CLEARSTEM Skincare Sulfur SPOT&MASK
Works for
Anti-blemishSulfur, Niacinamide + 4 moreWorks well
“This treatment starts to zap whiteheads and bacteria in a matter of minutes and should be used as a weekly preventative mask in addiiton to being a spot treatment.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, sulfur. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid
Anti-agingSide benefit · Lactic acid, Glycolic acid + 2 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid, niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: lactic acid.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Glycerin + 8 moreWorks well
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, lactic acid.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride, cannabis sativa seed oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Lactic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide
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.
ExfoliationSide benefit · Lactic acid, Glycolic acidWorks well
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: glycolic acid, lactic acid.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Hydrolyzed gardenia florida extract, Lavandula angustifolia oil + 1 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.
Sulfur5%
Water~45–55%
Kaolin~8.3–10.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color
More about KaolinGlycerin~5.5–6.7%
- 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 GlycerinLactic acid~3.5–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidGlycolic acid~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidCaprylic/capric triglyceride~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCetearyl alcohol~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCetyl alcohol~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholNiacinamide~1.4–1.7%
- 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 NiacinamideSodium hydroxide~1.2–1.4%
Acacia senegal gum~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps mask the small of other ingredients and improve the product texture
More about Acacia senegal gumBentonite~0.75–1.15%
Cetearyl olivate~0.65–1%
Xanthan gum~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateSorbitan olivate~0.55–0.85%
Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.5–0.8%
Hydrolyzed gardenia florida extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Hydrolyzed gardenia florida extractAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceCannabis sativa seed oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that due to its high linoleic acid content can help strengthen skin's barrier function and soften its upper layer
More about Cannabis sativa seed oilLavandula angustifolia oil~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilVanilla planifolia fruit extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Vanilla planifolia fruit extractZinc oxide~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideTocopheryl acetate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateGlyceryl caprylate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateTriethyl citrate~0.15–0.3%
Maltodextrin~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinSodium pca~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaCitric acid~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Sulfur, Water, Kaolin, Glycerin, Lactic acid, Glycolic acid, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Niacinamide, Sodium hydroxide, Acacia senegal gum, Bentonite, Cetearyl olivate, Xanthan gum, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Sorbitan olivate, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Hydrolyzed gardenia florida extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Cannabis sativa seed oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Zinc oxide, Tocopheryl acetate, Glyceryl caprylate, Triethyl citrate, Maltodextrin, Sodium pca, Citric acid
Compare prices
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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 SkincareSulfur SPOT&MASKYOUR PRODUCT | Kiehl'ss Breakout Control Targeted Blemish Spot Treatment | DRMTLGYBarrier Repair Mask | Dr Dennis GrossVitamin C Lactic Biocellulose Brightening Treatment Mask | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 84% | 78% | 78% |
| Price | $34.00 | — | $46.00+$12.00 | $20.25−$13.75 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 10 | 1 of 10 | 3 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Phenylethyl Resorcinol | Ceramide Ap | Vitamin C |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Tru Alchemy Spot CheckFilorga Age-Purify Mask Double Correction Mask
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 4
- 5Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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