Kate Somerville Review

Kate Somerville has been nicknamed the “guru of glow.” The skincare maven is known for her celebrity clients such as Jessica Alba, Drew Barrymore and Megan Markle. While Somerville has a clinic in Los Angeles, you don’t have to be a California based celeb to get some of that glow for yourself. Somerville also created a comprehensive skincare collection that includes everything from serums to moisturizers and sun protection. Here’s a closer look at Kate Somerville, the brand’s products and is it worth a try?

What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2021?

Who Is Kate Somerville?

Somerville grew up on a farm in California, and says that she battled a whole host of skin issues, including eczema, as a child. One day her mother added goat milk to her bath and Somerville says that her skin felt soothed. The goat milk experience spurred her to take a deeper dive into solving her skin issues and she studied esthetics in college. As she wrote on her website, “From a young age, I knew what it felt like to be uncomfortable in my own skin.” After college, she opened a clinic inside a cosmetic surgeon’s office before launching her own space in Los Angeles. Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts Clinic debuted in 2004 and it was a one-stop-shop for facials as well as dermatological treatments, all in a beautiful home-like setting.

Somerville quickly built a devoted clientele and subsequently launched a skincare collection which is meant to be like a treatment in a bottle. Today the Kate Somerville brand includes moisturizers, serums, masks and sun protection, and it is a firm favorite among celebrities and beauty editors.

What Is the Kate Somerville Skincare Philosophy?

Kate Somerville products are meant to be bottled versions of her clinic’s treatments. Somerville boils down the basics of an effective skincare routine to exfoliation, hydration and moisturizing. Her products are meant to visibly transforming skin, and Somerville has called achieving good skin “a life changing experience,” especially for anyone who has suffered with skin issues for years. Somerville is also a big proponent of goat milk.

What Does Kate Somerville Sell?

Kate Somerville sells a comprehensive collection of skincare products. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best sellers and key products.

Kate Somerville Moisturizers
Kate Somerville Oil Free Moisturizer – Designed for oil prone skin, this daily moisturizer is lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin. The formula is spiked with algae to help tighten the look of the skin.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Glow – This cream pulls double duty as a moisturizer and a gentle exfoliator. It leaves skin hydrated while alpha hydroxy and lactic acids work to gently dissolve dead skin cells.

Kate Somerville Nourish Daily Antioxidant Moisturizer – The key ingredient in this daily moisturizer is retinyl palmitate, which encourages cell turnover and helps soften the look of fine lines.

Kate Somerville Serums & Toners
Kate Somerville Wrinkle Warrior 2-in-1 Plumping Moisturizer + Serum – This combination moisturizer and serum is packed with hyaluronic acid, a moisture magnet, as well as Sichuan pepper to target wrinkles.

Kate Somerville D-Scar Scar Diminishing Serum – Powered by peptides and botanical extracts, this scar fading serum glides on with a rollerball applicator.

Kate Somerville Exfoliators & Masks
Kate Somerville Liquid ExfoliKate – A blend of 10% AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) and fruit enzymes work to exfoliate skin by gently dissolving dead skin cells. The solution should be applied at bed time.

Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift + Retinol – The key ingredient in this treatment is retinol, which encourages cell turnover and helps skin look firmer and smoother.

Kate Somerville EradiKate Foam Mask – Most masks are made from creams, gels or clay but this one is foam based. It is formulated to clear up blemishes and unclog pores.

Kate Somerville Acne
Kate Somerville EradiKate – This acne spot treatment is formulated to help dry out blemishes, and the solution is powered by sulphur and zinc oxide.

EradiKate Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment – Salicylic acid helps to unclog pores and prevent acne, and it’s the key ingredient in this lightweight, overnight solution.

What is Kate Somerville Exfolikate?

Exfolikate is arguably Kate Somerville’s most famous product, and it’s been dubbed “the two minute Hollywood facial.” A cult favorite for more than 10 years, the facial scrub is a combination physical and chemical exfoliator. The bright green scrub is powered by lactic acid (a chemical exfoliator) as well as papaya and pumpkin enzymes, silica (a physical exfoliator), and salicylic acids. It is designed to leave skin smooth, soft and polished thanks to aloe vera, honey and vitamins A, C and E. When the product debuted on QVC in 2007, it sold out in minutes.

What Ingredients are in Kate Somerville Products?

Kate Somerville products are formulated with a mix of commonly used skincare ingredients, such as retinol, hyaluronic acid and AHAs and BHAs as well as botanicals and goat milk. The Cold Cream contains white honey to helps soothe the complexion along with jasmine, rose and daisy to soften the skin. The Dermal Quench Warrior, which targets wrinkles, contains three different sizes of hyaluronic acid along with Sichuan pepper, and polyglutamic acid to boost moisture. The Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser soothes the skin with milk proteins, along with jojoba and avocado oils.

Where is Kate Somerville Sold?

Kate Somerville products are sold at her LA clinic, online at her website as well as Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom and QVC.

How Much are Kate Somerville Products?

Kate Somerville products are on the pricier side, in line with department store brands. ExfoilKate is $85, and the Oil Free Moisturizer is $65. The Acne Clearing Lotion is $42, while the Dermal Quench Liquid Lift + Retinol retails for $98. Some of the lower priced products include the Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser for $38, and the EradiKate Acne Spot Treatment for $26.

Is Kate Somerville tested on Animals?

Kate Somerville was officially recognized as cruelty-free by PETA in 2018.

Does Kate Somerville Work?

Deciding if a beauty product “works” is never black and white. One person’s miracle product may do nothing for you, or cause a breakout. A little experimentation is always needed, as well as a dive into reviews.

Kate Somerville products have a strong customer and celebrity fan base, as well as industry recognition. In late 2019, Somerville will be recognized with an Outstanding Achievement in Skincare by the Daytime Beauty Awards. The EradiKate Acne Treatment was named one of the best beauty buys of 2018 by New Beauty magazine, and the Exfolikate Cleanser scooped up a 2017 Editor’s Pick nod from TotalBeauty.com. The EradiKate Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment is a 2019 Glamour Beauty Award winner. “When I think of Kate Somerville, I know I’m going to get products that really help with blemishes. This one is different because you use it all over your skin, instead of as a spot treatment, so you soothe any current issues or redness and actually help prevent breakouts from happening down the road, wrote Marianna Hewitt.

The Eradikate exfoliator, gets strong customer reviews, with a 4.5 star on Nordstrom, a 4.8-star on Ulta and a 4.4-star rating on Sephora from more than 2,000 reviews. Sephora’s customer feedback ranges from “I have never written a review for a product but I could not resist myself from telling everyone the amazing results I have had using ExfoliKate” and “I tried a sample of this product and my skin felt exceptionally smooth and soft.” Some reviewers complained about the price ($85 for a two ounce tube) and some users had a bad reaction.

The Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleansers gets 4.4 stars from Sephora, 4.7 stars on Ulta and 5 stars on Nordstrom. Customers who love it cite that it’s effective and soothing to their skin. “I was looking for a daily, gentle cleanser that would be non-drying for my skin. This feels so luxurious and it’s definitely hydrating. It’s a keeper!” and “This cleaner is so gentle and smooth. My face looks and feels radiant after I wash, even before I moisturize.” Some users critiqued the price point, as well as the scent.

What Are Some Alternatives to the Kate Somerville?

Kate Somerville may not be the right choice for everyone. It may not react well with your skin, or perhaps the price point isn’t right. If you’re looking for a well-rounded skincare line, there are a few other brands to consider.

Formulyst’s philosophy is long-term and effective skincare. The brand wants to help its customers achieve their best looking skin, rather than covering it up with makeup. The comprehensive line of products focuses on everything from wrinkles to dark spots and dry skin. Formulyst Clarifying AHA Cleanser is designed to give a skin a gentle but effective cleanse. The formula contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) derived from citrus and botanical extracts. These acids work by dissolving dead skin cells and drawing out impurities from the pores to reveal smooth, refreshed skin.

If you want smoother looking skin, skip the harsh exfoliators which can do more harm than good. Formulyst Retexturing and Perfecting Serum is powered by gentle but effective alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which works to dissolve dead skin cells. Packed with plant based acids, it whisks away old skin cells, leaving behind fresher, smoother looking skin. The serum also works to on unevenness and blotchiness. Want to get rid of a blemish? Don’t pop it- dry it. Apply a dab of Formulyst’s Blemish Clearing Complex. It contains a whole cocktail of bacteria fighting, pimple drying products including zinc oxide, salicylic acid, and camphor. It also helps to unclog pores.

If you like the simplicity of a skincare kit, consider Advanced Dermatology. This no nonsense brand offers a pared down approach to skincare. The packaging is simple and streamlined, and the products bring skincare back to the basics. The kit contains just six essential items including a daily cleanser; serum; anti-wrinkle firming treatment; night cream; day cream and an eye cream. In other words, everything you need to achieve your best possible looking skin.

There’s no need to compromise when it comes to finding skincare that is effective and safe. Carrot & Stick takes a tough love approach to skincare, perfectly balancing the power of plants with cutting edge science. Not only is Carrot & Stick good for your skin, it is also good for the environment as the formulas skip harmful chemicals as well as the preservatives, emulsifiers and thickeners commonly found in skincare products.