Brand Guide: KraveBeauty
Spend more than 5 seconds talking to me about skincare, and one of the first things you'll learn: KraveBeauty is one of my favorite brands! KraveBeauty was founded by influencer and skincare guru Liah Yoo, who felt that the beauty industry encourages people to inundate their skin with more than they actually need. KraveBeauty is all about simplifying your routine by giving it only what it "craves."
I'll be completely honest, I didn't start following a lot of skincare gurus and influencers until a few years ago so when KraveBeauty launched I had no idea who Liah Yoo was. I had just created Levitate Beauty and kept seeing Kale-Lalu-yAHA all over my Instagram.
But after discovering KraveBeauty I watched hours of Liah's videos and I found that her philosophy and approach toward skincare really resonated with mine. And, from here, I fell in love with KraveBeauty!
Because I talk about KraveBeauty so frequently, I wanted to create a "brand guide" with info on each product the brand offers. I plan on updating this as they continue to release new products so you'll be able to find all of my KraveBeauty reviews in one place.
Kale-Lalu-yAHA
What is it?
Kale-Lalu-yAHA is a 5.25% glycolic acid toner (AHA). By gently exfoliating dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin, it brightens your complexion, smooths your skin texture, evens your skin tone, unclogs pores, and speeds up skin cell turnover.
Notable ingredients
- Glycolic acid: an AHA that brightens, smooths, and evens your skin.
- Kale, Spinach, and parsely: great sources of antioxidants.
- Aloe, hyaluronic acid, vitamin b5: to soothe and hydrate.
- Allantoin: An incredibly underrated skincare ingredient - it soothes and provides an effective buffer from any irritation that could occur from chemical exfoliation.
Full ingredients here.
How and when to use it
Use this on dry, clean skin 2-3 times a week. Apply it with a cotton round or pour a few drops into your hand and gently pat it onto your face. Follow up with the rest of your routine. Having a sunscreen in your routine becomes even more important when using Kale-Lalu-yAHA because while chemical exfoliation has so many benefits, it can also increase your skin's photosensitivity.
What skin types is it good for?
Anyone concerned about clogged pores or skin texture. Or, anyone that wants a glowy boost to their skin.
My Experience
This is a light, watery-textured toner that gives a slight tingly sensation when applied (thanks to the glycolic acid). Glycolic acid can often feel too intense for some, especially for those with more sensitive skin - so I love that Kale-Lalu-yAHA uses such a low concentration (only 5.25% compared to The Ordinary’s 7% glycolic acid serum). This makes it perfect for those that are new to acids or have sensitive skin. I’m a firm believer in the idea that a higher concentration of acid isn’t always better. Even as a more experienced acid user, I continue to love and see results with Kale-Lalu-yAHA.
Product Details
$25 (6.76 oz) KraveBeauty.com Available in the US, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
What is it?
Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser is a gentle, non-stripping antioxidant cleanser with a skin-friendly pH.
Notable ingredients
- Matcha: Super high in antioxidants!
- Hemp seed oil: moisturizing and full of skin-barrier-strengthening ingredients like amino acids and linoleic acid. Hemp seed oil also has some great anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Oats: An incredibly soothing ingredient with anti-inflammatory benefits. Also high in antioxidants.
- Vitamin b5 & Sodium PCA: These are both incredibly beneficial to strengthening your skin barrier.
Full ingredients here.
Related: Free Radicals and Why You Need Antioxidants in Your Skincare Routine
How and when to use it
Use it to cleanse your skin 1-2 times per day. If you double cleanse, use this as your second cleanser.
What skin types is it good for?
Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser is perfect for all skin types!
My Experience
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The texture of this cleanser is out of this world! It’s a smooth, bouncy jam-like texture that I just can’t get enough of. It has a pH between 5.0 and 6.0 (ideal for your skin) and uses gentle cleansing agents to avoid stripping your skin of its natural oils. After using this, my skin always feels clean and hydrated, and I’ve never experienced that terrible dry/tight feeling after using this.
Product Details
$18 (4.05 oz) KraveBeauty.com Available in the US, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia.
The Beet Shield
What is it?
Officially, Krave's The Beet Shield is an antioxidant serum - but, secretly, it’s also an SPF! You can read more about it on the Krave Beauty blog here, but essentially this sunscreen uses more advanced filters that are available in Korea, but haven’t been approved by the FDA yet (wompwomp the US is super behind the times when it comes to approving sunscreen filters). So in order to sell it in the US without changing the formula, it cannot be marketed as a sunscreen. However, the exact same formula is sold in Korea as an SPF 47 PA++++ sunscreen. So if you purchase this, know that it’s a sunscreen on the DL!
Notable ingredients
- Beetroot extract: An amazing antioxidant that also moisturizes, reduces pigmentation, and is a great anti-aging ingredient!
- Vitamin C, Resveratrol, EGCG: Also fantastic antioxidant ingredients
- Allantoin: This soothing ingredient is in Kale-lalu-yaha as well!
Full ingredients here.
How and when to use it
Apply liberally to skin every morning before going outside and reapply every 2 hours.
What skin types is it good for?
The Beet Shield is great for all skin types, but I want to highlight here that it’s one of the few chemical sunscreens that I recommend for sensitive or acne-prone skin! Chemical sunscreens are notorious for breaking people out, but The Beet Shield has never once irritated my skin or broken me out. And since this has zero white cast, it's perfect for all skin tones.
My Experience
I originally received The Beet Shield as a PR gift from the Krave and I love it so much I’ve repurchased it on my own several times. I'm currently halfway through my third bottle and I know this is one I'll continue to repurchase. Like pretty much all Krave products, the texture of this one is amazingggg. It’s light and smooth and plays so nicely with makeup. It’s hydrating, has zero white cast, and it leaves a gorgeous dewy finish.
Product Details
$20 (50 ml) KraveBeauty.com Available in the US, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Great Barrier Relief
What is it?
Great Barrier Relief is a soothing serum that is meant to nourish your skin and replenish your skin barrier. However, it also evens your complexion and contains ingredients that effectively soothe and reduce acne.
Notable ingredients
- Tamanu oil: The star of the show and one of my FAVORITE skincare ingredients. This oil does it all. It soothes skin, speeds up wound healing, heals acne, reduces dark spots and pigmentation, heals scars, has anti-aging benefits. Should I go on? Probably. But in a separate post in the near future!
- Rosehip seed oil, NMF, ceramides, Phytosterol (aka plant-based alternative to cholesterol), Squalane: All of these amazing ingredients work together to repair and/or nourish your skin barrier.
- Niacinamide: Another one of my favorite ingredients. It’s also a useful ingredient in keeping your skin barrier healthy and happy, but it also brightens skin, reduces acne/oiliness, and has anti-aging benefits.
Full ingredients here.
How and when to use it
Apply when your skin is dehydrated or irritated, when you've accidentally over exfoliated (it happens to the best of us), and when you just want to give your skin barrier an extra boost! I personally use this every day because I love the benefits it has on my acne while also keeping my barrier at it's happiest.
If you’re using this to repair a damaged barrier, the Krave team recommends dropping your entire routine and using only Great Barrier relief. And, yes, this includes dropping your cleanser and SPF. You can read more here.
What skin types is it best for?
It's great for all skin types, but it’s most helpful when used to target dehydration, damaged skin barriers, and acne.
My Experience
I often suffer from dehydrated skin (which makes my skin extra oily), so I live for products that focus on keeping my skin’s barrier strong. However, this one gains extra points in my book because it also does wonders for my acne. I feel like a broken record here, but it’s so smooth and creamy! It feels less like a serum and more like a light moisturizer. My only complaint is that it doesn’t come in a larger size - I would definitely spend more on a larger bottle.
Product Details
$28 (1.35oz) KraveBeauty.com Available in the US, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Oat So Simple Water Cream
What is it?
Oat So Simple Water Cream is a no-frills moisturizer that soothes and hydrates.
Notable ingredients
As this is a simple, no-frills moisturizer, Oat So Simple Water Cream has a minimal list of only 10 ingredients used:
- Oats: Oats are by far the star ingredient of Oat So Simple Water Cream. Oats are incredibly soothing and work perfectly in this moisturizer.
- Full ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
How and when to use it
Apply this whenever you need some additional moisture! I use it in the morning before my SPF or at night as the last step in my routine.
What skin types is it best for?
It's perfect for sensitive skin or oily/acne-prone skin. If you have dry or dehydrated skin, I recommend adding 1-2 additional layers or mixing in a few drops of your favorite oil for some additional hydration/moisture.
My Experience
Starting this by saying, I don't need much from my moisturizer to make me happy. I love a good no-frills moisturizer that simply hydrates without inundating my routine with a bunch of extra ingredients.
How many of you are going to scream if I mention texture again? The texture is a dream. The name "water cream" is pretty apt - it's a lightweight, gel-cream texture and every time I use it I feel like I'm pouring my skin a drink! I love how lightweight it is, and I know it will be absolutely perfect for me in the warmer months. However, in the winter it's simply not enough for my skin on its own.
The great thing is it can very easily be layered or mixed with other hydrating products. I've had success mixing Oat So Simple Water Cream with oils and with a hyaluronic acid serum. KraveBeauty has also suggested mixing this with GBR when needed and I fully support that!
Product Details
$28 (2.7oz) KraveBeauty.com Available in the US, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I love Krave. Anyone that follows me on Instagram already know it, because I never shut up about my love for them. Their philosophy of "pressing reset" on your skincare routine, minimizing, and giving your skin only what it craves is truly what makes this brand stand out to me. I love their ethos and their products consistently stay true to their brand message.
Don’t forget to subscribe and follow me on Instagram @Levitate.Beauty for daily skincare updates and reviews!
