CLEARSTEM is built for the frustrating overlap of breakouts and fine lines, screening every formula for ingredients it considers pore-clogging. Prices are reasonable for the category, GENTLECLEAN and HYDRAGLOW are easy starting points, and most product pages share study details. Ingredient percentages are sparse, though, and the supplement claims deserve a cautious read.
What we like
- Every formula is screened against the brand's pore-clogging ingredient list, backed by a free online checker
- Core products are fairly priced, mostly $38 to $68, with $18 to $20 travel minis for testing
- Pairs breakout-focused actives such as 8% mandelic acid with anti-aging ingredients like bakuchiol and peptides
- Product pages list study sizes and age ranges for most results claims
- Free US shipping from $75 and a 30-day return window
Keep in mind
- Few ingredient percentages are disclosed beyond the mandelic acid in CLEARITY
- The MINDBODYSKIN supplement is not suitable during pregnancy, and its 5-HTP may interact with SSRIs
- Refunds to your original payment carry an $11 handling fee
- International delivery can take around three to six weeks
CLEARSTEM was created for a problem many adults know well: breakouts that refuse to leave just as fine lines start to show up. Many acne products dry skin out, while many rich anti-aging creams can clog pores. CLEARSTEM's answer is a range that leaves out ingredients it considers pore-clogging while still using anti-aging actives such as bakuchiol, peptides and plant stem cells.
In our research for 2026, we looked at the brand's official site for current products, sizes, prices and policies. The line now spans cleansers, serums, moisturizers, SPF, masks and ingestible supplements, and most single products sit at accessible mid-range prices. Below, we explain how the range is organized, which products make the best first purchase and what to keep in mind about its claims.
Who CLEARSTEM Is: An Acne Clinic Approach to Skincare
CLEARSTEM was founded in 2017 by Danielle Gronich, a licensed clinical esthetician who dealt with cystic acne for more than a decade and later opened the San Diego Acne Clinic. Her co-founder, Kayleigh Christina, is an integrative health nutritionist who cleared her own adult acne using Gronich's approach. Gronich serves as chief formulator and CEO, and Christina as chief marketing officer.
That background shapes the philosophy. CLEARSTEM treats breakouts as a whole-body issue, so it pairs topical skincare with supplements aimed at stress, hormones and digestion. Its central rule is "no pore cloggers, ever," and the site offers a free Pore-Clogging Checker so shoppers can screen products from other brands as well. Formulas are paraben-free and dermatologist tested.
The CLEARSTEM Range by Skin Concern
The catalog is easiest to understand by goal:
- Breakouts and congestion: CLEARITY Exfoliating Serum, SULFUR SPOT&MASK and the CLEANSLATE Routine.
- Fine lines and firmness: BOUNCEBACK Peptide Powerhouse Serum, CELLRENEW Advanced Renewal Serum, SMOOTH OVER Daily Texture Perfecting Serum and BRIGHTEYES Peptide Eye Gel.
- Hydration and barrier: GENTLECLEAN Hydrating Barrier Cleanser, HYDRAGLOW Plant Stem Cell Moisturizer, HYDRABERRY Barrier Mask and GOLDENHOUR Watermelon Barrier Oil.
- Dullness and dark marks: VIBRANCE-C Glow-Activating Vitamin C Serum, BRIGHTMEUP Advanced Brightening Toner and VITAMINSCRUB Antioxidant-Infused Scrub Cleanser.
- Sun protection: YOUARESUNSHINE Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ and SUNNYSIDEKICK SPF 30.
- Supplements: MINDBODYSKIN Hormonal Acne Supplement, HAIR SKIN NAILS, GOOD SEEDS softgels and PILLOWTIME Beauty Sleep Mix.
Bundled routines such as CLEANSLATE and FUTUREPROOF group these into complete regimens for shoppers who would rather not build their own.
See CLEARSTEM's current range
Best CLEARSTEM Products to Start With
GENTLECLEAN Hydrating Barrier Cleanser (6 fl oz, $38)
A non-stripping daily cleanser with sea buckthorn, magnesium PCA and green tea, with niacinamide in the full formula. The brand says it works for dry, oily and combination skin and removes eye makeup.
HYDRAGLOW Plant Stem Cell Moisturizer (2 oz, $58)
A lightweight moisturizer with bakuchiol, plant stem cells and squalane. In a 30-person study cited by the brand, all participants saw immediate hydration and improved barrier function. A 0.5 oz mini is also sold.
CLEARITY Exfoliating Serum ($68)
Nicknamed "The Blackhead Dissolver," it combines 8% mandelic acid with pyruvic acid, other AHAs and turmeric. It is applied at night and left on the skin, and the brand advises sensitive skin to start every other night.
BOUNCEBACK Peptide Powerhouse Serum ($98)
A peptide serum with palmitoyl tripeptide-38, caprooyl tetrapeptide-3 and copper tripeptide-1 alongside plant stem cells. It is aimed at fine lines and lingering blemish marks.
Ingredients and Actives: What to Know
CLEARSTEM's biggest selling point is what it leaves out. Each formula is screened against the brand's list of ingredients it considers pore-clogging, which appeals to anyone who breaks out from typical anti-aging creams. On the active side, the range relies on gentler options rather than prescription-style strength:
- Bakuchiol in HYDRAGLOW, described by the brand as a plant-based retinol alternative.
- Mandelic acid at 8% in CLEARITY, a larger-molecule AHA often considered gentler than glycolic acid.
- Peptides in BOUNCEBACK, including a copper peptide.
- Allantoin, plant stem cells and reishi mushroom in CELLRENEW, focused on hydration and barrier comfort.
Most product pages list full ingredients but not concentrations, so the 8% mandelic acid is the main stated strength. Results claims come from small studies of roughly 27 to 33 participants, mostly women, and are best read as encouraging rather than conclusive.
The supplements deserve extra care. MINDBODYSKIN contains vitamin A, DIM, 5-HTP, milk thistle and dandelion root. The brand states it is not safe during pregnancy, and because 5-HTP may interfere with SSRI antidepressants, it sells a separate version without it.
CLEARSTEM Pricing, Shipping and Returns
CLEARSTEM sits in the middle of the market. Cleansers start at $38, serums run $62 to $98 and HYDRAGLOW costs $58. Travel minis of GENTLECLEAN, HYDRABERRY and HYDRAGLOW cost $18 to $20, a sensible way to check how your skin reacts. Full routines are more of an investment, at roughly $134 to $414. Many products also offer a subscription option.
US orders of $75 or more ship free. Orders are usually processed in one to two business days, and standard domestic delivery takes three to seven business days. For international orders, the brand warns that delivery can take around three to six weeks.
Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery for unused or gently used products. Refunds go back to the original payment method minus an $11 handling fee on domestic returns, while exchanges and store credit come with a prepaid label. Gift cards and some merchandise are final sale. The site also says some purchases may qualify for HSA or FSA funds, confirmed at checkout.
Who CLEARSTEM Suits, and Who Should Skip It
A good fit if you:
- Are an adult managing breakouts and early fine lines at the same time.
- Suspect your current moisturizer, oil or sunscreen is clogging your pores.
- Have sensitive skin and want gentler acids and retinol alternatives.
- Like the idea of supporting skin with lifestyle and supplements as well as topicals.
Consider skipping if you:
- Want prescription-strength actives or clearly stated percentages for every product.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding and were mainly interested in the supplements.
- Have severe, painful or scarring acne, which calls for a dermatologist rather than a new routine.
Our Verdict on CLEARSTEM
CLEARSTEM fills a real gap. Its pore-clogger screening, moderate prices and well-chosen gentle actives make it one of the more practical options we looked at in 2026 for adults handling breakouts and aging together. GENTLECLEAN, HYDRAGLOW and CLEARITY make a strong, reasonably priced trio to start with.
The cautions are limited concentration disclosure, small brand-run studies and supplements that are not right for everyone. Treat the topicals as the main event, and talk to your doctor before adding the ingestibles.
CLEARSTEM products at a glance
| Product | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| GENTLECLEAN Hydrating Barrier Cleanser | Gentle, non-stripping daily cleanser with sea buckthorn, magnesium PCA and green tea (6 fl oz). | about $38 |
| HYDRAGLOW Plant Stem Cell Moisturizer | Lightweight moisturizer with bakuchiol, plant stem cells and squalane (2 oz). | about $58 |
| CLEARITY Exfoliating Serum | Leave-on night serum with 8% mandelic acid, pyruvic acid and turmeric, designed to help unclog pores. | about $68 |
| BOUNCEBACK Peptide Powerhouse Serum | Peptide serum with a copper peptide and plant stem cells for fine lines and blemish marks. | about $98 |
| CELLRENEW Advanced Renewal Serum | Hydrating serum with allantoin, plant stem cells and reishi mushroom for barrier comfort. | about $68 |
| MINDBODYSKIN Hormonal Acne Supplement | Daily capsule with vitamin A, DIM, 5-HTP and liver-support botanicals, designed to support clearer skin from within. | about $58 |
Prices as listed on the brand's site at the time of our research and may change. Check the store for current pricing.
CLEARSTEM FAQs
Is CLEARSTEM legit?
Yes. CLEARSTEM is a US skincare brand founded in 2017 by licensed clinical esthetician Danielle Gronich, with nutritionist Kayleigh Christina as co-founder. It sells directly through its own site, lists full ingredients and offers a 30-day return window.
What does "no pore cloggers" mean at CLEARSTEM?
The brand screens every formula against its own list of ingredients it considers likely to clog pores and leaves them out. It also offers a free Pore-Clogging Checker on its website for screening products from other brands.
Can CLEARSTEM help with hormonal acne?
The brand says its routines and MINDBODYSKIN supplement are designed to support clearer skin, and it shares results from its own small studies. These products are not a medical treatment, so persistent or cystic acne should be assessed by a dermatologist.
Is CLEARSTEM safe during pregnancy?
The brand states that MINDBODYSKIN is not safe during pregnancy and should not be used while breastfeeding without an OB-GYN's approval. For topicals, review each ingredient list with your doctor, particularly acid-based products like CLEARITY.
Does CLEARSTEM offer free shipping?
Yes. US orders of $75 or more ship free. Standard domestic delivery takes three to seven business days after one to two days of processing.
What is the CLEARSTEM return policy?
Unused or gently used products can be returned within 30 days of delivery. Refunds to the original payment method have an $11 handling fee deducted on domestic returns, while exchanges and store credit include a prepaid return label.
Adults dealing with breakouts and early signs of aging at the same time
Disclosure: InhouseHeal may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. Our score is based on research of the brand's products, evidence, pricing and policies. How we review.
