Today's hints
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The answer
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Why this answer
What the word means, where the trap was, and how the solve unfolds.
Strands #938 uses the clue “It's skin deep.” The theme words are CLEANSER, MOISTURIZER, SERUM, SUNSCREEN and TONER, and the spangram BEAUTYCARE ties them together, running from top to bottom and touching both edges, as every spangram must. The puzzle is edited by Tracy Bennett.
Where they sit: CLEANSER (middle right), MOISTURIZER (bottom right), SERUM (bottom left), SUNSCREEN (top left) and TONER (bottom left). Finding the short words first frees the letters the long ones need.
Recent Strands answers
Two weeks of solutions, newest first. Handy for a broken streak or a missed day.
Catching up? Here are the most recent solutions.
| Date | Puzzle | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Sep 26, 2026 | Strands #937 | Theme words: BREEZE, CURRENT, FLURRY, GUST, PUFF, WHIFF, ZEPHYR. Spangram: GENTLEWIND. |
| Fri, Sep 25, 2026 | Strands #936 | Theme words: EIGHTYONE, FOUR, NINE, THIRTYSIX, TWENTYFIVE. Spangram: SQUARENUMBER. |
| Thu, Sep 24, 2026 | Strands #935 | Theme words: FORT, POOL, SANDBOX, SWINGS, TRAMPOLINE, TREEHOUSE. Spangram: BACKYARD. |
| Wed, Sep 23, 2026 | Strands #934 | Theme words: ANCIENT, ARCHAIC, BYGONE, PRIMEVAL, TIMEWORN. Spangram: THATSOLDNEWS. |
| Tue, Sep 22, 2026 | Strands #933 | Theme words: CHANGEOVER, PROGRESSION, SWITCH, TRANSITION. Spangram: FALLEQUINOX. |
| Mon, Sep 21, 2026 | Strands #932 | Theme words: GRUNGE, LYCRA, NEON, SCRUNCHIES, TRACKSUITS. Spangram: NINETIESTREND. |
| Sun, Sep 20, 2026 | Strands #931 | Theme words: BLUSTER, BOAST, BRAG, FLEX, GLOAT, POSTURE, STRUT. Spangram: GRANDIOSITY. |
| Sat, Sep 19, 2026 | Strands #930 | Theme words: ARRR, AVAST, HEARTIES, MATEY, SAVVY, YOHOHO. Spangram: TALKLIKEAPIRATE. |
| Fri, Sep 18, 2026 | Strands #929 | Theme words: AGREEMENT, CONTRACT, COVENANT, PACT, TREATY. Spangram: LETSMAKEADEAL. |
| Thu, Sep 17, 2026 | Strands #928 | Theme words: BLONDIE, MUTTS, PEANUTS, PICKLES, ZIPPY, ZITS. Spangram: THEFUNNYPAGES. |
| Wed, Sep 16, 2026 | Strands #927 | Theme words: BRIGHT, FLASHY, JAZZY, STRIKING, VIBRANT, VIVID. Spangram: EYECATCHING. |
| Tue, Sep 15, 2026 | Strands #926 | Theme words: ANCHOR, BOLT, BRACKET, HINGE, JOIST, KNOB, NAIL, SCREW. Spangram: HARDWARE. |
| Mon, Sep 14, 2026 | Strands #925 | Theme words: EXCLAIM, FREEZE, GASP, RECOIL, SHUDDER, START. Spangram: THATSSHOCKING. |
| Sun, Sep 13, 2026 | Strands #924 | Theme words: AGENT, ASSET, COUNTERSPY, MOLE, OPERATIVE, PLANT. Spangram: UNDERCOVER. |
Solve notes
The opener that would have found it, and what to carry into tomorrow.
How to crack the board
Start with SERUM: at 5 letters it is the quickest to spot and confirms the theme. Every non-theme word you find earns a hint, so a few throwaway finds are not wasted. The spangram is the anchor: once it is in place, the remaining letters are boxed into smaller regions and MOISTURIZER becomes far easier to trace.
Questions people ask
Common questions about this puzzle, answered plainly.
What is today’s Strands spangram for September 27, 2026?
The spangram in Strands #938 is BEAUTYCARE.
What are today’s Strands theme words?
The theme words are CLEANSER, MOISTURIZER, SERUM, SUNSCREEN and TONER.
What does the clue “It's skin deep” mean in Strands #938?
It points to cleanser, moisturizer, serum, sunscreen and toner, tied together by the spangram BEAUTYCARE.
When does the next Strands release?
Strands #939 releases at midnight ET on Monday, September 28, 2026.
How do you play NYT Strands?
Find every theme word and the spangram in the letter grid. Every letter is used exactly once.
Tomorrow's hints, in your inbox at midnight
Daily Strands hints, the answer explained, and one thing worth knowing about the word — sent at midnight ET.