Product Review: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate

Are you equipped with sensitive skin but desirous of your tough-skinned friend’s post-exfoliated glow? Ah, join the club. After a recent bout with self-induced contact dermatitis (I try too many products, what can I say!), I recovered and stumbled upon Kate Somerville ExfoliKate ($85.00, Amazon.com). Filled with gentle fruit enzymes and hydrating lactic acid, I think this sensitive skinned-girl has met her match. For more analysis, read on.

Papaya fruit enzymes

Papaya fruit enzymes are not new to medicine: a 1999 study in Burns reports that papaya fruit extracts are able to help skin after burns, most likely by increasing cell turnover.

Although no studies (at least, which I could find) directly compare the efficacy of exfoliation from papaya fruit enzymes to, say, alpha hydroxy acids or retinoids, it is probably safe to say that papaya fruit enzymes are not as effective. However, that is the beauty of the product: gentle exfoliation. According to Oprah magazine this month, Kate Somerville ExfoliKate gives “a glow” to “sensitive skin”. Very nice.

Lactic acid

Lactic acid is an excellent hydrating ingredient. Extracted from milk, lactic acid is actually the main ingredient in a prescription drug used to treat dry skin, LacHydrin. Lactic acid also gently exfoliates the skin, although to a lesser degree than its other AHA counterpart, glycolic acid. This is because glycolic acid has a smaller molecular structure, which allows it to easily and efficiently penetrate the skin. Still, glycolic acid can be harsh for sensitive skin. Hence, another reason why Kate Somerville ExfoliKate, with lactic acid, is a great exfoliator for sensitive skin!

Bromelain

Bromelain is an ingredient found in pineapple extract. According to a 1988 study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, bromelain modulates tumor growth, blood coagulation, third degree burn debridement, enhances the absorption of drugs, and – significantly for skin care – helps decrease inflammation in the skin. Rather uncommon for skin care, I am excited to see its use in Kate Somerville ExfoliKate.

Who is Kate Somerville?

According to the brand and owner description on BlissWorld.com, Kate Somerville the creator and director of Skin Health Experts, a renowned medi-skin clinic in Los Angeles. Somerville consults with dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons in formulating her products, which I (of course) think is great.

Overall opinions

I love Kate Somerville ExfoliKate as a sensitive skin exfoliant, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a soft glow. My only qualm about the product is the price – I wish that it weren’t $85! Still, I suppose the product should only be used 1-2 times a week anyway, so the jar will last a fairly long time. I say, go for it. Product Rating: 8.5/10 (New technology: 3/3. High concentration of effective ingredients: 3/3. Value for the money: 1.5/3. Sunscreen: not really applicable, so bonus point, haha).

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