Clearstem skin care review: The only products that made my acne go away | CNN Underscored

Over the past decade, I’ve tried everything to clear my stubborn cystic acne. From monthly facials and “clean” skin care products to laser treatments, a dairy- and gluten-free diet and every antibiotic imaginable — even Accutane — nothing ever provided lasting results.

Any improvement was temporary and often these “holy grail” and dermatologist-recommended solutions just made my acne worse. That is until I discovered Clearstem, a women-owned, anti-acne and anti-aging skin and hair care line. I was completely captivated by the endless before-and-after photos and glowing testimonials from people who claimed their skin had dramatically improved after using the brand’s products.

Related article I have acne scars — these are the 6 products that have helped them fade the most

I found myself spending an embarrassing amount of time researching Clearstem and its holistically-minded co-founders Danielle Gronich — a licensed clinical esthetician and the founder of the San Diego Acne Clinic — and Kayleigh Christina, an integrative health practitioner and nutritionist. Both had battled years of cystic acne themselves and launched the brand in 2017 after uncovering the harsh realities of conventional skin care.

To my surprise, Gronich and Christina revealed that “most acne products are filled with toxic, pore-clogging ingredients, while anti-aging products contain hormone-disruptors and fillers.” Without hesitation, I ran my skin care, hair care, laundry detergent and makeup through Clearstem’s pore-clogging checker and tossed anything that contained acne-causing ingredients (a moment of silence for my beloved Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter).

Related article The Essentials List: Clearstem’s founders share the under-$25 balm they love

Desperate to find relief, I ordered the Clear Skin Kit, which contains an antioxidant scrub, an exfoliating serum, a collagen infusion serum and a stem cell moisturizer — and it turned out to be the best money I’ve ever spent. This kit not only fueled my obsession with Clearstem, but it marked the beginning of my acne-free skin after 10 years of struggling.

Removing acne-causing ingredients from my everyday skin and hair care, makeup and laundry detergent was a necessary step in eliminating breakouts and preventing new ones. However, I’d be lying if I said my new-and-improved Clearstem routine was the only thing that has kept me clear.

Acne is rarely just a surface-level problem — it’s often a reflection of deeper internal imbalances like stress, poor digestion, infections and deficiencies. After my initial success with trying Clearstem, I decided to splurge on Clearstem’s Acne Lab Test, priced just under $500, which gave me unlimited access to leading acne specialists Emily Morrow and Hannah Derrickson. Their expertise helped me uncover the true root causes of my acne.

At the start of the year, Morrow and Derrickson reviewed my test results (which were performed at my local lab) and crafted a personalized, straightforward treatment plan. Incorporating a wide range of natural supplements to address my internal triggers (there were a lot!), has been a game-changer. And while I still deal with the occasional breakout, my skin is finally clear, and I feel more in control of my complexion than ever before.

I haven’t tried any other skin or hair care lines and have religiously stuck to the same Clearstem routine using everything the brand has to offer (no seriously, I have one of everything). Here are the products I reach for morning and night to keep breakouts away and prevent premature signs of aging.

My previous cleansers used to strip my skin barrier, leaving me dry and inflamed. But not this one! I use this cleanser both morning and night — sometimes even opting for a double cleanse — and it thoroughly (and gently!) removes impurities and waterproof makeup. Formulated with green tea, vitamin C and botanical extracts it not only calms irritated skin but also brightens my complexion and offers antibacterial protection.

I love a facial spray. In fact, I use this one so much that I probably purchase one every month. It’s formulated with hypochlorous acid, magnesium PCA and peptides to reduce the appearance of redness, hydrate and improve the skin’s firmness for a plumper, smoother complexion. I use it after cleansing, to prep my skin for makeup (or set it), and constantly throughout the day for an all-day, lit-from-within glow.

Related article 26 of the best face mists, according to dermatologists and skin experts

This gentle stem cell serum balances oil production and regulates acne, thanks to key ingredients like saw palmetto, green tea and reishi mushroom. I’d drench myself in this stuff if I could, but for now, I use it in the morning after cleansing, at night after Clearity, and especially after laser treatments since it soothes the skin and promotes healing.

Formulated with bamboo particles, vitamin C and aloe vera, this scrub gently polishes dead skin cells and promotes bright and even skin tone. I usually use it three times a week (always after cleansing and before Clearity), and my face feels like butter afterwards. Oh, and my enlarged pores and keratosis pilaris have miraculously disappeared too!

What the brand dubs “the blackhead dissolver”, this powerful serum combines mandelic acid, vitamin C and turmeric to gently unclog pores and remove dead skin skills. I’ll be honest, I had to ease into using this product due to my severely damaged skin barrier from years of harsh topical treatments like Retin-A. So far, I’ve seen amazing results when I use the serum three times a week and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes on bare skin.

Basically Botox in a bottle (and the priciest product in Clearstem’s line), this triple-peptide serum is formulated with stem cells and calming botanicals like argan oil, reishi and B5 to help reverse wrinkles and acne scars at the same time. Truthfully, I’ve gotten Botox a few times, but after incorporating the serum into my nighttime skin care routine, it’s comparable to the way it leaves my skin: smoother, brighter and healthier looking.

My holy grail product, this daily moisturizer is formulated with bakuchoil — a natural alternative to retinol — to target anti-aging, without the dry, flaking skin. It’s also packed with squalane and leaves my skin hydrated and glowy all morning and night long.

I honestly used to feel like under-eye creams and gels never worked — until I tried Bright Eyes (which also doubles as a lip renewal treatment!). Thanks to a mix of powerful ingredients like peptides, collagen growth factors and aloe vera, I’ve seen a noticeable reduction in puffiness, crow’s feet and dark circles.

Once I discovered that sugar wasn’t the only reason for the breakouts around my mouth and my pore-clogging balm was the culprit, I immediately switched over to Lips & Cutes. It’s a peptide-rich lip treatment that nourishes and restores my chapped lips, however, it also works to revive my cuticles when I’m in between manicure appointments. A win, win!

Used in the morning and reapplied sparingly throughout the day, I truly never leave the house without this slightly tinted, SPF 50+ slathered all over my face! Aside from effectively protecting my skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, it’s also sweat- and waterproof thanks to ingredients like green tea, which works to neutralize any excess oil.

Related article 11 best sunscreens for acne-prone skin, according to dermatologists

Clearstem’s shampoo and conditioner are the latest additions to my Clearstem routine — and also happen to be the brand’s first entry point into hair care. I used to get breakouts all around my hairline, but after incorporating both into my routine, they’re instantly gone. It’s color-safe, works on all hair types and my hair feels so much softer and smoother after use three to four times a week.

The newest addition to Clearstem’s line, Golden Hour is the acne-safe facial oil I always wanted but could never find. It’s infused with watermelon seed oil (it smells amazing and reminds me of summer days), sodium hyaluronate and vitamin C, which all work together to hydrate and restore the skin barrier. In fact, someone recently stopped me to ask which facial studio I just came from — it leaves the skin that glowy!

Like its name implies, this skin-smoothing AHA mask can be used to “pregame” camera-ready events (yes, I will be using this before my wedding). It only takes 5 minutes to work and has a medium-strength exfoliating power thanks to a mix of powerful fruit acids. It leaves my skin with an instant glow and is hands down the best mask I’ve ever used.

I swear I’ve tried every single spot treatment on the market and nothing has ever been as effective as this spot mask, which is made of sulfur, clay, zinc and glycolic acid. I use it sparingly (but usually at night since it’s bright purple) and it zaps whiteheads and below-the-surface cysts overnight. It can also be used as a preventative mask and is never drying.

This is hands down my favorite mask to layer on top of Hydraglow during the cold, winter months, as well as slather on pre-flight or after a laser treatment. It seriously infuses and locks moisturize into my skin and helps heal dry, peeling or irritated skin thanks to ultra-hydrating ingredients like squalane, aloe vera and arnica flower.

Related article The best face moisturizers for every skin type, tried and tested

It’s hard for me to pinpoint anything I don’t like about Clearstem, however, my biggest takeaway is that if you have sensitive skin (like me), then you should start slow — especially when it comes to exfoliants. At the start of my journey with the brand, my skin barrier was extremely damaged, and over-usage of Clearity and Vitamin Scrub (although I followed the instructions on the bottles) initially made my breakouts worse. Skin care is not one-size-fits-all, and once I scaled back and determined a cadence that worked for me, my skin drastically improved.

Additionally, I typically run out of products fast (like, alarmingly fast). Some of the products are small in size — especially my holy grails Cell Renew, Bounceback and Skin Spray — and empty up so quickly, I often find myself purchasing a new bottle every other month or so. Let me also say that Clearstem’s lineup of products are not on the cheap side, so you have to be mentally (and financially) prepared to invest.

If you know me, then you know I recommend Clearstem every chance I get (plus, my vanity is practically a Clearstem store at this point). Between these acne-safe skin and hair care products, and the Acne Lab Test, this has truly been the best investment I’ve made for my skin (and my mental health!), and I’m living proof that addressing both the internal and external factors of acne is key to long-lasting, blemish-free skin.

Stephanie Griffin first joined CNN Underscored in 2020 as a seasoned digital content strategist tasked with launching and growing the brand’s social presence. Prior to joining CNN, Griffin was a part of the social teams at Condé Nast and New York Magazine.