One of the best known, direct-to-consumer acne fighting brands is ProActiv, which has been endorsed by celebrities ranging from Justin Bieber to Jessica Simpson. But this well-known brand is getting competition from start-ups such as bioClarity, which is appealing to a younger clientele by offering a green acne fighting solutions as well as an expanded plant-based skincare range. Here’s a closer look at BioClarity, how the system works and is it right for you?
What Is Bioclarity?
BioClarity launched in 2016, with the idea of offering a plant-based solution to fighting acne. According to the company, the products are meant to appeal to millennial and Gen Z customers who are health conscious and focused on wellness. Since the debut of its Clear Skin Routine, bioClarity has expanded to offer a whole skincare line of plant-based skincare products.
What Is the Concept Behind Bioclarity?
BioClarity products are formulated with plants and botanicals, and the signature ingredient is the brand’s patented Floralux, a type of chlorophyll that is an antioxidant and is meant to reduce redness as well as minimize the appearance of pores. Accessibility is a big part of the BioClarity ethos, so the products are affordable and the regimens are streamlined. All bioClarity products are vegan, cruelty-free and made without parabens, sulfates and phthalates. The product hashtag is #powerofgreen and many of the products are bright green, due to the cholorophyll.
What Does Bioclarity Sell?
BioClarity offers three skincare routines based on different skin types, along with individual products such as a mask, serum, body wash and a beauty supplement. Here’s a breakdown.
BioClarity Clean Skin Routine- Designed for acne prone skin, the Clean Skin Routine includes three products- a cleanser and two gels- and is meant to be used twice a day. The products are Keeping it Clean, a foaming cleanser that helps detox the skin, and Complexion Perfection, an exfoliating gel that contains salicylic acid. The third product is the Power of Green, a chlorophyll based gel that protects and nourishes the skin.
BioClarity Essentials Routine- This regimen is suited for normal to oily skin. The trio of products includes the Keeping it Clean foaming cleanser and the Power of Green chlorophyll gel, as well as Skin Smoothie, a moisturizing blend of Floralux, argan, olive, ceramides, licorice root, jojoba and shea.
BioClarity Ultra Calming Routine- The Ultra Calming trio is meant for anyone looking to soothe red, inflamed skin and is best for oily complexions. In addition to the Keeping it Clean cleanser, this system includes the Ultracalming Serum to calm skin, as well as the hydrating Skin Smoothie.
BioClarity Targeted Products
Clarifying Masque – Powered by Floralux and tea tree, this masque pulls double duty by exfoliating the skin while also battling blemishes.
Dewy Dew – This spritzer can be used to set makeup or just to add a dose of hydration during the day. It is packed with citrus, rose hip and witch hazel.
Sudsy – The tangerine, grapefruit and lemon in this body scrub add a citrusy scent while jojoba beads help exfoliate the body. It’s spiked with salicylic acid to help get rid of dry, dead skin as well as the signature Floralux.
Treat – This blemish treatment gels contains 2% salicylic acid to help banish acne while oat kernel hydrates the skin and helps prevent over drying.
Beauty Boost – BioClarity’s daily supplements are meant to help support skin health. The vegan formula contains vitamins A, B6, C, D, E, K, as well as matcha, goji berry, grape seed, turmeric and golden-serpent fern.
How Much Do bioClarity Products Cost?
BioClarity products are affordable and in line with drugstore prices. The three different routines come in mini and full sizes. The mini kits range from $39.95 – $41.95 while the full sized kits range from $56.95 to $59.95. The products are also sold individually, and the Dewy Dew is $19.95, the supplements are $32.95 and the Hydrating Masque is $24.95. The Cleanse face wash is $9.95 for a mini, and the Eye Will Chill depuffing gel is $24.95.
Is bioClarity Cruelty Free?
Yes. The company says the products are vegan, cruelty-free and made without parabens, sulfates and phthalates.
What Ingredients Are in bioClarity Products?
The key ingredient in bioClarity products is Floralux, a plant-derived chlorophyll. The company says it helps reduce redness, zaps bacteria and protects skin cells. Other ingredients are naturally derived, including chamomile, green tea, licorice root and cucumber. The Skin Smoothie is packed with moisturizing olive, jojoba, shea butter and argan. The acne fighting line is powered by salicylic acid, which helps get rid of dead skin cells and is oil soluble.
Where Can I Buy bioClarity Products?
BioClarity is available on the company website as well as on Amazon.
Do bioClarity Products Work?
Beauty and skincare does not have a one size fits all approach. When figuring out the right products and regimen for your skin, a little trial and error is always necessary, as one person’s hero product may do nothing for you. It’s always helpful to look at customer reviews and editorial write ups as a starting point.
BioClarity does not have any recent write ups in the mainstream press, but bloggers praise its vegan and green credentials. The vlogger Sarah’s Vegan reviewed the products in 2018. She said that she had tried everything for her acne, including Accutane. She says she is a fan of bioClarity’s scrub and moisturizer, which suited her skin.
The vlogger Pixiepineapple reviewed bioClarity in July 2018. She liked the packaging of the products but said the treatment gel felt like it was burning on her face. Her conclusion? The products made her acne worse, after using it for four months.
The bioClarity Clear Skin Routine gets a 4.3 out of 5 star rating on Influenster, based on 143 reviews. Happy customers said that the system worked for them, and many liked that the brand was vegan. Jennifer C. wrote, “I absolutely love it! It’s so fresh, clean and natural. My confidence has definitely gone up since I’ve started using these products.” Christian T. had a similar take on it – “..can’t express how much I love bioclarity products! Their product was the first to actually physically improve my skin health, helping me to get my blemishes from inflamed and painful to practically nonexistent.” Users that didn’t love it said that it did nothing for them, or made their acne worse. “Do not see any results! I’ve been using this routine for months and haven’t seen any improvement with my skin. My skin is something I’ve struggled with for years and I had high expectations for this routine. Disappointed,” wrote Kate B.
On a Reddit discussion thread about bioClarity, the feedback was mixed. “Yes hated it. Dried out my skin and put me on an expensive subscription plan I had to cancel,” wrote Heylight17. But Adriennenarlt1 felt that it worked for her skin – “I love it, made my skin super soft and bright. My bf has really bad acne & it even helped with his. Now that’s all he uses. But keep in mind that everyone’s skin is different. But definitely worth a try.”
The My Beauty Bunny blog, which focuses on vegan and cruelty free brands, reviewed the Clear Skin Routine in 2017. Their conclusion? “After using the system for several weeks, I have noticed that my skin is looking pretty great! I am getting a large PMS-gift on my forehead, but according to the company, some purging is to be expected when you start using it. Some zits are hiding under the skin, and the BioClarity system brings them out. My skin got a little bit dry and red on my less oily spots (upper cheek area), so I started using the Treatment only once a day (at night), and adding a hydrating moisturizer to the mix in the evenings. Now, things are looking good!”
The Clear Skin Routine gets a 3.9 out of 5 star rating on Amazon, based on 234 reviews. For some, it was a holy grail – “In just a few weeks, this cleared up my acne and has been keeping it away ever since. I have sensitive skin so I’m always worried that anything I put on it is going to irritate it. Bioclarity was mild and didn’t irritate my skin at all.” Other customers complained that the products burned or made their acne worse, like the reviewer EG122812. ““This system did not work for me at all. The first five days were ok, then for the next 2.5 weeks, I had constant cystic acne and also whiteheads. It was so bad, I stopped using it and have made an appointment at the dermatologist. I tried this to get rid of moderate acne, and as a result, had the worst two weeks of my life with my skin.”
What Are Some Alternatives to Bioclarity?
Bioclarity may not be for everyone, either because the products didn’t react well with your skin, or you’re more focused on anti-aging. Consider Formulyst.
Formulyst’s philosophy is long-term and effective skincare. The brand wants to help its customers achieve their best looking skin, which often starts with properly cleaned skin. Formulyst’s Gentle Foaming Cleanser whisks away dirt, sweat and makeup but won’t over dry the skin. Skin is left clean and feeling soft and supple thanks to nourishing rosehip seed oil as well as vitamins A, C and E.
The safest way to get rid of a blemish is to resist popping it, and dry it out instead. Drying the blemish will help prevent any scarring or dark spots from forming. Apply a dab of Formulyst’s Blemish Clearing Complex on any troublesome spots. It contains a whole cocktail of bacteria fighting, pimple drying products including zinc oxide, salicylic acid, and camphor. It also helps to unclog pores.
There’s no need to compromise when it comes to finding skincare that is effective and safe. Carrot & Stick takes a tough love approach to skincare, perfectly balancing the power of plants with cutting edge science. Not only is Carrot & Stick good for your skin, it is also good for the environment as the formulas skip harmful chemicals as well as the preservatives, emulsifiers and thickeners commonly found in skincare products.
