Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash by Kate Somerville

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash by Kate Somerville

Efficacy83/100IrritancyHigh·100% recommend (1 review)

Works for

Cleansing
Stearic acid, Sodium cocoyl glycinate + 1 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“A luxe, daily foaming face wash for all skin types that effectively cleanses away dirt, oil, makeup and other impurities while gently exfoliating to reveal softer, smoother, glowing skin.”
Source: Katesomerville

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (lauramidopropyl betaine, sodium cocoyl glycinate, stearic acid) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Stearic acidEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient~7.8–9.6%
Sodium cocoyl glycinateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~5.1–6.2%
Lauramidopropyl betaineEffect: High~4.3–5.3%
Exfoliation
Glycolic acid, Papain + 1 more
Works well
What the product description says
“A luxe, daily foaming face wash for all skin types that effectively cleanses away dirt, oil, makeup and other impurities while gently exfoliating to reveal softer, smoother, glowing skin.”
Source: Katesomerville

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: glycolic acid.

Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid~0.3–0.6%
PapainEffect: LowAn enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating~0.55–0.85%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.45–0.65%
Anti-blemish
Glycolic acid
Not delivered
What the product description says
“This medicated cleansing foam helps to ease pore congestion while it alleviates the look of blemishes.”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.

Glycolic acidEffect: MediumAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid~0.3–0.6%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Aniba rosaeodora wood extract + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 14 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
PapainAn enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritatingHigh~0.55–0.85%est.
Glycolic acidAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acidHigh~0.3–0.6%est.
Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilA plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivityHigh~0.25–0.45%est.
Aniba rosaeodora wood extract—High~0.25–0.45%est.
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilAn essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.45%est.
Geranium maculatum oilAn essential oil. Can be irritatingHigh~0.2–0.35%est.
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.2%est.
Sodium cocoyl glycinateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~5.1–6.2%est.
Lauramidopropyl betaine—Medium~4.3–5.3%est.
Hydroxypropyl starch phosphateHelps oil and water mix together and used to stabilize product formulationsMedium~2–2.4%est.
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateA preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determineMedium~0.65–1%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~0.5–0.75%est.
Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Medium~0.45–0.65%est.
ChlorphenesinA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

User reviews

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Stearic acid~7.8–9.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient

More about Stearic acid
Sodium cocoyl glycinate~5.1–6.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium cocoyl glycinate
Lauramidopropyl betaine~4.3–5.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing
More about Lauramidopropyl betaine
Glycerin~2.5–3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate~2–2.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps oil and water mix together and used to stabilize product formulations

More about Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate
Cetearyl phosphate~1.7–2%
Formula
Xylitylglucoside~1.5–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function

More about Xylitylglucoside
Dimethicone peg-8 meadowfoamate~1.2–1.5%
Formula
Anhydroxylitol~1–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrir function

More about Anhydroxylitol
Xylitol~0.75–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function

More about Xylitol
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.65–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine

More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate
Bromelain~0.6–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Bromelain
Papain~0.55–0.85%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Exfoliation

An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating

More about Papain
Lactobacillus/pumpkin fruit ferment filtrate~0.55–0.8%
Formula
Lauramide dipa~0.55–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Lauramide dipa
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.5–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder
Lactic acid~0.45–0.65%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneMoisturizingExfoliationAnti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

More about Lactic acid
Glycolic acid~0.3–0.6%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-agingEvens skin toneExfoliationAnti-blemish

An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid

More about Glycolic acid
Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity

More about Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil
Aniba rosaeodora wood extract~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · high
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil
Geranium maculatum oil~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An essential oil. Can be irritating

More about Geranium maculatum oil
Benzyl alcohol~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Chlorphenesin~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Chlorphenesin
Chlorophyllin-copper complex~0.1–0.15%
Formula
Maltodextrin~0.1–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Mattifying

Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil

More about Maltodextrin
Ingredient list view

Water, Stearic acid, Sodium cocoyl glycinate, Lauramidopropyl betaine, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, Cetearyl phosphate, Xylitylglucoside, Dimethicone peg-8 meadowfoamate, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Bromelain, Papain, Lactobacillus/pumpkin fruit ferment filtrate, Lauramide dipa, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Lactic acid, Glycolic acid, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Aniba rosaeodora wood extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Geranium maculatum oil, Benzyl alcohol, Sodium hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Chlorophyllin-copper complex, Maltodextrin

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

SpaceNK US
$24.50
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Sephora1 oz
$29.00
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Sephora
$30.00
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Amazon USPrice as of 11/9 03:00 GMT
$46.00
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Ulta4 oz
$46.00
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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Kate SomervilleExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash by Kate SomervilleYOUR PRODUCTinnisfreeVolcanic BHA Pore Cleansing FoamWish FormulaC200 Bubble Peeling Pad 1pcDr Glycolic™Deep Purifying Clay Cleanser
Match—45%44%44%
Price$24.50$10.27−$14.23$8.20−$16.30$12.50−$12.00
Shared key ingredients—3 of 83 of 84 of 8
Key difference—Salicylic Acid3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidPanthenol
Irritancy High Medium Medium Low
Drying alcohol————
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Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash by Kate Somerville
Kate SomervilleExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash by Kate Somerville

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.