The brands that occupy permanent residence on discerning skin experts’ shelves are often surprisingly buzz-free. They don’t have celebrity founders or attention-seeking packaging, and are typically hard to find outside of specialty beauty stores. iS Clinical is no exception — a US-born brand that’s been gaining momentum across the country and beyond. The range of skincare products from iS Clinical boasts anti-aging and acne-fighting benefits for every skin type, age and gender. The results-oriented products work their magic when used in a four step routine to CLEANSE, TREAT, HYDRATE and PROTECT your complexion.
iS Clinical has a few different hero products that have been making waves, but there’s one that’s earned the most hype: The Active Serum. Praised for its ability to tackle breakouts, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, and rough skin texture, it’s become something of a cult product among those who swear by it.
The key to the iS Clinical iS Clinical products in Canada Active Serum’s success is a combination of ingredients that help to balance and rebalance the skin. A combination of peptides, vitamins and botanical extracts helps to smooth the skin’s surface and promote cell turnover. The serum also contains licorice root extract, which is known for its antioxidant properties and is great for soothing irritated skin. The formula is finished with a blend of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide (B3), which are both known for their anti-inflammatory properties and ability to hydrate the skin.
While the iS Clinical Active Serum is touted as a hero product, there’s another iS clinical skincare that’s been receiving just as much buzz — the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex. The lightweight cleanser is said to thoroughly cleanse the skin without stripping its natural oils, making it suitable for a wide range of skin types, from aging and sensitive to blemish-prone. However, a quick glance at the ingredient list will reveal this iS Clinical cleanser is not what it’s cracked up to be.
Like all other drugs approved for use in Canada, all iS Clinical products undergo a thorough review process by Health Canada before they can be sold. This process, called the Common Drug Review (CDR), is more similar to the EMA, and includes public disclosure of the CDR-Clinical Review Reports (CRRs).
The CDR-CRRs contain information about the safety, efficacy and cost of drugs that have been reviewed and recommended for provincial coverage. These reports include the clinical trial data, patient input, and manufacturers’ responses to questions raised by patients, physicians, and the public. However, despite efforts to standardize and streamline the CDR-CRR processes, the final decision as to whether or not a drug will be covered remains at the provincial level. This has resulted in some discrepancies between how CDR-CRRs are managed across Canada.