Kylie Jenner's walnut scrub heavily criticised ahead of launch: But is it actually that bad for skin?
Kylie Jenner is being criticised for her latest product launch.
The 21-year-old entrepreneur, who is the world’s youngest self-made billionaire, according to Forbes, recently announced she is launching a new skincare line on 22 May.
Her sell-out lip kits garnered $420 million (£326 million) in retail sales in just 18 months.
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Her skincare range looks like it will generated similar hype – its dedicated Instagram page, @kylieskin, already has over a million followers.
But one particular product in the line, a walnut scrub, has left many of her fans cold.
walnut face scrub. my secret to a fresh face. xo, Kylie pic.twitter.com/zRPwqKv0HA
— Kylie Skin (@kylieskin) May 14, 2019
Fans are pointing out that one of the scrub’s ingredients, fine walnut powder, is actually very bad for your skin.
It causes everything from broken capillaries to dryness, according to critics.
🗣STOP USING WALNUT EXFOLIATORS ON YOUR SKIN! pic.twitter.com/85wRRBRBkC
— Hassan Sayyed (@HausUrban) May 11, 2019
Licensed Esthetician here, You should not be exfoliating everyday!!!!! 1x a week MAX!! And Walnut will cause micro tears in your skin, using it everyday will result in couperose skin (broken capillaries) pic.twitter.com/tV8iiitG3X
— Bri💋🍯 (@TheBeautyByBri1) May 14, 2019
The affects are oftentimes not immediately obvious especially if you use other decent products. But w time the damage grows and can cause issues such as dryness. Plus not all skin is the same, but it’s better to treat your face like a baby than be rough and possibly damage it
— ki.baby (@i_amumi) May 14, 2019
Hear that? That is the sound of 700 beauty writers pitching why walnut scrub is bad for your skin.
— Margarita Noriega (@margarita) May 14, 2019
So is it as bad as Twitter is making out?
Yes, according to Dr Ross Perry, skin expert & Medical Director of Cosmedics UK.
“Walnut shell powder has a reputation of being a relatively harsh exfoliator on the skin, and although exfoliating is a great way of getting rid of dead skin cells and unclogging pores, all skin types are different, therefore, harsh exfoliating ingredients can actually end up tearing the skin.
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“With any abrasive products the more sensitive the skin the gentler one needs to be so there is not a one for all cream that will suit everyone. For some this may help but for others it maybe too harsh and that’s down to each individual’s skin type.
“Unfortunately because Kylie Jenner sports such flawless skin 24/7 and is a key influencer today, many of fans will buy into the product in the bid to emulate Kylie’s perfect visage, However this won’t suit everyone and could in fact end up causing irritation and tearing.”
What’s more, last year, a group of people tried to bring a class action against Unilever for the use of walnut shells in its St. Ives Apricot Scrub product.
The plaintiffs claimed use of the products lead to skin irritation and damage. However, the class action was later dismissed.
Kylie isn’t the first celebrity to face a backlash for her product line.
Earlier this year, singer Katy Perry was called out for designing what looked like blackface shoes as part of her Katy Perry Collections shoe range.