I am an eternal optimist. It was, except for one thing, an unwelcome mass of godforsaken blackheads that had accumulated on my face. It has a large amount of tiny black dots that have settled on my nose and the delicate area next to my nose for a long time.
Decades after their arrival, I had given up on the idea that blackheads were a permanent part of my face. I was just in 7th grade, just in time to juggle braces and awkward social skills. I have tried all sorts of facials and all sorts of products with great results. I’ve also tried late-night wringing sessions that might be satisfying on the fly from time to time, but we all know that’s a major no-no that can cause long-lasting scarring. (Please don’t!) Even if the blackheads retreat temporarily, the stubborn brat always comes back.
So you must have seen my face when I read about Clear Stem Clarity Serum ($65), which the brand dubs “Blackhead Dissolver.” Squinted eyes, slanted eyebrows. yeah that’s right. Let’s see what my powerful army of blackheads on my nose has to say about it.
Infused with a blend of mandelic acid, turmeric and vitamin C, Clearity claims to be a powerful yet gentle exfoliating serum that penetrates deep into pores to unclog pores without causing excessive dryness. . Clinical esthetician and co-founder of Clearstem Skincare, Daniel Gronich, explains that Clearity treats a wide variety of common skin types, including acne, melasma, fine lines, and my personal skin enemy: dark spots. It is said that it was made to deal with the troubles of.
“We created the perfect acid blend, combining vitamin C with a specific pH balance to unclog pores and dissolve excess oil while stimulating collagen,” says Gronich.
let’s see about it,I thought. Over the course of a month, I added Clearity and Clearstem calming Cellrenew serums to my nighttime skincare routine. Then after about a week, my skin got used to the level of exfoliation, so I used it twice in the morning as well.
However, there is one caveat to clarity. It must be left alone on bare skin for at least 10 minutes after cleansing for it to work. Shortening that time will neutralize that ability and the blackhead may stay completely in place. The 10-minute wait is a bit annoying, especially when you’re nodding at the sink in preparation for grandma’s bedtime at 9 p.m. Small sacrifices have to be made.
I set a timer for each application so I didn’t accidentally cut the wait or bang my head on the pillow and completely forget to finish the routine. After a week of skeptical examination of my little black dot, I suddenly thought, “Wait, what a little black dot?”
Most of my dark spots have disappeared and my skin has never looked better, but at least still, this is no panacea. With continued use, I hope Clearity helps remove the most stubborn blackheads on my nose.
How does this magical little bottle work? pointed out that there is “This is the real driving force of this formula,” says Berry. “Mandelic acid is less irritating than other AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), but it still works.” It has also been noted to be effective in clearing clogged pores and preventing new acne from forming.
“I personally love Clearity because it’s the only acne serum that works overnight without damaging the skin’s barrier,” says Gronich. “This is true Goldilocks for acne because it is strong enough to work, compared to salicylic acid which takes a long time to work or glycolic acid which is too harsh.”
Berry says another key ingredient is witch hazel extract. “This is a natural botanical extract that has been used for centuries for its skincare benefits,” she says. She says the serum has natural astringent properties that can help minimize the appearance of blemishes for those with acne-prone skin, as well as help reduce excess oil.
Now for the shortcomings. The dissolver felt a little sticky and didn’t make me glow like some of my other favorite products. Even after applying Cellrenew and my go-to moisturizer, my skin seemed a little dull overall. Personally, I need a combination of Clarity and an extra serum to give me a Hailey Bieber-like glow (Matter of Facts Brightening + Firming Serum, my life on the line!). Still, no other product has been as successful in removing blackheads as Clearity.
Consider me a total optimist now.
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