Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-blemish
- Moisturizing
- Anti-aging
- Exfoliation
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 4
Key actives
Product Summary
Based on the ingredient list, "Kate Somerville - Breakout Fighters" can work well for skin moisturization. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (panthenol, ahnfeltiopsis concinna extract, algae extract, anhydroxylitol and glycerin) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Emollients in this formulation (algae extract, ethyl linoleate, isocetyl stearate, dimethicone and pentaerythrityl tetracaprylate/tetracaprate) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer includes a form of retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl propionate 0.45% - 1.05%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- Adenosine 0.05% - 0.25% in this moisturizer adds an anti-aging benefit. Adenosine is a compound that in involved in many biological processes inside the skin cells. According one high-quality clinical trial, topical adenosine in low concentrations can help improve "deep wrinkles" - the wrinkles that appear with age in places where our faces are most dynamic (for example, on the forehead or in the corners of the eyes).
- This formulation also includes panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 0.45% - 1.00% concentration. In this concentration, panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Kate Somerville" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Anti-aging
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: oligopeptide-10, retinyl propionate.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, even thought its potency is not as well established as in case of retinol or retinaldehyde
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
Is claimed to stimulate collagen and elastin production, as well as work as an anti-oxidant. There is however not enough evidence for its effectiveness
Is helpful in restoring skin barrier function supporting its moisture levels. Is claimed to stimulte collagen production in skin but evidence is lacking
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
Breakout Fighters
Source: From product name
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid, sulfur. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
In addition, this product contains ethyl linoleate. It can help in reducing blemishes, even though it is less effective.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: retinyl propionate
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
Helps reduce acne and blemishes. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce inflammation. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, even thought its potency is not as well established as in case of retinol or retinaldehyde
Exfoliation
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
5 oz/ 15 mL Oil Free Moisturizer .
Source: Sephora
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
ahnfeltiopsis concinna extract, algae extract.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, pentaerythrityl tetracaprylate/tetracaprate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture
An emollient that helps soften the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrir function
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
Helps reduce acne and blemishes. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce inflammation. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Is helpful in restoring skin barrier function supporting its moisture levels. Is claimed to stimulte collagen production in skin but evidence is lacking
An emollient that helps soften the skin
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
A plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Is claimed to stimulate collagen and elastin production, as well as work as an anti-oxidant. There is however not enough evidence for its effectiveness
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
Helps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product feel and texture
A type of silicone that helps add a "soft focus" effect on the surface of the skin and create a nice product texture
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
An emollient that helps soften the skin
An emollient that helps soften the skin
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment
Anti-oxidation
This product contains antioxidants (hexylresorcinol) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
Is claimed to stimulate collagen and elastin production, as well as work as an anti-oxidant. There is however not enough evidence for its effectiveness
A plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Seaweed extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but good research is lacking at the moment
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
Evens skin tone
This product might be able to help reduce hyperpigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains salicylic acid. The effect, if any, is likely to be small. Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: ethyl linoleate, hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate.
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, even thought its potency is not as well established as in case of retinol or retinaldehyde
Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
Helps reduce acne and blemishes. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce inflammation. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but evidence of effectiveness in skin are lacking
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 100/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Kate Somerville Breakout Fighters | Current | - | |
Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Oil-Free Matte Moisturizer | 65% | $38.00 | |
 M-61 PowerSpot Moisturizer | 64% | $76.00 | |
Plenaire Droplet Lightweight Moisture Gel | 63% | $37.00 | |
 Medipharma Cosmetics Haut in Balance Pigment/Age Spot Reducing Treatment Cream | 62% | $23.50 | |
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Key Actives
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
All ingredients
Ingredient list view
Isopropyl alcohol, Water, Zinc oxide, Camphor, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Salicylic acid, Ci 77491, Iron oxides, Water, Glycereth-7 trimethyl ether, Cetyl alcohol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Isopropyl isostearate, Trimethylolpropane tricaprylate/tricaprate, Steareth-21, Salicylic acid, Dimethicone, Glycereth-18 ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Steareth-2, Retinyl propionate, Hexylresorcinol, Oligopeptide-10, Proline, Hydroxyproline, Ethyl linoleate, Sodium hyaluronate, Saccharide isomerate, Sodium pca, Panthenol, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Laminaria digitata extract, Boswellia serrata extract, Honey extract, Oryza sativa bran extract, Chlorella vulgaris extract, Sea water, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Glycereth-18, Trimethylpentanediol/adipic acid copolymer, 1,2-hexanediol, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Polymethylsilsesquioxane/silica crosspolymer, Aminomethyl propanol, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Disodium carboxyethyl siliconate, T-butyl alcohol, Linalool, Limonene, Iron oxides, Ci 77491, Water, Sodium cocoyl isethionate, Coco-glucoside, Sulfur, Acrylates copolymer, Coconut alcohol, Glycereth-18 ethylhexanoate, Glycereth-18, Stearyl alcohol, Mel extract, Honey extract, Unknown, Honey, Oryza sativa bran extract, Avena sativa kernel extract, Oligopeptide-10, Boswellia serrata extract, Behenyl alcohol, Glycerin, Xanthan gum, Caprylyl glycol, Hexylene glycol, Butylene glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Disodium carboxyethyl siliconate, Linalool, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Ci 77891, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77491, Iron oxides, Water, Isocetyl stearate, Pentaerythrityl tetracaprylate/tetracaprate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Polyamide-5, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Behenyl alcohol, Pullulan, Cetearyl ethylhexanoate, Sodium polyacrylate, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene glycol, Trideceth-6, Algae extract, Triethanolamine, Ahnfeltiopsis concinna extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Adenosine
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