Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Gentle Exfoliating Treatment
Works for
ExfoliationLactic acid, Papain + 1 moreWorks well
“ExfoliKate Gentle Exfoliating Treatment”
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: lactic acid.
Evens skin toneLactic acid, Retinyl palmitateWorks well
“Papaya, pineapple and pumpkin enzymes (Kate's 'three Ps for perfect skin') work to counteract dullness, dryness and uneven skin tone and texture by loosening and sloughing away dead, dulling cells to reveal the beautifully balanced, even radiance beneath – without drying.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic acid
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.
Anti-agingLactic acid, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil + 2 moreMay help
“AHAs and fruit enzymes work synergistically to remove surface dullness, soften fine lines and wrinkles and reveal a smooth, healthy-looking, glowing complexion.”
This product contains lactic acid. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Lactic acid, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil + 11 moreWorks
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:
lactic acid, honey.
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: sesamum indicum seed oil, cetearyl alcohol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Retinyl palmitate, Geranium maculatum oil + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Silica~6.3–7.7%
Lactic acid~3.7–4.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acidGlycereth-26~3–3.7%
Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilSesamum indicum seed oil~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function
More about Sesamum indicum seed oilStearic acid~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidHoney~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen
More about HoneyMel~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and attract water to it
More about MelHoney~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen
More about HoneyHydroxylated lecithin~0.7–1.05%
Papain~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating
More about PapainCeteareth-20~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Cetearyl alcohol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPolyacrylamide~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideLactobacillus/pumpkin fruit ferment filtrate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bromelain~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetyl alcohol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateAloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 powderLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.3–0.55%
- 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 filtrateRetinyl palmitate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
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. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateAscorbyl palmitate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitatePhospholipids~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Emollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product
More about PhospholipidsBisabolol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateCaffeine~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineGeranium maculatum oil~0.25–0.5%
Melissa officinalis leaf oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Salvia officinalis oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilTriethanolamine~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineC13-14 isoparaffin~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinButylene glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Butylene glycolChlorphenesin~0.15–0.3%
Dehydroxanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create thicker product formulations and stabilize emulsions
More about Dehydroxanthan gumLaureth-7~0.15–0.3%
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.2%
Sodium benzoate~0.15–0.25%
Disodium edta~0.1–0.2%
Chlorophyllin-copper complex~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 75810~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Silica, Lactic acid, Glycereth-26, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Sesamum indicum seed oil, Stearic acid, Honey, Mel, Honey, Hydroxylated lecithin, Papain, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl alcohol, Polyacrylamide, Lactobacillus/pumpkin fruit ferment filtrate, Bromelain, Cetyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Retinyl palmitate, Ascorbyl palmitate, Phospholipids, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl acetate, Caffeine, Geranium maculatum oil, Melissa officinalis leaf oil, Salvia officinalis oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Triethanolamine, C13-14 isoparaffin, Butylene glycol, Chlorphenesin, Dehydroxanthan gum, Laureth-7, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Disodium edta, Chlorophyllin-copper complex, Ci 75810
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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.
| Kate SomervilleExfoliKate Gentle Exfoliating TreatmentYOUR PRODUCT | ZO Skin HealthExfoliation Accelerator | NorevaAcnomega 200 | Shani Darden Skin CareTexture Reform™ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 56% | 55% | 55% |
| Price | — | $69.99 | $24.95 | $92.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Glycolic Acid | Salicylic Acid | Acetyl Glucosamine |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad - Intense GlowClinique iD™: Moisturizer + Concentrate for Pores & Uneven Texture
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Triglyceride composition of Sesamum indicum seed oilonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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