Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Glow Moisturizer for dry sensitive skin
Glycolic Acid
Lactic Acid
Squalane
Bromelain
PapainAverage
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate exfoliation for your dry and flaky skin due to lactic acid and glycolic acid, which can potentially lead to dryness and irritation. The formula lacks sufficient emollient and occlusive ingredients like squalane and dimethicone to adequately address your dryness.
- While the product provides excellent moisturizing and exfoliating benefits, the concentrations of lactic acid and glycolic acid may not be ideal for your sensitive skin.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using this moisturizer 3 times a week and move to daily use if your dry skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toner in the morning, or after your serum in the evening. Always pair it with SPF in the morning.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing it harshly to protect your sensitive skin.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help with hydration absorption. This also works well for dry and flaky skin types.
- Do a patch test before your first use. Avoid the eye area to prevent any irritation.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 2.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with dull or uneven skin tone frequently praise this moisturizer for delivering an immediate glow and smoother texture through gentle chemical exfoliation. While highly effective for boosting radiance, those with very dry or sensitive skin sometimes find it insufficiently hydrating for winter months or slightly irritating due to the active ingredients.
Highlights
Instant glow Mostly Mentioned
- “gives such a great glow”
- “skin went from dull to glowing”
- “unrivaled radiance”
- “makeup looks glowy”
Smoother skin Often Mentioned
- “baby smooth skin”
- “improvement in texture”
- “sloughing away dead cells”
- “skin felt smoother after one week”
Gentle exfoliation Sometimes Noted
- “gentle AHAs”
- “doesn't irritate my skin”
- “perfect level of exfoliation”
- “great alternative to scrubs”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells fresh”
- “light citrusy scent”
- “smells like a spa”
- “scent gives a brightening feel”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “pretty pricey”
- “expensive for a moisturizer”
- “wouldn't pay full price”
- “wait for a sale”
Insufficient hydration Sometimes Noted
- “not quite enough for winter”
- “need to use another moisturizer”
- “too light for me”
- “dry skin needs more”
Sensitivity & tingling Rarely Noted
- “tingles a little bit”
- “caused redness”
- “burning sensation”
- “avoid if barrier is damaged”
Texture & absorption Rarely Noted
- “sticky/tacky finish”
- “takes a while to soak in”
- “weird green color”
- “feels like a film”
Sources: lovi.care, katesomerville.com, influenster.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, spacenk.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does ExfoliKate Glow Moisturizer work for dry sensitive skin?
This moisturizer works only moderately well for dry sensitive skin, because the acids may cause irritation and dryness while lacking enough rich oils and protective sealants to fully soothe flaky patches. A better product for this skin type needs deeply nourishing ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture, alongside gentle soothing agents that strengthen the skin barrier without any risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Squalane makes this cream a fit for your dry sensitive skin by helping to keep it soft and smooth. Lactic acid and glycolic acid help remove dry flakes, but they may cause dryness and irritation on sensitive skin. A product for this skin needs plenty of soothing ingredients, gentle hydrators like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, and rich softening ingredients to lock in moisture without any risk of irritation.
What does Glycolic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Glycolic acid can be too harsh for dry sensitive skin and may cause irritation, so this skin type needs gentle calming ingredients and deeply nourishing moisturizers to keep the skin barrier safe and smooth.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1995The British Journal of Dermatology, 1997
What does Lactic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Lactic acid helps hydrate dry skin, but for sensitive skin it may cause stinging and irritation unless it is formulated with soothing ingredients like colloidal oat or tangerine fruit extract to calm discomfort.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This moisturizing treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, starting once a week to lower the chance of irritation. Because this skin needs extra support, a product of this type works best when it includes richer softening and sealing ingredients to deeply comfort and protect dry skin.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
Using this exfoliating cream with retinol is likely to cause extra dryness and irritation on sensitive skin. To use them safely, apply your retinol first, wait for it to absorb, and then follow with a gentle, nourishing moisturizer packed with soothing oils and rich barrier-repairing ingredients to keep your skin soft and calm.
How often should I use this cream?
Start using this exfoliating cream just once a week in the evening, and only use it more often if your skin tolerates it well without dryness or irritation. This type of skin needs a product with much richer moisturizing and soothing ingredients to properly comfort dry and sensitive areas.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry sensitive skin, but the acids in it may lead to some flaking or irritation. A product for this skin needs richer moisturizing ingredients to lock in hydration and soothe sensitivity while it gently smooths.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
This cream is generally intended for facial use, but applying it around the eyes requires caution because eyelid skin is among the thinnest on the body and sensitive to strong exfoliating acids like glycolic acid and lactic acid. A product of this type needs gentler, highly soothing ingredients and rich protective sealants to safely care for delicate eye areas and dry body skin.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (citronellol, citral, limonene, linalool, and geraniol). Myristyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Oral bromelain slightly reduced pain compared to controls (mean difference -0.27) and topical bromelain reduced time to complete debridement by 6.89 days, with no major health risks reported.
Nutrition and Health, 2023An upcycled pineapple leaf fibre crosspolymer forms a physical barrier that protects against environmental aggressors while providing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipollution, UV protection, hydration, and hair benefits.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026A coaxial electrospun core-shell nanofiber scaffold delivering bromelain and salvianolic acid B demonstrated sustained drug release, in vitro endothelial cell migration, increased capillary formation in an in ovo assay, and in vivo efficacy for skin regeneration and wound healing.
Biomedical Materials, 2017Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016A fixed combination of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinol glycospheres, and papain glycospheres in aqueous gel applied once daily for 12 weeks achieved a 41% mean reduction in GAGS score and a 40.8% mean reduction in total lesions, with 15.3% of patients experiencing mild to moderate local side effects, in 94 evaluable patients with comedonal-papular, mild to moderate acne of the face.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Reflux extraction of Carica papaya leaves yielded higher antioxidant capacity and superior in vitro wound-healing activities including fibroblast proliferation, cell migration, and collagen synthesis in human skin fibroblasts compared to ultrasonic-assisted extraction and agitation.
Molecules, 2020
Why other moisturizers fit dry sensitive skin better
Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Nanoemulsions containing Macadamia integrifolia seed oil successfully enhanced skin hydration and reduced wrinkles in human volunteers, outperforming conventional emulsions in skin hydration enhancement.
Nanomaterials, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Isostearyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Squalane, Lactic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Myristyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactobacillus Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Bromelain, Papain, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Yeast Extract, Polysilicone-11, Bergamot Oil Fruit, Rosewood Extract Wood, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Geranium Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Myristyl Glucoside, Cyclohexasiloxane, Peg-40 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta, Maltodextrin, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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