When it comes to skincare acids, most of us know the usual suspects: glycolic, salicylic, lactic, and mandelic. But there’s a new player that deserves the spotlight—Pyruvic Acid.
At CLEARSTEM, we believe in formulas that do more than just scratch the surface. That’s why our cult-favorite CLEARITY® Exfoliating Serum is one of the only at-home acne solutions on the market to harness Pyruvic Acid—a next-gen chemical exfoliant that delivers both acne-fighting power and anti-aging benefits. If you’re searching for the best acid for acne-prone skin, the Pyruvic Acid in CLEARITY® is about to become your new obsession.
What Is Pyruvic Acid?
Pyruvic Acid is an alpha-keto acid, a category that’s a little different from your standard alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). It’s naturally occurring in fruits, honey, and even our own bodies as part of energy metabolism. In dermatology, Pyruvic Acid has been used in professional chemical peels for years, where it’s celebrated for its dual benefits: targeting acne and oil production while simultaneously stimulating collagen production.
Unlike harsher acids that can strip or irritate the skin, Pyruvic Acid works deeply yet gently—making it ideal for acne-prone, sensitive, and aging skin alike.
Pyruvic Acid Benefits for Skin
So what makes Pyruvic Acid such a game-changer? Let’s break down its core benefits:
1. A Breakthrough in Acne Treatment
Pyruvic acid penetrates deep into pores to dissolve excess oil, reduce congestion, and keep acne-causing bacteria in check. At the same time, it regulates sebum production, making it especially effective for oily and breakout-prone skin. Clinical trials studying Pyruvic Acid show statistically significant improvements in acne for those with mild to moderate acne, with complete remission in some patients!
2. Collagen Stimulation
Most exfoliating acids stop at surface-level smoothing. Pyruvic acid goes further by stimulating fibroblasts—the cells that produce collagen and elastin. The result? Firmer, plumper skin with visibly reduced fine lines and wrinkles over time.
3. Gentle Yet Effective Exfoliation
While glycolic acid can be too harsh for many acne-prone skin types, Pyruvic Acid exfoliates without compromising the skin barrier. This balance makes it one of the best acids for acne-prone skin—powerful against breakouts but kind to sensitive skin.
4. Brightening and Scar Reduction
By accelerating cell turnover through collagen production, Pyruvic Acid helps fade post-acne marks and uneven pigmentation, revealing a smoother, more radiant complexion.
5. Increase in Skin Hydration
The use of Pyruvic Acid is shown to increase hydration levels while decreasing sebum (oil) levels, making it a wonderful option for maintaining the skin barrier while controlling the excess oil often associated with acne-prone skin.
Pyruvic Acid vs. Mandelic Acid
Both Mandelic and Pyruvic Acid are beneficial for acne-prone skin, but they work differently. Here’s how they compare:
Mandelic Acid
-
An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with a larger molecular size, which means it penetrates more slowly and works mainly on the skin’s surface—making it gentler.
-
Primarily known for brightening pigmentation and helping with mild acne.
-
Considered one of the most well-tolerated exfoliating acids for sensitive or darker skin types.
Pyruvic Acid
-
A smaller molecule compared to Mandelic Acid, allowing for deeper skin penetration and more targeted effects on oil production, acne lesions, and fine lines.
-
Clinically shown to be effective for treating active acne, acne scars, oily skin, and photoaging.
-
Stimulates collagen production, offering stronger anti-aging benefits than most AHAs.
-
Also provides antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, helping reduce redness and inhibit acne-causing bacteria.
While Mandelic Acid works to gently brighten pigmentation and smooth texture, Pyruvic Acid penetrates deeper to target oil, acne, and collagen production. Together, they create a layered, synergistic effect—Mandelic Acid clears and evens the surface while Pyruvic Acid works below it—making CLEARITY® uniquely powerful.
Why CLEARITY® Is Different
Most exfoliating serums are built around one acid and stop there. CLEARITY® is different. It’s a multi-acid powerhouse, combining Pyruvic Acid with Mandelic Acid and Mandelic acid for a 360-degree approach to clear, youthful skin.
-
8% Mandelic Acid: The star ingredient that gently exfoliates skin for a smoother, brighter, clearer complexion
-
Pyruvic Acid: An acid generally not found in at-home skincare that is clinically studied for acne and oil production.
-
Natural botanicals + calming agents: Balance the formula so it’s potent while being supportive to the skin barrier.
This unique blend makes CLEARITY® unlike any other serum. While most exfoliating serums give you surface exfoliation, CLEARITY® addresses acne at every stage—active breakouts, scars, oil regulation, and long-term skin aging.
Here are some of the impressive clinical results of CLEARITY® from our clinical testing:
-
100% felt smoother skin in 4 weeks*
-
100% agree is gentle on skin*
-
96% saw less noticeable texture*
-
96% saw a healthier complexion*
-
92% saw clearer skin*
Plus more benefits like:
-
Smaller, less noticeable pores*
-
Visibly plumper + firmer skin*
-
Instantly improved skin barrier strength*
*Based on a 28-day clinical study of 27 female subject ages 41-68
Who Should Use Pyruvic Acid?
Pyruvic acid is particularly effective if you’re dealing with:
-
Persistent, stubborn acne
-
Post-acne scars or pigmentation
-
Early signs of aging (fine lines, loss of firmness)
-
Oily skin that feels hard to manage
-
Sensitivity to stronger acids like Glycoic Acid
If you’ve tried countless acne treatments and feel like nothing fully works, Pyruvic Acid may be the missing piece, and CLEARITY® allows you to harness its power without needing to get a professional chemical peel.
How to Use CLEARITY® in Your Routine
For anyone looking to for clearer, smoother, firmer skin, look no further than CLEARITY®, which is designed to use nightly after cleansing:
-
Cleanse with a non-pore-clogging, acne-safe cleanser like GENTLECLEAN
-
Apply 1–2 pumps of CLEARITY® evenly across the face. Let sit for 10+ minutes to allow the acids to fully dissolve congestion in your pores.
-
Seal off with a moisturizer like HYDRAGLOW or overnight mask like HYDRABERRY
-
Always use SPF during the day, since exfoliating acids can make skin more sensitive to the sun.
Pro tip: If you’re new to acids, start with every other night and work your way up!
Final Thoughts: The Future of Acne and Anti-Aging in One
Skincare shouldn’t force you to choose between clear skin and youthful skin—you deserve both. With Pyruvic Acid, you finally get a treatment that clears acne while actively preventing signs of aging.
And because CLEARITY® allows you to harness the benefits of Pyruvic Acid at home, you’re not just using another exfoliant—you’re experiencing the next generation of chemical peel technology, customized for everyday use.
When it comes to Pyruvic Acid benefits for skin, the results speak for themselves: fewer breakouts, smoother texture, brighter tone, and firmer, more resilient skin over time.
If you’ve been searching for the best acid for acne-prone skin, your answer is here—and it’s exclusive to CLEARSTEM! Click here to shop CLEARITY® now.
SOURCES
Pyruvic Acid Peel for Face and Extra-Facial Areas
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-78265-2_15 Last accessed August 19, 2025
A Split Face Comparative Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of 40% Pyruvic Acid vs. Microdermabrasion with 40% Pyruvic Acid on Biomechanical Skin Parameters in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/11/20/6079 Last accessed August 19, 2025
A comparison of the effectiveness of azelaic and Pyruvic Acid peels in the treatment of female adult acne: a randomized controlled trial https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69530-w Last accessed August 19, 2025
Pyruvic Acid, Glycolic and Salicylic Acid Peels Improve Acne, Skin Hydration https://www.dermatologyadvisor.com/news/a-mixture-of-acids-produces-same-results-as-monotherapy-but-with-fewer-adverse-events Last accessed August 19, 2025
A Comprehensive Bibliographic Review Concerning the Efficacy of Organic Acids for Chemical Peels Treating Acne Vulgaris https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/20/7219 Last accessed August 19, 2025
The use of Pyruvic Acid in the treatment of acne https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2004.00759.x Last accessed August 19, 2025
