PRODUCT REVIEW
Kate Somerville Kx Active Concentrates Vitamin B3 + Vitamin C Serum
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Price as of 1/23/2025 14:42 GMT.
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Vitamins B + C work together to target discoloration and unevenness, improving radiance and luminosity.
niacinamide
2.7% -
3.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
7.6% -
9.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
glycine soja seed extract
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Might be somewhat helpful in evening the skin tone.
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Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Vitamins B + C work together to target discoloration and unevenness, improving radiance and luminosity.
caprylic/capric triglyceride
3.6% -
4.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
corallina officinalis extract
0.6% -
0.9%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might contain antioxidants
ethyl linoleate
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
Show more
Anti-blemish
ethyl linoleate
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
niacinamide
2.7% -
3.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
melia azadirachta leaf extract
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
Anti-aging
adenosine
0.6% -
0.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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)
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
7.6% -
9.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
niacinamide
2.7% -
3.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
Show more
Anti-oxidation
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
7.6% -
9.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
resveratrol
0.5% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out the skin tone
hexylresorcinol
1.2% -
1.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 3
Potential irritants
ascorbic acid
0.95% -
1.15%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
hydrangea arborescens root extract
0.65% -
0.95%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation
Plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
coconut alkanes
2% -
2.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
An emollient that helps soften the skin
corallina officinalis extract
0.6% -
0.9%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might contain antioxidants
Show more
User reviews (0)
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
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HIGH
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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LOW
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MEDIUM
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LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
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LOW
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MEDIUM
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
niacinamide
2.7% -
3.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging,
Reduces irritation,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antibacterial,
Reduces redness
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture.
The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
ethyl linoleate
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Moisturizing,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-inflammatory
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
Show more
Potential irritants
ascorbic acid
0.95% -
1.15%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
hydrangea arborescens root extract
0.65% -
0.95%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation
Plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
coconut alkanes
2% -
2.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
An emollient that helps soften the skin
corallina officinalis extract
0.6% -
0.9%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might contain antioxidants
Show more
All ingredients
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
7.6% -
9.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation,
Evens skin tone
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
glycerin
4.5% -
5.5%
Irritation risk:
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
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Niacinamide, Ppg-24-glycereth-24, Coconut alkanes, Propanediol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Hexylresorcinol, Ascorbic acid, Pentapeptide-21, Morus alba root extract, Hydrangea arborescens root extract, Melia azadirachta flower extract, Corallina officinalis extract, Adenosine, Ocimum basilicum flower/leaf extract, Curcuma longa root extract, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Scutellaria lateriflora extract, Resveratrol, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract, Microcitrus australasica fruit extract, Coco-caprylate/caprate, 1,2-hexanediol, Glyceryl stearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate, Glycine soja seed extract, Ethyl linoleate, Stearic acid, Sodium lauroyl glutamate, Peg-7 trimethylolpropane coconut ether, Xanthan gum, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Hexylene glycol, Caprylyl glycol, Disodium edta, Citric acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate
Sources
- Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage
- Application of tetra-isopalmitoyl ascorbic acid in cosmetic formulations: Stability studies and in vivo efficacy
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- POSSIBLE TOXICITY OF HERBAL REMEDIES
- Evaluation of anti-wrinkle efficacy of adenosine-containing products using the FOITS technique
- Vaughn, A. R., Branum, A., & Sivamani, R. K. (2016). Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence. Phytotherapy Research, 30(8), 1243–1264. doi:10.1002/ptr.5640
- Melia azedarach
- Preliminary and Pharmacological Profile of Melia azedarach L.: An Overview
- Skin permeation and antioxidant efficacy of topically applied resveratrol
- Chemoprevention of skin cancer by grape constituent resveratrol: relevance to human disease?
- Evaluation of efficacy and tolerance of a nighttime topical antioxidant containing resveratrol, baicalin, and vitamin e for treatment of mild to moderately photodamaged skin
- Resveratrol as a Multifunctional Topical Hypopigmenting Agent
- Anti-aging properties of resveratrol: review and report of a potent new antioxidant skin care formulation
- Resveratrol: A Unique Antioxidant Offering a Multi-Mechanistic Approach for Treating Aging Skin
- The chemotherapeutic potential of Terminalia ferdinandiana: Phytochemistry and bioactivity
- Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmetics
- The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols
- Ethyl linoleate inhibits α-MSH-induced melanogenesis through Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin signal pathway
- Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of a lotion containing triethyl citrate and ethyl linoleate in the treatment of acne vulgaris