What’s in Clear+, and why these amounts?

Short answer: Clear+ contains ten ingredients in two capsules a day. At its core are zinc (20 mg) and vitamin A (900 µg). It also contains vitamin B5, spearmint, vitamins C, E and D3, selenium, copper and a little black pepper. Every amount is listed on the label. Below, we explain why each ingredient is there.

Turn over any supplement pack and you’ll see a long list of names and numbers. But why those ingredients? And why those amounts? In this article, we take you through Clear+ ingredient by ingredient, in plain English.

Four questions to ask about any supplement

Whether you’re considering Clear+ or something else, these four questions are a good place to start.

• What’s in it? Not just the headline ingredients, but everything else too.
• How much is in it? An ingredient name on a label tells you little if you don’t know the amount.
• What form is it in? Zinc, for example, is always bound to another substance. The label should tell you which form it uses.
• Why is it there? Every ingredient should have a reason for being included.

With many supplements, you get stuck at question two. The amounts aren’t listed, or they’re hidden in a “blend” that only shows a total. With Clear+, you can answer all four questions. Let’s go through them, ingredient by ingredient.

First, a little about how your skin works

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. The outer layer, the part you can see and feel, is made up of cells that are constantly moving upwards. New cells form at the bottom. Over a few weeks, they move to the surface, where the old cells flake away without you noticing. Your skin is renewing itself all the time.

Your skin also has sebaceous glands. They produce sebum: an oily layer that helps keep your skin supple and protected. How much sebum you produce varies from person to person and over time. Hormones play a part, which is one reason your skin may be different during puberty, around your period or when life gets busy.

Your skin gets what it needs to do all this through your blood. That’s how vitamins and minerals from your food reach your skin too. That’s what we mean by “from within”: what you take in provides the building blocks for what you see on the outside. For more on how a spot develops, read Spots and your skin: how does it work from within?

Two things to remember: your skin needs time, because it renews over weeks, not days. And it needs the same building blocks every day, not just an occasional extra boost.

All ten ingredients at a glance

Here’s what you get in a daily serving of two capsules:

The amounts vary a lot, and that’s normal. You only need a tiny amount of selenium, but much more vitamin B5. Here’s why each ingredient is included.

The foundation: zinc and vitamin A

If one pairing sits at the heart of Clear+, it’s this one.

Zinc is a mineral you get mainly from meat, fish, dairy, nuts and wholegrains. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. Your body doesn’t store large amounts of it, so you need it every day. Clear+ contains zinc as zinc citrate: zinc bound to citric acid, a form commonly used in supplements.

Vitamin A may make you think of carrots. They contain beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A. Clear+ contains vitamin A in a ready-to-use form, as acetate. Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. Because it’s the ready-to-use form, it’s worth knowing how much you’re getting in total. There’s more on that under “Who is Clear+ for?”

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)

Vitamin B5 is officially called pantothenic acid, from the Greek word for “everywhere”. That’s because it’s found in almost everything you eat, though usually in small amounts.

Pantothenic acid contributes to the normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters. It also contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.

Clear+ contains 500 mg. That’s much more than you’d typically get from food, and it’s a deliberate choice: B5 has a central place in the formula. Is that safe? The European Food Safety Authority, EFSA, has not set an upper intake level for vitamin B5 because no adverse effects from high intakes are known. What your body doesn’t use, you pass in your urine.

Spearmint

You might know spearmint from mint tea. It’s one of the most widely used types of mint and has been enjoyed as a drink for centuries. Clear+ contains 200 mg of spearmint extract: a concentrated form of the leaf, so you don’t have to drink litres of tea every day. Read what researchers know about spearmint in Spearmint and blemish-prone skin: what do we know so far?

“Every amount is listed in full on the label, so you know exactly what you’re taking each day.”

Vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium: a protective trio

These three work as a team. Vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress, which can be associated with things like sunlight, smoking and air pollution.

• Vitamin C (50 mg) also contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
• Vitamin E (8 mg) is a fat-soluble vitamin found mainly in vegetable oils and nuts.
• Selenium (100 µg) is a trace element: you only need a very small amount. Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and normal nails.

Copper: zinc’s partner

Copper is included for two reasons. Copper contributes to normal skin pigmentation: your body needs it to make pigment.

The second reason is practical. Zinc and copper partly use the same pathway to be absorbed by your body. If you take extra zinc over a long period, you may absorb less copper. That’s why many supplements containing zinc also include a little copper. Clear+ contains 2 mg.

Vitamin D3 and a little black pepper

Vitamin D3 (25 µg) is the form your skin makes when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system. In the Netherlands, you get little vitamin D from sunlight between October and March, and the Dutch Health Council already recommends extra vitamin D for certain groups. Already taking a separate vitamin D supplement? Bear that in mind.

BioPerine® (5 mg) is a black pepper extract containing piperine, the compound that gives pepper its kick. It’s used in many supplements. The amount is small, comparable to what you’d use to season your food.

Why put it all together?

You could buy these ten ingredients separately. But that can quickly mean seven or eight packs in your kitchen, each with its own dose and schedule. Let’s be honest: few people stick with that for long. And consistency matters, because your skin needs these building blocks every day.

With Clear+, it’s one simple step: two capsules with breakfast, done. The amounts are balanced alongside each other, as with zinc and copper, so you don’t have to work it all out yourself.

Where can you find these nutrients in food?

A supplement adds to your diet; it doesn’t replace it. You can also get most of the ingredients in Clear+ from everyday foods. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, you’ll find them in foods including:

• Zinc: meat, fish, cheese, nuts and wholemeal bread.
• Vitamin A: eggs, dairy and liver. Orange and dark green vegetables, such as carrots and spinach, contain beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A.
• Vitamin C: fruit and vegetables, such as kiwi, oranges and peppers.
• Vitamin E: vegetable oils, reduced-fat spread and nuts.
• Selenium: fish, eggs and meat.
• Copper: wholegrain foods, nuts and pulses.
• Vitamin D: oily fish, such as salmon and mackerel, and sunshine on your skin in summer.

If you eat a varied diet, you’re already getting some of many of these nutrients. Clear+ gives you a consistent amount each day, even when your meals are less varied.

How to take Clear+

Take two capsules with a meal every day, such as breakfast. The capsules are size 0, a standard size that most people find easy to swallow. Find swallowing capsules difficult? Open them and stir the contents into yoghurt or a smoothie. Don’t exceed the recommended daily dose.

The most important thing is to take it every day. Your skin renews itself in cycles that take several weeks: what you see in the mirror today started forming weeks ago. So assess your routine after 2 to 3 months, not a few days. It’s also why our satisfaction guarantee lasts 90 days.

Clear+ fits alongside your skincare. Your cleanser and sunscreen look after the outside; Clear+ provides building blocks from within. Together, they make a complete routine.

How to make it a habit

The first week usually feels easy. Week six can be harder: the novelty has worn off, and it’s easier to forget. Here’s what helps:

• Pair it with something you already do every day. Put the pouch next to your coffee machine or breakfast plate. If you see it, you’re more likely to take it.
• Pick one regular time. Breakfast works best for most people: you’re already sitting down to eat.
• Take a pouch when you go away. A weekend away or a busy week is often when a routine slips.
• Take a photo in the same light. You may not notice much change from day to day. A photo at the start and another a few months later, in the same place and light, gives you a fairer comparison than the mirror.
• Look at the bigger picture. Sleep, stress, food and your skincare all play a part. Clear+ is one part of your routine, not the whole routine.

With a subscription, your next pouch arrives when you need it. You can skip a delivery or cancel in your account whenever you like.

Who is Clear+ for?

Clear+ is made for anyone aged 12 and over who wants to give blemish-prone skin the right building blocks from within. That includes teenagers going through puberty, adults who notice more skin concerns around their period or during busy times, and men as well as women. Many parents order it for their teenager.

In a few situations, get advice first:

• You’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding. Clear+ contains ready-to-use vitamin A. Don’t take it without first speaking to your doctor or midwife.
• You take medication derived from vitamin A acid, such as isotretinoin. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist first.
• You already take other supplements containing zinc, vitamin A or selenium. Add up the amounts and ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure.

Made and tested in the Netherlands

Clear+ is made in the Netherlands. We have every batch independently tested by Eurofins, one of the world’s largest laboratory groups, for heavy metals and unwanted microorganisms. You can see an example test report on the Clear+ product page.

Really happy with Cloudless, and after two months my skin has already got sooo much better. I feel much less self-conscious … I was sceptical at first because I’d honestly tried everything. But this is really worth a try!! I’ve now ordered another three months’ worth for the second time.

Isa

Can’t find your question below? Take a look at our FAQs. Still have a question about an ingredient or your own situation? Email us at hello@meetcloudless.com. We’re happy to help you think it through.

Frequently asked questions

Is Clear+ vegan?

Yes. Clear+ contains no animal-derived ingredients, including in the capsule.

Can I take Clear+ and Glow+ together?

Yes. Take the recommended daily dose of each: 2 Clear+ capsules and 1 scoop of Glow+ per day. Glow+ is intended for adults.

How long before I notice anything?

Your skin renews over several weeks, so don’t expect to see a difference after just a few days. Take Clear+ every day and assess your routine after 2 to 3 months. If it works for you, keep taking it after that: your skin needs building blocks every day, not just for the first three months. For more on why it takes time, read How long does it take to see a difference in your skin?

What’s the best time of day to take it?

Take it with a meal at a regular time. Keeping a consistent routine matters more than the exact time of day. It’s best not to take it on an empty stomach: most people find it more comfortable with food.

What if I’m not happy with it?

You’ll get your money back. Your first order comes with our 90-day satisfaction guarantee. Take Clear+ every day for 90 days and, if you’re not happy afterwards, let us know within 10 days. Send back all the pouches and we’ll refund your purchase price minus the cost of the return label. You’ll find the full terms in our refund policy.

Clear+ is a food supplement. A food supplement is not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.