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Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Glow Moisturizer for oily acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Glow Moisturizer

Average

  • SuperiorOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily acne-prone skin; other moisturizers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 oily skin, with lactic acid and glycolic acid helping to regulate desquamation and improve texture, though these ingredients are not specifically targeted for acne concerns.
  • The inclusion of Lactobacillus Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate and bromelain provides additional enzymatic exfoliation, which is generally beneficial for oily skin types.
  • The product is safe for your skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like Lactobacillus Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate and Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, and lacks harsh or prohibited substances.

How to apply

  • Use this AM and PM routine every day to help clear your skin. Always remember to finish with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply the moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your SPF during the day.
  • Gently press a small amount into your skin and avoid rubbing to keep pores clear.
  • Apply on clean, slightly damp skin to help the product absorb better and control oil.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a simple patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 2.8k+ reviews

Based 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 oily acne-prone skin?

This moisturizer works reasonably well for oily skin, as it provides moderate exfoliation and smoothing with lactic acid, glycolic acid, and fruit enzymes, though it is not specifically targeted for acne. To fit this skin even better, a product needs powerful hydrating and repairing ingredients that address acne and blemishes without adding excess oil, combined with peptides and lightweight textures that support the skin barrier.

Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Lactic acid, glycolic acid, and bromelain make this moisturizer a reasonable fit by smoothing texture and helping with oily skin, though this skin type needs products that specifically target acne, clear blemishes, and use lightweight hydrating ingredients without heavy oils.

What does Glycolic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and soothing breakouts. It exfoliates the surface to keep pores clear and leaves the skin feeling smooth.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Dermatologic Surgery, 2014

What does Lactic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Lactic acid helps oily acne-prone skin by gently clearing pores and reducing breakouts, which supports a smoother and clearer face. Using appropriate cosmetic acids helps calm red bumps and works well alongside acne treatments.

Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift Fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und Verwandte Gebiete, 2010Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023

Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, starting once a week to see how your skin tolerates it. Oily acne-prone skin also needs products with salicylic acid or niacinamide to specifically target breakouts.

Can I use this moisturizer with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying your retinol first and following with the moisturizer to keep your skin calm and hydrated. Oily acne-prone skin needs a product of this type to include ingredients that target breakouts alongside gentle exfoliants.

How often should I use it?

Start by using this treatment once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. This product is safe for your skin, containing soothing ingredients and lacking harsh substances.

Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your oily acne-prone skin, as it has a safe makeup with soothing ingredients and no harsh substances. However, because it includes exfoliating acids, it may cause mild tingling or purging as it helps improve your skin texture. An oily acne-prone skin often needs targeted acne-fighting ingredients and lightweight hydration to keep pores clear and calm.

Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?

This moisturizer is generally formulated for facial use, and applying it around the eyes or on the body requires caution because the skin around the eyes is exceptionally thin. While the product is safe and soothing overall, it contains active exfoliating acids and enzymes that may irritate delicate areas like the eyelids or sensitive body skin if used improperly. To care for thin or body skin safely, a product of this type needs ultra-gentle hydrators, soothing botanicals, and lighter concentrations that respect skin thickness without causing irritation.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this moisturizer 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

  • Oral 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, 2023

  • 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, 2000

  • Serial 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, 2017

  • Application 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, 2004

  • Topical 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, 1992

  • A 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, 2020

  • Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2025

  • Plant-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, 2025

  • An 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, 2026

  • A 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, 2017

  • Exposure to a Kiperin Bromelain & Papain complex at 2.5 µg/mL increased cell viability, altered wound closure, decreased inflammation-related gene expression, and increased skin barrier/keratinization gene expression in CCD-18Co colon fibroblasts, HME-1 mammary epithelial cells, and HaCaT keratinocytes.

    Scientific Reports, 2026

  • Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.

    Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016

  • A 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, 2015

  • Reflux 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 oily acne-prone skin better

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play