How Klira Skin Raised Three Rounds of Funding to Disrupt Prescriptive Skincare

In 2022, Sophie left behind a 20-year career in advertising to co-found Klira Skin alongside consultant dermatologist Dr. Emma Craythorne. Their mission was to build a prescriptive skincare brand that combined clinical rigour with a modern, accessible customer experience.

Three years on, Klira has raised three funding rounds, expanded beyond direct-to-consumer into the professional channel, and is preparing to launch in-house production and international markets. Along the way, Sophie has learned how to pair her expertise in brand-building with the financial and operational discipline required to scale a complex business.

Raising early and learning fast

Unlike many consumer brands, Klira couldn’t launch lean. Bespoke formulations, regulatory requirements, and an integrated consultation service meant significant upfront investment.

Their first round came from friends and family, followed by VC backing through a personal introduction. Sophie quickly realised fundraising was about more than a strong deck.

“With early-stage businesses, investors are buying you,” she explains. “They want to know you’ll keep going when it gets tough.”

Klira has since completed three rounds, each unlocking new milestones, from building the initial infrastructure, to expanding into subscription skincare, to funding in-house production and international growth.

Building financial confidence with Triffin

While Sophie’s advertising background gave her strong storytelling skills, finance was unfamiliar territory.

“I could just about work my way around a spreadsheet, but I didn’t even know what I didn’t know,” she admits.

Metrics like unit economics, CAC and LTV were all new. That changed when a fellow founder introduced her to Triffin.

“It was a lifesaver. Suddenly I had the tools and support to manage cash flow, understand margins, and speak to investors with confidence. When I show Triffin’s live reporting in board meetings, investors are visibly reassured.”

Navigating challenges and finding growth

Klira’s path hasn’t been straightforward. Early on, Sophie discovered they couldn’t advertise prescription ingredients in the UK. “That was a shock, but it forced us to think differently about channels.”

The biggest breakthrough came six months in, when Klira expanded into the professional channel. Selling through dermatologists and medical professionals gave the brand credibility and a powerful new growth driver.

Operational hurdles also surfaced. “Something as simple as personalised labels on every bottle became a huge project,” Sophie recalls. “It’s often the small details that trip you up, not the big ideas.”

Building the right team

From handling customer service emails herself, Sophie has grown a mid-weight team across marketing, customer service, and operations. Creative remains in-house, with a dedicated designer ensuring Klira’s premium aesthetic. Agencies support on media buying and PR.

Recently, she made her first senior hire, a Head of Marketing - to free her up from day-to-day execution and focus on long-term strategy.

“As a founder, the hardest shift is stepping back. But bringing in senior talent is crucial for sustainable growth.”

Scaling with clarity

Three years in, Klira is on a path to profitability, global expansion, and continued product innovation. For Sophie, the transformation has been as much about her own skills as the business itself.

“We’ve built something that delivers real change for people’s skin and I can now lead conversations with investors with confidence. That combination of creativity and financial discipline has been the key.”

Watch Sophie's full founder story here