Kate Somerville • Gentle Daily Wash • Cleansers

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dh494 on 12/10/2012 10:17:00 PM more reviews by dh494

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Considering how difficult it is to find a good basic cleanser these days, I'm hesitant to criticize this one too much. This is a nice basic gel which removes makeup and sunblock really well but is drying in the winter. Not to the point of peeling skin but it definitely causes tightness. It has a nice lavender scent which relaxes me after work. The tube is inconvenient in the bathroom, but ironically travels better than a pump.

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miaandren on 4/12/2012 12:48:00 PM more reviews by miaandren

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I want to love this products but I can´t!
My skin has been breaking out in red spots that looks like acne after only 1 day off using this product.
I´ve never had this problem with my dermalogica products but I´ve heard so much nice things about Kate´s products I wanted to try something new.
I really hope my skin will get back to normal asap because I feel embarresed of how I look now!

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jwil16 on 2/2/2012 5:43:00 PM more reviews by jwil16

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

Nice cleanser. Ive used it for a little while. I love how the gel is so concentrated and the fact that it is sulfate free yest lathers incredibly well is awesome! It gets skin reallllly clean. It's basically a no frills gel cleanser for all skin types but especially those who are prone to dryness as this doesn't have sulfates. I never experienced any of the reactions people talk about and I'm pretty sensitive.

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shar037 on 1/23/2012 11:41:00 PM more reviews by shar037

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Yikes! Yesterday I got one the free facials that they offer at the KS counter. I bought the entire set.
Went home, rinsed with this cleanser. The next morning, my entire face was red and was covered with bumps. They are very small but my entire face is covered...Sexy!!
Not totally sure that this product is the culprit but it was something from her line up.
I looked to the ingredients and see that she uses a form Sodium Sulfate as the second ingredient. They have used the technical chemical chain name (Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate) so the consumer would not recognize it as a form of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. There are actually 150 names for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
In concentations of 2% to 5% it can cause allergic or sensitive reactions to lots of people (Sources: European Journal of Dermatology, September-October 2001, pages 416–419; American Journal of Contact Dermatitis, March 2001, pages 28–32)
This stuff is used in many household products such as. Turtle Car Wax, Vanish Toilet Bowl cleaner, and Clorox. It's used because it's an inexpensive surfectant.(Sources: Household Products Database)
Surprising from a line that is so highly revered by the "Hollywood Stars."
This all a reminder to me that while searching for the fountain of youth...don't forget to read the labels.

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babeegap on 1/18/2012 12:38:00 PM more reviews by babeegap

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I would not recommend any of Kate Somerville's products. I've been a Proactiv user for about 10 years. I have sensitive, combination skin. Proactiv has been pretty good to me all these years, but I noticed I was getting little breakouts under my chin. That's when I decided to give Kate Somerville a try.

I bought the kit at first and noticed improvements in the first week. I then ordered more product. Within a few days, my face totally broke out on my nose, chin, forehead and cheeks. That has NEVER happened to me before when I used Proactiv. When I was on Proactiv, I would get the occasional break out on the chin, but not all over my face!

I do not recommend any of her products for sensitive skin. It's been 2-3 weeks, and I'm back on Proactiv. My nose, cheeks and forehead are getting better. My chin on the other hand, is still struggling. I think it's trying to get rid of all that Kate Somerville crap that's already in my system.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

newyorkshopper on 1/4/2012 11:02:00 PM more reviews by newyorkshopper

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

This is just an okay cleanser. It's pretty basic and not really something you want to use if you have dry skin, despite the gentle name. If it wasn't $32 it might be worth rebuying but for $20 you can get something better at Clarins or given how basic is it you might as well buy something at the drugstore for less than $10. I also hate the packaging, it has one of the tops the twists open and the product ends up leaking out making a mess.

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aspenskimommy on 11/26/2011 11:36:00 PM more reviews by aspenskimommy

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I feel it does nothing. No clearing of pores, no calming of skin. I don't feel it is a good cleanser. I feel cetaphil is better and much cheaper.

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Dashaway on 9/24/2011 7:46:00 AM more reviews by Dashaway

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Eh. Just okay. I like the scent, but it didn't lather as much as I would like - and I use it with my clarisonic. I think you can find much better cleansers out there for a cheaper price.

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AnniePalitoy on 7/8/2011 9:13:00 AM more reviews by AnniePalitoy

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I do like it - I really do - but it's so expensive. In the UK this wash retails at £33 (over US$52) as opposed to US$32 in the USA.

The wash itself is lovely - a pleasant amount of foam from a small squeeze, not drying and not over-scented. I use it with an Ole Henriksen Complexion Sponge, which I bought from Bath & Unwind.

The tube is another matter altogether. The "lid" twists to allow a small central channel to open, then you squeeze out the desired amount. The tube is designed to be stood on its "lid". The problem with this is that however much you carefully wipe the product away from the lid after closing (being careful, of course, not to waste any of this terribly expensive wash) it still leaks a little bit, and the residue goes really sticky and nasty.

I love Kate Somerville products - and this actual product is great, I have no fault with the wash itself - but I'd rather see the packaging relaunched as a pump or bottle. Until then (and probably until the price for UK consumers drops a bit) I will not repurchase it.

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rhershb1 on 6/6/2011 6:47:00 PM more reviews by rhershb1

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Other    

An okay cleanser at a high price. Must use a make-up remover in addition to washing (even when using clarisonic) when wearing foundation (estee lauder or laura mercier tinted moisturizer), I don't think 16oz of this cleanser is worth $90+. In hindsight, I would spend my money on a better moisturizer and go much cheaper on the face wash.

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Beachbunnie on 5/11/2011 11:00:00 AM more reviews by Beachbunnie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

I adore this face wash! From the first time I used it my skin felt smooth and soft and with regular use my oiliness has decreased massivley! A real result!! I want to try the rest of the range now!

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rebelprince on 2/2/2011 3:24:00 AM more reviews by rebelprince

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

Oh, to sing the praises of a good gel cleanser that leaves me feeling clean but not dried out. It's hard to get that feeling of cleanliness that tends to come with a gel cleanser. Do not ask me why but there just happens to be a positive association with gel cleansers and feeling clean.

But this does it like a champ, and my dry and somewhat irritable skin enjoys it. While the fragrance is usually a sensitive skin nightmare, it doesn't seem to bother mine. Fragrance is often dependent on the type of fragrance as to what causes irritation so I will say that this is absolutely not for everyone.

But this gets my face feeling fresh and clean and it smells great along the way. It definitely gets off all the makeup that I don't remove separately (waterproof and the like). I look forward to using this and it delivers a good cleanse. I would gripe about the price, but I use so little that I rarely worry about making the $32 investment when I know how long a tube will last me.

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MacMacke on 1/7/2011 9:56:00 PM more reviews by MacMacke

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I had been using Philosophy's "Purity Made Simple" for about 4 years, and while I was very pleased with it and found it did a good job cleansing my skin, I think my skin eventually just got immune to it and just needed something different (if that's even possible). About two weeks ago I received a sample of this cleanser and decided to give it a try with my Clairisonic. WOW! I'm very impressed! I do have sensitive skin, and I don't think it dried me out at all. It left my skin feeling very soft and clean, and not at all tight. The scent is light and not offending at all. The twist top does dispense product way to quickly, and since this cleanser lathers so beautifully, you just don't need to use a lot (a little goes a long way). I'm also not sure if it's my imagination (or my improved diet) but I believe there has been a noticable improvement in the clairity of my skin and it's texture. It is rather costly, but I will continue to purchase for as long as it works for me. I would recommend this product for those with sensitive skin, but would suggest you go to your nearest Sephora's and sample it first. Or order it from QVC, where you can return it if you're not happy.

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dewdrop10 on 6/6/2010 1:34:00 PM more reviews by dewdrop10

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

I love this cleanser. Iam a lavendarholic and the scent is perfect. What I dont like is the price. It doesnt seem like the pricepoint matches the ingredients. I love it though, so like a fool, I bend over and take it.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* maureen2 on 4/8/2010 6:47:00 AM more reviews by maureen2

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I switched over to KS products about 6 weeks ago and love the line. I hat the Gentle Wash in the morning, love the smell and how it lathers up so nice! It really cleans my skin but doesn't dry me out. I wish it had a flip cap, though, since a bit of wash always comes out when you twist the cap closed.

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redsnapper on 2/5/2010 12:17:00 PM more reviews by redsnapper

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

I like the convenience of the packaging of this cleanser. It does a nice job of cleansing my skin without leaving it feeling dry and stripped.

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*TOP REVIEWER* bleuday on 11/28/2009 5:54:00 PM more reviews by bleuday

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

This is a great cleanser.


Adore the scent. Gets the job done. Non-drying (but I have combo skin).


Was surprised by the negative reviews. Don't know what there is not to like, it's a pleasant smelling non-specialty cleanser . . . has no exotic claims or hyperbole, to my knowledge.


I give it only 4 lippies because unless a cleanser's doing something really unique and extraordinary, most are pretty much the same . . . they go down the drain in 2 minutes, with your dollars.


I don't begrudge an expensive product, but this is just a very nice cleanser . . . nothing more, nothing less.



Delightful product, no complaints. If you want to indulge in a nice cleanser, this is a good choice.

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betseyjohnson77 on 11/18/2009 11:15:00 AM more reviews by betseyjohnson77

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This was just okay,it makes my face feel really tight afterwards which i dont enjoy..SO has used it and says the same thing,it did do a great job cleansing,i wish it foamed or lathered though..will not repurchase,ill stick with my purity.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Catloveschanel on 9/27/2009 3:07:00 AM more reviews by Catloveschanel

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

This 4 oz product came free with my Clarisonic. The first time it left a little red blood vessel above my lip which went away... so I didn't use it for awhile, it was so frightening. I tried it again and it makes my face tight, even though I rinse off in the shower. I don't recommend this.

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trixie01 on 8/22/2009 12:30:00 PM more reviews by trixie01

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I am always amused when a beauty expert claims to have created products to help solve problems with her sensitive skin. I've had sensitive skin my entire life, and this cleanser didn't help at all. In fact it is very drying; my skin didn't feel clean afterwards, and the lavender smell, while not unpleasant, is not neccesary. Adding fragrance to products that are supposed to be for sensitive skin does not make any sense. There are far better products out there, and most for a lot less money.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No