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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum versus Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream .

Published on January 08, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, peptides, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances, oils and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy Retinol Vita C Power Serum

Starts at $110.00
Shop

Buy KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream

Starts at $140.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E (2)
Hyaluronic Acid (2)
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (5)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (6)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (4)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Water • Cetearyl Alcohol • Dimethicone • Stearic Acid • Ceteareth-20 • Glycerin • Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate • Isopropyl Myristate • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil • Ceramide Ng • Cholesterol • Adenosine • Squalane • Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil • Copper PCA • Serica • Sodium Hyaluronate • Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 • Allantoin • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil • Ascorbyl Palmitate • Triacetin • Peg-10 Phytosterol • Sodium PCA • Tribehenin • Urea • Polyquaternium-51 • Butylene Glycol • Trehalose • Potassium Sorbate • Sodium Benzoate • Disodium EDTA • Tocopheryl Acetate • Parfum • Hexylene Glycol • Lactic Acid • Aminomethyl Propanol • Xanthan Gum • BHA • Caprylyl Glycol • Chlorphenesin • Geraniol • Hexyl Cinnamal • Limonene

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream contains this as ingredient number 38.

4
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream contains this as ingredient number 37.

5
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream contains this as ingredient number 20.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.

Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.

Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.

In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.

Learn more about Adenosine

Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.

7
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream contains this as ingredient number 32.

8
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

9
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.

Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.

Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Stearic Acid

Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

10
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking
Community Rating: Liked

This BHA stands for butylated hydroxyanisole. If you are looking for the beta-hydroxy acid, aka as Salicylic Acid, click here.

In cosmetics, butylated hydroxyanisole is used as a perservative. It also has antioxidant properties. The concentrations usually used in skincare are low and do not penetrate through skin.

However, it is considered a carcinogen when ingested.

Butylated Hydroxyanisole is a synthetic and waxy petrochemical. It is used as a preservative in foods and cosmetics.

Learn more about BHA

Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 35.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream contains this as ingredient number 43.

11
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 37.

Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream contains this as ingredient number 36.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

33% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet
42% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 35 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 34 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream.

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