Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum Review

Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
0.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
10.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich
in Antioxidants
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
Review

Does Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum has to offer:
 
  • Strong occlusive moisturizing. This exceptionally occlusive moisturizer, ideal for dry and very dry skin, has a moderate moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10, impaired by the absence of humectants.
  • Soothing: Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.
  • Antioxidant protection.

Key Benefits of Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum:
 

Very Rich Moisturizer with the Right Occlusivity for Very Dry Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely occlusive. It has zero Humectancy (we didn't find any humectant ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum Occlusivity of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil (est. ≈50.0%), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (est. ≈22.0%) and Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil (est. ≈2.0%).

This type of product, when used as a standalone moisturizer, can deliver an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin. The occlusive profile of Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum suggests a rich, thick texture, making it perfectly suited for dry skin.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract (est. ≈11.0%) and Centella Asiatica Extract (est. ≈4.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Skin Soothing and Calming Potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract (est. ≈11.0%), Centella Asiatica Extract (est. ≈4.0%) and Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract (est. ≈3.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum to your skincare routine:
 

Best for Very Dry Skin - May Be Too Thick for Other Skin Types

With exceptional occlusivity, this product is optimal for moisturizing dry and very dry skin but may be too thick for other skin types, including normal, and especially combination and oily skin.

If you have oily, combination, or normal skin and are considering purchasing this product for the first time, it might be a good idea to try a sample before buying.

If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It’s Better When Paired with Some Humectants

An ideal moisturizer for any skin type should balance the right level of occlusivity (depending on skin type) with a significant amount of humectants, while Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum contains no humectants at all.

People with dry skin would definitely benefit from adding water-binding humectants to their moisturizing routine for effective dual-action moisturizing. If this is your only moisturizer, it may be worth including a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, in your skincare routine.

Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

If one of your main reasons for choosing Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, it currently has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Centella Asiatica Extract, an ingredient often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Centella Asiatica Extract provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards.

While this does not categorically exclude the possibility that Centella Asiatica Extract may reduce wrinkles, its efficacy is not supported by convincing, vehicle-controlled, double-blind clinical studies - at least none that were accessible to the CreamScan team at the time of publication.

Therefore, this ingredient does not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Pros & Cons of Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Province Apothecary Clear Skin Advanced Face Serum to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • Provides the right level of occlusivity to moisturize dry to very dry skin
  • Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution
  • Contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help reduce irritation and soothe the skin

Cons: 

  • May feel too rich and thick on skin types other than dry
  • Ideally needs to be paired with extra humectants for optimal moisturizing efficacy
  • Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
50
22
11
6
4
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Function:
Origin:
Plantago Major Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Centella Asiatica Extract
Function:
Origin:
Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:
Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil
Function:
Origin:
Boswellia Serrata Oil
Function:
Origin:
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Function:
Origin:
Commiphora Myrrha Oil
Function:
Origin:
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Oil
Function:
Origin:
Azadirachta Indica Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
76.8
50.0
22.0
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
None
Occlusivity All occlusives 76.8 20
10.0
50.0
22.0
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
None
All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
50
22
2
1.5
1
0.3
All occlusives 76.8 20
10.0
All occlusives
76.8
50.0
22.0
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 4 -
Total
0
Centella Asiatica Extract
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
4
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
11
4
1.5
All antioxidants 16.5 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
16.5
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
11
Centella Asiatica Extract
4
Tocopherol
1.5
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
11
4
3
All soothing 18 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
18
11
4
3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Est. %50
Function
Origin
Camellia Oleifera Seed OilExtracted from the seeds of the flowering plant tea oil camellia (not to be confused with tea tree oil), this occlusive moisturizing and emollient oil consists of oleic and linoleic fatty acids, vitamin E, and phytosterols.
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Est. %22
Function
Origin
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed OilA liquid plant wax, also known as Jojoba oil, pressed from the seeds of Simmondsia chinensis. These seeds can contain up to 50% of liquid wax. It is used as an occlusive moisturizer, emollient, and emulsifier.
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Est. %11
Function
Origin
Calendula Officinalis Flower ExtractAn extract derived from the flowers of the pot marigold. Its yellow to bright orange flowers contain carotenoids, triterpenoids, and flavonoids. They all have fantastic anti-inflammatory activity and can help to soothe inflamed skin.
Plantago Major Leaf Extract
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Plantago Major Leaf Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Centella Asiatica ExtractAn extract from the leaves of the Gotu kola. It is used in skincare for its antioxidant, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. It increases the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin.
Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Symphytum Officinale Leaf ExtractA soothing extract that is obtained from the leaves of the comfrey plant. It contains anti-inflammatory allantoin, a caffeine-like compound.
Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed OilAn emollient and occlusive moisturizing fatty oil expressed from raspberry seeds. It is a rich source of linoleic, α-linolenic, and palmitic fatty acids.
Tocopherol
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.

Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Rosa Canina Seed OilRosehip oil derived from the seeds of the dog rose shrubs. It contains mainly linoleic and linolenic emollient fatty acids (and other polyunsaturated fatty acids), as well as a very high amount of antioxidant carotenoids.
Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Helichrysum Italicum Flower Oil
Boswellia Serrata Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Boswellia Serrata Oil
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Commiphora Myrrha Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Commiphora Myrrha Oil
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Oil
Azadirachta Indica Seed Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Azadirachta Indica Seed Oil