Scrolling through Twitter, I saw this New York Times excerpt about Kim Kardashians’ new skincare line, SKKN by Kim, and immediately started losing my mind.
“I’m not acting like [looking good] comes easier or it’s all natural.”
EXCUSE ME?
Pretending her looks are all-natural is all Kim Kardashian does!
While she’s been open about some aesthetic work (vampire facials, botox), she’s never discussed certain procedures that she’s clearly had. And she’s straight-up lied when asked questions about her very obvious plastic surgery.
Now, of course, even the best aesthetic procedures can’t make up for a bad skincare routine. But selling a solution to a problem that you solved surgically is straight out of the Kardashian playbook. Hock waist trainers when you’ve had liposuction or fat transfers, sell workout DVDs when you’ve had a BBL, and push gummy bear hair vitamins when you wear extensions and wigs.
It’s sneaky and it’s not fair to consumers.
These prices place SKKN by Kim just above the mid-tier category, bordering on luxury. Even with the best ingredients, someone shelling out big money hoping to get Kim’s smooth undereyes is out of luck. They’d be better off asking Kim whether she got filler or a fat transfer in her undereye area — cause it sure wasn’t a cream.
PLUS SHE STOLE THE NAME SKKN
On top of all that, Kim Kardashian has been accused of ripping off the name of two Black-owned skincare brands: SKN by Lori Harvey (yes that Lori Harvey) and SKKN+. Honestly, I don’t have a dog in the fight for a Lori vs Kim showdown (they’re literally millionaires). But when it comes to SKKN+, a much smaller brand, run by an independent esthetician, there’s a clear ethical issue. You don’t just start a brand out of nowhere — it takes a ton of time and research that includes making sure your name is unique.
It’s clear that Kim felt she could muscle SKKN+ out of the way in the Google search rankings. Kim has way more brand recognition, plus she’s got the cash to hold out in court long enough to exhaust any legal challenges. With the added media scrutiny, this might end up just like Kim’s shapewear and loungewear brand, which underwent a name change from Kimono to Skims after people clocked her for cultural appropriation.
AND SINCE WHEN DOES SHE LIKE SKINCARE?
When I posted about the SKKN controversy on TikTok, I got a lot of variations of the same sentiment: this feels like a cash grab. And it’s true. The Kardashians have proven they’re willing to sell anything for a buck and exposure. Like really, ANYTHING.
When Kim Kardashian is truly invested in a product, it shows. And Kim has shared enough of her life that we’d know if she was a skincare aficionado. That’s why Skims felt so authentic and on-brand. We all knew Kim wore shapewear because she told us again and again. It made sense for her to improve upon the products on the market and launch her own line.
AM I BUYING SKKN?
Will all this controversy be enough to keep me away from the brand? Honestly, if the ingredient list is strong…probably not. I am weak! That’s how I ended up with a Skims dress! I’ve tried what seems like basically every skincare brand in existence and it’ll be hard for me to resist buying the new, buzzy brand on the market. Although, at an average of $70 a pop, my wallet may make the decision for me.
What do you think? Are you willing to try SKKN and will it be a success? Or will it go the way of KKW Beauty (dead in the water)?