Kim Kardashian SKKN vs. SKKN+ Beauty Lawsuit [Update]

Kim Kardashian, the renowned beauty mogul, has rebranded her old beauty line, KKW, to create a new beauty concept called SKKN. This rebranding comes in line with her recent ‘single status’ filing as part of her divorce proceedings from Kanye West. The new luxury skincare line, SKKN by Kim, launched in June and features a nine-step skincare ritual priced at $630.

However, the rebranding has not been without controversy. New York spa and beauty center owner Cydnie Lunsford, who operates under the brand name SKKN+, has taken legal action against Kardashian, issuing a cease and desist letter for the unauthorized use of her brand name. Beauty Concepts, a successful Black- and woman-owned business that sells skincare products and provides services under the SKKN+ trademark, filed a lawsuit against Kardashian for trademark infringement based on her SKKN BY KIM trademark applications.

Beauty Concepts alleges it has been using the mark SKNN+ continuously since at least August 2018 and applied to register SKNN+ design and word marks starting in March 2021. In contrast, Kardashian applied to register SKKN marks starting in July 2021. The USPTO has since issued Office Actions on at least five of Kardashian’s applications for SKKN BY KIM, citing a likelihood of confusion with Beauty Concepts’ prior-filed SKKN+ application.

As of now, the issue remains unresolved, and the legal battle continues. Despite the ongoing dispute, Kardashian has launched her new skincare line under the trademark SKKN BY KIM. The products claim to be a home alternative to professional facials and for use by professional estheticians. Fans of Kim Kardashian will have to watch this space for more information on the SKKN rebrand and the outcome of the legal battle between SKKN and SKKN+.