Not many skincare brands can trace their origins to an icebreaker ship on the Northwest Passage beyond Alaska. Fewer still involve an Olympic sailing champion, a lichenologist, and the CEDA Algae Enhancement Center. But then again, Polaar isn’t like other beauty brands.
We’ve already seen J-Beauty, K-Beauty, and even A-Beauty (Australian). So it was only a matter of time before AA-Beauty (Arctic/Antarctica) arrived. Enter Polaar, a French luxury skincare line harnessing the power of Arctic berries, Siberian olive, ginseng, and tundra lichen—ingredients forged in extreme climates and packed with dermis-friendly benefits.
From Explorers to Innovators
The name “Polaar” is deliberately spelled with two a’s, symbolizing its use of flora from both poles. Its roots lie in Inuit folklore, the research of polar flora expert Maria Olech, and the adventurous spirit of French sailing champion Karine Roche.
The driving force, however, is Daniel Kurbiel—a graduate of Aix-Marseille Management School and the son of Arctic explorers Joelle and Janusz Kurbiel. In the 1970s, his parents sailed Greenland’s west coast in a wooden boat. Janusz, who later became the first man to cross the Northwest Passage from west to east, even claimed to have pinpointed the Magnetic North Pole.
Inspired by his own expeditions through Arctic cotton fields, Daniel founded Polaar with a philosophy: to take inspiration from what nature has created, without harming it.
The Science of Survival
Polaar’s formulations draw on plants that thrive in some of the world’s harshest conditions. These include the Nunatak flower, found on icy peaks that remain untouched by glaciers. Each ingredient is chosen for its resilience and anti-aging properties, translated into creams, serums, and treatments that strengthen and protect the skin.
The range now spans 25 products, with hero lines like:
-
Genuine Lapland Cream – rich in Arctic berries
-
Eternal Snow – anti-aging and regenerating
-
Polar Nights – overnight treatments inspired by Arctic light cycles
A Brand with an Ethical Mission
Polaar positions itself as more than skincare. Every product is 95% biodegradable and built on a responsible harvesting chain designed to protect fragile ecosystems. Even the logo reflects this ethos: its iceberg-like typography pays tribute to polariscopes and Arctic landscapes.
As Daniel puts it, “We want to be more than a creative skincare brand. We aim to reveal the beauty of the Arctic lands while honoring continuity and sustainability.”
The Tundra at Your Fingertips
Polaar offers high-performing, unisex skincare—serums, creams, sunscreens, deodorants, and shaving gels—all designed with low environmental impact. Each product is a reminder that in the depths of the Arctic, nature has been conducting experiments in resilience for millennia. And now, those lessons can be held in the palm of your hand.
