Kim Kardashian’s skincare has nine steps. Is that seven steps too many?

While some people may opt for an intricate multi-step routine, Lee says that aiming for a certain amount of steps “isn’t necessary”. Instead, “the most important thing is to learn what works for your skin”.

Does using more products in your skincare routine equal better results?

“Our skin is a powerful organism on its own,” explains Lucy Macdougald, dermal specialist at Byron Bay-based skincare company Biologi. “It has the ability to regenerate itself so long as we’re not messing with it too much.”

“[We all have] a ‘microbiome’ which is made up of a variety of organisms that protect your skin from the outside world. Once you start introducing too many products or ingredients into your skincare regime, you risk stripping your skin of this microbiome and throwing its natural processes out of whack.”

For anyone who considers their intricate skincare routine a form of self-care, Macdougald suggests enlisting the help of an expert who “has a very thorough understanding of skincare ingredients” rather than choosing your own adventure at your local pharmacy. “When mixed together, many skincare ingredients can cancel each other out, rendering them useless, or even cause harmful reactions.”

How to build a basic skincare routine that’s right for you

After casting her eye over the SKKN range, celebrity facialist and The Modern Guide To Skin Health author Melanie Grant concedes that the brand’s offering contains a “a really well-considered collection of tried-and-true product categories” that all serve a distinct purpose.

“[There’s] hydrators to quench and plump, peptides to firm, vitamin C to brighten and shield from age-accelerating free radicals, squalene and postbiotics to promote healthy barrier function,” says Grant. “It’s a strategic but thoughtful approach – the only thing I would add is a broad spectrum SPF to be applied as the final step in your morning regimen.”

“The key is to find a handful of products that you know work for you and that you enjoy using.”

That said, if you’re reconsidering your current skincare routine, Grant says, “You’d be surprised at how much of a difference simply keeping your skin clean, hydrated and protected from the sun and environmental aggressors can make. The key is to find a handful of products that you know work for you and that you enjoy using.”

At a bare minimum, she recommends using a cleanser, moisturiser and SPF. To step it up, you could also add a targeted serum containing either “vitamin C, ferulic acid, astaxanthin, resveratrol or anti-inflammatory vitamins B and E” in the morning to brighten skin and minimise damage from pollution and the sun.

To supercharge your evening routine, you could consider “products that are more clinically active in nature like chemical exfoliants (AHA, BHA, PHA) and retinols”. These will help to speed up cell turnover and minimise fine lines and wrinkles.

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But before you cut and paste your own routine together with strong active ingredients, it’s best to consult an expert, not a Kardashian. With the right tailored advice, you might find that a handful of products will do the same job as nine.

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