CLEARSTEM Skincare Review: My Results After One Week

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of my links, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see our full disclosure for more information. The Art Kit participates in the Target Affiliate Marketing Program and Walmart’s affiliate program and may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through our links. Please note: Always use appropriate supervision and use caution with small pieces. Be sure products and activities are appropriate for your child’s age and skill level.

Table of Contents

I’ve tried quite a few skincare products over the years, but I’m fairly difficult to impress. A pretty bottle and an impressive ingredient list are nice, but I want to see an actual difference when I look in the mirror.

Recently, one of the owners of CLEARSTEM recommended a skincare routine for several concerns I’ve been dealing with, including redness, brown spots, lighter spots, uneven-looking skin, acne, and an overall lack of smoothness.

She recommended five CLEARSTEM products:

GENTLECLEAN Hydrating Barrier Cleanser
VITAMINSCRUB Exfoliating Cleanser
CLEARITY Exfoliating Serum
CELLRENEW Advanced Renewal Serum
HYDRAGLOW Plant Stem Cell Moisturizer

I’ve now been using them for approximately one week, and although that isn’t long enough for a complete skincare transformation, I’m already seeing encouraging changes.

My skin has less visible redness, feels noticeably smoother, and I’ve had fewer blemishes. The products also smell wonderful, which makes using the routine feel like a treat instead of another chore I’m trying to remember before falling into bed.

I’ll continue updating this CLEARSTEM review as I use the products longer, but here are my first impressions, early results, and what makes these products different.

Shop CLEARSTEM Skincare Here

Shop CLEARSTEM Skincare Here

My CLEARSTEM Results After One Week

I want to be very clear that these are my initial results after approximately one week. Skincare results can vary, and concerns such as discoloration and uneven skin tone generally need more than a few days to improve.

So far, however, I have noticed:

Less visible redness
Smoother-feeling skin
Fewer blemishes
Skin that looks calmer overall
A routine I genuinely enjoy using

I wasn’t expecting to notice much after only a week, so seeing less redness and feeling a difference in my skin’s texture this quickly has been a very pleasant surprise.

I’m especially interested to see how my skin changes with continued use, particularly the areas of uneven color and discoloration.

What Is CLEARSTEM Skincare?

CLEARSTEM is a skincare brand created specifically to address acne and visible signs of aging at the same time.

That combination immediately caught my attention. Many acne products focus on drying, stripping, and exfoliating the skin, while many anti-aging products contain rich ingredients that may not work well for people who are prone to clogged pores.

CLEARSTEM takes a different approach. According to the company, its products are formulated without known pore-clogging ingredients and are designed to support concerns such as blemishes, uneven texture, discoloration, fine lines, dryness, and dullness.

The products I’m using are also made without parabens or synthetic fragrance. Some of them do have a natural scent from botanical extracts and oils—which is likely why they smell so good.

See All CLEARSTEM Products

The CLEARSTEM Products I’m Using

Here is a closer look at each product in my routine, what it is designed to do, and how it fits into the overall system.

GENTLECLEAN Hydrating Barrier Cleanser

GENTLECLEAN is the everyday cleanser in my CLEARSTEM routine. It is designed to remove makeup, sunscreen, oil, and daily buildup without leaving the skin feeling tight or stripped.

Its key ingredients include:

Sea buckthorn to support brighter, more hydrated-looking skin
Magnesium PCA to help support hydration
Green tea to calm and brighten the appearance of skin
Niacinamide, panthenol, aloe, and allantoin

What I like about GENTLECLEAN is that it feels like a proper cleanser, but my skin doesn’t feel as though I’ve washed it with something intended for the kitchen sink. It leaves my face feeling clean, comfortable, and ready for the rest of the routine.

CLEARSTEM recommends using it morning and night. It can also be used as part of a double cleanse when removing makeup.

Shop GENTLECLEAN

VITAMINSCRUB Exfoliating Cleanser

VITAMINSCRUB is an exfoliating cleanser made with bamboo particles, vitamin C, vitamin B5, and calming botanical ingredients.

It is designed to help:

Remove dead surface skin
Smooth rough texture
Brighten the appearance of dull skin
Keep pores from becoming congested
Improve the way skin feels immediately after cleansing

Some facial scrubs feel as though they’re attempting to remove your entire face along with your makeup. VITAMINSCRUB is meant to provide physical exfoliation without being unnecessarily harsh.

The bamboo particles polish the surface of the skin, while vitamin C and vitamin B5 support a brighter, smoother-looking complexion.

This may be one of the reasons my skin already feels smoother. CLEARSTEM currently recommends using VITAMINSCRUB three to five times per week, but sensitive skin may do better starting less frequently.

It smells amazing!

Shop VITAMINSCRUB

CLEARITY Exfoliating Serum

CLEARITY is one of CLEARSTEM’s best-known products. The brand calls it “The Blackhead Dissolver,” which is certainly more memorable than “another bottle of clear serum sitting beside the sink.”

It is an exfoliating treatment containing 8% mandelic acid, along with pyruvic acid and turmeric.

CLEARITY is designed to help:

Unclog congested pores
Reduce the appearance of blackheads
Smooth uneven texture
Brighten the appearance of discoloration
Refine the look of pores
Support clearer-looking skin

Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA. Because of its larger molecular size, it is generally considered a gentler exfoliating acid than some other AHAs, although any exfoliating product can potentially irritate sensitive skin.

CLEARSTEM recommends applying three pumps to clean, bare skin at night and allowing it to absorb for at least 10 minutes before applying the next product. If your skin is sensitive, the company recommends beginning every other night before gradually increasing use.

Since I’ve had fewer blemishes and smoother skin during my first week, I’m very interested to see what CLEARITY does with continued use.

Shop CLEARITY

CELLRENEW Advanced Renewal Serum

CELLRENEW is the serum in this routine that seems especially well suited to my redness and uneven-looking skin.

It contains ingredients such as:

Allantoin to calm and moisturize
Plant stem cells to support smoother, firmer-looking skin
Reishi mushroom extract
Licorice root extract
Panthenol
Turmeric
Green tea
Aloe

According to CLEARSTEM, CELLRENEW was developed for people concerned about breakouts, post-blemish marks, uneven skin tone, uneven texture, and visible redness.

This is one of the products I’m most excited to continue using because less redness has been one of the first changes I’ve noticed.

CLEARSTEM recommends applying four pumps to clean skin and massaging it over the face, neck, chest, and backs of the hands.

Shop CELLRENEW

HYDRAGLOW Plant Stem Cell Moisturizer

HYDRAGLOW is a lightweight moisturizer created for both acne-prone and aging skin.

This is also the product that gives the routine its lovely berry-like scent. It smells wonderful without having the heavy, perfume-like fragrance found in some skincare products.

Its featured ingredients include:

Bakuchiol to support smoother, brighter-looking skin
Plant stem cells
Squalane for hydration and barrier support
Aloe
Glycerin
Green tea
Pomegranate, blueberry, and sea buckthorn oils

Bakuchiol is often used as a plant-derived alternative to retinol. It is included to support smoother-looking skin without the peeling and sun sensitivity commonly associated with traditional retinoids.

HYDRAGLOW has a lightweight jelly-cream texture and absorbs without feeling heavy. It can be used in the morning, evening, or both.

This is an important part of the routine because exfoliating products such as CLEARITY and VITAMINSCRUB need to be balanced with adequate hydration and barrier support.

It feels amazing and so hydrating on the skin.

Shop HYDRAGLOW

How I Use My CLEARSTEM Products

Here is the basic routine I’m currently following.

Morning CLEARSTEM Routine

Cleanse with GENTLECLEAN.
Apply CELLRENEW.
Apply HYDRAGLOW.

Evening CLEARSTEM Routine

Cleanse with GENTLECLEAN.
Use VITAMINSCRUB.
Apply CLEARITY to clean, dry skin.
Allow CLEARITY to absorb for at least 10 minutes.
Apply CELLRENEW.
Finish with HYDRAGLOW.

Because CLEARITY and VITAMINSCRUB both exfoliate, it is important to pay attention to how your skin responds. You may need to introduce them gradually, especially if your skin is sensitive or you already use retinoids, exfoliating acids, or other acne treatments.

But for me, I didn't notice any additional redness or drying and I have sensitive skin.

What I Like About CLEARSTEM So Far

My skin already feels smoother

This has been the most noticeable immediate difference. My skin feels softer and more refined after only one week.

I’m seeing less redness

Redness was one of the primary reasons these products were recommended to me, and my skin already looks calmer.

I’ve had fewer blemishes

I haven’t used the routine long enough to evaluate its complete effect on acne, but I have noticed fewer blemishes during my first week.

The products smell wonderful

This may not determine whether a product works, but it absolutely affects whether I look forward to using it. The natural fruity and botanical scents make the routine feel especially enjoyable. I am sensitive to scents (even natural ones) but I love these products; they smell incredible.

The products address more than one concern

I appreciate that I don’t have to choose between products for blemishes and products for aging skin. My concerns include redness, uneven color, brown spots, lighter areas, blemishes, and texture, so I like that the routine approaches the skin more comprehensively.

Is There Anything I Don’t Like?

The biggest drawback is the price but I do feel like they will last awhile and if they work, that is huge! Trying different products can be expensive so to find something that actually works, is worth it.

Which CLEARSTEM Products Should You Try First?

The best starting product depends on what you hope to address.

Your primary concern	Product to consider
Gentle daily cleansing	GENTLECLEAN
Rough or dull-looking skin	VITAMINSCRUB
Blackheads and clogged pores	CLEARITY
Redness and post-blemish marks	CELLRENEW
Hydration and smoother-looking skin	HYDRAGLOW

If you have several concerns—or have no idea where to begin—CLEARSTEM also offers a skincare quiz that can help you build a personalized routine.

Take the CLEARSTEM Skincare Quiz

Is CLEARSTEM Worth It?

After one week, my answer is: so far, yes.

I would not normally expect dramatic changes in discoloration or uneven skin tone in seven days. Those concerns require more time, consistency, and daily sun protection.

However, I have already noticed less redness, smoother skin, and fewer blemishes. Those early results make me excited to keep using the routine and see what changes over the next several weeks.

I also genuinely enjoy using the products. They smell wonderful, feel nice on my skin, and don’t make my skincare routine feel complicated or unpleasant.

If you’re dealing with both blemishes and signs of aging—or you’re tired of acne products that leave your face feeling stripped and uncomfortable—CLEARSTEM is a brand worth considering.

Shop CLEARSTEM Skincare Here

Frequently Asked Questions About CLEARSTEM

Is CLEARSTEM good for acne-prone skin?

CLEARSTEM specifically formulates its skincare without known pore-clogging ingredients. Several products, including CLEARITY, CELLRENEW, and VITAMINSCRUB, are designed to address blemishes, clogged pores, uneven texture, and post-blemish marks.

Does CLEARSTEM help with dark spots?

Several CLEARSTEM products contain ingredients intended to improve the appearance of discoloration and uneven-looking skin. CLEARITY contains mandelic acid and turmeric, while CELLRENEW contains ingredients such as licorice root, turmeric, reishi mushroom, and plant stem cells.

Discoloration normally takes time to improve, and daily sunscreen is important.

How quickly does CLEARSTEM work?

That depends on the product and the individual. I noticed smoother skin, less redness, and fewer blemishes during my first week, but I will need to use the routine longer to evaluate its effects on discoloration and uneven skin tone.

Is CLEARSTEM suitable for sensitive skin?

CLEARSTEM describes its products as suitable for sensitive skin, but some contain exfoliating acids, botanical extracts, essential oils, or physical exfoliants. Introduce active products slowly and patch-test if your skin reacts easily. I have sensitive skin and have not noticed any issues.

Can I use CLEARITY every night?

CLEARSTEM recommends using CLEARITY nightly, but people with sensitive skin can begin every other night and gradually increase use. Follow the directions provided with the product and avoid combining too many strong exfoliating treatments at once.

Does CLEARSTEM have synthetic fragrance?

The five products discussed in this review are labeled as containing no synthetic fragrance. Some do have a natural scent from their botanical ingredients and extracts.

My Final CLEARSTEM Review

I’m still early in my CLEARSTEM experiment, but I’m impressed by what I’ve noticed so far.

After only one week, my skin feels smoother, looks less red, and has had fewer blemishes. I also love the way the products smell and look forward to using them—which may sound like a small thing, but a skincare product cannot help very much while sitting unopened in a cabinet.

I’ll continue using GENTLECLEAN, VITAMINSCRUB, CLEARITY, CELLRENEW, and HYDRAGLOW and update this post as I have longer-term results to share.

For now, my first impression is very positive.

Shop CLEARSTEM Skincare Here