Expert authority
"Clinically Tested" with a 24-week clinical study of 30 participants and a third-party 8-week trial noted; formulated by Danielle "The Acne Guru".
CLEARSTEM
Acne and anti-aging skincare with no pore-clogging ingredients, plus a hormonal acne supplement, from The Acne Guru.
Last graded · How we grade
Brand DNAC+71
Site ExperienceB78
Listed · No. 2 in Skincare
clearstem.com
Our read
45% of the top-scoring brands run a cart upsell or cross-sell app.
Our scan didn’t find one on CLEARSTEM’s storefront. An upsell in the cart is the easiest revenue on the site.
See all 2 gapsKeep a brand H1 above the launch
Make the H1 "Acne-safe skincare. No pore-clogging ingredients, ever." and run the launch as the first module.
All 3 fixesBrand DNA, part by part
Clinical skincare that treats acne and aging together and teaches as it sells.
- Voice16/20
Firm and educational: acne and aging treated together, with "mindbodyskin" as an idea, not just a product.
- Look14/20
Clean clinical packaging with a mint palette; tidy but close to other dermatology-led brands.
- Feel and vibe14/20
Calm and expert, a little warmer than a strict clinical brand.
- Energy10/20
Regular launches keep the shelf fresh.
- Positioning17/20
Skincare for acne and aging at the same time, with non-comedogenic claims as the line in the sand.
The seven Site Experience areas are further down, under See the breakdown.
- Tools they run
- Recharge, Klaviyo forms, Retention.com, Okendo, Superfiliate, Klaviyo +7 more
- New since Apr 10, 2026
- 5 new products. Latest: FUTUREPROOF Routine (Oct 5, 2026); CLEANSLATE Routine (Oct 5, 2026)
The stack
Tools they run
13 tools spotted in public storefront code, grouped by tier. 6 of the 7 core categories are covered.
Core Stack
2The growth engine: subscriptions, popups, identity, upsells and testing.
RechargeRRetention.comSupporting Cast
9Reviews, referrals, attribution, support and everything else.
Okendo
Superfiliate
AttentiveEElevarLLoop ReturnsAAfterShipPPolar Analytics
GorgiasSShop Pay InstallmentsDetected, not endorsed. Each app links to its profile in The Stack.
Go deeper
The full read
Brand analysisPositioning, point of view, audience, white space and validation
Strong
How strongly CLEARSTEM stands for something only it can say.
- "No Pore-Clogging Ingredients, Ever" plus a Pore-Clogging Checker in the nav; PDP positions MINDBODYSKIN as "a healthy alternative to harsh RX".
- Acne-safe formulas, the pore-clogging checker, "Life has Bumpy Moments. Smooth Over It."
Clear
- Review volume and rating shown. PDP: "Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars, Based on 1,339 reviews". No rating or count on the homepage.
- Authority or third-party proof. "Clinically Tested" with a 24-week clinical study of 30 participants and a third-party 8-week trial noted; formulated by Danielle "The Acne Guru".
- Star rating on the product page. No rating near the title.
- Certifications or clinical backing shown. “Clinically Tested” on the site.
- Creator, affiliate or UGC presence. Creator or affiliate program detected: Superfiliate.
Who the site speaks to. PDP: hormonal acne, results "in as little as 7-10 days", stay consistent "a minimum 3 months"; the homepage story runs from "The Breakout Years" to "The Smooth Era".
The strategist’s read
Where CLEARSTEM plays, and the next move
Skincare. Acne and anti-aging skincare with no pore-clogging ingredients, plus a hormonal acne supplement, from The Acne Guru.
PDP: hormonal acne, results "in as little as 7-10 days", stay consistent "a minimum 3 months"; the homepage story runs from "The Breakout Years" to "The Smooth Era".
"No Pore-Clogging Ingredients, Ever" plus a Pore-Clogging Checker in the nav; PDP positions MINDBODYSKIN as "a healthy alternative to harsh RX".
Expert authority
"Clinically Tested" with a 24-week clinical study of 30 participants and a third-party 8-week trial noted; formulated by Danielle "The Acne Guru".
Social proof
PDP: "Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars, Based on 1,339 reviews". No rating or count on the homepage. Proof is the fastest way to make a new name feel safe.
Keep a brand H1 above the launch
Make the H1 "Acne-safe skincare. No pore-clogging ingredients, ever." and run the launch as the first module. A launch hero ages in a week; the brand promise works every day.
Our read, built from the quotes on this page. Opinion, not fact.
Customer reviews4.6 out of 5 from 1,339 reviews, hero products, love and gripes
4.61,339 reviews on MINDBODYSKIN Hormonal Acne Supplement, the product page we graded
Hero products
- MINDBODYSKIN Hormonal Acne Supplement4.6 · 1,339 reviews
- HYDRAGLOW Stem Cell Moisturizer4.6 · 1,129 reviews
- GENTLECLEAN - Vitamin Infused Barrier Cleanser4.8 · 476 reviews
Ranked by the store’s own best-selling sort, reviewed products only.
What people love
- Skin and hair results188 reviews
I’m on my second bottle and o haven’t had any new breakouts!
- Scent27 reviews
First, off I love the smell.
- Effectiveness26 reviews
It takes about 2-4 weeks to see results, and it still works to clear my skin!
What they don’t
- Skin and hair results8 reviews
My skin was much clearer not just on my face, but on my shoulders & back too.
- Quality3 reviews
Even if I do wait 10 minutes, it still peels.
Source: ratings and reviews shown on clearstem.com product pages (Okendo), read Oct 14, 2026. Rating and count as displayed. Themes come from the 225 review texts the pages let a visitor read, written Oct 12, 2025 to Oct 13, 2026; quotes are verbatim, trimmed to one sentence. The average rating is shown as the store displays it, for context. It isn’t part of the Brand Tested Score.
See the breakdownThe seven Site Experience areas, every point with the quote behind it
CLEARSTEM owns a clear idea ("No Pore-Clogging Ingredients, Ever") and its hero supplement carries real proof: 1,339 reviews at 4.6, a 24-week clinical study note and Subscribe + Save 20%. The homepage is given over to the SMOOTH OVER waitlist, so the H1 is a launch name and first-time visitors see no review count or core brand promise above the fold.
74First impression20% of the scoreSee what we saw
- ~Hero headline says what it is or the core benefitH1 "Introducing SMOOTH OVER" is a launch, not the brand promise; the subhead "Daily Texture Perfecting Serum" says what it is.15/25
- ~Subhead makes the benefit specific"Next-gen science, plant-powered performance, and no pore-clogging ingredients, ever."17/20
- ~Target customer and use occasion are clearPDP: hormonal acne, results "in as little as 7-10 days", stay consistent "a minimum 3 months"; the homepage story runs from "The Breakout Years" to "The Smooth Era".12/15
- ~Category understood within five secondsTitle "Stem Cell Skincare, Anti-Acne & Anti-Aging" is clear; the waitlist hero slows the first read.15/20
86Point of view11% of the scoreSee what we saw
- ~Differentiation versus alternatives is explicit"No Pore-Clogging Ingredients, Ever" plus a Pore-Clogging Checker in the nav; PDP positions MINDBODYSKIN as "a healthy alternative to harsh RX".17/20
- ~Distinct hooks and anglesAcne-safe formulas, the pore-clogging checker, "Life has Bumpy Moments. Smooth Over It."13/15
67Proof people love it14% of the scoreSee what we saw
- ~Review volume and rating shownPDP: "Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars, Based on 1,339 reviews". No rating or count on the homepage.14/20
- ~Authority or third-party proof"Clinically Tested" with a 24-week clinical study of 30 participants and a third-party 8-week trial noted; formulated by Danielle "The Acne Guru".13/15
- ✕Star rating on the product pageNo rating near the title.0/15
- ✓Certifications or clinical backing shown“Clinically Tested” on the site.10/10
- ✓Creator, affiliate or UGC presenceCreator or affiliate program detected: Superfiliate.10/10
82Getting to checkout16% of the scoreSee what we saw
- ~Clear offer on homepage and PDP"Free US Shipping with Orders $75+", "Get $15 Off Your First Order", PDP "Subscribe + Save 20%" and HSA/FSA eligible.17/20
- ~Risk reversal"Free 30 Day Returns" on the homepage and "Super fast shipping & 30-day returns." on the PDP.11/15
- ~Reason to buy now"DROPS IN 2 DAYS" and "Waitlist opens 10/10. Loyalty tiers shop first. Everyone else, 10/16."13/15
79One story everywhere9% of the scoreSee what we saw
- ~Same core promise on homepage and PDPThe no-pore-cloggers idea holds on both pages; the homepage sells the new serum, the PDP the supplement.33/40
- ~Proof numbers match across pages1,339 reviews on the PDP; the homepage shows no number to match.20/30
- ~Offer matches across pagesFree US shipping at $75 and 30-day returns on both; the 20% subscribe price is PDP only.26/30
Homepage against product page, from the same scan.
75The product page19% of the scoreSee what we saw
- ✓SW-02 Mobile viewport set upViewport meta tag present.10/10
- ✓SW-03 Images described with alt text24 of 24 homepage images have alt text.5/5
- ✓SW-04 Images below the fold load lazily12 of 24 homepage images lazy-load.5/5
- ✓SW-10 Search that finds thingsSearch box in the header code.10/10
- ✓SW-11 Cart top right with a live countCart link with a live item count.10/10
- ✕SW-12 Free shipping threshold in plain sightNo free shipping threshold on the homepage.0/10
- ✓SW-13 Two or more ways to get helpSupport via chat, contact page.5/5
- ✓SW-14 Policies one click awayPolicy links in the footer.5/5
- ~HP-01 One clear H1One homepage H1, "Introducing SMOOTH OVER", a launch name rather than the brand promise.6/10
- ✕HP-10 Bestsellers up frontNo bestsellers block found on the homepage.0/10
- ✓HP-11 Shop by category17 collection links on the homepage.5/5
- ✓HP-12 A story block or founder note“Meet the” on the homepage.5/5
- ✕HP-14 A real reason to buy nowNo dated or limited reason to buy now on the homepage.0/5
- ✕PDP-01 Product name under 65 charactersNo product title in an H1.0/5
- ✓PDP-03 Reviews on the pageOkendo reviews on the PDP with 1,339 reviews and 4.6.15/15
- ~PDP-05 Thumbnails, video and variant imagesProduct video plus 0 product images in the gallery code.2/5
- ✓PDP-09 Quantity and variant pickers that update the priceQuantity input and variant picker.5/5
- ✓PDP-10 Savings shown with a strikethroughCompare-at price shown on the PDP.5/5
- ✓PDP-11 Subscribe and save in the buy boxSubscribe option in the buy box.10/10
- ✓PDP-12 Bundles or upsells on the page“PAIRS WELL” on the PDP.10/10
- ✓PDP-14 Pay later for higher price pointsPay later option (SHOPIFY-PAYMENT-TERMS) on the PDP.5/5
- ✕PDP-15 Guarantee in the buy boxNo guarantee found on either page.0/10
- ✓PDP-16 Shipping and returns spelled outShipping and returns terms on the PDP.10/10
- ✓PDP-17 Details, ingredients or FAQ in accordionsHow to use, full ingredients, key ingredients (DIM, Vitamin B5, Glutathione, Turmeric) and a 5-HTP SSRI note.10/10
Lab speed (Core Web Vitals) isn’t scored yet.
92The tools behind it11% of the scoreSee what we saw
Coverage of the seven core tool categories. The full list is in Tools they run below.
Brand Tested Score, methodology v2.0: 7 of 7 areas scored.
How you stack up2 gaps vs Skincare peers and the top 20
2gaps
vs peers
vs peers
03 · How you stack up
CLEARSTEM vs. the best
Out of 10 lanes, CLEARSTEM covers 7. The comparison: 59 Skincare storefronts and the 20 top-scoring brands we grade. The gaps are listed biggest first.
CRO and testing
GapNo CRO or testing tool spotted on CLEARSTEM’s store, while 40% of the top-scoring brands run one. Price, offer and page tests show what really moves conversion, so nobody has to guess.
What the top 10 run here:
Intelligems4 of 10
Intelligems4 of 10Most common across our scan:Intelligems
IntelligemsReviews
CLEARSTEM: running itOkendoAttribution
CLEARSTEM: running itEElevarPPolar Analytics
Post-purchase experience
CLEARSTEM: running itLLoop ReturnsAAfterShip
PDP and landing pages
Not spottedOnly 10% of peers run one, so it doesn’t count as a gap.
UGC and creator content
Not spottedOnly 2% of peers run one, so it doesn’t count as a gap.
Adoption is the share of storefronts where our Oct 9, 2026 scan found at least one app in the lane. Apps that live only in checkout or the back office can hide from a scan, so “not spotted” doesn’t mean missing. App names show what other brands run. They aren’t endorsements. A few links to software partners are referral links, and we may earn a commission if you sign up, at no cost to you. Money never changes a score.
The stack by funnel stageCoverage across acquisition, conversion and retention
Acquisition3of 3Getting new people in the doorDetails
Every core category in this pillar is covered.
Retention2of 2Bringing them back for moreDetails
Every core category in this pillar is covered.
CRO / Experience1of 2Turning visits into ordersSShop Pay InstallmentsDetails
- No post-purchase / upsells app spotted. Most common in the top 20: Rebuy
Spotted in public storefront code, scanned Oct 9, 2026. Checkout and back-office apps can hide from a scan, so treat a gap here as something to check.
Fix this week3 specific changes, free
Keep a brand H1 above the launch
NowThe H1 is "Introducing SMOOTH OVER".
TryMake the H1 "Acne-safe skincare. No pore-clogging ingredients, ever." and run the launch as the first module.
Why it matters
A launch hero ages in a week; the brand promise works every day.
Put the review count on the homepage
Now1,339 reviews at 4.6 sit only on the PDP.
TryAdd the rating and count under the hero and on the bestseller tiles.
Why it matters
Acne buyers have tried everything; proof up front keeps them reading.
Lift the clinical line to the hero
NowThe 24-week clinical study sits deep on the PDP.
TryAdd one line near the top: "Clinically tested, 24-week study." with a link.
Why it matters
It is the strongest claim on the site and most visitors never reach it.
Brand Tested Scores are our editorial opinion, based on our published methodology and what we saw on the brand’s own site, shown on this page as of Oct 9, 2026. They are not statements of fact about a company’s legal compliance, finances or product safety. Grades are set against the consumer brands we grade: 82 or higher is in the A range (the scale). Methodology · Request a correction
Last graded . How we grade
Questions about CLEARSTEM
Is CLEARSTEM worth buying from online?
Its own store makes a solid case for itself. We grade clearstem.com 75 out of 100 (B-) as of Oct 10, 2026, on how clearly it sells, what proof it shows and how easy it is to check out. We grade the store, not the products.
What does CLEARSTEM do best?
The tool setup, which we grade 92 out of 100. The proof has the most room to grow, at 67.
What tools does CLEARSTEM run?
On Oct 14, 2026 our scan of its storefront found Recharge, Klaviyo forms, Retention.com, Okendo, Superfiliate and Klaviyo, plus 7 more. Checkout and back-office apps can hide from a scan, so treat a gap as something to check.
How does Brand Tested grade CLEARSTEM?
The Brand Tested Score is 40% Brand DNA and 60% Site Experience, built from CLEARSTEM’s own public pages, with a quote from its site behind every point. CLEARSTEM earns 71 for Brand DNA and 78 for Site Experience. Brands can’t pay to be graded or to change a grade.
For the CLEARSTEM team
Run CLEARSTEM? This page is yours.
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