The Two Best Products From SKKN by Kim (2023)

When Kim Kardashian announced her new skin-care line, SKKN by Kim, the internet was immediately intrigued. To state the obvious: She’s Kim Kardashian, and anything she does attracts fanfare (and some criticism)—but the Skims founder had been teasing her next beauty venture for months after shutting down KKW Beauty and KKW Fragrance earlier this year.

On those now-defunct websites, Kardashian promised a “more modern, elevated, sustainable brand experience and customer experience” and finally delivered SKKN by Kim last week, a nine-piece collection of prestige skin-care products made with refillable packaging and “clean, science-backed ingredients designed to nourish all skin types, tones, and textures at all stages of maturity.”

Kardashian shared her personal brand story in a press release, citing her struggles with psoriasis as her biggest motivator. “What began as a psoriasis diagnosis became the catalyst for my journey of skin-care discoveries, inspiring me to learn more about my skin and how to care for it,” she said. “Working with some of the top dermatologists and estheticians over the years has given me the incredible opportunity to learn from their expertise, and I knew I had to share my learnings.”

According to Business of Fashion, one of these experts is celebrity facialist Joanna Czech, who helped develop the line with backing by beauty company Coty.

The full collection includes a cleanser, a toner, an exfoliator, a hyaluronic acid serum, a vitamin C8 serum, a face cream, an eye cream, oil drops, and a night oil—all in minimalist packaging created by design duo Willo Perron and Brian Roettinger. Prices range from $43 to $95, falling in line with the collection’s prestige category.

Kardashian has been on a press blitz to promote the line, stopping by Condé Nast’s New York headquarters last week to chat with Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel and admitting to The New York Times that she would probably “eat poop every single day” if that meant she would look younger.

Given declarations as bold as eating literal feces for the sake of good skin, Kardashian’s products have to be good, right? We asked Glamour editors to test the full collection, and the results are in. From formula hot takes to musings on Kim’s love of greige, our editors tell all—plus we reveal the two slam-dunk products that absolutely deserve a spot on your vanity. Read on for our honest reviews of SKKN by Kim.

Cleanser

I have eczema, so my cleansing routine is very simple and kind of stringent: First, I cleanse with Sea Breeze Cleanser, and then I do an additional two washes using Purpose’s Cleansing Bar.It’s admittedly a harsh routine for normal skin, but I need clarifying ingredients to remove impurities, and this is the only formula that keeps my flare ups at bay.

This cream cleanser surprisingly packed the power to remove an entire day of makeup off in one wash—a miracle in my book. My only qualm is that the product touts ultra-hydration for two hours, but my skin seemingly soaked up all the moisture during application and didn’t feel as hydrated as I would have liked after. —Mia Uzzel, editorial intern

Toner

I don’t usually use a toner—and when I do, I’ve had mixed results—but I’m pleasantly surprised by SKKN’s take. The AHA- and witch-hazel-infused formula burned a little upon application, but that faded away as I pressed it into my skin. It’s a pretty great exfoliator, and my face was noticeably smoother a few minutes after application (with no lingering redness, either). The packaging is hefty and feels expensive, and it’s a fun little status symbol hiding among my toiletries. If you’re a toner girlie (or guy), I’d recommend you give it a shot. —Jake Smith, commerce writer

Exfoliator

I strongly believe an exfoliant is a key part of a well-rounded skin-care routine, but I was surprised to see Kim opt for a grainy physical version, which some say can cause micro-tears on the skin’s surface, though the jury’s still out on that assertion. Still, me and my semiflaky skin aren’t opposed to a scrub once in a while, so I dove right in.

After twisting open the on-brand greige packaging (with, oddly, no directions on the container at all. Okay, I’ll guess how to use it?), the first thing I noticed was the scent, which reminded me of a fragrance an upscale hotel would pump through the lobby. It’s not a bad smell for a lobby, but I prefer my skin-care products to be way less scented, if at all. But a dime-size amount after cleansing delivered smooth results—a stubborn dry patch on my nose was swiftly eradicated—and didn’t irritate my sensitive skin the way some scrubs do. No burning, no redness, and my face soaked up the moisturizer I applied afterwards. —Perrie Samotin, digital director

Hyaluronic Acid Serum

I’ve seen the most buzz on social media surrounding the hyaluronic acid serum and was excited to check it out for myself. I love hylauronic acid—it helps with skin elasticity, wrinkles, and hydration. The texture is as perfect as it gets for a serum—not too watery and just viscous enough to feel like it’s really sinking in and delivering deep hydration.

SKKN by Kim’s formula promises 72-hour moisture. Though I didn’t test the serum within that exact time frame, I did wear it overnight and felt my skin was just as hydrated as when I first applied it before bed. There are no added fragrances, but it does have a subtle clinical scent that didn’t bother me—which says a lot because I’m very picky when it comes to scents in skin care. There are no directions on the bottle on how to use the product, which I know would probably ruin Kim’s ~aesthetic~, but some info would be nice! If there’s anything you purchase from SKKN by Kim, make it this. —Ariana Yaptangco, senior beauty editor

Vitamin C8 Serum

Despite its watery texture (I literally thought I’d accidentally opened the toner), this serum is packed with radiance boosters, leaving my skin ultraplump and polished. The post-application glow is everything I want in a summer skin-care routine. If you’re thinking about which SKKN products to add to cart, I’d say this should make the list. —M.U.

Face Cream

Ask me how many face creams are sitting on my bathroom shelf—I dare you. I’ve accumulated a significant number over the past few months of working at Glamour and have been loyal to both drugstore gems and ultra-high-end offerings, and SKKN by Kim’s face cream lands right in the middle. Don’t get me wrong—it’s a good face cream. My sweaty, summer face sucks up the moisture without leaving my skin feeling trapped under a sticky barrier. Even though I wasn’t able to see a significant difference in my skin after using it for a weekend, it feels like something I’d wear long after my testing period is over.

For an everyday face cream, the price tag does make me stagger a little bit. I’m six months post-grad and still paying off loans, so I’m not willing to shell out a significant amount of money for a product that feels like all the existing products in my arsenal. Will it make your bathroom mirror selfies look much cooler thanks to its signature Kim K. greige-aesthetic packaging? Absolutely. —Ana Escalante, editorial assistant

Eye Cream

For a while I was an eye cream truther—I believed skin-care brands just wanted to come up with a ploy to get you to buy another product. But I’ve recently seen the light and realized that eye creams are great, that they truly add extra hydration to the delicate, thin skin around your eyes. Since then I’ve tried pretty much every eye cream on the market, and SKKN’s is a solid entry. The formula is very lightweight and perfect for daytime wear, though I definitely prefer something thicker at night. Unlike the other SKKN products, it has no fragrance, which is essential for me since I have sensitive eyes.

I used this eye cream right before applying foundation and concealer, and a little goes a long way. It wears well under makeup and didn’t make it pill or slide off. I didn’t really see a difference in my dark circles, but I haven’t used it enough to see the long-term benefits. However, it does make my undereye area feel super hydrated and plump. It’s definitely comparable to other luxury eye creams at the same price point. My favorite part has to be the sphere packing, which is so fun and surprisingly stays put on my vanity. —A.Y.

Oil Drops

My first reaction to the packaging was, “What a great shelfie this would be.” It’s giving the minimalistic, architectural Kim K. aesthetic. The pump does shoot out a lot of product, and the consistency is a bit watery, so I would recommend cupping your hand a bit before pushing the pump. I like that the oil blends well into the skin, and I did see an immediate glow. But as for helping with my hyperpigmentation, I think I will be sticking to my daily fading cream for now. —Leilani McQuay, commerce producer

Night Oil

For its being expensive, I have to say that the packaging felt…not so expensive. I’ll give the interior bottle, which is intended to be replaceable, a pass for feeling flimsy since the intent is to be less wasteful. But the outer shell was lacking the premium quality I was expecting.

As for the oil itself, it applied well and left my skin feeling moisturized and supple by morning. That said, cheaper alternatives can probably do the job just as well. —Sam Reed, senior trending news & entertainment editor

Ariana Yaptangco is the senior beauty editor at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @arianayap.