Dear, Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Facial Polish
A sugar-based physical scrub in an oil-rich base, sitting in a category most of the industry has spent a decade moving away from. Klairs' version is unusually well made for what it is: the sugar granules dissolve as you work, so abrasion decreases rather than continuing, and the oil base cushions the massage. It is a nostalgic format done carefully rather than a modern exfoliating approach.
Who it suits
Dry and flaky skin that wants a physical smoothing before makeup, and people who simply prefer a scrub and will not be talked into acids. The dissolving granules make it one of the safer options in the format. It is not for blemish-prone or sensitive skin, and not for anyone using retinoids, acids or a prescription treatment.
How to use it
Apply to dry skin and massage very lightly for around thirty seconds, letting the sugar dissolve — pressure is not the point and adds nothing. Rinse with lukewarm water and follow with a water-based cleanser to clear the oil base. Once a week in the evening at most. Follow with moisturiser and use sunscreen the next day.
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✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed: 2026-08-23.
General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.