There are very few brands where I will add a new product to my basket the moment it appears without reading a single review first. It will shock no one that Kate Somerville is one of them. The track record is strong enough that I extend a level of trust I do not give easily, and it has rarely let me down. The Kate Somerville KateCeuticals BioAdaptive Cleansing Gel appeared on Cult Beauty, who had the UK exclusive launch, and I had it in my cart within minutes. I have been using it for a few months now, which feels like long enough to say something honest about it.
What is it?
A gel cleanser designed for all skin types.
What Do I Think?
It is billed as more than a daily cleanser, which is a claim I usually approach with scepticism. In this case it is at least partly justified. The formula is pH-balanced and built around a BioAdaptive Cleansing Complex, an adaptogen blend designed to balance oilier areas while conditioning drier patches simultaneously. Saccharide Isomerate locks in moisture post-cleanse, and Zinc PCA refines pores and manages excess oil. The result is a concentrated gel that transforms into a refreshing lather, removes impurities and makeup, and leaves skin feeling genuinely balanced rather than stripped.
For my dry skin, it has not once caused that tight, uncomfortable feeling that poorly formulated gel cleansers tend to produce. Skin feels clean, fresh and ready for whatever comes next in the routine.
That said, I want to be clear about where it sits in my rotation. I use it as a morning cleanser, and it is very good in that role. For an evening first cleanse or a single cleanse at the end of a full makeup and SPF day, I would reach for the Goat Milk Cleanser or the DeliKate Soothing Cleanser instead. Both are better equipped to shift stubborn residue thoroughly.
Would I recommend?
The Goat Milk Cleanser remains my favourite cleanser of any kind, at any price. This one does not replace it. But as a morning cleanse or a second evening cleanse, it is a polished and considered addition to the Kate Somerville lineup, and one I am glad to have on my shelf.
And if you’ve never tried anything from the KateCeuticals range, you are missing out. The Total Repair Cream might just be my favourite moisturiser of all time.
Brands Product Description
A clinically proven anti-aging serum powered by pharmaceutical-grade Icelandic marine chitosan to repair the skin barrier, calm inflammation, and visibly improve firmness, elasticity and hydration — without irritation.
Designed for sensitive, reactive and hormonally changing skin, this lightweight bioactive serum strengthens skin from within while amplifying the performance of your entire skincare routine.
Key Ingredients
- BioAdaptive Cleansing Complex – A dual-action adaptogen blend that balances oily zones and conditions dry patches.
- Saccharide Isomerate – Hydrates and locks in lasting moisture, leaving skin supple and soft post-cleanse.
- Zinc PCA – Helps refine pores, balance excess oil, and support soft hydration.
How I Use It
I use this morning and night. I apply to wet skin, massage all around to remove everything, and then rinse.
Would I Repurchase/Buy?
Yes! If I’m looking for a good morning gel cleanser that’s non-drying.
How Much?
£41.00 for 120ml
