Kate Somerville Steers us Toward Spring-Ready Skin

By Bee-Shyuan Chang
March 21, 2011

Kate Somerville When it comes to shedding winter layers, we're not just talking about our clothing. To prep our complexions for a season meant to be spent outdoors, we've gone straight to a pro for some exfoliation and tips for healthy skin.

Ever since she launched her medi-skin clinic on Melrose Place 15 years ago, L.A.-based Kate Somerville has been Hollywood's go-to for flawless skin. (Jessica Alba, Renee Zellweger and Lauren Conrad are just a few among her beauty product industry fans.) While her skincare product line has long been beloved by editors and beauty buffs alike, this spring, Kate Somerville is set to introduce a round of a new skincare products especially targeted for the sunnier months.

Scheduled for a March delivery, ExfoliKate Acne—which tweaks the original popular face scrub ExfoliKate—will hit beauty counters nationwide. ExfoliKate Acne is a beefed up version featuring a gentle jojoba bead plus a balanced combo of four acids meant to slough off skin without showing up red-faced. Besides, the skincare product line is especially ideal for the warmer months with its clay base that soaks up excess shine.

"I have really sensitive skin," Kate Somerville told us over tea on a visit to New York City. "So when I was working with the lab on an exfoliation formula, I wanted something that was gentle and effective... It's not dealt with as much as it should, but a lot of my clients come in with adult acne. I created this formula for them."
Clinic To Go
And for those on the go? Another exfoliator—also a new release—is the nifty new Clinic To Go resurfacing peel pad. Each buffing pad comes in a handly little travel-friendly package and is bursting with lactic acid and sage leaf extracts. "I've been working on getting this right for the last two years!" skincare expert Kate Somerville said. "It helps reduce pore size."

Of course with all this peeling and resurfacing, sunscreen and a wide-brim hat are a must. Overnight Discoloration Perfector

And for those already battling sunspots, Kate Somerville's new, retinol-based Overnight Discoloration Perfector from her Complexion Correction skincare line is a good place to start. We spotted (no pun intended) results in about three weeks.

Lastly, a visit to the esthetician will keep that dermis happy. Those in L.A. can stop into the Kate Somerville medi-clinic for extra pampering, but perhaps soon, so can beauty buffs in New York. "We're still hunting for the right real estate," Kate Somerville shared. "But we're definitely hoping to open a clinic in NYC too. Although it'll be tough to be bi-coastal; I have a nine-year old at home."

(all images courtesy of Kate Somerville)

Here, the mom and busy entrepreneur shares her at-home beauty tips and the products (besides her own) she turns to.

Roll over items for details

Curel Original Formula

(buy it now, $3.29)

Clarisonic Pro Skin Care System

(buy it now price, $159)

Kiehl's Lip Balm SPF 4

(buy it now price, $10.99)

Gillette Mach3 Razor Refills

(buy it now price, $17.99)

Kate Somerville Steers us Toward Spring-Ready Skin

1. Old Standby: Curel "I have eczema and Curel always works. I use it daily."

2. Well-Brushed: Clarisonic Pro Skin Care System: "I love the Clarisonic for both at home and in the clinic. It really does a nice deep cleanse. I use both the face and body brushes. The face size is a great size to travel with too."

3. Balm-y Buy: Kiehl's Lip Balm "I'm never without a great lip balm or two."

4. A Sharp Razor: Gillette Mach3 "I'm a huge fan of the Mach3 razor. I don't wax because I have darker skin and waxing will take pigment away with it. The old Hollywood stars didn't wax either and they still look great. Shaving actually acts as an exfoliant too."

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