Today's NYT Strands is live for Sunday, September 27, 2026 (Puzzle #938). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "It's skin deep"
What It Really Means
The prompt points to products used in a routine for your skin.
Think About...
- Start at the sink.
- Think about hydration.
- Prepare for time outdoors.
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Left to right across the board
Letter Count: 10 letters
Starting Zone: Row 5, letter 1
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think of the routine as a whole, rather than one step in it.
Hint 2 (Warmer): The long entry names the aisle where you would find all five products.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is B, last letter is E
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BEAUTYCARE
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A fresh start at the sink.
Closer: This wash lifts dirt and oil before the rest of the routine.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 8 letters total
Answer
CLEANSER
Word 2
Vague: A step for dry-feeling skin.
Closer: Look for the cream or lotion that helps keep skin hydrated.
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 11 letters total
Answer
MOISTURIZER
Word 3
Vague: A concentrated step in a small bottle.
Closer: This treatment is often applied by dropper before a cream.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 5 letters total
Answer
SERUM
Word 4
Vague: A layer for time outdoors.
Closer: Check its SPF label before heading into daylight.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 9 letters total
Answer
SUNSCREEN
Word 5
Vague: A liquid step that follows washing.
Closer: This liquid is often swept on with a cotton pad after washing.
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 5 letters total
Answer
TONER
Full Answers
Spangram: BEAUTYCARE
Theme Words:
- CLEANSER
- MOISTURIZER
- SERUM
- SUNSCREEN
- TONER
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Medium, with familiar products but a winding spangram path.
Trickiest Word: TONER is the trickiest entry because the same word can point to printer supplies instead of a skin product.
Our Take: BEAUTYCARE pulls the five products into a recognizable routine. CLEANSER and TONER establish the early steps, SERUM and MOISTURIZER build on them, and SUNSCREEN gives the set a daytime finish.
