About Two actives, working together to clear breakouts, fade what they leave behind, and accelerate the turnover that keeps new ones smaller and shorter-lived. Especially for: Breakout-prone skin tired of choosing between treating active acne and resurfacing the marks left behind Adult skin still dealing with breakouts plus uneven tone, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or general dullness from years of acne Anyone who's tried prescription retinoids or harsher acids and is now looking for a clinically effective combination that doesn't punish the barrier Skin that wants real results from real concentrations without the stinging, peeling, or downtime The two-active system: Clear Skin Potion. A 15% azelaic acid serum that works on three fronts at once: antimicrobial action against acne-causing bacteria, anti-inflammatory action that calms redness around active breakouts, and gradual fading of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Comparable in research to dermatologist-ordered products for mild to moderate acne, without the barrier damage. The Illuminating Tonic. A 9% mandelic acid exfoliant at pH 4.5 that resurfaces gradually rather than aggressively. Mandelic's larger molecule absorbs more slowly than glycolic, which is why reactive and sensitive skin can usually tolerate it. Brings antioxidant activity alongside the exfoliating work. Together: active treatment plus gradual resurfacing. The combination most acne-management routines try to deliver with three or four products, doing it with two. What's Included Available in full size or refills. Both products tie into our refill system, so once you're settled into the routine you can keep replenishing without buying new packaging each time. Clear Skin Potion (full size or refill) The Illuminating Tonic (full size or refill) How to Use AM: After cleansing, apply a pea-sized amount of Clear Skin Potion to damp skin across your entire face and neck, avoiding the delicate eye area. Follow with a moisturizer like Hydrating Gel and/or Ayurvedic Facial Oil while skin is still damp. Layer sunscreen on top once your routine has absorbed (chemical exfoliants and azelaic acid both increase sun sensitivity). PM, 2–3 nights per week: After cleansing, apply 10 drops of Illuminating Tonic into your palm, rub hands together, and gently pat onto your face and neck. Increase frequency only if your skin asks for more. PM, on non-Tonic nights: A second application of Clear Skin Potion can be added if your skin is tolerating the morning application well. Start with one application per day for the first two weeks before adding the evening application. Important pacing notes: Don't use Clear Skin Potion and Illuminating Tonic at the same time of day. The active layering can over-strip even barrier-respectful formulas. Build slowly. Both products are real actives at functional concentrations. Two weeks of single-product use, then one week of the second product layered in, is a safer ramp than starting both at once. A note for celiac and gluten-sensitive customers: Clear Skin Potion's azelaic acid is derived from wheat, rye, and barley. The Tonic is gluten-free, but the Kit as a whole is not safe for you. Ingredients We believe in total transparency. Below is a complete list of each and every ingredient in our formulas in their true order of concentration. To learn more about our ingredient standards, click here. Clear Skin Potion: water, azelaic acid, glycerin*, rosa damascena (rose) flower water*, saccharomyces ferment filtrate, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil*, glyceryl stearate, xanthan gum, gluconodeltalactone, camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf, citric acid, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) oil, boswellia serrata (frankincense) oil, juniperus communis (juniper berry) fruit oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf powder*, sodium benzoate, cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) leaf oil.*certified organic The Illuminating Tonic: water, calendula officinalis (calendula) hydrosol water*, rosa damascena (rose) flower water*, mandelic acid, helichrysum italicum (helichrysum) flower hydrolate*, glycerin*, curcuma longa (turmeric) root extract*, gluconodeltalactone, sodium benzoate, sodium hyaluronate, matricaria recutita (chamomile) flower*, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil, foeniculum vulgare (fennel) seed oil, sodium benzoate.*certified organic This is the most up-to-date ingredient list and may differ from product packaging. Citations Liu, H., Yu, H., Xia, J., Liu, L., Liu, G. J., Sang, H., & Peinemann, F. (2020). Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulphur, zinc, and fruit acid (alpha-hydroxy acid) for acne. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 5(5), CD011368. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011368.pub2 Parcheta, M., Świsłocka, R., Świderski, G., Matejczyk, M., & Lewandowski, W. (2022). Spectroscopic characterization and antioxidant properties of mandelic acid and its derivatives in a theoretical and experimental approach. Materials (Basel, Switzerland), 15(15), 5413. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15155413 Sarkar, R., Garg, V., Bansal, S., Sethi, S., & Gupta, C. (2016). Comparative evaluation of efficacy and tolerability of glycolic acid, salicylic mandelic acid, and phytic acid combination peels in melasma. Dermatologic Surgery, 42(3), 384–391. https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000000642 Guarantee Trying something new? 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