Dear Klairs, or simply Klairs as it’s more widely known, is a Korean brand that has been firmly established in the beauty world for years and is particularly popular within the European Korean skincare scene. Even in the early years of the global K-beauty wave, Klairs was dedicated to ensuring its products were accessible within European countries and this arguably put them ahead of the game with their EU customers. While this set Klairs apart from other Korean brands to begin with, it’s the ongoing demand for their products that shows how strong of a presence Klairs’ skincare has, as they continue to provide effective and gentle formulas for all skin types. With a wide selection of unique products, including both classic favorites and newer formulations, Dear Klairs has remained at the top and proven itself to be a reliable brand. Let’s take a closer look at the brand story and product favorites.
Brand Story
Dear Klairs was first established in 2010 with a focus on researching ingredients and raw materials for skincare aimed at soothing sensitive skin. We’re going to look at their brand pillars, which have remained central to their development over the years. This continuity has helped firmly establish Klairs as a go-to for many skincare lovers.
Less is More
The brand consistently talks about “simple but enough” and their products being the “best simple products”. Interestingly, they highlight the fact that their products don’t buy into the popular Korean trend of basing product formulations on special, unique ingredients. Instead, their simple formulations are good enough to help skin slowly but surely become healthier without a singular ingredient focus. This is quite an unusual stance within Korean skincare, as a focal ingredient of a product is a common theme. But it adds to the trustworthy message that Klairs is your reliable source for daily skincare that provides results while gently treating skin, and we can all appreciate that!
Soothing Skincare
As mentioned, the brand has invested heavily in research and development of soothing skincare formulas and ingredients suitable for sensitive skin. Their ultimate aim is to create healthier, stronger skin for customers through calming, soothing products that can be used by all skin types. We can see that within their products ingredients, which often contain calming botanical blends and moisturizing ingredients to provide relief to the skin and soothe irritation.
Cruelty-Free & Vegan
The brand is staunchly cruelty-free and this has been an important part of the brand philosophy from the beginning. They were arguably ahead of their time in this, considering China was always a large market for Korean brands and thus many brands were not truly cruelty free, succumbing to the need for animal testing in order to be sold in mainland China. But not Klairs. While the brand has also always been “vegan-friendly”, several of their products have recently gained official certification for this. Both the Supple Preparation Facial Toner and the Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop received vegan certification from Korea Agency of Vegan Certification and Services, while the Fundamental Water Gel Cream, Rich Moist and Midnight Blue Sheet Masks, and the Soft Airy UV Essence all received the certification from The Vegan Society, a British agency. Other products from Klairs are also now under the certification process too.
Fan Favourites
Many of Klairs products have become cult classics in the Korean beauty scene. We’re going to take a deeper dive on some of these products to see how to use them, and why they stand out from the crowd.
Supple Preparation Toner
This is such a classic product within K-beauty! And the Supple Preparation Toner is still making waves, winning countless beauty awards and hitting a million bottles sold in 2019. While old-school drying toners still ruled the shelves in the UK and Europe, this toner was often skincare enthusiasts’ first experience of a hydrating toner, and it doesn’t disappoint. Korean toners are typically used to help replenish hydration, balance the pH of the skin, and to prepare the skin for improved absorption of your following products, such as serums and moisturisers. The light consistency and quick absorption rate of this toner means it’s a great option for all skin types. The formula itself contains wheat amino acids to help reduce inflammation and Phyto-Oligo to help moisturise and maintain supple, healthy skin. It can simply be patted into the skin after cleansing and used in both a morning and evening routine.
Klairs Supple Preparation Toner 180ml £20.10
Klairs tag line for this cream is Go Lighter, Go Deeper. The product is a gel-type cream, that although light in texture and absorption, provides deep hydration and moisture. The formula contains 63.7% Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, otherwise known as Green Tea Water, from Jeju Island in Korea. Green tea water is known for its calming effects but also its antioxidative properties. Antioxidants have powerful anti-ageing benefits because they help protect our skin from the damage of the environment and free radicals. The formula also contains Panthenol, or Vitamin B5 as you may see it referred to as, which has several benefits within a moisturiser. As a humectant, Panthenol attracts water and helps the skin hold moisture, resulting in a hydrated, supple complexion. It also has calming properties and has been shown to help restore the skin’s natural barrier, which in turn again helps prevent water loss and maintain a healthy, strong skin surface.
The consistency of the cream is particularly unique in how liquid-like it is, and it feels rather luxurious. You need such a small amount to cover your face, and the cream just sinks into the skin leaving a smooth, glowing finish. Skin looks healthier and more nourished after one application and the product works well in both a morning and evening routine. Being fragrance-free as well, it’s a fantastic daily moisturiser option for all skin types, but particularly those with dehydrated, sensitive skin.
Klairs Fundamental Water Gel Cream 70ml £30.00
Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop
The product name doesn’t give much away, but if you know your Klairs products, you have heard of this little gem! The Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop is a vitamin C serum, recommended for those who want to brighten their overall skin tone. Generally, vitamin C skincare products are known to potentially cause irritation and are often not suitable for those with sensitive skin. Familiar with the burning feeling and redness of strong vitamin C formulas? Yes, not pleasant for those who are sensitive to it. The purpose of the Klairs formulation is to provide the benefits of vitamin C, without the concern of irritation, and this product contains a perfectly balanced 5% vitamin C at an optimal pH level of 3.81. 5% of vitamin C is low enough to be gentle, but high enough to gradually help even out and brighten dull skin tone while rejuvenating the skin.
There are a couple of ways to use the serum - you can either apply a couple of drops directly to cleansed, dry skin and allow to absorb, or if you have extremely sensitive skin, you can mix a couple of drops with a hydrating toner and pat into the skin. The consistency is lightweight but almost oil-like, so you need little of the product. With regular use, this is a reliable option for gently fading pigmentation, softening dark spots, and overall brightening of the skin.
Klairs Juiced Vitamin Drop 35ml £21
Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask
The Vitamin E Mask is another vitamin product in Klairs’ lineup and is a perfect pairing with the Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop. The mask has won a multitude of awards over the past couple of years and is such a unique, versatile product. The formula contains Vitamin E, to soften the skin and help strengthen the skin barrier; Niacinamide, to help with acne-prone skin and for brightening; and Adenosine, for anti-inflammatory and skin strengthening purposes. The mask really stands out because of its pudding-like consistency. It’s fun to use and it has a “memory-foam” texture that allows it to resettle in the jar.
The mask can be used in several ways - as a day-time moisturiser, as a sleeping pack overnight, or mixed with vitamin C. As a sleeping pack, it is applied at the end of an evening routine to effectively seal in moisture overnight and ensure you wake up with soft, moisturised, glowing skin. Mixing the pack with the Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drops enhances the brightening power of the Vitamin E. How you use the product will likely be based on your personal preference and skin type. We love to use it in all ways!
Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask 90ml £24.60
Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop
A blue serum? Yes, a beautiful blue liquid which also happens to be a little powerhouse in helping target fine lines and wrinkles. The Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop contains a dual peptide formula of sh-Oligopepide-1 and sh-Polypeptide-1. Peptides have been scientifically proven as a key antiaging ingredient within skincare, because of their properties that encourage firming of the skin, increased elasticity and collagen production.
In Korea, skincare users typically begin using anti-ageing formulas after the age of 25, when our skin elasticity (sadly!) begins to decrease. Prevention is key when it comes to premature ageing, and anyone can easily incorporate these Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drops into an evening routine to help maintain a youthful complexion. Simply pat 3-4 drops into your skin after cleansing and continue your routine as normal. With its lightweight consistency, the drops absorb into the skin easily and provide a soothing effect. This can be used alone, or as a perfect addition to a routine with stronger anti-ageing acids and actives.
Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop 20ml £27.40
Midnight Blue Calming Cream
If you suffer with red, irritated skin, this one right here is about to be your best friend. A truly gentle moisturiser, the Blue Calming Cream is as dreamy as it sounds. Its star ingredient is Guaiazulene, a natural herbal extract from chamomile, known for its calming and soothing properties. According to Klairs, Guaiazulene has been shown in studies to have had positive effects on both sunburn and eczema and is often used in ointments for treating burns. The Midnight Blue Calming Cream also contains Centella Asiatica Extract, another popular ingredient within Korean skincare products that helps calm irritation and reduce redness. Along with a variety of other moisturizing elements and peptides, the cream can be used as a general moisturizer best suited to calming sensitivity, or as a spot treatment for irritation. For those with particularly dry skin, you can use this as a first step moisturizer or spot treatment, but you may require a cream that’s a little more intense for the nourishment your skin needs.
The Takeaway
If you’ve read down to here, you can clearly understand the variety of standout, cruelty-free products Klairs has brought into our skincare stash over the years! Klairs have proven themselves for years in producing skincare that is loved by customers worldwide and each product stays true to the brand’s philosophy of “simple but enough”. Their products are not fancy nor marketed in a typical Korean way, but the gentle formulas speak for themselves, as well as the seemingly never-ending list of awards the brand continues to win! Whether you’re looking for a gentle brightening effect or need a calming cream, Klairs has a product to help you achieve your skincare needs. And if you’re looking for products to use on a daily basis, with quality ingredients and gentle formulations, Klairs is brand that many skincare lovers will always recommend to help you achieve supple, soft, strong skin.