+Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer

Kate Somerville

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Kate Somerville +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer is a moisturizer. Our analysis of its 43 ingredients (34 low-risk) rates it Excellent (92/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Moisturizers
Ingredients
43
Low-risk
34
Fragrance
Contains fragrance
Origin
United States

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 14/9
Good for dry skin
Glyceryl Stearate Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone Cetearyl Alcohol Cetyl Alcohol Cetyl Esters Stearyl Alcohol Arachidyl Alcohol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Glycerin Cocoglycerides Tridecyl Neopentanoate Hyaluronic Acid Dimethicone
Caution for dry skin
Cetyl Alcohol Stearyl Alcohol Glycerin t-Butyl Alcohol PPG-26-Buteth-26 Ceteareth-20 Polysorbate 20 PEG-40 Stearate PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 1/0
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Retinol
Sensitive Skin 6/13
Good for sensitive skin
Glycerin Physalis Angulata Extract Dimethicone Tocopheryl Acetate BHT BHA
Caution for sensitive skin
Cetyl Alcohol Stearyl Alcohol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Glycerin t-Butyl Alcohol Citric Acid PPG-26-Buteth-26 PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Linalool Limonene BHT Retinol BHA

Ingredients list

43 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (9)
All43 Skin Conditioning27 Fragrance13 Emollient12 Viscosity Increasing Agent10 Emulsifying10 Emulsion Stabilising9 Viscosity Controlling8 Solvent7
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
1
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Viscosity Increasing Agent)
1
A
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
(Emollient, Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
1
Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Cetearyl Alcohol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Opacifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasingagent Aqueous, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Cocoglycerides
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
B
Cetyl Esters
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient)
PARFUM
(Fragrance, Perfuming)
1
A
Stearyl Alcohol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Fragrance, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Foambooster, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Foam Boosting, Masking, Opacifying, Refatting, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Glyceryl Stearate
(Emollient, Emulsifying)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
3
A
Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
Silicone
Silicone
1
Tridecyl Neopentanoate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Binding)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
2
A
PPG-26-Buteth-26
(Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone
(Film Forming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient)
9
A
Retinol
(Skin Conditioning)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
ASCORBIC ACID
(Antioxidant, Buffering, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
3
Tocopheryl Acetate
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
1
A
Panthenol
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
Physalis Angulata Extract
(Skin Protecting)
Volcanic Soil
(Skin Conditioning)
TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
1
Adenosine
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Hyaluronic Acid
(Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Antistatic Agent, Humectant, Moisturising)
1
A
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Amylopectin
(Binding Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Viscosity Controlling)
3
A
PEG-40 Stearate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
3
B
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
(Fragrance, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Perfuming)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
1,2-Hexanediol
(Solvent)
1
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
3
B
Polysorbate 20
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
3
B
Ceteareth-20
(Cleansing, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
Polysilicone-11
(Film Forming)
1
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
(Chelating Agent)
1
Arachidyl Alcohol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Viscosity Controlling)
2
A
t-Butyl Alcohol
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Solvent, Perfuming)
5
7
BHA
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
2
A
Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Cetyl Alcohol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Fragrance, Opacifying, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
6
A
BHT
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Masking)
5
Linalool
(Fragrance, Deodorant, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
6
Limonene
(Deodorant, Perfuming, Solvent)
Allergens
Allergens

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Antioxidants
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Vitamin E
Protects skin and soothes irritation.
Retinoid
Visibly reduces the signs of aging.
Vitamin C
Brightens, evens tone, and supports collagen.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hydrates by attracting and holding water.

Benefits

HydratingBoosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Scar HealingImproves the look of marks and scars.
Barrier RepairStrengthen and restore your skin's natural barrier.
Anti-AgingSoftens lines and helps skin look youthful.
BrighteningRestores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Dark SpotsFades dark spots for even skin tone.
Reduces IrritationEases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Good For Oily SkinBalances oil and helps reduce shine.

Concerns

Contains silicone
Contains eu allergen
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
Retinol — higher EWG
BHA — higher EWG
May not suit sensitive skin

EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioningEmollientViscosity increasing agent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Emollient, Masking
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientMaskingPerfumingSkin conditioningSolvent
Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity decreasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 SolventViscosity decreasing agentViscosity controlling
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emulsion stabilising, Opacifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Emulsion stabilisingOpacifyingFoam boostingViscosity increasingagent - aqueousViscosity increasing agentEmollientEmulsifyingViscosity controlling
Cetyl Esters
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Skin conditioningEmollient
PARFUM
Fragrance, Perfuming
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragrancePerfuming
Stearyl Alcohol
Emulsion stabilising, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Emulsion stabilisingFragranceEmulsifyingSurfactant- foamboosterViscosity increasing agentEmollientFoam boostingMaskingOpacifyingRefattingViscosity controlling
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Fragrance, Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A FragranceHair conditioningSkin conditioningEmulsifyingSurfactant
Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Film forming, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Film formingSkin conditioningEmollient
ASCORBIC ACID
Antioxidant, Buffering
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AntioxidantBufferingFragranceSkin conditioning
Physalis Angulata Extract
Skin protecting
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin protecting
Volcanic Soil
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
TOCOPHEROL
Antioxidant, Fragrance
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AntioxidantFragranceSkin conditioning
Adenosine
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioning
+ 12 more — see the full ingredients list above
Cocoglycerides
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningEmollientEmulsifying Fungal-acne trigger
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientEmulsifying Fungal-acne trigger
Dimethicone
Antifoaming agent, Skin protecting
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Antifoaming agentSkin protectingEmollientSkin conditioning Silicone
Tridecyl Neopentanoate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioningEmollientBinding Bad for Sensitive Skin
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
Retinol
Skin conditioning
Potentially a skin irritantRead moreShow less
EWG 9 CIR A Skin conditioning Bad for Sensitive Skin
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin conditioning
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 3 AntioxidantSkin conditioning Bad for Oily Skin
Panthenol
Antistatic agent, Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Antistatic agentHair conditioningSkin conditioning Good for Dry Skin
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Fragrance, Emulsifying
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B FragranceEmulsifyingSurfactantPerfuming Fungal-acne trigger
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
BHA
Antioxidant, Fragrance
Higher-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5–7 AntioxidantFragranceMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin
Citric Acid
Chelating agent, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Chelating agentFragrancePh adjusterBuffering agentMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin
BHT
Antioxidant, Fragrance
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 6 CIR A AntioxidantFragranceMasking
Linalool
Fragrance, Deodorant
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5 FragranceDeodorantMasking Allergens
+ 1 more — see the full ingredients list above

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply near the end of your routine, after thinner serums.
  • 2 Evening: Use at night — start 2–3× a week and build up as your skin tolerates it.
  • 3 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Often avoided
Retinoids (Vitamin A) (Retinol)

Topical retinoids (retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl esters) are widely advised against in pregnancy as a precaution. The strongest evidence is for ORAL retinoids; topical absorption is low, but most clinicians err on the side of caution.

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Retinoids (Vitamin A) 0.01–1%

Most studied between 0.1% and 1%. Higher is not automatically better — irritation climbs with dose, so a well-formulated lower strength is often the sweet spot.

Retinol

Vitamin C (ascorbic) 5–20%

L-ascorbic acid is usually used at 5–20% (around 10–15% is common). Above ~20% adds little and tends to irritate more; it also needs a low pH to work.

ASCORBIC ACID

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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