Kate Somerville Founder

Behind the Bottle A Q&A with the insiders behind your favorite brands. Kate Somerville Founder Kate Somerville Skin Care Kate Somerville The creator and director of a renowned medi-skin Clinic in Los Angeles, Kate Somerville has devoted her life to creating flawless faces. Her solutions-based strategy has made her one of the most trusted names in skin care today. In Hollywood, Kate may be famous for her "red carpet glow," but glowing skin isn't reserved for celebrities. Although Kate can't personally treat everyone in her Clinic, through her products she has made complexion perfection possible for all.

1). How did you get started in this industry?

I battled a variety of skin concerns growing up, so I've always had a strong desire to understand and improve skin care. I eventually found my calling-providing relief to other people who, like me, didn't feel comfortable in their own skin-and, then, opened the Kate Somerville Skin Care Experts Clinic in 2004. Suddenly, I became known as Hollywood's ultimate skin health expert, which was such an honor. In further pursuit of my passion, I went on to direct a team of top scientists to create a line of advanced formulas that replicated my Clinic's renowned treatments. Since then, my constantly expanding, award-winning line of solutions has made my dream of "complexion perfection" a reality for so many people.

2). What is your star product or biggest breakthrough?

I couldn't choose just one! My two favorite products are the line's bestseller, ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, and my latest development, DermalQuench Liquid Lift Advanced Wrinkle Treatment. The former is a classic (which I use every week) that utilizes natural fruit enzymes, gentle acids, and microbeads to exfoliate and polish skin for an instant glow. To address the signs of aging, I really love the dramatic results created by DermalQuench Liquid Lift, a brand new Kate Somerville product that is launching soon. Because of its cutting-edge, unprecedented delivery system, it creates smoother, younger, and healthier-looking skin than I ever thought possible for an at-home product!

3). Who/What inspires you?

Barbara Wells, who I met while I was in college, is the most inspirational woman I have ever known. She was the mother of my boyfriend at the time, and she was loving and supportive and taught me that I didn't have to live in chaos. She reminded me that I was in control of my life and showed me that I could achieve whatever I wanted to achieve, which was totally life-changing for me. After battling cancer for ten years, she eventually died from the disease but her message still continues to guide me, personally and professionally.

4). Be honest, what beauty products do you use regularly other than your own?

One of my favorite forms of sun protection is mineral makeup. I use the Jane Iredale brand; Jane pioneered the concept, but there are many other good ones out there, including Bare Escentuals. I also love Curel lotion, Chanel lip gloss, and I always shave with a men's Mach 3 razor.

5). Imagine the future of the beauty industry and give us your prediction of what's to come.

For Clinic treatments, there is a lot of great new technology-like advanced lasers and special buffers-that were previously unavailable or just not possible. As the beauty industry continues to progress, I've also been seeing incredible new delivery systems evolving for at-home products. These allow ingredients to penetrate skin like never before and, in turn, become even more effective. I am so excited to be working with a team of scientists who are helping me to offer these kinds of developments in my products.

6). Give our customers a beauty insider tip:

Give yourself an express facial by following these steps…

• Cleanse your skin thoroughly and get rid of all makeup, dirt, and debris.
• Steam your skin by placing two drops of essential oil in a bowl of hot water and holding your face above it for two to three minutes to open your pores.
• Exfoliate with a scrub that utilizes enzymes, natural acids, or round microbeads to lift away dead skin cells.
• Clear out blackheads and whiteheads with clean hands and clean supplies.
• Use a mineral-based treatment mask to soothe skin and calm irritation.
• Give your skin essential hydration with a good serum and moisturizer.
• Finally, gently pat on your favorite wrinkle-reducing eye cream.

6.5). In 140 characters or less, give us a beauty tip to Tweet and tell us where to follow you.

No matter what your age, says @KateSomerville, skin glows when it's hydrated & healthy. So, drink plenty of water and keep skin moisturized!

7). Extra Credit: Write personal reviews for some of the individual products in your line.

Developed to work with your skin's own proteins, Somerville360° Face Self Tanning Pads are specially designed to give your complexion a natural-looking glow without the harmful rays of the sun. They go perfectly with my Somerville360° Body Self Tanning Towelettes, which are great for on-the-go color.

True Lash Lash Enhancing Eye Makeup Remover, is one of the products I am most proud of because it not only cleanses, but it also nourishes and conditions the lashes and eye area-one of the first places to show the signs of aging. It is truly an all-in-one product!