Kate Somerville Liquid ExfoliKate Triple Acid Resurfacing Treatment
Works for
Evens skin toneLactic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Smooth skin texture + evens tone”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, 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.
ExfoliationLactic acid, Glycolic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“The award-winning Liquid ExfoliKate® Triple Acid Resurfacing Treatment is a gentle toner that works on your glow while you sleep.”
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, lactic acid.
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Lactic acid, Glycolic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Liquid ExfoliKate® is clinically tested safe for sensitive skin and improves the look of pores while smoothing skin texture and evening skin tone for radiant, younger-looking skin.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: lactic acid, tetrapeptide-14.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Tetrapeptide-14, Lactic acid + 4 moreWorks well
“Papaya, pineapple and pumpkin enzymes (Kates three Ps for perfect skin) as well as natural alpha hydroxy acid, lactic acid, 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 contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, lactic acid.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: tetrapeptide-14
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Tartaric acidMay help
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract, tartaric acid) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Microcitrus australasica fruit extract, Citronellol + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
1 of 1 community members would buy it again.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Pelargonium graveolens flower/leaf/stem water~4.5–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lactic acid~3.5–5.3%
- 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 acidSodium hydroxide~2.7–4.1%
Glycolic acid~2–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidPropanediol~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPhytic acid~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidGlycerin~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinPapain~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating
More about PapainBoswellia serrata extract~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mel extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractAspalathus linearis extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bromelain~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Microcitrus australasica fruit extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Most likely used for its fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Microcitrus australasica fruit extractTetrapeptide-14~0.3–0.75%
Lactobacillus/pumpkin fruit ferment filtrate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.2–0.75%
- 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 filtrate1,2-hexanediol~0.15–0.65%
Butylene glycol~0.15–0.65%
- 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 glycolCitric acid~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidMalic acid~0.1–0.5%
Tartaric acid~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levels
More about Tartaric acidCaprylhydroxamic acid~0.1–0.4%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium benzoate~0.05–0.2%
Maltodextrin~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinCitronellol~0.05–0.1%
Geraniol~0.01–0.05%
Linalool~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Pelargonium graveolens flower/leaf/stem water, Lactic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Glycolic acid, Propanediol, Phytic acid, Glycerin, Papain, Boswellia serrata extract, Mel extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Aspalathus linearis extract, Bromelain, Microcitrus australasica fruit extract, Tetrapeptide-14, Lactobacillus/pumpkin fruit ferment filtrate, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, 1,2-hexanediol, Butylene glycol, Citric acid, Malic acid, Tartaric acid, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium benzoate, Maltodextrin, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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 SomervilleLiquid ExfoliKate Triple Acid Resurfacing TreatmentYOUR PRODUCT | HerbivoreMilky Way 10% AHA + Oat Soothing Exfoliating Serum | Herbivore BotanicalsMilky Way 10% AHA + Oat Soothing Exfoliating Serum | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 58% | 58% | 58% |
| Price | $64.80 | — | — | $52.00−$12.80 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Gluconolactone | Gluconolactone | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Versed Skin Weekend Glow Brightening SolutionTula Secret Solution Pro-Glycolic 10% Resurfacing Toner
Product summary
"Kate Somerville - Liquid ExfoliKate Triple Acid Resurfacing Treatment" is effective for: Exfoliation, Evens skin tone, Anti-aging and Moisturizing
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (glycolic acid 2.00% - 3.10% and lactic acid 3.50% - 5.30%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run. Lactic Acid can also help to attract water to the upper layer (works as a humectant).
- Peptides (tetrapeptide-14 0.30% - 0.75%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. They might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
- Humectants (lactic acid 3.50% - 5.30% and glycerin 1.30% - 1.90%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Kate Somerville" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 31.00CA$ up to 182.62CA$ in Canada, for 182.23A$ in Australia, from 24.00$ up to 75.50$ in the United States and from 22.00£ up to 86.50£ 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 13 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
- 4Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6Cosmetic and dermatologic use of alpha hydroxy acidsonlinelibrary.wiley.com
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.