CLEARSTEM Skincare PREGAME 5-Minute AHA Mask
Works for
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“This AHA mask is the equivalent of a facial with medium strength exfoliating power that leaves you extremely smooth.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Alpha-arbutin, NiacinamideWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: alpha-arbutin
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Vitis vinifera fruit extract + 6 moreWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Citrus limon fruit extract, Arnica montana flower extract + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4–6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinBambusa vulgaris stem powder~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Passiflora quadrangularis fruit extract~2.6–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus limon fruit extract~2–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractAnanas sativus fruit extract~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fruit extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but there is no evidence for any other benefits to the skin
More about Ananas sativus fruit extractVitis vinifera fruit extract~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin, but is less potent than the extract from the seeds
More about Vitis vinifera fruit extractArnica montana flower extract~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can be irritating. It can have some anti-bacterial properties, but there are no evidence of a beneficial effect for skin
More about Arnica montana flower extractPhenylpropanol~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps mask the smell of other ingredients and helps preserve the product formulation
More about PhenylpropanolPropanediol~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCaprylyl glycol~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTocopherol~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolCarbomer~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerAminomethyl propanol~0.35–0.8%
Niacinamide~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideMelia azadirachta leaf extract~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
More about Melia azadirachta leaf extractMelia azadirachta flower extract~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might be helpful to neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Melia azadirachta flower extractCoccinia indica fruit extract~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect helping neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Coccinia indica fruit extractSolanum melongena fruit extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Eggplant fruit extract. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Solanum melongena fruit extractAloe barbadensis flower extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Aloe barbadensis flower extractOcimum sanctum leaf extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is rich in a fragrance compound eugenol that is a frequent allergen and can be irritating. It might also contain anti-oxidants to help neutralize free radicals
More about Ocimum sanctum leaf extractOcimum basilicum flower/leaf extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Canbe irritating
More about Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extractCurcuma longa root extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant
More about Curcuma longa root extractAlpha-arbutin~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
More about Alpha-arbutinBeta-glucan~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Beta-glucanCorallina officinalis extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might contain antioxidants
More about Corallina officinalis extractSynthetic fluorphlogopite~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A mineral that is used as an optical filter (makes the skin looks nicer through light reflection) and to improve the texture of cosmetic products
More about Synthetic fluorphlogopiteTitanium dioxide~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideIron oxides~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesTin oxide~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A colorant that can add a pearl-like appearance to the formulation
More about Tin oxideIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Unknown, Bambusa vulgaris stem powder, Passiflora quadrangularis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Ananas sativus fruit extract, Vitis vinifera fruit extract, Arnica montana flower extract, Phenylpropanol, Propanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Aminomethyl propanol, Niacinamide, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Melia azadirachta flower extract, Coccinia indica fruit extract, Solanum melongena fruit extract, Aloe barbadensis flower extract, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extract, Curcuma longa root extract, Alpha-arbutin, Beta-glucan, Corallina officinalis extract, Synthetic fluorphlogopite, Titanium dioxide, Iron oxides, Tin oxide
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| CLEARSTEM SkincarePREGAME 5-Minute AHA MaskYOUR PRODUCT | numbuzinNo.1 Pantothenic B5 Hyaluronic Active Clear Mask | COSRXThe Alpha-Arbutin Discoloration Care Hydrogel Mask | skintificRose PDRN Niacinamide Glow Boost Clay Stick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 92% | 88% | 87% |
| Price | $56.00 | $3.36−$52.64 | $6.00−$50.00 | $13.90−$42.10 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Madecassoside | Adenosine | Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Cipher Skincare Night ShiftAPRIL SKIN TXA Niacinamide Collagen 99 Capsule Gel Mask
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 24 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
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- 4Effects of Topical Arnica Gel on Post-Laser Treatment Bruisesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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- 6
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