When I came across Clearstem Skincare, a clean skincare brand that fights acne and signs of aging, I crossed my fingers in hopes that their products would live up to their promise. Spoiler Alert: the hype is warranted. Their products didn’t disappoint.
**Please note that I recruited my sister Rose to test these products. Her skin type is oily, with occasional acne flares with larger pores. I thought her review of the Clearstem products would be helpful- so note that all reviews are hers**
*Affiliate Disclosure: I do have affiliate links in this blog post. If you purchase something from my link, I will receive a small commission from the sale. This comes at no cost to you, but is paid by the company. I do not take becoming an affiliate with any company lightly. If I am, it’s because I believe in the company and their product.
About Clearstem
Clearstem was founded in 2017 by Danielle, a licensed clinical esthetician, also known as “The Acne Guru™” and Kayleigh, a certified holistic nutritionist and one of Danielle’s success stories. Their complementary knowledge and experience was the combination needed to create the formulas that would produce a healing salve for acne sufferers everywhere.
Clearstem is a line of acne fighting and anti-aging products, free of hormone disruptors and pore clogging ingredients. While there are many acne fighting skincare brands, not many do so with clean, non-toxic ingredients. Of those who do use clean ingredients, most do not work or they dry out the skin in the process. Not so with Clearstem, their formulas help nourish and calm the skin and can even reverse acne scars.
Ingredient Selection
Some of Clearstem’s acne fighting and anti aging star ingredients include:
- Mandelic Acid which is used in CLEARITY is one of the key ingredients that fights hyperpigmentation and signs of aging.
- Collagen Stem Cells which are used in CELLRENEW and HYDRAGLOW promote cell turnover and help to eliminate fine lines and improve skin texture.
- Reishi Mushroom which is used in CELLRENEW supports your skin’s natural healing process.
- Green Tea which is used in CELLRENEW and the VITAMINSCRUB calms irritated skin, minimizes inflammation and neutralizes excess oil.
- Turmeric which is used in CLEARITY has powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Bakuchoil which is used in HYDRAGLOW has the same anti-aging effects as retinol without drying out your skin.
- Squalane which is used in HYDRAGLOW is a natural lipid that serves as an antioxidant and hydrates the skin.
- Vitamin C which is used in CLEARITY and the VITAMINSCRUB is a strong antioxidant that brightens and evens out skin tone.
- Bamboo which is used in the VITAMINSCRUB gently sloughs off dead skin cells and removes impurities.
Questionable Ingredients
Some products do contain fragrant essential oils.
Clearstem only uses non-comedogenic or non-pore clogging ingredients in their products. Some popular pore clogging ingredients that you may find in other products (but not Clearsteam’s) include:
- Coconut oil
- Jojoba oil
- Shea butter
- Lanolin
- Olive oil
- Diisostearyl Malate
- Ethylhexyl Palmitate
In fact, Clearstem has an extensive list of pore clogging ingredients on their site. You can also enter any questionable ingredients into their Pore Clogging Checker to find out if the ingredient is known to clog pores.
When choosing a moisturizer, you want to choose one that won’t irritate the skin but is able to penetrate the skin barrier and add moisture.
Besides not using pore clogging ingredients, they also don’t use toxins, or hormone disruptors in their products. They are also anti-aging, cruelty-free, and silicone-free.
Clearstem Skincare Product Review
**Reminder that my sister tested and is reviewed these products. Her skin type (oily, occasional acne flares, larger pores) was a better test of the products**
VITAMINSCRUB™ – Antioxidant-Infused Scrub Cleanser
This Antioxidant-Infused Scrub Cleanser gently removes dead cells and unclogs pores to reveal smooth skin through vitamin C, green tea, and bamboo.
Active Ingredients
- Hemp Extract
- Vitamin C
- Bamboo
Price
$45.00
My Sister’s Review
I loved this cleanser! It’s a perfect anecdote for my oily skin and gently gets rid of buildup without drying it out. It also brightens my skin and smells great too! This scrub cleanser will continue to be a part of my skincare routine for the foreseeable future.
Use code GURLGONEGREEN to save 15% off your purchase!
CLEARITY® – “The Blackhead Dissolver”
This award-winning AHA mandelic acid serum unclogs pores, brightens skin, and stimulates new collagen production. Mandelic acid has exfoliating properties and Vitamin C supports brighter, healthier skin. CLEARITY is nicknamed “The Blackhead Dissolver,” because if you leave it on your skin for 10 minutes, you’ll see blackheads dissolve!
Active Ingredients
- Mandelic Acid
- Turmeric
- Vitamin C
Price
$65.00
My Sister’s Review
When I saw that this serum was known as “The Blackhead Dissolver” I knew I needed this in my skincare routine. I’ve been using this serum for over a month and have noticed that the texture of my skin is softer, clearer and brighter. I also have some sun spots that I’m hoping will disappear or lighten over time. One thing to note is that you have to let it get happy on your skin for 10 min before applying the CELLRENEW Serum.
Use code GURLGONEGREEN to save 15% off your purchase!
CELLRENEW® – Collagen Stem Cell Serum
This carefully crafted anti-acne and anti-aging stem cell serum regenerates skin from hormonal breakouts to acne scars to fine lines and sun spots. The ingredients that give it its star power include, Saw Palmetto, Green Tea, and Reishi Mushroom, Turmeric and B5.
Active Ingredients
- Collagen Stem Cells
- Reishi Mushroom
- Aloe Vera
Price
$62.00
My Sister’s Review
This is a light serum that absorbs nicely into my skin. I use CLEARITY before CELLRENEW and follow up with the HYDRAGLOW moisturizer. I will say that the tone of my skin looks more even and my skin is definitely more hydrated. In the winter, before I started using Clearstem products, my skin was flaky and this was particularly obvious when I applied foundation.
Use code GURLGONEGREEN to save 15% off your purchase!
HYDRAGLOW™ Stem Cell Moisturizer
This daily moisturizer is acne-safe yet hydrating. HYDRAGLOW uses plant stem cells along with acne-safe bakuchiol (an alternative to retinol) and squalane to create younger, healthier skin.
Active Ingredients
- Bakuchiol
- Squalane
- Stem Cells
Price
$56.00
My Sister’s Review
Another winner in my book. HYDRAGLOW has a great consistency. It moisturizes without leaving a sticky residue or feeling heavy. It smells great too. I use it morning and night.
Use code GURLGONEGREEN to save 15% off your purchase!
Clearstem Customer Reviews
Best scrub EVER! My skin looks so smooth and tight! I love it!
I have suffered from acne for the past 15+ years. I’ve been on antibiotics, Accutane, and Aldactone. All of which only temporarily helped my acne and came with lots of negative side effects. My journey to clear skin didn’t start until I discovered Clearstem. Their products cleared my skin and their education helped guide me to clear up my acne by getting to the route cause and not just putting a bandaid over it. Through dietary changes, healing my gut, and living a healthier more holistic lifestyle, Clearstem has helped me finally achieve healthy, clear, cystic acne free skin. Thank you Clearstem!
I still remember the day I decided to order ClearStem products after listening to The Skinny Confidential Podcast. I was going through a rough time with my skin from using numerous harsh products recommended by my dermatologist. I felt discouraged but wanted to give my skin another chance with natural products, especially after listening to how much backed by science and research Danielle and Kaleigh made ClearStem. I’ve been using the whole line for about 4 months now and my skin has never been happier.
I especially love this Clearity serum and don’t go a night without it. Recently I was traveling and ran out and noticed a difference in the smoothness of my skin after a week without it. It definitely wasn’t as luminous. If you’re considering trying ClearStem for the first time and don’t know where to start, I highly recommend starting with this!!
This moisturizer has calmed and hydrated my skin so well! It’s not greasy/absorbs nicely and I love that it isn’t pore clogging since I have struggled with acne after having my second baby. Prior to using this, my skin looked dehydrated (even though I drink plenty of water) and was not glowy at all. Since using this product, it’s no longer dry and irritated. I definitely recommend it!
Clearstem Skincare FAQ’s
1. How much do Clearstem products cost?
Clearstem products range from $24.00 – $98.00. You can also purchase products in bundles ranging from $92.00 – $228.00.
2. Where can you buy Clearstem products?
You can find Clearstem products on their website, on Amazon and in most major beauty retailers.
International retailers include:
UK
Wolf and Badger
Australia:
Clean Beauty Market
Hong Kong:
Natural Awake
Canada
Beauty Nook
Connected Health & Skin
Natural Derm Store
3. What is Clearstem’s return policy?
Clearstem honors returns from their website within 30 days of delivery, subject to approval. However, if you’ve purchased a product from one of their authorized retailers, you will need to follow their return policies.
4. Is Clearstem cruelty free?
Clearstem products are cruelty free.
My Sister’s Final Thoughts on Clearstem Products
During this past month of using Clearstem, my skin has remained clear even while traveling and consuming more sugar than normal. I also noticed that a recent acne scar that I incurred from over-picking, has improved considerably and you can barely see it now. All of Clearstem’s products work together and I plan to continue using their products to see what other magic they can work on my skin.
I think that they have solved a problem for those of us who have acne-prone skin but don’t want to dry out their skin for the sake of clear skin or perhaps want some anti-aging support!
While their products aren’t cheap, in my opinion they are worth it, especially if you can avoid prescription medications for acne or other more invasive treatments. I also love their emphasis on using clean ingredients that won’t clog pores.
Have you tried any Clearstem products? Share your thoughts below!
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