As part of a restructuring plan, Japanese skincare brand Fancl will close its 13 stores in Singapore by the end of March.

Customers were recently notified of the impending closure through a letter and on its website.

According to a press statement that was released in November last year, the brand has plans to re-enter the local market as a wholesaler after April 2014. It will also be closing all unprofitable stores and those in Taiwan. Its Singapore-based online store has been closed since October last year.

Customers who are part of the brand's loyalty programme have up till the end of this month to redeem their points.

The brand, which was founded by Mr Kenji Ikemori in 1980, is known for its preservative-free skincare products. It has also been selling health supplements since 1994.

Account manager Jo Ee Chia, 26, says that she was shocked to hear the news and hopes the brand will be back.

"I use the mild cleansing oil and I haven't been able to find a better alternative. When I went to the store yesterday, the products were a few months from expiry so I can't stock up either ," says Ms Chia, who has been using the brand for the last four years.