[REVIEW] Dear, Klairs Fundamental Water Gel Cream (Before and After)

[1]⭐Ingredients Breakdown [2]Instructions [3]Results VS. Claims [4]Before&After [5]Verdict

Price (use this link): 33.90$ (If you use my code: DEWILDE you can get up to 5% off on any YesStyle purchase at checkout)
Texture: Lightweight gel
What you get: 70 mL
Cruelty-free: Yes
Instagram: @klairs.global

+INGREDIENTS

Ingredients of the Fundamental Water Gel Cream: Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol (Moisturizer/Humectant + Solvent + Viscosity Controlling), Glycerin, Aqua (Water), Ethylhexyl Palmitate (Emollient + Perfuming), Cetyl Ethylhexanoate (Emollient), 1,2-Hexanediol (Solvent), Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate (Emollient + Viscosity Controlling), Panthenol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Phytosphingosine, Caproyl Sphingosine, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Trehalose (Moisturizer), Jojoba Esters (Soothing + Emollient + Moisturizer/Humectant), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Jojoba esters (Skin-softening + Emollient), Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer (Moisturizer/Humectant + Viscosity Controlling), ♦️Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin (Emollient + Emulsifying), Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (Viscosity Control), Hydrogenated Polydecene (Emollient + Perfuming + Solvent), Ethylhexylglycerin (Preservative), Cyclohexasiloxane (Emollient + Solvent)

⭐In-Depth Details Of Interesting Ingredients:

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water: Green tea leaf extract is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial compound, but there is a difference between the extract and water derivatives of plants. Green tea water is not well researched for its topical application on the skin. One Camellia Sinensis-Derived Ingredients report made in 2014 debates whether the water extract of this plant is only a perfuming ingredient, but no final conclusion was reached. Another study on mice shows that Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water decreases wrinkle formation in UV exposed skin (results show a decrease in MMP, an enzyme that gets overexpressed when exposed to UV rays and degrades the skin matrix, which contributes to premature aging). More studies and research are needed, but this is a promising ingredient.
Glycerine: Widely used as a quality Hydrator (occurs naturally in skin, and its chemical structure attracts water). You can find this ingredient in most good skin-replenishing products.
Panthenol: Moisturizing (penetrates deep into the layers and gets converted into Pantothenic Acid (B5)) + Anti Acne (B5) + Wound healing (B5)
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract: Antioxidant (Vitamin E and fatty acids) + Anti-aging (Vitamin E plus vitamin B and squalane) Antioxidants like beta-carotene and lycopene enzymes like CoQ10 provide active component
Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract: (The study focuses on seed extracts, which are contained in the fruit) Antioxidant + Prevents hyperpigmentation (Inhibits Melanin forming activity of Tyrosinase)
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Green tea): Antioxidant (Polyphenol) + Anti-inflammatory (Polyphenol) + Antimicrobial (Catechins)
Laminaria Japonica Extract: Hydrating + Moisturizing
Artemisia Vulgaris Extract: Antioxidant (One study in mice found it to be more potent than Vitamin C) + There are lots of beneficial claims that pop up when you google this ingredient, but these are all from blogs or magazine articles. I couldn’t find much scientific basis behind these claims (ex: anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, soothing, …), which doesn’t mean that they are false, it just means that more research is needed to prove them. More specifically, most antibacterial claims are from studies based on ingestion, not topical application. I found a study that supported anti-inflammatory claims, but it was made on Artemisia Argyi, another specie of the same genus.
Centella Asiatica Extract : Wound healing (promotes collagen production) + hypertrophic scar healing properties in particular
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract: Anti-inflammatory (Rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, and carnosol, exhibit anti-inflammatory activities in particular acne-causing pathogens response) + Antioxidant (Rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid)
Phytosphingosine: Antimicrobial + Anti-acne (Anti-inflammatory).
Caproyl Sphingosine: 🔴[Not enough research] A type of ceramide composed of Sphingosine and the fatty acid caproic acid. Sphingolipids are known for their important functions involved in maintaining the structure of the skin’s outer layer and its skin barrier regulating processes. But compared to other ceramides, this one is not well researched. It is known to be Hydrating + Restoring the skin barrier
Tocopherol: Vitamin E (Most abundant antioxidant found in human skin, works as a photo-protective agent + Anti-inflammatory ). Popular culture suggests that it also helps in wound healing, but this is not adequately backed up by research.
Glyceryl glucoside: Protects cells and increases their vitality (Increases the vitality and metabolic activity of aging skin cells by stimulating ATP expression) + Moisturizer + Hydrator (Upregulates membrane proteins that balance the water content of cells) + Antioxidative + Anti-aging ( Inhibits IGF-I, a growth factor that regulates elastin expression which gives skin its elasticity)
Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic Acid is a relatively big molecule that tends not to penetrate the skin very deep. After its rise in popularity, different formulators have created smaller or different versions of this molecule. Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid means that this molecule has been ruptured into smaller parts. Depending on the final size of the molecule, it can have different properties. Klairs does not specify the size, but the properties all center around hydration/moisture, some even exhibiting anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing properties
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (Sunflower): Emollient (Softens and soothes and acts as a moisturizer) + Hydration (Fatty Acids) + Anti-inflammatory (Linoleic acid)

♦️Controversial Ingredients:

Cetyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol (non-drying), which are widely considered ‘‘good’’ alcohol in skincare and this one acts as a Emollient + Viscosity Controlling + Emulsion Stabilising

+HOW TO USE THE Dear, Klairs Fundamental Water Gel Cream

After cleansing, apply an adequate amount at the last stage of your skincare routine.

+WHAT DOES THE Dear, Klairs Fundamental Water Gel Cream DO?

Claims from the Dear, Klairs product page.

1.Provides full moisture without stickiness: It provides a lot of moisture. Any skin type dry skin type will significantly benefit from the Klairs Fundamental Water Gel Cream because the product feels like a protective layer of moisture that stays put the whole day and night until you physically wash it off. Even my fellow combination skin people can use it because it doesn’t feel overpowering - at least to me. However, when it comes to stickiness, this will depend on how much of the product you apply: the more you use, the more sticky and noticeable it gets. So this isn’t an entirely accurate claim unless you stick with the bare minimum of application.
2.Appropriate for sensitive skin types: If you check out the ingredient list, you'll see a lot of anti-inflammatory ones, which is a good indicator that a product is less likely to cause problems to more sensitive skin types. There aren't any 'bad' ingredients like colorants or irritating fragrances, so yes, it's appropriate for sensitive skin types. Of course, it's not guaranteed that you won't have an adverse reaction, especially if you over-apply the product, as this moisturizer tends to sit atop your face and doesn't get fully absorbed by the skin. This can cause bumps or pimples as the layer is a breeding ground for bacteria. Obviously, this can be avoided by just applying less of the product. I don't think the moisturizer itself is sensitizing because it didn't cause any burn/irritation when used on my lips (which are very sensitive).

3.Skin Hydration Improvement: Yes, the level of hydration improves immediately and a lot.
4.Deep Skin Hydration Improvement: I have no way to measure how deeply this product penetrates the skin, but it contains a hydrolyzed version of hyaluronic acid (HA), which should get into the skin more deeply than usual HA. Personally, I feel like the Fundamental Water Gel Cream manages to quench all my hydration needs completely, so this claim could be valid.
5.Skin Barrier (TEWL) Improvement: Compromised skin barriers (think dryness, tightness, flakiness, inflammation, acne, itchiness, stinginess) can have different causes, and all result in a lipid deficiency, lipids being components of cells that maintain moisture/protection/repairing processes. This deficiency can lead to inflammation, dryness, acne, and other irritation/sensitizations. So to improve a skin barrier, you need moisturizing, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory ingredients. The Dear Klairs Fundamental Water Gel Cream contains all of these properties, so yes, it will greatly improve your skin barrier. My only 'skin' issue right now is the random development of acne bumps at weird places on my face, and I'm happy to report that this cream greatly diminished that after three weeks. But don't mistake it for an anti-acne product. It won't do much to your acne unless it's directly caused by a skin barrier issue.

The only thing I don’t like about this product is its smell. It smells like a kind of fermented herb that is not particularly enjoyable. But I have gotten over it since the product itself is pretty great. The ‘glow’ it provides can also get overpowering if you apply too much of it, and you might end up looking like a sweaty glazed donut. I personally like that look, but it’s not for everyone.

As you can see from the before and after pictures, nothing changed much (because I don't have any dry skin issues right now) except for my skin's overall 'glow' look. My fine lines also got a bit plumped up. I put less product on than I usually do in these pictures just to show that you won't necessarily have to look like a donut if you don't want to.

All in all, this is an excellent moisturizer. I'm surprised I liked it so much because the other 'Fundamental' products I've tested in this line have been kind of 'meh' or 'nice' and not particularly exciting. So to Klairs: good job, you did great on this one (not that they actually read anything of what I say 🥲).

As for recommendations:

🏜️Dry skin types: you will greatly enjoy this product. It provides all the benefits of thick cream without actually being thick.
👉👈Sensitive skin types: This should be okay for your skin and might even help desensitize it. But do a patch test just to be sure!
😬Normal skin types: will also like it since it will maintain the health of their skin while also providing hydration and moisture as well as a ‘glow.’
🧠Mature skin types: This is one of the rare products I tested that I would actually recommend to you as it has a lot of interesting ingredients when it comes to maintaining healthy skin (although don’t expect it to reverse any fine lines or wrinkles you may have developed).
☯️Combination skin types: I think you’ll enjoy it and won't find it overpowering.
🛢️Oily skin types: This is too moisturizing for people with very oily skin types. There wouldn’t be any real need for you to use this product. Check out the AXIS-Y Cera-Heart My Type Duo Cream, which has similar properties and has less of a ‘sitting on top of your face’ feeling.
⛰️Acne skin types: I think this moisturizer doesn't get absorbed enough by the skin for people with acne skin. Like I mentioned above, a moisturizer that sits on your skin and doesn't get fully absorbed can be a breeding ground for bacteria and cause small bumps or pimples. Again, this can be remedied by just applying less of the product, but if you have active acne, I don't think this is something you want to take a chance with. For moisturizer recommendations, check out the AXIS-Y Cera-Heart My Type Duo Cream, which has a similar effect and low chances of causing acne as it gets absorbed more efficiently by the skin. For specific acne products, check out this post: [10] Anti-Acne products that actually work + A Skincare routine

+BENEFITS

Very moisturizing
It stays on a long time
Hydrating
Skin-barrier replenishing
You don’t need a lot of the product

-CONS:

If you tend to pile on product (like I do), you might get bumps/pimples from this moisturizer.
Not layerable

⭐⭐⭐⭐Score: 4.0/5 --- I really liked using the Dear, Klairs Fundamental Water Gel Cream. I think it’s an excellent product for overall skin health. It doesn’t get a full score because layering on the product can make you get bumps/pimples.

+Amazon

+Yesstyle: this link (If you use my code: DEWILDE you can get up to 5% off on any Yesstyle purchase at checkout)

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