Our Beauty Editor Tried iS Clinical Skin Care—Here’s Her Honest Review
Editor Beauty Profile
- Skin Type: Oily and mature(ing)
- Skin Tone: Light
- Skin Concern(s): Discoloration, redness, fine lines and wrinkles, acne
Meet the Expert
- Dr. Ashley Magovern - Board-certified dermatologist and member of Dermstore's Medical Advisory Board
About iS Clinical
iS Clinical, which stands for Innovative Skincare, offers technologically advanced skincare products blended with active ingredients, potent antioxidants, and botanical extracts for a truly rejuvenating skin experience. Perfect for acne-prone, hyperpigmented, aging, and sensitive skin types, the sophisticated, medical-grade formulations clarify and renew the skin with an expertly curated lineup of cleansers, serums, moisturizers, masks, and sunscreens. With a skincare philosophy deeply rooted in research and a commitment to quality, iS Clinical has earned a prized reputation as one of the most advanced and effective skincare brands. The line transforms the skin with clinically validated skincare that also improves the well-being of those who use it.
Quick Facts:
- Founders: Bryan Johns and Alec Call
- Origin: California, United States
Known for: Serums, Cleansers, Moisturizers - Derm-Recommended: Yes
iS Clinical Review
iS Clinical Active Serum
516 reviews
$148.00
The brand’s best-selling product is a results-oriented serum that works to decrease the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone while also helping to clear up blemishes. Thanks to a blend of potent botanicals that work quickly to improve the skin’s tone and texture, it helps clear and brighten the skin while defying common signs of aging.
Key Ingredients: Bilberry, mushroom, sugarcane, white willow bark
Skin Type: Light Cream
Skin Benefit(s): Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, diminishes the appearance of uneven skin tone and blemishes, smooths and softens the skin, gives the appearance of smaller pores, provides both rapid and long-term results
Personal Review: “I’ve been using this serum on and off for years, and it never fails me. I reach for it when my skin starts to break out, and in just a few days, any blemishes and redness are pretty much gone. It’s also become a staple anti-aging product because I love how it refreshes my skin and leaves it soft and glowing. Plus, it pairs well with the rest of the products in my skincare routine, making it super easy to integrate.”
Our expert says: “This cult-classic serum is known for its multitasking benefits since it targets acne, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. It features salicylic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid, which work synergistically to exfoliate the skin, unclog pores, and improve texture, making it a good option for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin.”
iS Clinical Cleansing Complex
1080 reviews
$49.00
Whether you use this cleanser as a traditional face wash or leave it on the skin for a bit longer to achieve a mini-mask effect, the clarifying formula blends botanical extracts, antioxidants, and salicylic acid to purify pores and exfoliate the skin. The more you use the cleansing gel, the brighter and softer your skin appears, thanks to the cleanser’s exfoliating benefits without stripping the skin.
Key Ingredients: Centella asiatica, chamomile flower, centella asiatica, sugarcane, white willow bark
Skin Type: All skin types
Skin benefit(s): Deep-cleanses skin and pores without drying, promotes the appearance of smaller pores, smooths and softens the skin
Personal Review: “There’s something so refreshing about a cleanser that does what it promises. A little of this clear gel wash goes a long way. I love to start my day with a simple cleanse and then use it again as the second step in my double cleanse in the evening. But the best part is that the salicylic acid-rich cleanser never leaves my skin red, irritated, or dry, and it always emerges with a healthy glow.”
Our expert says: “This is a gentle yet effective gel cleanser with salicylic acid, chamomile, and centella asiatica that’s good for all skin types, including sensitive or inflamed skin. It deeply cleanses without stripping skin.”
iS Clinical Pro Heal Advanced +
351 reviews
$165.00
Vitamin C gets an upgrade in this scientifically advanced serum, featuring a blend of L-ascorbic acid, vitamins A and E, alongside olive leaf extract for pure antioxidant protection. Perfect for treating both mature and acne-prone skin, as well as more sensitive skin types, apply the serum daily to help safeguard the skin against UV, pollution, and environmental damage while also improving the skin’s tone
Key Ingredients: Vitamins A, C, and E, olive leaf
Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Blemish-Prone
Skin benefit(s): Provides potent antioxidant protection, soothes and calms skin, helps improve the appearance of blemish-prone skin, fine lines, and wrinkles, helps revitalize the appearance of aging and sensitive skin
Personal Review: “I’ve been using vitamin C for close to 20 years, and I must admit that I was blown away by this serum the first time I used it. While my skin isn’t sensitive and can handle active ingredients, this gentle yet effective formula leaves my skin looking more vibrant, well-rested, and healthy, with a reduced appearance of redness. Plus, I know it’s doing its job to protect my skin from environmental aggressors while also calming and soothing any irritation. All around, an A+!”
Our expert says: “This potent antioxidant serum containing vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), vitamin E, retinol, and olive leaf extract is designed to calm inflammation and promote healing, making it especially beneficial for those dealing with acne, rosacea, or post-procedure skin.”
iS Clinical Moisture Emulsion
139 reviews
$110.00
All skin types need moisture to stay healthy, and this intense, rejuvenating skin hydrator helps smooth surface texture while improving skin firmness. Thanks to high-powered botanicals, peptides, marine extracts, and antioxidants, the anti-aging moisturizing cream helps camouflage the signs of aging. Additionally, the lightweight texture serves as a perfect makeup primer to prep the skin before applying makeup.
Key Ingredients: Tripeptide-1, extremozymes, hyaluronic acid, superoxide dismutase
Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Blemish-Prone
Skin benefit(s): Smooths and hydrates the skin, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, provides deep and surface hydration, prevents environmental damage, doubles as a makeup primer and prep
Personal Review: “I’m pretty picky with my moisturizers—I don’t like anything too thick or heavy, and since my skin is oily, they can’t contain pore-clogging ingredients. This fluid-like, moisture-rich one never leaves my skin with a thick or heavy feel, nor does it cause me to break out, which is a major plus in my book. I also like that it layers well under makeup and doesn’t pill or roll off my skin when I use it as the last step in my skincare routine before applying sunscreen.”
Our expert says: “This rich yet non-comedogenic moisturizer offers deep hydration using hyaluronic acid, squalane, and botanicals. It helps strengthen the skin barrier and reduce transepidermal water loss.”
The Bottom Line
If you want firm, bright, bouncy, radiant skin with a healthy glow, chances are you’re going to have to work for it. And that work involves following a regular skincare routine that improves the appearance of the skin while also enhancing its function without stripping away much-needed moisture, causing redness or inflammation, or disrupting the skin barrier. iS Clinical has a proven track record of enhancing the skin overall with one of the most advanced portfolios of scientifically backed ingredients and efficacious formulas to improve the skin, delivering results you can see, feel, and be happy about.
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and beauty expert with more than 16 years of experience. She previously held the title of Executive Beauty Editor at NewBeauty magazine, where she reported on beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health and wellness. She was also instrumental in the launch of the beauty supplement brand Hush & Hush. A self-professed beauty junkie and retinol and sunscreen pusher, Elise knows what’s new, what works and who’s the best to go for every procedure under the sun. Follow Elise on Facebook, Instagram, and on her beauty blog, elisetabin.com
