KATE SOMERVILLE COLD CREAM MOISTURIZING CLEANSER

What type of cleanser is it?
Cold Cream – like it says on the jar. Think ‘what your grandmother may have used’.

Who is it for?
All skins except really acnaic. But you would probably veer away from this instinctively anyway.

What’s in it?
Water, Tridecyl Stearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Stearyl Alcohol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Undecane, Propanediol,Tridecane, Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower/Leaf Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Honey Extract, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Polyacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Parfum/Fragrance, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate

What’s not in it?
Parabens, mineral oil, shea butter

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?
Fragrance

Suitable for pregnancy?
Yes

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?
Man made, non-vegan as contains honey

Tested on animals in home country/EU/sold in territories that advocate testing?
No

How does it smell?
‘Fresh’ is probably the best word. It smells like a cleanser – and yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds.

How do you use it?
Apply to dry or damp skin, massage through, remove with facecloth/flannel as always.

First cleanse/second cleanse or AM cleanse?
It removes makeup a treat, but I found myself using it as a second cleanse. It’s heavier than I tend to use for a morning cleanse, and I wouldn’t use it around my eyes due to my lash extensions, but it does claim to remove waterproof.

Best for winter or summer?
Either – if you like this type of formula and packaging you’re going to use it all year-round.

Does it remove waterproof eye makeup?
Yes, it says it does, but I can’t attest to that as previously mentioned, although the reviews back it up.

How long did I test it for?
I’ve had it for a few months.

How much is it?/Size
$48.00 for 100ml.

Works well with?
Anything – it’s a cleanser!

What’s the website like?
Well the US-facing website is great, lists all ingredients, has things grouped by category/skin type etc but the UK-facing site aggravates me no end. And judging by some of the comments on social, you too. The problem is that the EU compliance hasn’t come through on every product yet, so if it’s not available, instead of saying so, it defaults to an ‘oops something went wrong’ page which tells you nothing, and makes you think you’re not typing correctly etc.
It would be much better if it explained that the product was ‘currently unavailable’ and gave an ETA or at least a vague update. It can’t be that difficult to organise. And it means people who live in the UK can at least still see the product they are interested in, without going to Sephora’s website. Please fix it guys.

How’s the distribution? Available freely or limited?
See above. Currently restricted in the UK/EU due to awaiting legislation from the EU (it takes forever, it’s not KS’s fault), but some items are available on the .co.uk website and some on Cult Beauty. In the US it’s everywhere including online, Sephora, QVC, Nordstrom etc

What’s good about it?
This feels luxurious, in a traditional ‘scooping your fingers into a big pot’ way (so if you like a tube, avoid), and is a light, whipped texture, not the ‘cold cream’ of old. It removes all makeup and SPF and leaves skin soft and calm post-cleanse. I had no irritation and no redness, equally no breakouts post-use.

What’s not so good about it?
It’s a high price point for a cleanser, but if you happily spend that on a cleanser and love the idea of the cold cream, you may like this one.

Would I purchase/repurchase?
Yes.

Do you need it?
Yes if you like this type of product, which you will know without even trying it..

Similar products?
Noxzema – purely for the fact it is technically a ‘cold cream’ cleanser in a pot, but that is where the comparison ends. Noxzema contains far too many irritants to make it something to recommend.

 

Kate Somerville Cold Cream Moisturizing Cleanser is available on KateSomerville.com and Sephora.com for $48.00.
It will be available in the UK ‘soon’. I’ll keep you posted.