Kate Somerville Kx Active Concentrates Bio-Mimicking Peptides Serum for acne-prone skin
Bio-Mimicking Peptides
Sodium Hyaluronate
Acetyl Glutamine
Spondias Mombin Extract Pulp
Mangifera Indica Extract Pulp
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even better.
- The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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
- This serum offers excellent plumping and firming for your combination skin, as multiple bio-mimicking peptides and sodium hyaluronate work synergistically to improve elasticity and volume. The inclusion of zinc PCA also aids in seboregulation, making it highly suitable for your skin type. Additionally, peptides like Sh-Polypeptide-1 and Sh-Oligopeptide-2 support skin repair and regeneration, offering benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts. The product demonstrates a high safety profile with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like panthenol and sodium hyaluronate.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsUsers with mature, dry, or dull skin frequently praise this serum for its ability to visibly smooth fine lines and improve skin elasticity, often describing a "tightening" effect. While many appreciate its lightweight, hydrating texture and lack of irritation, a significant number of reviewers feel the high price tag is not justified by the results, and recent feedback suggests the product may be difficult to find or discontinued.
Highlights
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “Smooths fine lines”
- “Softens skin”
- “Evens tone”
Lightweight hydration Often Mentioned
- “Absorbs quickly”
- “Non-greasy”
- “Dewy finish”
High price Often Mentioned
- “Better alternatives exist”
Firming effect Sometimes Noted
- “Tighter skin”
- “Botox in a bottle”
- “Improves elasticity”
Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
- “Non-irritating”
- “Safe for sensitive skin”
- “No breakouts”
Availability issues Sometimes Noted
- “Hard to find”
- “Discontinued”
- “Out of stock”
Lack of results Sometimes Noted
- “No visible difference”
- “Average performance”
- “Overhyped”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Rancid smell”
- “Weird odor”
- “Bad batch”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, dermstore.com, reddit.com, thingtesting.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Kate Somerville Bio-Mimicking Peptides Serum a great fit for acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit because zinc PCA helps balance oil, while peptides support skin repair and help keep breakouts calm. It is very safe for this skin, with soothing panthenol and sodium hyaluronate to help prevent any irritation.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because the zinc PCA helps manage oil, while peptides support skin repair and help clear up blemishes. Soothing ingredients like panthenol and sodium hyaluronate also keep the formula very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
What do Bio-Mimicking Peptides do for acne-prone skin?
Bio-Mimicking Peptides help calm redness and support skin recovery, making it easier for acne-prone skin to feel smooth and balanced. They work alongside your skin's natural healing process to keep your face looking clear and healthy. A product for this skin type also needs soothing ingredients like niacinamide or green tea extract to reduce irritation.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps acne-prone skin by soothing irritation, calming redness, and keeping the skin balanced without clogging pores. When combined with targeted ingredients like zinc oxide, it may also help reduce breakouts.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Putting it in the evening keeps things simple and helps avoid any extra sun sensitivity.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the treatment after cleansing and before your moisturizer in your evening routine, keeping watch for any sensitivity. Soothing ingredients like panthenol help keep this product gentle on your skin while you use active routines.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum is used in your evening routine, applying it once a day for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It is very gentle on acne-prone skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit and is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on your skin because it features soothing ingredients like panthenol and zinc PCA that help calm and balance oil. It has a high safety profile with no harsh components, so you can use it comfortably.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol).
What the research says
Topical nicotinamide plus an antibacterial adhesive agent and zinc-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with adapalene significantly reduced noninflammatory acne lesions by the second week of therapy compared to placebo with adapalene in patients with moderate acne vulgaris.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Mangifera indica extract-loaded green nanolipid carriers in topical emulsion amplified overall antioxidant effectiveness and antiaging activity compared to vehicle in human volunteers over three months.
Biomedicines, 2022Mangifera indica extract reduced lipid production by 40% in sebocytes, improved sebum quality and quantity in Caucasian volunteers, reduced porphyrins expression, and decreased C. acnes lipase activity by 29% compared to placebo while protecting microbiota equilibrium.
Molecules, 2022Mango butter-based foot care cream repaired worn and cracked skin in all human volunteers and exhibited a significant healing response in rat excision and incision wound models compared to untreated conditions.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2008
Ingredients
Water, Ppg-24-Glycereth-24, Glycerin, Propanediol, Spondias Mombin Extract Pulp, Mangifera Indica Extract Pulp, Musa Sapientum Extract Pulp, Acetyl Glutamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acer Rubrum Extract, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Panthenol, Cichorium Intybus Leaf Extract, Zinc Pca, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycine Soja Seed Extract Soybean Seed Extract, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bacillus Folic Acid Extract Ferment, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Silica, Adenosine, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Capryl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.