My skincare routine looks deceptively polished: a mix of pharmacy staples, cult serums, and the occasional newcomer brand. While I’m the first to admit that I take pleasure in the aesthetics of my overly organised beauty shelf, the sheer volume of products does give off a concerningly chaotic vibe. Are these products even the right ones for my skin?

When I first heard about Klira — a dermatology-led service that customises a prescription-grade formula tailored to your skin’s biology — I was excitedly curious but equally sceptical. The term “custom skincare” has been slapped onto everything from algorithm-driven quizzes to repackaged moisturisers for years, so I can’t help but have my doubts when I came across a new personalised skincare brand.

But Klira does work differently. It’s a clinically-backed system that diagnoses your skin’s needs at a cellular level. It was founded by Dr. Emma Craythorne, a consultant dermatologist, skin cancer specialist, and one of the most respected names in medical skincare.

If Dr. Emma looks familiar, you might have seen her on The Bad Skin Clinic, where she treats some of the most complex skin conditions (I’ve long been obsessed with this show, so I had my “Eureka” moment when I realised who Dr. Emma was. You can watch some highlights on YouTube but be warned you may get hooked).

How personalised is your personalised skincare, really?

Beauty brands LOVE to talk about customisation. But in reality, a lot of what’s sold as “personalised” is marketing with a personal spin — think gentle tweaks to a base formula, or ingredient lists chosen from a dropdown menu. Rarely does it cross into the territory of true dermatological treatment.

At the core of Klira is the idea that skin can (and should) be treated like the organ it is. Not just externally, but with an understanding of its function, cellular behaviour, and long-term needs.

The process starts with a diagnostic. You fill in a detailed online form that covers everything from your skin’s current condition to hormonal changes, lifestyle factors, sensitivities, and environment. You also need to upload three make-up free photographs.

Then, Klira’s dermatology team uses your answers and photos to determine your “SkinSize” — a classification system designed by Dr. Emma herself. There are 12 SkinSizes in total. Each represent a different skin type based on oil production, barrier function, inflammation level, sensitivity, pigmentation and ageing tendencies.

For reference, here’s a simplified view of the 12 SkinSizes:

• SkinSizes 1–3: Oily, acne-prone, often younger skin with excess sebum
• 4–6: Balanced to slightly oily, some pigmentation, occasional breakouts
• 7–9: Dry or reactive skin, with signs of sensitivity or early ageing
• 10–12: Combination or dry skin with thinning barrier function, prone to fine lines, uneven tone, or hormonal shifts

Each SkinSize is paired with “The Klira Special”. This is a topical treatment formulated with prescription-strength actives, compounded in a lab and shipped monthly. It’s not an off-the-shelf moisturiser or serum. It’s regulated, dosed, and tailored — the kind of treatment that would usually require a private dermatologist, but without the waiting list or steep fees.

Getting my SkinSize

As soon as I completed the (very thorough) questionnaire, I got notified I was a SkinSize 11. This is also called the “fortunate” size, and proof is in the video below (there’s a YouTube video for every size if you want to explore others).

Turns out, if you’re a SkinSize 11, your skin barrier is mostly healthy, with minimal pigmentation issues, low inflammation, and only mild signs of ageing. It’s basically the skincare equivalent of having good genes (yey!) and reasonable habits — even if you’ve made the odd mistake along the way.

That said, SkinSize 11 isn’t a free pass. The biggest challenge? Subtle but persistent dryness, and a natural thinning of the barrier that can creep up with age. It’s the kind of thing that doesn’t scream for attention in your twenties, but can start to show up as fine lines, crepiness, or that vague sense of your skin not bouncing back the way it used to.

Klira’s solution for me was a custom formula containing Tretinoin (the gold standard for cell renewal and fine lines) and Azelaic Acid (to brighten and strengthen). I’m meant to apply two pumps of the cream every night.

What using Klira actually feels like

First impressions? The system looks good. The bottle has a sleek, glossy finish that actually holds its own next to the fancier names on my bathroom shelf — no sad medical packaging here. Inside, there’s a small container with my formula that slots into the bottle like a refill. It’s labelled with my name, and even manually signed by the clinic — a small detail, but it made the whole experience feel personal and serious in a way that most skincare doesn’t.

Getting the pump to work took a little patience (it’s not instant; I had to prime it with a few stubborn presses), but once it started, it dispensed the right amount every time.

The cream itself feels like a classic pharmacy-style night treatment. It applies well, is fragrance-free, and not overly rich. If you’re a fellow SkinSize 11 like me (prone to dryness), you’ll definitely want to layer a moisturiser over it to lock in hydration and prevent flaking.

One thing to know: the product has a relatively short shelf life compared to over-the-counter beauty buys — because it’s compounded fresh and tailored to your needs. You’re expected to use it consistently, which actually ends up being a good thing if you’re serious about results.

Do you need this level of personalisation?

On paper, it sounds simple: personalised skincare, clinically backed, dermatologist-reviewed. But in practice, most brands that claim personalisation don’t actually offer anything more than a custom label or a tailored questionnaire – and we all know that.

Klira is different because the customisation runs deep — and it’s medically grounded. Real dermatologists review your skin photos and history, design your prescription, and tweak it over time as your skin evolves. There’s no “add to basket” mentality here.

The focus is clear: one night treatment, paired with a simple cleanser and moisturiser that support your actives. It’s not particularly cheap (£59 a month or an annual subscription). However, it’s certainly in line with many other generic moisturisers in the market that don’t offer any customisation whatsoever (let alone access to dermatologists).

If you have no major skin concerns, you might not need something this targeted. But if you’re dealing with stubborn redness, persistent acne, pigmentation marks, or just want to proactively protect your skin as it matures, it’s an investment that feels smarter (and more sustainable) than gambling on another trend-led serum.

Equally, if you’re someone who feels like they’ve tried every product under the sun and still aren’t getting anywhere, it could be worth getting your skin analysis and understanding more about the ingredients your skin actually needs.