10 Skincare Lessons With Kate Somerville

“I’ve always been big on hydration as I’m an eczema sufferer. When I was younger, I had a dermatologist tell me to take lukewarm baths twice a day, and then immediately apply a gentle lotion to seal moisture in, so I’ve always been vigilant about this. For a long time, I thought water was the only answer to hydration, but physical hydration on the body is key. I often tell my celebrity clients that if they are travelling, they should shower or steam their skin post-flight and pre-make-up so they stay hydrated.”

“Cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, moisturise and protect. If you’re ever in doubt, this is the mantra and routine to follow – no matter your skin type. You may want to switch exfoliation in and out as needed, but the rest should be non-negotiable steps. You can be on a tight budget and still find products that fit within these steps to get the most out of your routine.”

“Obviously, everyone’s skin type differs, but I have sensitive, menopausal skin which is now very dry. Because of this, I don’t cleanse in the morning, and if you’re like me, I advise doing the same. Why? Because it quickly strips away natural oils and the chances are you already cleansed the night before. Instead, first thing, I apply a serum, moisturiser and SPF in light, thin layers. Night-time is when the heavy-duty formulas come in. I’ll do my exfoliating treatment – normally with my own ExfoliKate Intensive Resurfacing Treatment – and then a retinal or a vitamin C, depending on which my skin needs most. You don’t always need both at the same time. Night-time is best for these types of ingredients and formulas, as they then absorb overnight, instead of becoming weakened to any daytime UV.”

“One is the Curel Body Lotion – in fact, the entire range is incredible. If you have sensitivities or eczema, you need to try it. I often buy myself back-up bottles to ensure I never run out. It inspired me to launch our Goat Milk formula as a body lotion too. Another product I swear by is Neosporin. It’s not available in the UK, but if you’re ever visiting the US, I recommend picking it up. It’s an antibacterial ointment and it’s so soothing, but it also gives a nice little glow to the skin. I use it on my nose before flying too – it’s great for keeping germs at bay. It honestly heals everything.

“I always say to clients, there’s no point buying or investing in skincare until you’ve assessed – or had an assessment – of what you actually need. We are all so different and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Skin changes throughout your life, so it pays to adapt your routine when you feel you need to. I also believe in changing your routine with the seasons – this isn’t a marketing gimmick, skin is drier in winter and in need of more TLC, so why wouldn’t you switch formulas in and out to comfort it?”

“There are so many now, so I understand when clients say they feel overwhelmed. There are three I think are the worthiest investment: peptides, retinal and hyaluronic acid. As I’ve said, it does depend on your needs, but these are the ones worth the hype. That said, just because you have breakouts, don’t use retinal without taking proper advice. If anything, those with breakouts should first invest in sulphur-based formulas or a time-released benzoyl as both work efficiently but don’t cause redness or irritation. I also really recommend our EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser – I am biased, but I believe it can completely transform acne or breakout-prone skin.”

“I see Kelly and Giselle at my Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts Clinic. I love how they work and I often opt for laser on top of a signature facial. I am a big believer in light, gentle laser treatments. They are brilliant for keeping skin looking smooth, without causing damage or being overly invasive – you look so good after a gentle bout of laser, trust me.”

“I am quite frightened by the uptick in AHA and BHA use in younger children. Less is always more. Go overboard and you will cause damage – no doubt about it. If your skin is already healthy and just in need of the odd thing here and there, you will just beat up your microbiome if you go overboard. Younger children should only ever use actives if they have a problem like acne, and even then, that should be prescribed or administered by an expert.” 

“Your skin does change as you get older. For example, collagen and elastin reduce over time, especially during the menopause, so your skin can become dehydrated and have weakened skin elasticity. Although it’s inevitable, you can help bolster your skin’s resilience by incorporating a few self-care practices that prioritise your skin’s health: avoid drinking alcohol excessively, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, don’t smoke, and avoid excess stress – all easier said than done, but if you can, you will see an improved glow. It’s also a good time in your life to ensure you’re incorporating peptides, retinal, and vitamin C (if you can tolerate it) alongside your ‘five daily dos’ – which I mentioned earlier – as these are clinically proven to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles, while fading any dark spots which increase with age.”

“So many people think that a retinoid will make your skin more sensitive to the sun, but it’s not true. Yes, UV can make it less effective and destabilise its efficacy, but retinal won’t cause any sun damage if you’re applying SPF correctly too. It’s something I hear all the time and would like to debunk once and for all. There are so many good formulas out there now too which are gentler, lower in percentage, and designed to be applied day and night for maximum results.”

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