Kylie Skin Review: Is It Worth It?
Articles & Photos by Angie Perry
I have never been much of a skincare girl. My typical routine consisted of washing my face when I showered and putting on a few small dabs of Pond’s Dry Skin Cream right before bed (cue the gasps of skin gurus across the nation). I had been in the market for a new, more detailed skincare routine for quite a while—so when Kylie Skin came out, my curiosity got the better of me. Before making the big purchase I read countless reviews, finding myself getting lost in the black hole that is YouTube, watching product tests and looking at before & after results.
As a first-time skincare user, I can’t say I knew what to expect or hope for. After doing my fair share of research, I decided I was looking for a routine that would be easy enough to navigate, while also giving me a more even and bright skin tone. Along with that, I hoped to find consistent and long-lasting moisture, and help blur those pesky under-eye bags. In order to get the full experience, I decided to purchase the complete Kylie Skin set. When my set came in the mail, one of the first things that stood out and impressed me off the bat was the list of ingredients in the products. As advertised on the official Kylie Skin site, as well as on the box, all of the products in the line are cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and dermatologist-tested. Most of the products were also fragrance-free, aside from the toner and the foaming face wash. Even at that, neither of these fragrances were overly strong or harsh on my skin.
Let’s get into the products one by one, starting with my favorite item from the line.
Eye Cream - 10/10
Honestly, I was never aware that eye cream was such a commonly used product, but this cream quite literally changed my life. Within the first week of applying the eye cream nightly, I could see my dark circles already starting to lighten and become less noticeable when I’d wake up in the mornings. After using it consistently for three months, I no longer have dark circles. It never dawned on me how sensitive our under-eye skin is and how important it is to nourish while we’re still young. This eye cream in particular packs a punch with caffeine, green tea extract, and pomegranate extract, which all help to reduce any puffiness or redness under the eyes. Jojoba seed oil is also included to help keep the area nice and moisturized without creating an overly greasy look. On top of that, the cream has a yellow/nude tint to it to help ensure your dark circles are covered up immediately upon applying.
Face Moisturizer - 9/10
I’m no skincare connoisseur, but I’ve always been a huge fan of face moisturizers. That being said, I was a little skeptical of trying Kylie’s take on this staple skincare product. I was expecting a sheer, lightweight lotion, but was pleasantly surprised when I realized it was the total opposite. This face moisturizer is thick and rich, and a little goes a long way. One of the main ingredients that we have to thank for this is shea butter, but the moisturizer is also packed with aloe, oat bran, and orange peel extracts. Altogether, this moisturizer leaves a very soothing sensation on your skin. My only gripe with this product is that it’s advertised for both day and night use, but it’s a bit too greasy/shiny to wear during the daytime and too thick to leave on under makeup. Personally, I prefer a more matte look during the day, but aside from that it is the perfect nighttime moisturizer.
Foaming Face Wash - 7/10
The foaming face wash is a great first step in your morning routine, and just one small pump lathers up enough to cover your entire face. The first time I used it I was shocked at how buttery soft it felt rubbing into my skin and how moisturized my face felt afterwards. The face wash includes extra hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, kiwi seed oil, and glycerin, as well as a large part of the remaining ingredients being derived from coconuts. This product is perfect for a quick morning clean, but won’t be effective if you are trying to use it to wash off your makeup. I like to use a stronger, micellar water based cleanser at night to get off any leftover dirt or makeup from the day and save Kylie’s face wash for more of a morning pick-me-up.
Vitamin C Serum - 8/10
This product was my first introduction to vitamin C serum and I was curious to see what exactly it would accomplish for my skin. The first thing that threw me was the very strong smell. I got used to it fairly quickly and after some research, found that the best vitamin C serums are typically going to have stronger and/or stranger smells (who would’ve thought?). One thing I really admire about this product is how quickly it soaks into your skin and how layerable it is. You can add on the rest of your skincare routine or start your makeup with no problem, as this serum soaks right up without a trace (aside from some extra clean and bright looking skin). Besides vitamin C, the serum also includes hydrating agents such as safflower seed oil and glycerin. My only complaint with this product is that it’s meant to be used in the morning and at night, but has an exceptionally small amount of the serum in the bottle and runs out quickly. After three months, I am still using the same products from when I got the full set in November, aside from the serum which I have now had to buy two refills of.
Walnut Scrub - 2/10
Maybe I’m just not a big face scrub girl, but this walnut scrub was my least favorite product in the set. The first time I used this product it felt very harsh, even though I was making sure to do so as gently as possible. My skin turned red almost immediately and stayed that way for about 15 minute afterwards.While my skin did feel smooth once it was all said and done, I’ve only used the scrub two other times since receiving the full set. I personally don’t think that this scrub is necessary, but if you have tried your fair share of scrubs and want to give this one a go, it’s worth a try. If your skin is sensitive, you’re likely better off saving yourself the trouble.
Vanilla Milk Toner - 9/10
The vanilla milk toner is different from a typical toner in that it also acts as a lightweight moisturizer in disguise. The name is very fitting as the toner itself has a thicker, milky consistency as opposed to other toners that are normally more watery, and is accompanied by a noticeable vanilla scent. This toner not only evens out your skin, but is also extremely hydrating and a great base to put on after your cleanser and before serums and moisturizer. Towards the top of the ingredient list for this product is squalane, which helps to balance your skin’s production of oil while providing enough moisture to promote clear and healthy skin. Some advice with this product is to be aware of the packaging itself, as it has a tendency to squirt out much more than you need. Avoid wasting product by making sure to just barely squeeze the bottle and you’ll get the perfect amount. Since it is a milky substance, it spreads easily and you only need the smallest drop to cover your whole face.
Overall Thoughts
I think that the Kylie Skin products are a great introduction into a full spectrum skincare routine for someone like me who had no idea what they were getting themselves into. After three months of using the products pretty religiously, I can see a clear change in my skin tone as it’s much more even and bright than it has ever been, along with being consistently softer to the touch. That being said, I do think that this is more of a basic/starter routine, and if you are someone who has serious to severe skin problems that you want and/or need to address, Kylie Skin might not be the first place you’d want to look. Personally, I will continue using the majority of these products as I have really enjoyed the results I’ve seen so far and, for my skin type, I’m not in need of anything stronger.
If you’re thinking about buying a Kylie Skin set and trying it out for yourself, you can sign up for text alerts through kylieskin.com to receive $5 off your order! Make sure to check the site regularly, though, as most products (especially the sets) tend to go out of stock quickly.