Almost every year as summer is departing, I find myself one of the few people begging it to stay. However, given that this past summer was spent on and off through hellish heatwaves, I can say I’m for once ready for it just to be fall. With the changing of seasons, I often find myself switching up a bit of skincare routine in order to accommodate the different weather that my skin endures.

Cool weather leaves my skin drier, and the shortening days means that my glowy tan is starting to fade. Not to fear, though! With the help from Influenster and Kate Sommerville, hydrated and glowing skin can still be prolonged through the cooler months ahead. I was sent the ExfoliKate® Glow Moisturizer along with some samples from the rest of the ExfoliKate® line to share my thoughts on today.

ExfoliKate® VoxBox

Glow Moisturizer

• Formula – This is a very liquidy and slippery feeling cream. It feels gel or water based as opposed to the typical lotion like cream. This is my preference for formula textures so I really enjoy this. What I find most surprising though, is that all of the ExfoliKate® products are green! Given the ingredients and packaging, I surprised by the color. I had just assumed that they would be orange, but it’s not a huge deal.  4/5
• Ingredients – From Sephora website:
  • Key Ingredients 5/5
  • Glycolic and Lactic Acid (Natural AHAs): Help loosen and slough away dead surface skin cells revealing a smoother, glowing complexion.
  • Papaya, Pineapple, and Pumpkin Enzymes: Help enhance skin exfoliation.
  • Opuntia Ficus-indica (Napol Cactus) Fruit Extract: Derived from the fermentation of the whole cactus plant; helps to reduce any potential irritation caused by AHAs.
  • Full List
  • 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, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Polysilicone-11, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Myristyl Glucoside, Cyclohexasiloxane, PEG-40 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Maltodextrin, Chlorophyllin-Copper

• Scent – All of these products smell strangely of pumpkin spice. It’s a basic b*tch’s PSL dream. 2.5/5
• Packaging – This product comes in a gorgeous luxurious frosted glass tub. It’s not very sanitary or travel friendly, but it looks great on your counter or vanity. 3.5/5
• Effectiveness – A little goes a long way to hydrate your skin. A dime-sized amount is enough moisture for my entire face. I also wake up with brighter skin from using this skincare system overall. I wouldn’t say that just this moisturizer is enough to give you the full glow, but it definitely helps to reduce some hyper-pigmentation. 4/5

 Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash

• Formula – This is a pretty standard facial formula. It’s a gel that foams when worked into the skin. Nothing too special. 3/5
• Ingredients – From Sephora website:
  • Key Ingredients 5/5
  • Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid: Refine the appearance of pores and helps clear buildup on skin’s surface.
  • Pineapple, Pumpkin, and Papaya Enzymes: Purify without over-drying, leaving skin feeling soft and moisturized
  • Full List
  • Water, Stearic Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Cetearyl Phosphate, Xylitylglucoside, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Bromelain, Papain, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Lauramide DIPA, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex (CI 75810), Maltodextrin.

• Scent – This one smells less of pumpkin than the other two products, but still like PSL. 3/5
• Packaging – This product comes in a squeeze tube which is nice and sanitary. This sample size is also great for travel. 3/5
• Effectiveness – Out of all the products, I think this one is the least remarkable. It’s a pretty generic cleanser that I don’t see many benefits from aside from it being a part of the collection. 2/5

Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

• Formula – This is a slightly gritty formula that helps physically and chemically exfoliate dead skin. The product is a pretty tightly packed and not very runny, which is nice so it stays on your face. The grit is nice and even so the edges don’t fee jagged against your skin. It is also is the greenest of all the products. 4/5
• Ingredients – From Sephora website:
  • Key Ingredients
  • -Papaya, Pineapple, and Pumpkin Enzymes: Formulated for natural exfoliation of dead skin cells, without over-drying.
    -Lactic Acid: Acts as a natural AHA skin exfoliator.
    -Rosewood and Cinnamon Extracts: Address dull skin.
    -Vitamin A: Provides antioxidant benefits.
  • Full List
  • Water, Lactic Acid, Silica, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Pectin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit, Ceteareth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Alcohol Denat., Sorbic Acid, Cinnamal, Honey/Mel/Miel, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Eugenol, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Beta-Carotene, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Bromelain, Papain, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Acetic Acid, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil.
• Packaging – Squeeze tube and size are perfect for hygiene and travel. 3/5
• Scent – Out of the three, this is the one most PSL smelling, especially because of the cinnamon extract. I can picture the UGG boots and messy buns after getting a whiff of this. 2.5/5
• Effectiveness – Out of all the three products, this one happens to be my favorite. I see why it is so hyped up to begin with. This “two-minute facial” really gives you an intense glow. My skin feels infinitely smoother and clearer in the morning, after using this. Makeup applies over my skin seamlessly after doing this treatment at night. It also helps with hyper-pigmentation and congestion. Those with sensitive skin, beware though! This is a highly INTENSE treatment. 5/5

Conclusion

Pros:

• Free of Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates
• Great for dullness, hyper-pigmentation, and dry skin.
• The ingredient content has some high quality acids (AHA, Lactic, Glycolic) that are almost as good as seeing a dermatologist.
• The system creates the perfect base for makeup!

Cons:

• Not for sensitive skin types. This is a very intense regimen and if you do not react well to acids or are prone to redness, irritation, or burning, this is not the system for you. Can also cause some dryness, even if recommended for dry skin. There is a sensitive version of the Intensive Exfoliation Treatment, though.
• The price point is in the upper-end of the mid-level tier. It’s not all excessively luxury priced, but also not affordable for the average consumer. The quality of the product is there, but I think the real let down is the size.
  • Glow Moisturizer – $65. This one is a little more than I would value it at, but I think the packaging is part of the upcharge. The packaging is also rather deceitful because it seems like you are getting a lot, but there is only 1.7 oz (50 ml). Since a little product goes a long way though, this seems more reasonable.
  • Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash – $38 (full size – 4 oz.) / $19 (travel size – 1.7 oz.) Since I didn’t find this one to be outstanding, I don’t think this little amount s worth almost $20. There are plenty of affordable cleansers that are comparable.
  • Intensive Exfoliating Treatment – .5 oz – $24, 2 oz – $85, 5 oz $175. When I saw these prices my eyes rolled back into my head! These numbers are almost as intense as the treatment itself! A little product does go a long way, so I don’t ever see the need to buy the 5 oz size. This is also a treatment to be used sparingly so it doesn’t even make sense to have that amount unless you’re working on clients. The packaging is not the cause of the upcharge this time, but definitely the ingredients and the very niche category of skincare it fulfills. It is not just your average exfoliant, but is probably the closest thing to a chemical peel you’ll find outside the derm. For that, I can understand the steep price tag, but I do believe it is still too steep.
• The scent is not my favorite. Pumpkin is not as appealing to me as it is to apparently everyone else.

Final Thoughts:

If you are looking to splurge on an intensive skincare regimen, the Kate Sommerville ExfoliKate is for you. I especially recommend the Intensive Treatment if you are only going to get one item. If you are thinking of just getting the Glow Moisturizer, I would suggest at least getting a small size of the Intensive Treatment to go along with it, for best results. Overall, I really enjoy this regimen as a transitional part of my skincare routine. 4/5

What’s your favorite fall beauty buy? Leave me a comment below!

All my love,

Megan

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These products were sent to me to review by Influenster. All opinions are my own and this post follows all FTC guidelines.