Does a Clean Beauty Formulation Really Make a Difference in Skincare?

When Lesley Thornton, the founder of clean and sustainable beauty brand Klur, worked as a makeup artist for MAC, Estée Lauder, and Laura Mercier in the early Aughts, skincare was barely a conversation in the industry. The resounding emphasis was heavy on smoky eyes and layers of foundation—but if one of her clients asked how to care for their skin, Thornton couldn’t help them. The Compton, California native began making formulations at home for her patrons to use between makeovers; they were such a hit that the 37-year-old got her aesthetician’s license and launched Klur in 2019.

The skincare line, which pays special attention to melanated tones, consists of eight products (the latest being the Supreme Seed mask, which dropped in early October). This Black-owned brand has become one of the most hyped and beloved new beauty labels among junkies and newbies alike. So how did Klur stack up to the buzz? Four W editors put the Symmetry Fluid skin supplement, Gentle Matter cleanser, and Supreme Seed mask to the test, and gave their honest opinions.

Maryam Lieberman

How have you seen your skin change in the past six months, if it has at all? Have you adjusted your skincare regimen to address this shift?

In the last six months, my skin has been much drier than usual. I’m also still carrying over some pigmentation from the summer that I’m trying to control. It’s challenging because it’s still hot and sunny in Los Angeles; the heat creeps up on my skin, even when I’m using sunscreen and wearing a hat. I’m more keen to use gentle products nowadays, versus products that make my skin burn when dealing with pigmentation/melasma issues. To combat my dry skin it’s obviously not just going to be all about products. I force myself to double up on water and I’ve been drinking lately an unpleasant but helpful green juice (romaine, lemon, green apple, and celery) every morning to hydrate.

What cleanser, serums, and masks do you currently use regularly, if any?

I rotate products every three months but always go back to Sisley’s Cleansing Milk with Sage as well as their Ecological Complex. I wait a few minutes after the Ecological Complex is absorbed and I’ll add a moisturizer like Crème de La Mer or Natura Bisse Diamond Cream. If I have heavy pigmentation that flares up, I replace the Ecological Complex with Erasa XEP-30 for two weeks. The masks that I rotate are the Sisley Velvet Sleeping Mask, Chanel Le Mask and Charlotte Tilbury’s Goddess Clay Mask—the Velvet mask for repair and the Chanel and Tilbury masks (both of them are clay masks) I use to dry out any excess oils or eruptions on my skin.

How did the Klur Gentle Matter cleanser work for you?

Beautifully and gently. I loved it. Even on the days when I wore makeup, I felt it took everything off, but didn’t dry out my skin.

What did the serum feel like?

It absorbed immediately; my skin drank it up. I take that as a sign that it agreed with my skin. It felt calming once I applied it too, which is something I look for since I get irritated often. Some days I didn’t even add a moisturizer because I felt sufficiently hydrated. I liked the fact that there wasn’t an obtrusive fragrance, either.

Did you see results from usage of the Klur mask?

I did notice that it brightened my skin. I always mask at night and the best way for me to gauge if it really works is to see how my skin looks the morning after. My skin still looked brighter and hydrated when I woke up, so there you go. The first time I used the mask there was some initial irritation around my nose. I found out that it was due to the papaya seed, which caused a reaction in the nose and mouth area—apparently, that zone is thinner when the weather is extreme. It didn’t irritate the next few times I used it.

Would you use Klur products in the future?

Yes, I am adding these into my mainstays. I like the transparency of the ingredients and my skin responds better to holistic ingredients. I can’t get enough of the serum and I add it on some days in the middle of the day just for hydration. I have used the mask about seven times and will most likely continue to use it in the future.

Maxine Wally

How have you seen your skin change in the past six months, if it has at all? Have you adjusted your skincare regimen to address this shift?

My skin has gone on a rollercoaster ride these past eight months. After mask-ne and stress-related breakouts all along my chin, I completely switched up my skincare regimen. It has sort of helped—the area above the tip of my nose is looking real nice these days.

What cleanser, serums, and masks do you currently use regularly, if any?

I double-cleanse with the Skinceuticals Gentle Cleanser Cream and Cetaphil, and wasn’t using any serums or masks, for fear that any extraneous products would agitate my acne. Once I got a hold of the Klur Gentle Matter Cleanser, though, I decided to swap it out for the Cetaphil and integrate the serum and mask into my weekly regimen.

How did the Klur Gentle Matter cleanser work for you?

This is, hands down, one of my favorite cleansers I’ve ever used. It’s silky and smooth, and super light while creating a satisfying foam while I lather it on my face. I’d say the cleanser was my favorite item out of the trio—it works well to remove makeup, too.

What did the serum feel like?

I used the serum once daily to start (even though the instructions state the serum should be used twice a day. Listen, I’m wary of everything…). The serum was unlike any other product I’ve put on my face before: milky and smooth, smelling of an aloe plant. It glided on my skin as though it were a gel, and provided deep hydration—in fact, the first day, my skin was even a bit over-hydrated. But it quickly acclimated and took a real liking to this formulation.

Did you see results from usage of the Klur mask?

The mask, much like the serum and cleanser, felt sumptuous and viscous—the consistency was one-part clay mask and one-part cream mask. I used the mask once a week for three weeks and, although I enjoyed the ritual of putting it on, feeling my face firm up for 10 minutes, then washing it off with warm water, didn’t see any notable results.

Would you use Klur products in the future?

Definitely. Klur has one thing down across the board, and that’s the way its products feel on the skin. Every single one is like a few drops of luxury. I’ll absolutely keep the cleanser and the serum, both of which stand out to me as special and efficacious, in my regular rotation.

Stephanie Eckardt

How have you seen your skin change in the past six months, if it has at all? Have you adjusted your skincare regimen to address this shift?

I’ve gotten a few pimples either from my face mask, or made worse by my mask. But otherwise, it’s the same old, same old.

What cleanser, serums, and masks do you currently use regularly, if any?

I’ve been using the store-brand version of that orange Neutrogena salicylic acid face wash for ages, once in the morning and once before bed. I also semi-regularly use a sleeping mask from Miranda Kerr that absorbs—you leave it on overnight and it just feels like a lot of lotion when you wash it off in the morning. As for serums, I’ve never really used them because I’ve never known what they do.

How did the Klur Gentle Matter cleanser work for you?

Well, I think it worked! I didn’t notice any difference but it was nice to change things up, especially with something in a sleek glass bottle as opposed to my drugstore standby. I would have preferred if it foamed a bit, but especially the first few times, it made my skin feel a bit silkier and more refreshed.

What did the serum feel like?

I’m still surprised each time I use the serum, because it looks so milky and feels so watery. But it smells great, and overall I was happy to use it, especially when I ran out of face lotion. I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be used on its own like that, but seemed to work just fine for me!

Did you see results from usage of the Klur mask?

My main takeaway from the mask is that it smells very, very potently of cacao. I didn’t notice any results, but I still like the idea of doing a mask. For the moment, I’m happy for this to be the only one I have on hand (though I still wish I knew of one that seemed to have more of an effect).

Oona Wally

How have you seen your skin change in the past six months, if it has at all? Have you adjusted your skincare regimen to address this shift?

I feel lucky to report that my skin hasn’t gone through any huge ups and downs this year (it might be the only thing that’s stayed consistent in 2020).

What cleanser, serums, and masks do you currently use regularly, if any?

I typically have dry skin, so I use the Waso Soft + Cushy Polisher to cleanse, and the Clé de Peau Concentrated Brightening Serum. The serum is my go-to, and might be the best beauty product I’ve ever used. I’m not a huge mask person, but I will indulge in a sheet mask from time to time.

How did the Klur Gentle Matter cleanser work for you?

The cleanser felt so nice and smooth on my skin. Since my face gets really dry during the winter especially, I have to use cleansers that won’t cause even more dryness. The Klur didn’t dry me out, and actually kept things pretty well-balanced.

What did the serum feel like?

Even though I loved this serum, I hesitate to stray from my ultimate fav, the Clé de Peau. However, Klur’s was a strong candidate. It felt like water, (it almost dripped out of my hands when I went to apply it on my face), and gave some deep hydration (which I needed!). I appreciated that there wasn’t an intense fragrance, too.

Did you see results from usage of the Klur mask?

This is the first jarred mask I’ve used that I will keep in my medicine cabinet for good, going forward. I saw instant results: it brightened and clarified my skin, even after the first use.

Would you use Klur products in the future?

I’m definitely a creature of habit when it comes to the products I like. I rarely stray from a pretty set lineup of beauty stuff. But I will be putting Klur in that lineup—especially the serum and mask. I loved both.

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