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Alex Goldberg

Alex worked at three early-stage startups before starting Fin vs Fin. Covering the rise of direct-to-consumer health, his mission is to help patients access better treatments online. He's also a husband, father, and UC Berkeley grad who enjoys golf, podcasts, live music, cooking, and home improvement.

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Dr. Kim received his BA in Human Biology at Stanford University, before receiving his M.D. degree (Primary Care Track) from UC Davis School of Medicine. He completed his Internship & Residency in Family Practice from Glendale Adventist Hospital and is Board-Certified in Family Medicine via the American Board of Family Medicine. He has held faculty appointments at Stanford & UCSF medical schools and has championed telemedicine for decades. He is also a decorated, retired Flight Surgeon from the US Air Force Reserves.

In this Article

In this Article

Alex Goldberg

Ro is a popular direct-to-consumer (DTC) healthcare technology company that bills itself as “digital healthcare designed to help you feel your best”. Ro now offers Ro Derm – personalized, prescription skincare with a centralized, gender-neutral destination for telehealth-appropriate diagnoses, treatments, and other offerings including follow-ups, education, and community.

 

In this article, we’ll focus the microscope on Ro’s new skincare products, taking a look at how their skincare treatments work, what skin conditions they help, and how Ro Derm stacks up to other skincare competitors.

 

Is Ro Derm the same as Roman or Rory?

You may have heard of Rory (a digital health clinic for women) or Roman (the digital health clinic for men), two brands that have historically incorporated skincare into their respective offerings. Ro Derm is combining the brands to form this single gender-agnostic brand, offering the best of all worlds.

 

While Ro Derm is initially launched, skincare offerings through Roman and Rory will still be available, but eventually, all skincare offerings will only be available through Ro Derm. Treatments for other dermatological conditions that are currently available through Roman and Rory (eyelash growth, eczema, dandruff, and hyperhidrosis) will gradually be migrated over to Ro Derm.

 

If you’re currently using either of the brands’ skincare products, not to worry – the skincare formulations are staying the same at this time – only the branding, product names, and packaging are being updated. The name updates are as follows:

 

  • Rory skincare or Roman skincare → Ro Derm
  • Nightly Defense → Custom Rx Treatment
  • Antioxidant Face Cleanser → Hydrating Cleanser
  • Weightless Face Moisturizer → Protecting SPF Lotion

 

Roman, as mentioned before, offers a wide range of additional men’s health services — many of which we’ve previously reviewed in-depth, including Roman’s treatments for:

 

 

What skincare products does Ro Derm offer for men?

 

NightlyDefense_Bottle_2.1

Source: Ro Derm

 

Ro Derm has earned a unique spot in the marketplace as a gender agnostic brand, meaning the products are more targeted to the issue and less to the users’ gender. That being said, Ro Derm has numerous products that men can use within their skincare routines, whether you already have a regimen or are eager to start one.

 

The brand’s treatments are designed for specific skin conditions with customized solutions, including acne, eczema, dandruff, excessive sweating, and anti-aging. Below, we’ll go over each and explain what Ro Derm has to offer.

 

Ro Derm for eczema: Is their treatment legit?

Ro Derm’s treatment for eczema originally came from Roman’s eczema line and is a triamcinolone cream 0.1% solution, which is the generic form of the name brand prescription Kenalog. It’s a topical steroid cream to be applied for eczema flare-ups that can both prevent and treat flare-ups.

 

You might wonder in a comparison of Gladskin vs Ro Derm psoriasis: which is the better eczema cream? Each treats eczema but they do so in different ways. Ro Derm uses a topical steroid cream, which the brand says is a treatment method that’s recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology. Gladskin takes a different approach with a non-steroidal option. Gladskin’s website says that microbiologists have found a bacterial imbalance in most people with eczema, and Gladskin’s product targets this with its Micreobalance™, which is a smart protein that targets bacteria that contribute to flare-ups while encouraging good bacteria. The brand says its product is accepted by the National Eczema Association.

 

Ro Derm for acne, anti-aging and dark spots: what do they offer?

 

Ro Derm targets the trio of acne, anti-aging and dark spots in one with its Custom Rx Treatment offering, so, as a customized product, it really comes down to what your needs are. This means you could focus on one, two or all three of these concerns, and customization can be further broken down within the anti-aging category. Some of the anti-aging issues that can be targeted include fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, texture and age spots.

 

Depending on your customized package, your treatment could include a combination of seven different prescription options. These could include:

 

  • tretinoin for fine lines, wrinkles and age spots
  • niacinamide for texture, dark spots and acne
  • azelaic acid for dark spots, redness, inflammation and acne
  • ceramides for dullness, redness and dryness
  • tranexamic acid for lines, dark spots and inflammation
  • vitamin E (acetate) for fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots
  • magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) for dullness, texture and dark spots

 

With Ro Derm, you first have a consultation, and then will receive a customized blend of night cream with the ingredients that fit your needs and goals. This includes unlimited follow-up with a doctor to handle undesired reactions to the treatment, such as itching.

 

Ro Derm for dandruff

 

Ro Derm also treats dandruff, which affects the skin on the scalp, with prescription-strength shampoo. Their product includes natural tea tree oil and moisturizing calcium pantothenate (B5), and works by exfoliating, conditioning and fighting fungus. It’s designed to target flaking, itching and scaling, also providing clean, soft hair.

 

Ro Derm for Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)

 

For excessive sweating—yes, it is considered a skin problem—Ro Derm offers a prescription treatment of Drysol. It includes 20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate, which is a prescription antiperspirant that blocks sweat glands.  If you’re curious how  Ro Derm’s Drysol stacks up against other creams (prescription or otherwise), review our comparison of alternative treatments for excessive sweating.

 

Ro Derm’s Hydrating Cleanser

 

Roman_Dandruff

Source: Ro Derm

 

Originally known as Rory’s Antioxidant Face Cleanser, Ro Derm’s Hydrating Cleanser is the basic step in any skincare routine. This invigorating and non-lathering solution is a combination of Green tea, Vitamin C, and CoQ10. Important to use in both the AM and PM routine, the cleanser washes dirt, oil, and environmental pollutants away, leaving your skin feeling nourished.

 

Ro Derm’s Protecting SPF Lotion

 

Roman_Dandruff

Source: Ro Derm

 

SPF is so important to anyone using a skincare routine that incorporates prescription, as the damage that can be caused through not using SPF can slow (or even counter!) any progress made. This basically means a waste of your valuable time and money. 

 

Made to be applied every day – rain or shine – Ro Derm’s broad spectrum SPF 28 sunscreen offers daily protection for your skin. The solution is a combination of Green tea, Vitamin C, and Cica, with active ingredients Octinoxate 7% and Zinc Oxide 6% included.

 

Latisse from Ro Derm

 

Roman_Dandruff

Source: Ro Derm

 

Another product that the incorporation of both Rory and Roman brought into Ro Derm was Latisse, a serum used to grow/extend eyelashes. Available in 5 mL and 3 mL, Latisse is a prescription product that is ‘painted’ on the eyelid that gradually increases eyelash length and volume over time. 

 

How does ordering skincare from Ro Derm work?s

If you want to try one of Ro Derm’s skincare options, start by going to the website. You’ll have a virtual visit with a U.S.-licensed physician, where you go over your medical history and skincare symptoms.

 

If one of their doctors recommends any of Ro Derm’s treatments, you set up your order, which comes by mail in discreet packaging. Then, you get free follow-up care with your doctor through messaging, which gives you the opportunity to ask follow up questions, discuss side effects, and change your treatment if needed.

 

Ro Derm vs other skincare brands for men competitors

 

Competitors to Ro Derm provide some of the products that Ro Derm offers, but their products and conditions treated aren’t as broad. The following chart helps you see Ro Derm’s treatments, competitor offerings and price comparisons.

Skin ConditionRo Derm’s treatmentsCompetitor treatmentsRo Derm’s cost
AcneCustom Rx Treatment [can include a combination of tretinoin, niacinamide, azelaic acid, ceramides, tranexamic acid, vitamin E (acetate) and/or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate]Hims offers an acne cream with clindamycin, niacinamide and tretinoin at $34$29/month
Anti-aging (fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, skin texture)Custom Rx Treatment [can include a combination of tretinoin, niacinamide, azelaic acid, ceramides, tranexamic acid, vitamin E (acetate) and/or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate]Hims offers a prescription tretinoin anti-aging cream for fine lines and firmer skin at $34, a caffeine and hyaluronic acid night cream for wrinkles at $24, or a set with both for $49$29/month
Dark spotsCustom Rx Treatment [can include a combination of tretinoin, niacinamide, azelaic acid, ceramides, tranexamic acid, vitamin E (acetate) and/or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate]Hims offers a vitamin C morning serum for discoloration and even complexion at $33$29/month
EczemaGeneric Kenalog (0.1% solution triamcinolone cream)Gladskin treats eczema with a non-steroidal formula that focuses on balancing skin bacteria, for $35;$15/month
DandruffPrescription-strength dandruff shampooKeeps offers a 2% ketoconazole (generic Nizoral) prescription shampoo for $10/month$13/month
Excessive sweatingDrysol (20% aluminum chloride hexahydrate)– Prescription options through a medical professional at varying costs, such as QZBREXZA. – Over-the-counter options such as extra strength, non-prescription Drysol 20% through Amazon at $53.50 for 2 boxes$13/month

 

Ro Derm Reviews: What are customers saying?

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