Gentle Curology Recipe

Prepare and mix base

Sanitize all tools and a small mixing bowl or pump bottle with rubbing alcohol and let air dry. Warm the distilled water slightly (to lukewarm) to help ingredients dissolve. Measure 1 cup distilled water into the bowl or bottle.

Add 2 tbs mild liquid castile soap into the water. Stir gently to avoid foaming. The castile soap is the gentle surfactant that will cleanse without stripping.

Add 1 tsp glycerin and 1 tbs pure aloe vera gel. Stir until the glycerin and aloe are evenly distributed. These humectants soothe and hydrate skin and counteract potential drying from the surfactant.

If using, add 0.5 tsp panthenol and 3 drops vitamin E oil. Mix thoroughly. These are optional actives to support skin barrier health.

Transfer the mixture into a foaming pump bottle (preferred) or a clean pump/dispensing bottle. Label with date. Use 2 pumps to cleanse face morning and night: wet face, pump foam into hands, gently massage, then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.

Sanitize a small glass beaker and dropper bottle. If you are using pre-made serums (10% niacinamide and 10% azelaic), combine 0.5 tsp of each in the beaker. If using powders, dissolve each powder into a small amount of the warmed hybrid carrier (2 tbs distilled water + aloe base): sprinkle niacinamide and azelaic powder gradually while stirring until dissolved.

Once powders are fully dissolved (or pre-made serums combined), add 1 tsp squalane and stir to form a lightweight emulsion/serum. Squalane improves skin barrier and helps deliver actives without irritation.

If the serum contains water, add a suitable preservative at the manufacturer-recommended rate (example in ingredients: 0.25 tsp) and mix. This prevents microbial growth if you plan to store the serum more than a week. Otherwise make fresh batches and refrigerate up to 7 days.

Transfer the serum to a dark dropper bottle, label with contents and date. To use: after cleansing and patting skin dry, apply 3–4 drops to face (avoid direct eye area) once daily at night initially. If tolerated, can be used AM under sunscreen. Introduce slowly—start every other night and build up.

Patch test first: apply a small drop to inner forearm for 48 hours to check for irritation before facial use.

After serum absorption (~1–2 minutes), dispense 2 tbs equivalent (about a nickel-to-quarter size amount in total across face and neck) of light non-comedogenic moisturizer and pat onto face to seal in hydration.

In the morning, follow moisturizer with 1 tsp mineral SPF 30+ applied evenly to face and neck as the final step. Reapply sunscreen every two hours if exposed to sun, or as directed by the product.

If using the active serum in the morning, always apply sunscreen afterward. If skin becomes irritated, reduce active frequency, eliminate one active (azelaic or niacinamide), or consult a dermatologist.