I first started using Clearstem over a year ago and I’m sharing my brutally honest thoughts on every product I’ve tried. Clearstem is a non-toxic acne skincare line that’s one of the top acne skincare lines in the clean beauty space.

Is Clearstem Non-Toxic and Clean?

The formulas are made with clean ingredients, never pore-clogging, and are sensitive skin friendly.

They don’t use: Parabens, PEGs (Polyethylene Glycols), Petrochemicals (e.g., mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin wax), Phenoxyethanol over 1% (they use a small amount safe for sensitive skin), Phthalates, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Synthetic Dyes and Fragrances, TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone), Oxybenzone, Toluene, Triclosan, Pore-Clogging Ingredients, Benzoyl Peroxide, Aluminum Chlorohydrate, BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole), BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), Coal Tar, EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid), Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives, Nanoparticles

Check the individual ingredients to see if they’re suited to you.

I’m actually glad I didn’t write about them last year because they did a whole packaging redesign and now I get to share their updated look as I share my thoughts. Clearstem is an acne skincare line that’s also an anti-aging one and was started by an esthetician and holistic nutritionist who dealt with cystic acne. Nothing worked – not Accutane, antibiotics, birth control, or laser treatments. And so her journey to heal herself and others began.

I tried HYDRAGLOW Moisturizer

I can see why Clearstem’s moisturizer is a standout. Hydraglow has got a goopy gel texture that’s lightweight yet still impactful. It’s more of a creamy gel that’s not quite a true gel but definitely not a cream either. It truly does feel sooo hydrating and during summer it’s just really refreshing. With true gel moisturizers I feel like I don’t get the long lasting hydration a thicker cream does, but this is somewhere in the middle. There’s just a very subtle refreshing scent to it.

You wouldn’t expect it to be, but it’s absolutely jam-packed with actives like plant stem cells and botanical extracts, none of which are pore clogging. This has got a certified organic aloe juice and water base, and brace yourself: Lactobacillus Ferment, Lecithin, Rosehip Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Blueberry Seed Oil, Radish Seed Extract, Bakuchiol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pomegranate Seed Oil, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Frankincense Oil, Pullulan, Lemon Peel Oil, Lavender Flower Extract, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Grapefruit Fruit Extract, Glutamic Acid, Lactic Acid, Arginine, Proline, Glycine, Serine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil, Roman Chamomile Extract, Threonine, Tyrosine, Lysine, Argan Stem Cell Extract.

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I tried VIBRANCE Vitamin C Serum

I’ve gone through dozens of Vitamin C serums since they’re a non-negotiable in my AM skincare routine, so I was excited to test Clearstem’s new Vibrance-C Glow Activating Serum. Before I go into it, I want to say that even normal skin can be irritated by Vitamin C serums, so I wouldn’t know how your skin might react to this. My partner’s skin cannot handle them in general.

But overall, I find this to be a very texturally light serum (not liquid) that’s pleasant to wear and seems to have a subtle brightening effect. My skin gels well with Vitamin C, so I prefer a stronger Ascorbic Acid one than the 3-O Ethyl Ascorbate they’ve chosen for theirs. I wouldn’t consider it a top tier one that would make my favorites.

Vibrance-C is formulated to be a gentle Vitamin C serum on purpose, since acne prone skin is easily irritated by Vitamin C, and has 3-O Ethyl Ascorbate, along with soothing Gallic Acid, Oat Bran Extract and Bisabolol. It’s also got glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, sodium hyaluronate for extra hydration benefits.

Here’s my main gripe. Because it already comes tinted using iron oxides, there’s no way for me to visually tell when the serum oxidizes. If you’re not familiar with what I’m saying, basically Vitamin C oxidizes extremely quickly, rendering them ineffective, so you need to use them quickly. I try to use mine within 2 or 3 months tops. Most Vitamin C serums on the market will have arrived to you already oxidized – and you wouldn’t even know. So mixed feelings on this one.

I tried PREGAME Brightening Mask

PREGAME is a quick fix type of exfoliating mask that comes in gel format. I can feel this start to tingle as soon as I apply. No irritation or redness, and the tingling fades in a few minutes. I wouldn’t consider this a strong mask and it reminds me of others I’ve tried in clean beauty like Ursa Major’s Flash Mask. I personally wouldn’t repurchase this product and feel like an exfoliating toner pads with AHAs would do the same job more efficiently in just a couple swipes. These are the best ones I’ve tried so far.

I tried YOUARESUNSHINE SPF 50

This is my favorite Clearstem product out of everything I’ve tried. It’s specifically a clean, mineral sunscreen for acne, but I find It fantastic for all skin. Sunscreen is already a difficult product to please normal skin, so you know it can’t suck to work for acneic skin.

It’s built for acne-prone skin specifically, so it protects without clogging pores the way many chemical sunscreens do. I find that it’s got good grip to it and it held up well during my trip to Hawaii.

I do think if you’ve got severe acne or active breakouts, you would prefer a more lightweight, gel sunscreen versus this. It’s light but it’s not the lightest around, and because it’s meant to be water resistant, it does grip to skin.

My partner deals with adult acne plus oily skin and he likes this one.

I tried BOUNCEBACK Serum

Bounceback is probably my favorite more heavy-hitting anti-aging serum from the Clearstem line. This is actually a stem cell growth factor serum (yay for growth factor serum fans!) and has a tri-peptide complex combined with plant stem cells, Ginseng Root, Green Tea, and even an Ayurvedic herb called chirata that helps balance and clarify skin. I love a growth factor serum and feel like this is one of the best skincare actives you can use in your routine. As you can tell from the texture shot above, it’s got a lightweight gel consistency that feels hydrating and sinks in nicely.

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I tried GENTLECLEAN Hydrating Barrier Cleanser

Their Hydrating Barrier Cleanser is a really gentle and light gel cleanser that gives soft suds action. This feels super hydrating and refreshing, doesn’t strip the skin at all and gently removes impurities. I can’t rely on it alone when I’ve a face of makeup and sunscreen to remove, but if I’ve worn nothing that day it’s sufficient on its own.

The cleanser is formulated with Magnesium PCA, Copper PCA, Zinc PCA. Niacinamide, sweet cherry extract, sea buckthorn, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Lactic Acid and more to feed skin vitamins and antioxidants while cleansing. I like using my cleansing tool to really all the gunk out of my pores.

I’m surprised that they put so much into a cleanser that’s only going to sit on skin for a minute, if you even spend that long cleansing. But it shows how thoughtfully they seem to formulate each product without cutting corners.

I tried SKINSPRAY ALL DAY

This is Clearstem’s version of a hypchlorous acid spray, which is great for keeping skin clear without loading it with a bunch of ingredients. Like all hypchlorous acid sprays, Clearstem’s is a multi-purpose mist for hydrating, calming, clarifying and setting makeup throughout the day. It combines hypochlorous acid with magnesium PCA to help balance pH and calm the skin. Straightforward and simple if that’s what you need.

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