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As a glow and SPF obsessive, I was very interested to try the new Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops. I have been testing out this product this week, here’s what you need to know.
What is Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops?
This is a new mineral sunscreen that zinc oxide as it primary filter:
- Clinical-grade 24.5% Non-Nano Zinc Oxide formula
- Offers high protection
- Infused with Sheer Mineral Pigments
- Designed to blends seamlessly blends into the skin
- Provides an illuminating finish
- Helps to diffuse imperfections and even out skin tone
- Includes Ectoin to soothe, hydrate and protect the skin barrier
- Currently 20% off at LOOKFANTASTIC* and at Sephora* with code REALLYREESPH
Key Ingredients
24.5% Non-Nano Zinc Oxide – one of the highest Non-Nano Zinc Oxide levels on the market. Forms a physical barrier on skin to reflect harmful UV rays
Ectoin – soothes and protects skin from damage caused by environmental stressors and adds a boost of hydration
Sheer Mineral Pigments – universal tint that adds radiance and helps to even out skin tone.
How to use it
You need to give this a good shake before applying. The brand suggests using two finger-lengths of product to cover the face and neck. Allow it to absorb into the skin for 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours for full SPF50 protection.
Before and After Photos
My Review
I have been testing this for a few days now and have been getting on really well with it.
It has a gel serum texture that I find really pleasing and comfortable on the skin. As you first apply it, it shows a hint of that white cast that many zinc based sunscreens show, however, this quickly blends away and leaves a radiant and very subtly perfected finish on the skin.
The texture feels really comfortable on my skin as I blend it in. It has a skincare feel rather than feeling like sun lotion which I really like. It does feel fairly wet and very slightly oily on the skin straight after application, but I find it sinks in really nicely after about 10 minutes and leaves my skin feeling calm and hydrated.
If I am wearing makeup over it, my foundation sits nicely on top of it which is always important because I like to wear makeup most days. The glowy finish of the the Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ is subtly visible under my base products and really helps to amp up the radiance without making things look greasy.
Without makeup, this is a really great option because it does give a good amount of blurring and helps to make my complexion look more perfected. If you want to strip back a bit but still want to wear a bit of makeup, you could get away with a touch of concealer and some bronzer, and still look polished. If you’re oily you may like a touch of powder in the t-zone or any areas that you tend to shine.
I find that the product adheres to the skin really well and this means I like to use an oil cleanser to remove it at the end of the day. My current favourite is the Tatcha The Camellia Cleansing Oil* which makes fast work of all makeup and SPF. I just finished the Black Cherry Cleansing Balm from Elemis (read the review here) which is also a great option for SPF removal.
If you want to check out some alternatives, have a read of Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF 50+ Superlight Mineral Skinscreen Review, which is more a water-like liquidy product, and Kosas DreamBeam Comfy Smooth Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Review & Swatches which is an SPF30 with a slightly more matte finish.
Where to buy it
The Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops is £39 for 50ml and it’s available now via the links below:
