Clarins Beauty Flash Balm for acne-prone skin
Glycerin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract Olive Leaf Extract
Witch Hazel Leaf Extract
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea ButterWarning
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- WarningSafety
A poor match for acne-prone skin; the serums alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.1Overall rating based on 5.4k+ reviewsThis product is a highly regarded multitasking primer and mask that consistently delivers instant brightening, hydration, and tightening effects, resulting in radiant and youthful-looking skin. It is also frequently noted as an excellent makeup primer. However, recent formula changes have led to some users experiencing a sticky texture and a different scent, with a moderate number of reviews indicating disappointment with the updated version.
Highlights
Makeup primer Often Mentioned
- “Perfect primer for any foundation, which all glide on smoothly.”
- “Helps foundation stay on longer without slipping.”
- “Preps skin for flawless makeup application.”
- “Gives the makeup a smooth canvas to grip to.”
Radiant skin Often Mentioned
- “Gives off the most stunning natural radiance I've ever come across.”
- “Leaves skin radiant and firm.”
- “Immediately brightens and moisturizes my face.”
- “Gives my skin a wide awake appearance and that extra boost.”
Reduces fatigue Sometimes Noted
- “Eliminates fatigue and makes my face appear rested.”
- “Perfect pick-me-up for a dull complexion in desperate need.”
- “Reenergizes tired skin when used as a mask.”
- “Works like a full night's sleep in a tube.”
Tightens skin Sometimes Noted
- “Gives my skin a moisturizing and tightening boost.”
- “Skin instantly feels plump and soft.”
- “Smooths the appearance of facial contours.”
- “Instantly tightens facial contours so skin looks rested.”
Formula changes Sometimes Noted
- “New formulation has been met with widespread disappointment.”
- “Colour and consistency of the balm is completely different.”
- “Does not provide the same beneficial effects as the original.”
- “New formula that many customers find inferior.”
Sticky texture Rarely Noted
- “Described as having a sticky, gel-like texture.”
- “If you apply too much... it will simply start to peel off.”
- “Starchy film would stifle my skin.”
- “Starts to peel off and any firming benefits will be lost.”
Strong scent Rarely Noted
- “Lady-ish, light floral scent, a bit too much for my taste.”
- “I'd prefer no scent at all.”
- “There is a scent I'm not a fan of.”
- “If you're sensitive to fragrance... take a little sniff prior to indulging.”
Sources: lovi.care, clarins.co.uk, ulta.com, boots.com, macys.com, beautylymin.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise against Clarins Beauty Flash Balm for acne-prone skin?
Lovi advises against this balm for acne-prone skin because it lacks the targeted soothing and calming ingredients needed to manage breakouts safely without irritation. Treatments that fit this skin well need effective blemish-fighting and calming ingredients like Centella Asiatica and Niacinamide to keep skin clear and comfortable.
Which ingredients make this cream a poor fit for acne-prone skin?
This cream is a poor match because it contains rich ingredients like shea butter and oils that can clog pores and trigger breakouts on acne-prone skin. A treatment for this skin type needs soothing and clearing ingredients like niacinamide or centella asiatica to calm blemishes without causing irritation.
What does Glycerin do for acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated and calm without clogging pores or feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth while handling everyday treatments.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
What does Aloe Vera do for acne-prone skin?
Aloe vera helps calm acne-prone skin by reducing redness, swelling, and the number of blemishes. It works well to soothe irritated areas while keeping the skin smooth and comfortable.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
Clarins Beauty Flash Balm is a poor match for acne-prone skin, as Lovi advises against using it on this skin type. A treatment for acne-prone skin needs soothing ingredients like glycerin and aloe vera to help keep skin calm without clogging pores.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
Clarins Beauty Flash Balm is a poor match for acne-prone skin, so you should avoid using it with retinol in your routine. Acne-prone skin needs lightweight treatments with soothing ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide that clear pores without heavy oils or thick butters.
How often should I use this cream?
Clarins Beauty Flash Balm is a poor match for acne-prone skin because it may clog pores and trigger breakouts. Acne-prone skin needs lightweight, non-pore-clogging treatments with soothing ingredients and salicylic acid to keep pores clear.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This treatment is a poor match for acne-prone skin and may clog pores or trigger breakouts. A product for this skin needs lightweight, non-greasy ingredients that hydrate and soothe without heavy butters or oils.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, hexyl cinnamal, linalool, coumarin, benzyl salicylate, citronellol, geraniol, eugenol, limonene, and isoeugenol).
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010Topical herbal treatments including lemon balm, olive leaf extract, propolis, and sage-rhubarb cream reduce pain, swelling, lesion size, and healing time in patients with herpes labialis compared with placebo or acyclovir.
Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 2025Topical oleuropein formulations reduced erythema, transepidermal water loss, and blood flow by approximately 22%, 35%, and 30% in healthy volunteers with UVB-induced erythema.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2008An oil-in-serum formulation containing olive extract standardized in hydroxytyrosol improved skin barrier function and significantly reduced hyperpigmentation in participants with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after 45 days of application.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2026A Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract increased LOXL1 expression twofold, decreased elafin synthesis, restored functional elastic fibers, reduced nonfunctional elastin aggregates, decreased wrinkles, and improved skin firmness.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018Hamamelis bark proanthocyanidins strongly increased the proliferation of cultured human keratinocytes and reduced transepidermal water loss and erythema formation in SLS-irritated skin, whereas the polysaccharide fraction had no effect.
Phytochemistry, 2001Witch hazel bark extract and hamamelitannin showed pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, supported keratinocyte migration in a wound healing assay, and inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth, whereas their skin microbiota metabolite ellagic acid stimulated inflammatory mediator release.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2025A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025
Ingredients
Water, Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Rice Starch, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract Olive Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Bisabolol, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Citrate, Witch Hazel Leaf Extract, Algae Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Coumarin, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Geraniol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Eugenol, Limonene, Isoeugenol, Ci 15985 Yellow 6
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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