Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
Works for
ExfoliationLactic acid, Salicylic acid + 3 moreWorks well
“ExfoliKate Intensive 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, salicylic acid.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Retinyl palmitateWorks well
“This powerful formula not only brings lack lustre skin back to life, but also decongests pores, kills bacteria and combats acne, producing dramatic results after just one use.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Evens skin toneLactic acid, Lactobacillus/pumpkin ferment extract + 2 moreWorks well
“Alpha Hydroxy Acid works in unison with Lactic Acid to visibly reduce the appearance of dull or lack-lustre skin, making the look of a clearer, more even skin tone easier to achieve than ever before.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic acid, salicylic acid
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: lactobacillus/pumpkin ferment extract.
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, Retinyl palmitateMay help
“In just 2 minutes twice a week, it delivers smoother texture and minimizes pores, while visibly reducing the appearance of crow’s feet and other lines.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy13 strong irritants: Carica papaya fruit, Alcohol denat. + 11 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Lactic acid~4.7–5.7%
- 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 acidSilica~4.2–5.2%
Glycine soja oil~3–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilPectin~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetearyl alcohol~1.9–2.3%
- 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 alcoholCarica papaya fruit~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Ceteareth-20~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Cetyl alcohol~1.2–1.5%
- 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 alcoholPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolDehydroxanthan gum~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create thicker product formulations and stabilize emulsions
More about Dehydroxanthan gumGlyceryl stearate~0.6–0.9%
- 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~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateSalicylic acid~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
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)
More about Salicylic acidLactobacillus/pumpkin ferment extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An enzyme-based exfoliant
More about Lactobacillus/pumpkin ferment extractAlcohol denat.~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Sorbic acid~0.4–0.6%
Cinnamal~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Honey~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen
More about HoneyCitrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~0.25–0.5%
- 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 oilEugenol~0.25–0.45%
Potassium sorbate~0.25–0.5%
Limonene~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.2–0.4%
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilBeta-carotene~0.2–0.4%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.2–0.4%
- 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 powderBromelain~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Papain~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating
More about PapainRetinyl palmitate~0.2–0.35%
- 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 palmitateTocopheryl acetate~0.2–0.35%
- 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 acetateCinnamomum cassia leaf oil~0.15–0.25%
Acetic acid~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pogostemon cablin oil~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pelargonium graveolens flower oil~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Can be irritating. Can become an allergen with oxidation
More about Pelargonium graveolens flower oilAniba rosaeodora wood extract~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilCi 75810~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Lactic acid, Silica, Glycine soja oil, Pectin, Cetearyl alcohol, Carica papaya fruit, Ceteareth-20, Cetyl alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroxanthan gum, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Salicylic acid, Lactobacillus/pumpkin ferment extract, Alcohol denat., Sorbic acid, Cinnamal, Honey, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Eugenol, Potassium sorbate, Limonene, Linalool, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Beta-carotene, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Bromelain, Papain, Retinyl palmitate, Tocopheryl acetate, Cinnamomum cassia leaf oil, Acetic acid, Pogostemon cablin oil, Pelargonium graveolens flower oil, Aniba rosaeodora wood extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, 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 Intensive Exfoliating TreatmentYOUR PRODUCT | VotarySensitive Resurfacing Peel | CliniqueClarifying Do-Over Peel | EmerginCTriple-Threat Peel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 88% | 88% |
| Price | $36.00 | $93.93+$57.93 | $21.64−$14.36 | $64.11+$28.11 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract | Lactobionic Acid | Retinol |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Ultraceuticals Even Skintone Smoothing Serum MildFace Reality Skincare Professional Clear Synergy Peel 1
Product summary
"Kate Somerville - ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Exfoliation and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (lactic acid 4.70% - 5.70%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run. Lactic Acid can also help to attract water to the upper layer (works as a humectant).
- This product includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.20% - 0.35%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Kate Somerville" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 127.00CA$ in Canada, from 28.00$ up to 98.00$ in the United States and from 21.38£ up to 78.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 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
- 3Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 5A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 6
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