Clarity

• May help control the surface bacteria linked to skin blemishes¹
• Support calm, soothed-looking skin²
• May help soften the look of post-blemish marks and even skin tone^3,5,6,7
• Maintain the skin barrier to promote skin health
• Balance skin oil production and helps keep pores clear⁴
• Help refine skin texture and clarity⁵

Possible Side Effects

• Mild stinging, burning, tingling, or redness
• Peeling, dryness or itching
• Rare allergic-type skin reactions, such as a rash or hives

Warnings & Precautions

• Use exactly as the prescriber directs; applying more than suggested will not speed up changes in the skin and may increase irritation.
• Apply only to clean, dry, intact skin. Avoid eyes, lips, and any broken or irritated skin.
• Don't use this cream for longer than your provider recommends. Continuous use is generally limited to about three months because of the clindamycin component.
• Tell your provider about all other skin products and medications you use, since combining several active ingredients can add up to more irritation than any one product alone.

Contraindications

• Known allergy to azelaic acid, clindamycin, lincomycin, tranexamic acid, niacinamide, or any other ingredient in this cream
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or trying to become pregnant, only with explicit provider guidance
• Children under 12, since this age group hasn't been well studied with these ingredients, unless directed by a healthcare provider

Drug Interactions

Because this cream is applied to the skin rather than taken by mouth, it's less likely to interact with most oral or injectable medications. Still, a few things are worth mentioning to your prescriber or pharmacist:

• Other oral or topical antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin): may decrease the intended response to topical clindamycin and increase the risk of skin irritation.
• Other strong topical acne ingredients, like retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or exfoliating acids: combining several at once can add up to more dryness or irritation than intended
• Hormonal contraceptives or other estrogen-containing medications: Tranexamic acid may increase the risk of clotting-related pathways

Handling Requirements

• Keep away from children and pets

Breakouts may be caused by a variety of different factors such as: pores get clogged, oil glands produce extra oil, bacteria multiplying in that clogged, oily environment, and the skin responding with redness and swelling. Clindamycin, the antibiotic in Clarity, works by interrupting how blemish-related bacteria build the proteins they need to grow and multiply.¹  Dermatology guidelines generally recommend pairing a topical antibiotic like clindamycin with another ingredient rather than using it alone, since combination approaches may help support the antibiotic's usefulness over time.

Azelaic acid changes conditions on the skin's surface in ways that make it harder for blemish-related bacteria to multiply, partly by disrupting the bacteria's internal chemistry.^5,9 It also calms inflammation and supports normal skin cell turnover, which can help keep pores clear.⁵ Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 helps manage the inflammation-related signals skin cells release in response to bacteria and oil. It may also help balance oil production over time.^2,4 Niacinamide's calming influence on blemish-prone skin has been studied on its own in clinical research, including early published studies.⁸

Tranexamic acid is the one ingredient in Clarity more focused on the marks breakouts can leave behind. Tranexamic acid is reported to interrupt the signals that produce extra pigment after blemish flare-ups. ⁷ Tranexamic acid alongside azelaic acid has been described in the literature in relation to dark marks that can follow blemishes over time.³ Because Clarity is applied to the skin rather than swallowed,  its ingredients act mainly at the surface and within the outer skin layers with limited systemic exposure.

Q: What does Clarity actually do for my skin?

A: Clarity combines four ingredients that each relate to a different part of blemish-prone skin: surface bacteria, inflammation, oil, and the dark marks breakouts can leave behind.

Q: Why is Clarity only used for about three months at a time?

A: One of Clarity's ingredients, clindamycin, is an antibiotic. Like most topical antibiotics, it's meant for shorter durations of use to help avoid bacterial resistance.

Q: How soon might I notice a difference?

A: Skin cell turnover takes time. Many people give a new cream at least a few weeks before deciding whether it's a good fit.

Q: Can I use Clarity along with other skincare products, like retinol or vitamin C serums?

A: Check with your provider first. Combining several active ingredients, especially exfoliating or antibacterial ones, can sometimes add up to more irritation than any single product alone. Your provider can help you build a routine that fits alongside Clarity.

Q: Do I need to wear sunscreen while using this cream?

A: Yes. Daily sun protection is a good habit any time you're working on breakouts or uneven tone, since UV exposure can work against those goals and can make affected skin more sensitive in general.

Q: Is there more than one form or strength of Clarity?

A: Clarity is currently compounded in a single strength (5% azelaic acid, 1% clindamycin phosphate, 5% tranexamic acid, and 4% niacinamide). If your provider thinks a different strength or formulation would suit you better, they can order a custom adjustment.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT COMPOUNDED MEDICATIONS

This medication has been compounded (custom-prepared) by a pharmacy. Compounded medications are specially prepared for individual patient needs based on a valid prescription and, as such, are not reviewed or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety or efficacy. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

This compounded preparation:

• Has not been approved by the FDA
• Has not undergone FDA review for safety, effectiveness, or quality
• Is prepared specifically for you based on your prescriber's order
• Individual outcomes may vary

Dosing is determined by the prescribing provider based on patient-specific factors. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions. Compounded medications are not subject to FDA approval and lack the same safety and efficacy data as FDA-approved commercial medications. This medication should be prescribed and monitored by a licensed healthcare professional familiar with the condition being addressed and the specific applications of the medication.

1. Murphy PB, Bistas KG, Patel P, et al. Clindamycin. [Updated 2024 Feb 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519574/
2. Marques C, Hadjab F, Porcello A, et al. Mechanistic Insights into the Multiple Functions of Niacinamide: Therapeutic Implications and Cosmeceutical Applications in Functional Skincare Products. Antioxidants. 2024;13(4):425. doi:10.3390/antiox13040425
3. Ebrahimi B, Naeini FF. Topical tranexamic acid as a promising treatment for melasma. J Res Med Sci. 2014 Aug;19(8):753-7. PMID: 25422661; PMCID: PMC4235096.
4. Draelos ZD, Matsubara A, Smiles K. The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2006;8(2):96-101. doi:10.1080/14764170600717704
5. Mariano-Rodriguez C, Nava-Martinez P, Diaz-Molina VL. Azelaic Acid in Dermatology: A Review of Its Mechanism of Action. Cureus. 2025. doi:10.7759/cureus.94491
6. Lee DH, Oh IY, Koo KT, et al. Reduction in facial hyperpigmentation after treatment with a combination of topical niacinamide and tranexamic acid: a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial. Skin Res Technol. 2014;20(2):208-212. doi:10.1111/srt.12107
7. AlJabr A, AlAnazi AMI, AlEtebi RAA. Tranexamic Acid for Hyperpigmentation Disorders: A Literature Review on Efficacy and Safety in Melasma and PIH. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2026;25(2):e70692. doi:10.1111/jocd.70692
8. Shalita AR, Smith JG, Parish LC, Sofman MS, Chalker DK. Topical nicotinamide compared with clindamycin gel in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris. Int J Dermatol. 1995;34(6):434-437. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1995.tb04449.x
9. Sauer N, Oślizło M, Brzostek M, Wolska J, Lubaszka K, Karłowicz-Bodalska K. The multiple uses of azelaic acid in dermatology: mechanism of action, preparations, and potential therapeutic applications. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2023 Dec;40(6):716-724. doi: 10.5114/ada.2023.133955. Epub 2024 Jan 8. PMID: 38282869; PMCID: PMC10809820.