Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-aging
- Moisturizing
- Anti-blemish
- Evens skin tone
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: medium
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Key actives
Product Summary
"Kate Somerville - MEGA-A Skin Transforming Serum" is effective for: Anti-aging, Moisturizing, Anti-blemish and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- this product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinal 0.55% - 0.85%. Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily.
- Adenosine 0.50% - 0.80%. It is a chemical present inside our skin cells. A clinical trial confirmed that topical application of Adenosine in a low concentration can reduce dynamic wrinkles (these are the wrinkles that appear with age in a places where our mimic is the most active, for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead).
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.70% - 2.00%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
- Humectants (polyglutamic acid 0.35% - 0.60% and panthenol 1.70% - 2.00%). 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.
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Retinal | Firm and smooth skin faster and more effectively than Retinol.
Source: N/A
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinal, adenosine.
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.
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
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)
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
Anti-blemish
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinal. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
Evens skin tone
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinal.
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.
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Squalane | Enhance radiance with an additional layer of moisture, while promoting firmness and a balanced skin microbiome.
Source: N/A
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:
polyglutamic acid, propylene glycol.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
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
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
A product of yeast fermentation. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
Help soften the upper layer of the skin
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture
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)
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
An algae extract that might have anti-oxidant properties
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
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
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 100/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
Kate Somerville MEGA-A Skin Transforming Serum | Current | $84.00 | |
celimax The Vita-A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster | 83% | $17.95 | |
Arencia Rice Mucin Glow Serum | 80% | $19.50 | |
Meditherapy Retinal Skin Booster Serum | 77% | - | |
Theramid A-Retinoate | 77% | $4800.00 | |
Dr.G RTX INTO SERUM PEPTISHOT | 76% | $30.10 |
Key Actives
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
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)
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
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
A product of yeast fermentation. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
Potential irritants
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
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
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
Used to improve stability of the formulation
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
Comedogenic ingredients
An algae extract that might have anti-oxidant properties
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
All ingredients
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
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
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
Help soften the upper layer of the skin
A product of yeast fermentation. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
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)
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
An algae extract that might have anti-oxidant properties
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
Used to improve stability of the formulation
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product texture
A mineral that is used as an optical filter (makes the skin looks nicer through light reflection) and to improve the texture of cosmetic products
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
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
Ingredient list view
Water, Squalane, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Propanediol, Hydrogenated ethylhexyl olivate, Rosa moschata seed oil, Panthenol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Propylene glycol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated olive oil unsaponifiables, Saccharomyces ferment, Hydroxyapatite, Retinal, Mauritia flexuosa fruit oil, Adenosine, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, Crithmum maritimum extract, Sodium lauroyl glutamate, Glyceryl stearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Stearic acid, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Polysilicone-11, Polyglutamic acid, Polyisobutene, Lauroyl lysine, Peg-7 trimethylolpropane coconut ether, Xanthan gum, Synthetic fluorphlogopite, Sorbitan isostearate, 1,2-hexanediol, Tocopherol, Citric acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
- Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations
- Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics
- Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitis
- Propylene Glycol
- Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycol
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety
- Evaluation of anti-wrinkle efficacy of adenosine-containing products using the FOITS technique
- γ‐Polyglutamic Acid Produced by Bacillus Subtilis (Natto): Structural Characteristics, Chemical Properties and Biological Functionalities
- Natural and edible biopolymer poly‐γ‐glutamic acid: synthesis, production, and applications
- Final report of the cosmetic ingredient review expert panel on the safety assessment of Polyisobutene and Hydrogenated Polyisobutene as used in cosmetics
- The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health