula’s strength and how it’s designed to evolve with you over time.
  • Check-ins are scheduled about a week before your next shipment. To complete your check-in and let us know how your skin is feeling, log into your dashboard starting 9 days before your next shipment.
  • Your formulations will be shipped every two months. Depending on what you share with us during your check-in, your formula can increase if you feel your skin is ready, or it might stay the same strength. 
  • Your provider is there to help! If you’re experiencing something beyond mild irritation or would like to discuss changing the ingredients in your formula, you can let us know in your check-in.


Your Future Formula routine 

Everyone’s skincare regimen will look a little different, but the following steps will help you seamlessly incorporate your Agency formula into your skincare routine. 

Morning

  • Wash with water or a gentle cleanser
  • Apply moisturizer, if needed (more on how to find a great moisturizer in a minute!)
  • (If applicable) apply a thin layer of your Dark Spot Formula to dark spots on your face, avoiding the areas around your eyes, nostrils, and mouth
  • Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 (this is always a must!). For those using the Dark Spot Formula, if you’re using a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, apply sunscreen after the Dark Spot Formula, and if you’re using a chemical sunscreen, apply sunscreen before
  • Apply makeup (if desired) after sunscreen (or the Dark Spot Formula) has dried completely

Evening

  • Remove makeup if you’ve put any on (we recommend using alcohol-free products, as alcohol can be irritating!)
  • Wash with a gentle cleanser and pat dry (if you’re experiencing dryness or irritation, try letting your skin dry completely before the next step; this may help reduce irritation)
  • Apply a thin layer of the Future Formula and leave on while you sleep
  • Moisturize if needed
  • (If applicable) apply a thin layer of your Dark Spot Formula to dark spots on your face, again avoiding the sensitive areas

Agency tip: If your skin’s feeling dry or irritated, try applying moisturizer before your Future Formula, rather than after.


Getting the most out of your Future Formula

  • Apply your products in the right order. A good general rule of thumb is to go in the order of the product’s consistency, starting with thinnest and finishing with thickest. So if you’re adding a liquid serum to your routine, apply it before your Future Formula, and finish with your moisturizer.
  • Check out our skincare product recommendation guides. In addition to your Future Formula, you really only need a few trusted allies for daily care—a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. We’ve done the research on effective products, so building out your skincare product collection is extra simple.
  • Avoid these ingredients (at least, initially): The following products may cause irritation when used with your Future Formula. If you want to reintroduce products with these ingredients back into your routine when you feel your skin is ready, use your best judgment, and we recommend doing so gradually.
    • AHAs (including glycolic acid or lactic acid)
    • BHA (i.e., salicylic acid)
    • Benzoyl peroxide
    • Vitamin C
    • Retinols 
    • Physical exfoliators such as brushes or scrubs
  • Do your research. We recommend reviewing your potential (or existing!) products on CosDNA.com. The website allows you to search for skincare products by name, breaks down their ingredient lists, and rates their potential for causing irritation or clogging pores. 

Our Agency providers generally recommend avoiding the following ingredients, no matter where you are at on your skincare journey:

  • Potentially irritating ingredients: isopropyl alcohol and denatured alcohol (alcohol denat), which can dry out your skin (and damage the skin’s protective barrier). 
  • Potentially pore-clogging ingredients: coconut oil, sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate, octyl stearate, and isopropyl palmitate.


How long does it take for your skin to adjust?

The adjustment period varies from person to person––for some it’s a month or less, for others it might be longer. If you experience mild irritation as you begin, have no fear—it’s normal and is usually temporary. (P.S. to help ease discomfort, you can always check out our tips for managing irritation). 


When can I expect to see results?

You may start to see changes—like improved appearance of fine lines and dark spots—after a couple of months of regular use. Results vary by per person; some see significant changes within a few weeks, and some see subtle changes after a year (or more!). Regardless of the timing, you can rest assured that your diligent efforts will eventually pay off.


Looking ahead with your Future Formula

Your Future Formula may rely on science-backed ingredients, but caring for your skin is an art that takes patience and consistency. We’re here to listen, provide expert advice, and celebrate your progress along the way. It may be just the start of your journey, but a step today is a step for your skin tomorrow.  

Discover more about your Future Formula: learn more about what to expect as your skin adjusts to your formula’s strength, the ingredients in your formula, and how to manage irritation.