KATE SOMERVILLE ON THE SECRET TO FLAWLESS SKIN

Ask a hundred people how to get flawless skin - and you’ll get a hundred different answers. From hyaluronic acid serums to vitamin C masks, there’s not a single skincare product that isn’t promising you the gift of hydrated, plump, glowing and blemish-free skin. Simply proving that the entire beauty industry is unified in the quest for flawless skin. But if you’re looking for expert advice you can trust, there is no better person than Kate Somerville.

For the uninitiated, Kate Somerville is a skincare oracle with more than 25 years behind her. She has a clinic in LA, where she boasts innovative technology and is responsible for some of the greatest skin in Hollywood (Jessica Alba, Olivia Wilde, Kate Hudson, Kirsten Dunst and Meghan Markle...to name but a few.) Oh, and she also runs her own highly coveted skincare label with each product designed specifically to give salon results at home. However, what really sets Kate Somerville skincare apart is a scientific approach paired with Kate’s genuine desire for women to have better, healthier skin. Here, she reveals her skincare secrets…

Q: TALK US THROUGH YOUR CAREER PATH – WHAT LEAD YOU TO SKINCARE?

A: “Growing up, I personally had Eczema so was always trying to heal my own skin which is what led and drove me to understand different skin conditions, and how to treat them to help others. So, I went to esthetic school to get my qualifications and then created a business plan to do skincare and treatments inside doctor’s offices. I took my plan and pitched it to all the doctors in my small town and ended up working with one of the best surgeons in the industry doing pre and post-operative skincare. One thing led to another, and I then started to create my own skincare line just through the needs of my clients and pioneered medical-grade products with lasers, injectables, and advanced skin services.”

Q: WHEN DID YOU FIRST FALL IN LOVE WITH BEAUTY?

A: “As a little girl, my favourite thing to do was play with Barbie, I was obsessed! I was a young girl being raised by my dad and had super frizzy hair, no hair straighteners so would do my hair with an actual iron to make it look straight and smooth…crazy! As I mentioned, I had trouble with Eczema which I was embarrassed by as an athlete, so I was always looking for products to help me in my teens which is what led me to fall in love with skincare trying SO many different products over the years.”

Q: LOOKING BACK ON YOUR CAREER THUS FAR, WHAT HAS BEEN A HIGH POINT FOR YOU?

A: “Having a goal of creating a brand that would go worldwide, and watching it happen...creating something amazing, and then launching in Australia and the UK and Ireland has just been an incredible journey. It’s still such a ‘pinch me’ moment when strangers find out I am Kate Somerville, and they tell me my products have helped transform their skin. That’s what keeps me going, it’s the best feeling to know you helped change someone’s life through the power of skincare.”

Q: WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

A: “It first starts with waking up with all my animals; my kitty Gracie on my head, my puppy Hakuna wrapped around my legs and my other two dogs on the end of the bed. Then I get up and have a cup of coffee and sit quietly whilst I look out at the ocean. Then it really depends on my day, I might head into LA to our office or the clinic to work on new product development or exciting new treatments and technology.”

Q: WHAT ARE 3 THINGS YOU DO EVERY DAY, NO MATTER YOUR MOOD OR HOW BUSY YOU MIGHT BE?

1. Doing my hair and makeup and putting on a cute outfit, this just helps me feel ready for anything!
2. Always taking a daily walk or doing exercise to keep my body moving
3. Reading at least a chapter of a book every day.

Those are my 3 daily non-negotiables to keep my mind and body healthy.

Q: WHAT’S THE KATE SOMERVILLE PRODUCT EVERYONE SHOULD OWN?

A: “There are so many to choose from! ExfoliKate Intensive, Peptide K8, and DeliKate Recovery serum; those are my top picks everyone should try.”

Q: IS THERE ALSO AN UNSUNG HERO WITHIN THE RANGE WE REALLY NEED TO TRY AND WHY?

A: “My Retinol & Vitamin C Moisturiser. If you want massive skin transformations, this is the product for you. It contains not just one, but two, powerhouse ingredients for age-repair and skin transformations. Retinol & Vitamin C are the dream team for treating a whole host of concerns, and in this product, you get both!”

Q: DO YOU HAVE TECHNIQUES OR APPLICATION TIPS TO MAXIMISE YOUR PRODUCTS’ EFFICACY?

A: “My top tip is always to apply my products down your neck and onto your chest as well as your face and finish with the back of your hands too. These areas are always forgotten about, and just applying the excess product to those areas will make a big difference. Another great one is applying eye cream on your lip lines as well to help minimise those!”

Q: WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST SKINCARE SECRET?

A: “Peptides, of course! But it's not a secret anymore because I bottled it for everyone to be able to share the secret at home. I have been using Peptides since I was in my 20s, and my skin has seen a lot of sun throughout the years, so I honestly credit the condition of my skin to being religious with peptides for so many years as their benefits are countless.”

Q: IS THERE SUCH A THING AS TOO MUCH SKINCARE?

A: “Yes! You don’t need 11 steps, 5-6 steps are plenty to get great results. You can actually overstimulate the skin and end up doing the opposite of what you had hoped for if you overdo it. A really good regimen with fewer steps is plenty, less is more sometimes.”

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