Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 1 UV filterBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
It is a mineral sunscreen. In other words, it contains non-organic UV filters. It will probably not sting your eyes but might leave a white cast.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 4 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: caprylic/capric triglyceride.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Parfum, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide24.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideC13-15 alkane~24–36%
Water~8.4–12.6%
Ethyl macadamiate~3.6–5.3%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~3.1–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Caprylic/capric triglyceridePolyhydroxystearic acid~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidPropanediol~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPolyglyceryl-4 diisostearate/polyhydroxystearate/sebacate~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-4 diisostearate/polyhydroxystearate/sebacatePolyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleateEctoin~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinHydroxyectoin~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Isostearic acid~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidLecithin~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateQuaternium-90 bentonite~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilTriethyl citrate~0.2–0.8%
Tocopherol~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolMalic acid~0.2–0.75%
Stearyl triethoxysilane~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium chloride~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.55%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium oxide~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 77491~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Potassium oxide~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 77492~0.05–0.25%
Potassium oxide~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 77499~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, C13-15 alkane, Water, Ethyl macadamiate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 diisostearate/polyhydroxystearate/sebacate, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Ectoin, Hydroxyectoin, Isostearic acid, Lecithin, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Quaternium-90 bentonite, Parfum, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Triethyl citrate, Tocopherol, Malic acid, Stearyl triethoxysilane, Sodium chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Unknown, Potassium oxide, Ci 77491, Unknown, Potassium oxide, Ci 77492, Unknown, Potassium oxide, Ci 77499
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Product summary
We believe that "Kate Somerville - HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
It is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This product contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.