Spotlight: Urban Skin Rx and CURLBOX

One word on everyone’s mind right now is coronavirus. I continue to pray for those who lost loved ones, for those fighting to stay alive and for those who are scared and don’t know what to do. We’ll get through this. It’s only a matter of time.

Now, next up on my business focus list for Women’s History Month is Urban Skin Rx and CURLBOX.

Unfortunately, I’m one of those people who suffer from acne on my face and back. I’ve been dealing with it ever since I hit puberty and till this day, it’s something I struggle with (thanks for the genes dad!). For my back, I’ve used countless products like Neutrogena’s body wash, a loofah sponge to exfoliate, have seen multiple dermatologists in my lifetime and the list goes on. I finally found a doctor who cleared up my face, but my back continues to have a mind of its own so one day I decided to take matters into my own hands.

The above Urban Skin Rx products are from CURLBOX. For those unfamiliar with CURLBOX, it’s a monthly subscription service created by Myleik Teele (she’s full of inspiration…check out her podcasts and follow her on Instagram) that lets you try at least 4 full sized hair care products for $20/month (you can cancel anytime and joining is first come, first serve when the list opens every month…one is opening up this Saturday March 28th!).

Also, they often launch various “non-subscription” boxes that you can buy with no commitment, like this one, which came out this past October. For all the boxes, you don’t know what you’re getting until it lands on your doorstep, but sometimes they drop clues so you can always guess. For example, for this one they said, “This batch of goodies, formulated for all skin types, boasts targeted ingredients including kojic acid, charcoal and salicylic acid to exfoliate and even varying skin tones.” When I read this, I knew it would help my back acne.

I paid $45 (shipping included). The retail value of this set is (drumroll please………….) $152! That’s more than half off.

Here’s what I got:

A little bit about Urban Skin Rx….

It was founded by Rachel Roff, who is a licensed medical aesthetician and a certified laser technician. Early on in her career, she noticed the lack of education and treatments for people with darker tones and in 2006, she opened the Urban MedSpa & Weight Loss Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Later on she launched the Urban Skin Rx brand which is a line of clinical skin care products for varying concerns. If you’re battling under eye circles, eczema, aging skin, dark spots or acne, to name a few, then she’s got you covered.

Sooo how do you feel about the products?

The only products I can use is the Even Tone Smoothing Body Treatment and Even Tone Super Glow Serum.

Let me tell you why.

I recently found out that my skin is sensitive to salicylic acid, which is one of the main ingredients in the body spray and cleansing bar. Instead of preventing breakouts, it made me itch and breakout lol so I stopped using it.

Let me tell you what else works…

Prior to buying this collection, I started using the Even Tone Cleansing Bar on my back. The packaging says it, “improves the appearance of uneven skin tone and dark marks.” It’s one of three cleansers that’s popular on their website (you can buy it at Target as well).

It’s advertised as a face wash, but I decided to give it a try on my back. Each bar comes with a small sponge you can use which I really like because it also exfoliates your skin. When I use this my skin is acne free, but it doesn’t help with scarring, so I started looking for another product and came across their Skin Renewal Body Treatment. I used the two products consistently after showering for 4 months and saw a significant difference (picture below of my right shoulder).

I continued to use these products together until last year because they discontinued the Skin Renewal Body Treatment. It was eventually replaced with the Smoothing Treatment and I’m not mad because it works just as good!

Overall, how do you feel about both companies?

This company has really changed my life when it comes to my self-esteem. During the summertime, wearing tank tops was never an option because I was self-conscious about my back. The cocktail of products I use keeps me acne free and is reducing the appearance of my scars, which I know will take time. Most importantly, these products will not work if you’re not consistent. I use them every day and notice breakouts when I don’t. At the end of my shower, I wash my back with the Even Tone Cleansing Bar and then once I get out and dry off, I use two pumps of the Even Tone Smoothing Body Treatment. NOTE: Sunscreen is a must when you’re out in the sun!

Also, definitely signup for their newsletter to receive deals. They’re always offering something whether it’s free shipping, 20% off, etc.

CURLBOX is a brilliant company.

I’ve been natural for over 10 years and it’s been a struggle trying to figure out what works for my hair. Everything is trial and error so over time, you end up spending a lot of money on products. A tub of moisturizer can cost at least $10 and if it doesn’t work, it collects dust under your bathroom sink or you end up giving it away.

This prompted me to pay the $20 a month and subscribe in 2017. It was one of the best decisions I made because I found products that work for me and new companies to follow like Made Beautiful. Their pre-poo detangler works like a charm and is part of my hair regimen.

So, like I said, if interested, the list opens this Saturday. Sign up for their waitlist to know exactly when you can secure your box.