A Clarifying Force
Discover ZO’s new powerful yet gentle serum for a continually clear and balanced complexion.
Complexion Clarifying Serum
Complexion Clarifying Serum is a water-based serum engineered with ZSEB3TM, ZO’s exclusive sebum-targeting science, clinically tested to help reduce surface oil, the appearance of congestion + visible redness for a clear-, balanced-looking complexion.
This foundational daily face serum is formulated for a range of skin types, especially combination, oily + blemish-prone skin.
Fragrance- and alcohol-free.
Skin Balancing Benefits
- Clinically tested to help decongest skin + reduce the look of surface shine as early as 2 weeks.
- Helps minimize the look of excess sebum with daily use, while providing lightweight hydration for a range of skin types.
- Helps reduce visible redness for a more even-looking complexion.
- Light, water-gel formula layers easily.
- Complexion Clarifying Serum features a unique dropper that fills automatically for ease of use. It dispenses the appropriate amount of serum to use, which is about a quarter size.
Before + After
Clarity

Pore Refinement

PROTOCOL: A 6-week independent, third-party clinical evaluation of 43 female participants to assess the benefits of Complexion Clarifying Serum. Participants were females ages 16 to 44 with Fitzpatrick skin types II-IV. Supported with the use of Gentle Cleanser and Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50.
Clinical Results
After using Complexion Clarifying Serum twice daily for 6 weeks, participants in the clinical study reported the below statements.




Sebum Control
Excess sebum can contribute to visible concerns and shine. Controlling sebum is essential to to help manage these concerns and to optimize the effectiveness of your overall skincare routine.
What Is Sebum?
Sebum is a waxy, oily mixture produced by sebocyte cells in skin’s sebaceous glands, whose activity is influenced by androgen hormones. While sebum plays a protective role against water loss + pathogens, excess sebum may lead to congestion and increased shine.
Did You Know?
In addition to contributing to blemishes + appearance of large pores, its waxy nature can reduce the absorption + performance of skincare products. Managing sebum can help products work more effectively across skincare routines.
New Exclusive ZO® Technology
Multi-Modal Sebum-Targeting Science
Complexion Clarifying Serum is engineered with a new, ZO® Sebum-Targeting Complex of 3 plant extracts that help promote a clearer + balanced-looking complexion without dryness.
PAIR WITH
For an ongoing clear + shine-free complexion, ZO® recommends pairing Complexion Clarifying Serum with the following targeted treatments.
FAQS
What Does Complexion Clarifying Serum Do?
Complexion Clarifying Serum is clinically tested to help reduce the look of surface oil, congestion and visible facial redness as early as 2 weeks for clear-, balanced-looking complexion.
Will The Salicylic Acid In It Dry My Skin?
No. Complexion Clarifying Serum is formulated with gentle, water-soluble salicylic acid that does not require the presence of drying solvents, such as alcohol, in the formula like traditional salicylic acid-based products.
In addition, Complexion Clarifying Serum contains a polysaccharide complex that helps support skin’s barrier plus humectants for light hydration. After 6 weeks of use twice daily, 98% of participants reported that it did not feel drying.
What Are the Benefits of This Serum Being Water-Based?
Complexion Clarifying Serum’s water-soluble salicylic acid helps decongest skin without the presence of drying or irritating solvents like traditional salicylic acid products. It is suitable for blemish-prone skin and gentle on a range of skin types.
In addition, the weightless water-gel formula layers seamlessly into any protocol.
Is This Fragrance Free?
How Much of This Product Should I Apply?
What Products Do You Recommend To Pair With Complexion Clarifying Serum?
The foundation to clear-, healthy-looking skin is always GSR®. Starting your protocol with Exfoliating Cleanser, Dual Action Scrub and Oil Control Pads will help promote a smoother-looking + radiant complexion. In addition, Complexion Clearing Masque is an excellent bi-weekly mask to help absorb excess surface oil + other pore impurities and to immediately mattify shininess.
Will This Help Reduce The Appearance of Blemishes?
Used daily, Complexion Clarifying Serum may help improve the look of congestion + support a clearer-looking complexion. For persistent or severe breakouts, consider consulting a skincare professional for personalized guidance based on your skin type, specific concerns + lifestyle.
Will This Help With visible signs of premature aging?
Complexion Clarifying Serum contains a plant-derived polysaccharide complex that helps support skin’s protective barrier + reduce the appearance of premature signs of aging. However, to target the appearance of signs of ageing, we recommend ZO’s advanced solutions such as:
- Growth Factor Serum: fine lines + wrinkles
- Firming Serum: loss of firmness
- Wrinkle + Texture Repair: deeper wrinkles + rough, sun-exposed texture
Is It Suitable for My Post-Treatment/Procedure Skin?
Not recommended immediately following ablative or combined ablative + non-ablative laser procedures. Please consult your provider for post-procedure skincare guidance.
When Will I Begin To See an Improvement in My Complexion?
Complexion Clarifying Serum was shown to help reduce surface oil + shine, the look of pores + congestion and visible facial redness as early as 2 weeks in an independent clinical study.