Behind The Brand: Kate Somerville

kate somerville

We’re delighted to welcome highly acclaimed celebrity skincare brand Kate Somerville to our fold. We got up close and personal to find out how Kate’s childhood struggle with problematic skin led to her 25 years’ experience as a skin health clinician and how her mission to achieve complexion perfection resulted in her cutting-edge eponymous skincare line.

In The Beginning…

Kate’s interest in skincare started from a very early age and was prompted by her personal struggle with eczema and skin sensitivity. “My relationship with my skin has been a lifelong battle. I grew up with eczema and suffered from dry, itchy patches on my hands, arms, scalp, and face. Sometimes my skin would get so dry and inflamed it would crack and bleed,” she explains. Over the years, Kate sought advice from doctors and dermatologists who prescribed various creams to help supress the itching, but nothing ever cured the wounds. Kate’s lightbulb moment occurred when her mum poured goat’s milk into her bath water and she witnessed, first-hand, the soothing effect it had on her skin. From this moment, Kate realised that there were certain ingredients that really could make a difference and  aged 20 decided to study to become a skin aesthetician. Her career started in the medical field and saw her working alongside cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists and here, Kate learned a lot about the efficacy of ingredients and how certain things, such as vitamin C, retinoic acid and alpha hydroxy acids could give clients the visible results clients were looking for. Today, Kate’s mission to heal and transform other people’s skin is a very personal one, “I can look at someone and know what they’re going through,” she says, “I understand what it feels like to be uncomfortable in your own skin.”

The Secret to Sensitive Skin

When it comes to sensitivity, Kate is a great advocate of getting to know your skin and taking the time to test and trial ingredients to see what works for you. “Don’t be afraid to mix it up and experiment with new products”, she advises, “this is the best way to understand your skin.” When it comes to transforming skin and achieving complexion perfection, her philosophy is less about religious cleansing, toning and moisturising, but instead focuses on exfoliation and hydration.

If your skin is sensitive, Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser is a great place to start. Inspired by Kate’s a-ha moment, this innovative creamy cleanser is infused with soothing goat’s milk and gently removes impurities and makeup without stripping skin of essential moisture. Follow with Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream, which also contains goat’s milk as well natural milk proteins and a rich blend of jojoba and avocado oils and leaves skin feeling soft, supple and comforted.

Product Formulation

Kate’s passion for product development began when she was in the treatment room, working alongside a doctor preparing clients’ skin for surgery and laser treatment followed by post-procedural care. Looking back, Kate likened herself to a carpenter without their hammer or nails and became frustrated at the fact that she was constantly mixing and matching product lines to get results. “I just didn’t have the right tools I needed to do the best job by my clients, so that’s why I started to develop my own product collection,” she explains.

When Kate set about creating her skincare line, she wanted to create an over-arching treatment to save people from having to visit their doctor or dermatologist as well as their facialist. The result is a range of skincare that bridges the gap between minor medical procedures, such as lasers and injectables, and therapeutic beauty treatments. Wrinkle Warrior Dermal Quench is a great example of how Kate’s skincare line spans both the clinical and beauty world. Inspired by a clinical treatment whereby oxygen is pumped into the skin, this unique serum spray can be applied directly onto the skin and penetrates deep into the dermis to plump and hydrate fine lines and wrinkles.

Why Space NK Loves Kate Somerville

Kate Somerville skincare is the perfect balance of hardworking active ingredients and soothing botanicals. When formulating a product, Kate looks to create cutting-edge treatments that are clinically proven to deliver transformative results but are also balanced with botanicals and healing herbs to calm skin and show it some TLC. Kate refers to this concept as ‘Active Balance’ and describes how it’s about seeing results in minutes of using the product, but also giving long-term love. “With over 20 years’ experience working in a clinic, I know what changes skin, so my products contain effective ingredients that truly transform. However, I also want to balance these active ingredients out with botanicals, because I know from first-hand experience that nature also heals.”

kate somerville

Must-Try Skincare From Kate Somerville

EradiKate Acne Treatment
Formulated for blemish-prone skin, this targeted spot treatment contains the highest level of sulphur in order to reduce blemishes and keep skin clear of fresh breakouts. AHAs work to reduce the appearance of pores while zinc oxide, a natural mineral, provides oil control by absorbing excess sebum production.

Kate Somerville

ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
In just two minutes, this dual-action exfoliator containing both physical and enzymatic exfoliants works to remove dead skin cells and reveal a radiant and decongested complexion.

Kate Somerville

Peptide K8 Power Cream
This high-performance, age-defense moisturiser is a specially formulated blend of ceramide, peptide and oligopeptide and helps to diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin’s tone and texture.

Kate Somerville

ExfoliKate Glow Moisturizer
Perfect for lacklustre skin, this illuminating moisturiser reduces surface dullness, uneven skin texture and the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Skin feels softer and smoother after just one application.

Kate Somerville