Advanced Dermaclear Serum

Dermaquest

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Dermaquest Advanced Dermaclear Serum is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 86 ingredients (62 low-risk) rates it Excellent (95/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Serums, Essence, Ampoules
Ingredients
86
Low-risk
62
Fragrance
Fragrance-free
Origin
United States
Data updated
Jun 2026

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 21/18
Good for dry skin
Glyceryl Stearate Saccharide Isomerate Cetearyl Alcohol Cetyl Alcohol Sorbitol Squalane Ethyl Linoleate Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Caprylyl Glycol Butylene Glycol Sodium Hyaluronate Glycerin Propylene Glycol Parietaria Officinalis Extract PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch Sea Water Hexyl Laurate Dimethicone PEG-60 Almond Glycerides Lactic Acid
Caution for dry skin
Veronica Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract Dicetyl Phosphate Magnesium Aluminum Silicate Maltodextrin Cetyl Alcohol Sorbitan Olivate Stearic Acid Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract Xanthan Gum Glycerin Salicylic Acid Hexylene Glycol Alcohol Ceteth-10 Phosphate Sodium Hydroxide Ammonium Hydroxide PEG-100 Stearate PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 5/0
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Veronica Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract Azelaic Acid Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract Salicylic Acid Alcohol
Sensitive Skin 9/19
Good for sensitive skin
Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract Glycerin Parietaria Officinalis Extract Laminaria Digitata Extract Yeast Polysaccharides Dimethicone Tocopheryl Acetate Sodium Metabisulfite
Caution for sensitive skin
Glycine Cetyl Alcohol Sorbitol Stearic Acid Azelaic Acid Ethyl Linoleate Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Butylene Glycol Glycerin Propylene Glycol Salicylic Acid Hexylene Glycol Arnica Montana Flower Extract Alcohol Potassium Sorbate Lactic Acid Phenoxyethanol Limonene Retinyl Linoleate

Ingredients list

86 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (9)
All86 Skin Conditioning64 Fragrance16 Viscosity Controlling14 Humectant14 Solvent12 Emulsion Stabilising12 Emollient12 Hair Conditioning11
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
4
A
SD Alcohol 40-B
(Astringent, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling)
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
A
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
(Emollient, Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
4
B
Glycolic Acid
(Exfoliant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Azelaic Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
1
B
Hexyl Laurate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Glyceryl Stearate
(Emollient, Emulsifying)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
B
Cetearyl Olivate
(Hair Conditioning)
1
A
Cetearyl Alcohol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Opacifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasingagent Aqueous, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
Sorbitol
(Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Humectant, Plasticizer, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Squalane
(Emollient, Hair Conditioning, Refatting, Skin Conditioning)
4
B
Lactic Acid
(Exfoliant, Fragrance, Humectant, Ph Adjuster, Skin Conditioning Agent Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Buffering Agent)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
A
Sorbitan Olivate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer
(Emollient, Film Forming, Hair Fixing, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Niacinamide
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing)
1
A
Cetyl Alcohol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Fragrance, Opacifying, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Sodium Hyaluronate
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
B
Dicetyl Phosphate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
3
Ceteth-10 Phosphate
(Cleansing, Surfactant)
1
A
Stearic Acid
(Fragrance, Sufactant, Emulsifying, Surfactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Stearic Acid., Emulsion Stabilising, Masking, Refatting)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
3
A
PEG-100 Stearate
(Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Sea Water
(Humectant, Solvent)
4
6
Sulfuric Acid
(Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
1
A
Sebacic Acid
(Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
Dodecanedioic Acid
(Skin Conditioning)
3
Tocopheryl Acetate
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
1
B
Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
(Film Forming, Hair Fixing)
1
Isopentyldiol
(Solvent)
1
Laminaria Digitata Extract
(Skin Protecting)
1
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Saccharide Isomerate
(Humectant)
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
(Astringent, Fragrance)
1
Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Extract
(Cosmetic Astringent, Skin Conditioning)
Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract
(Skin Conditioning Emollient)
MANGIFERA INDICA SEED BUTTER
(Skin Conditioning)
9
Retinyl Linoleate
(Skin Conditioning)
3
A
Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
Silicone
Silicone
1
Ethyl Linoleate
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Perfuming)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Hexylresorcinol
(Antimicrobial Agent, Cosmetic Biocide)
1
Yeast Polysaccharides
(Film Forming, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Controlling)
3
B
Propylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioningagent Miscellaneous, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Hedera Helix Leaf Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient)
1
Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract
(Refreshing, Skin Conditioning, Soothing, Tonic)
2
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
(Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning)
1
Parietaria Officinalis Extract
(Emollient, Soothing)
4
A
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Paraben
Paraben
1
A
Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant)
1
A
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Hexylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Emulsifying, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant)
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
(Antioxidant, Perfuming)
1
imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Carbomer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
Malva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Primula Veris Flower Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Alchemilla Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
(Astringent, Skin Conditioning)
1
Veronica Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
(Astringent, Skin Conditioning)
1
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Achillea Millefolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent)
salix alba bark extract
(Astringent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Soothing, Tonic)
1
Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Mitracarpus Scaber Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
3
B
PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid
(Antioxidant)
1
Oleanolic Acid
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Glycine
(Buffering Agent, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Agent Miscellaneous, Antistatic Agent, Skin Conditioning)
1
B
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
(Film Forming, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent)
1
A
Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch
(Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Maltodextrin
(Absorbent, Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant, Binding)
Syringa Vulgaris Leaf Cell Culture Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
(Absorbent, Anticaking Agent, Opacifying, Slip Modifier, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
3
Ammonium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
3
B
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
2
Alcohol
(Antifoaming Agent, Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling)
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
3
A
Potassium Sorbate
(Fragrance, Preservative)
4
A
Sodium Metabisulfite
(Antioxidant, Preservative, Reducing)
6
Limonene
(Deodorant, Perfuming, Solvent)
Allergens
Allergens
4
B
Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Antioxidants
Shields skin from free radical damage.
AHA
Exfoliates skin for a brighter complexion.
Vitamin E
Protects skin and soothes irritation.
BHA
Unclogs pores and reduces excess oil.
Retinoid
Visibly reduces the signs of aging.
Niacinamide
Strengthens, smooths, and brightens skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrates by attracting and holding water.
Azelaic Acid
Gently exfoliates and reduces inflammation.

Benefits

HydratingBoosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Barrier RepairStrengthen and restore your skin's natural barrier.
Good For Oily SkinBalances oil and helps reduce shine.
Dark SpotsFades dark spots for even skin tone.
BrighteningRestores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Scar HealingImproves the look of marks and scars.
Anti-AgingSoftens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Redness ReducingSoothes visible redness and calms irritation.

Concerns

Contains paraben
Contains silicone
Contains eu allergen
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
Retinyl Linoleate — higher EWG
May not suit sensitive skin

EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Emollient, Masking
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientMaskingPerfumingSkin conditioningSolvent
Azelaic Acid
Fragrance, Ph adjuster
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragrancePh adjusterBuffering agentMasking
Cetearyl Olivate
Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Hair conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emulsion stabilising, Opacifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Emulsion stabilisingOpacifyingFoam boostingViscosity increasingagent - aqueousViscosity increasing agentEmollientEmulsifyingViscosity controlling
Sorbitol
Flavoring agent, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Flavoring agentFragranceHumectantPlasticizerSkin conditioning
Squalane
Emollient, Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientHair conditioningRefattingSkin conditioning
PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer
Emollient, Film forming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 EmollientFilm formingHair fixingSkin conditioning
Niacinamide
Hair conditioning, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Hair conditioningSkin conditioningSmoothing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emulsion stabilising, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Emulsion stabilisingFragranceOpacifyingEmulsifyingSurfactantFoam boostingViscosity increasing agentEmollientMaskingViscosity controlling
Dicetyl Phosphate
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B EmulsifyingSurfactant
Ceteth-10 Phosphate
Cleansing, Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CleansingSurfactant
Sea Water
Humectant, Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 HumectantSolvent
Sebacic Acid
Ph adjuster, Buffering agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Ph adjusterBuffering agent
Dodecanedioic Acid
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
+ 50 more — see the full ingredients list above
SD Alcohol 40-B
Astringent, Solvent
Causes moisture evaporation - prone to dry out skinRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR A AstringentSolventViscosity controlling Bad for Dry SkinBad for Sensitive Skin
Glycolic Acid
Exfoliant, Ph adjuster
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B ExfoliantPh adjusterBuffering agent Good for Oily SkinBad for Sensitive Skin
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
Hexyl Laurate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Skin conditioningEmollientSolventViscosity controlling Fungal-acne trigger
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientEmulsifying Fungal-acne trigger
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningSolventViscositydecreasing agentHumectantMaskingViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Lactic Acid
Exfoliant, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B ExfoliantFragranceHumectantPh adjusterSkin-conditioning agent -humectantSkin conditioningBuffering agent Bad for Sensitive Skin
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin conditioning, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningHumectant Good for Dry Skin
Stearic Acid
Fragrance, Sufactant
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSufactantEmulsifyingSurfactantsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of stearic acid.Emulsion stabilisingMaskingRefatting Bad for Oily SkinFungal-acne trigger
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Surfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Sulfuric Acid
Ph adjuster, Buffering agent
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 4–6 Ph adjusterBuffering agent
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin conditioning
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 3 AntioxidantSkin conditioning Bad for Oily Skin
Retinyl Linoleate
Skin conditioning
Higher-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 9 Skin conditioning
Dimethicone
Antifoaming agent, Skin protecting
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Antifoaming agentSkin protectingEmollientSkin conditioning Silicone
+ 6 more — see the full ingredients list above

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply after toner and before moisturiser — thinnest to thickest.
  • 2 Evening: Use at night — start 2–3× a week and build up as your skin tolerates it.
  • 3 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Often avoided
Retinoids (Vitamin A) (Retinyl Linoleate)

Topical retinoids (retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl esters) are widely advised against in pregnancy as a precaution. The strongest evidence is for ORAL retinoids; topical absorption is low, but most clinicians err on the side of caution.

Use with caution
BHA (salicylic) (Salicylic Acid)

Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Retinoids (Vitamin A) 0.01–1%

Most studied between 0.1% and 1%. Higher is not automatically better — irritation climbs with dose, so a well-formulated lower strength is often the sweet spot.

Retinyl Linoleate

Niacinamide 2–5% (up to 10%)

Most research uses 2–5%; some formulas go to 10%. Very high levels can cause flushing in sensitive skin.

Niacinamide

BHA (salicylic) 0.5–2%

Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.

Salicylic Acid

AHA (acid exfoliant) 5–10% (OTC)

OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.

Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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