KA
Kate Somerville
HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops
SPF 50+ Tinted Iron-oxide pigment masks white cast with a sheer skin-tone finish. US United States us-fda Formulation variant: us-fda. Region-specific reformulations are tracked as separate products.
All-mineral zinc with elegant ester base and iron oxides; lavender + orange peel oils are the main sensitivity penalty, otherwise a clean formula.
△ MIN Mineral filters Mineral filters — Physical filters (ZnO, TiO2) sit on skin and reflect UV. Reef-safer; very gentle. ((· BS Broad spectrum Broad spectrum — Blocks UVA + UVB across the full sun-damage spectrum. F F-FREE Fragrance-free Fragrance-free — No added fragrance or perfume — lower irritation risk for reactive skin. A A-FREE Alcohol-free Alcohol-free — No drying short-chain alcohols (denatured / SD alcohol). ● TINT Tinted Tinted — Adds sheer colour — covers white cast and gives a skin-tone finish.
77.0
Composite
Composite score · independent
Ranks #485 of 1558 in the current catalogue. All-mineral zinc with elegant ester base and iron oxides; lavender + orange peel oils are the main sensitivity penalty, otherwise a clean formula.
Verdict Should you buy it?
All-mineral zinc oxide SPF in a tinted, ester-rich base with ectoin and hydroxyectoin for hydration. Iron oxides and an elegant oil phase blunt the mineral cast, but lavender and orange peel oils are the main sensitivity flag in an otherwise clean formula.
Pros
- Single-filter zinc oxide, fragrance-free
- Ectoin and hydroxyectoin support hydration
- Iron oxides reduce visible mineral cast
- Tocopherol antioxidant included
- Lightweight ester base for cosmetic feel
Cons
- Lavender and orange peel oils may irritate reactive skin
- Mineral load can leave a faint cast on deeper tones
- Polyhydroxystearic coating may feel heavy in humid weather
Who it's for: Mineral-SPF buyers who tolerate essential oils and want a tinted, hydrating daily face sunscreen with skincare actives.
01 Score breakdown
02 Composition · key UV filters 1 filters resolved
03 At-a-glance facts
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid blends both.
Mineral
Broad spectrum Protects across both UVA and UVB ranges. UVA causes aging and deeper damage; UVB causes burns.
Yes
Formulation & feel
Texture How the formula feels at application — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Cream
Finish How the formula looks on skin once dry: matte, natural, dewy, or glowy.
Natural
Tinted Adds sheer pigment (iron oxides) that masks the white cast common to mineral filters and gives a skin-tone finish.
Yes
Fragrance-free No synthetic perfume added. Not FDA-defined in the US; the EU requires 'Parfum' + the 26 named allergens on the label. 'Unscented' differs — may contain masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
Yes
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Does not refer to fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl alcohol, which are emollients.
Yes
04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 27 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 0 LEGACY FILTER 0 MINERAL FILTER 1 ADDED FRAGRANCE 0 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 2 ALCOHOL 0 WATCH 0 ACTIVE 2
Zinc Oxide Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer. ·C13-15 Alkane·Aqua·Ethyl Macadamiate·Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride·Polyhydroxystearic Acid·Propanediol·Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate·Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate·Ectoin·Hydroxyectoin·Isostearic Acid·Lecithin·Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate·Quaternium-90 Bentonite· Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity. · Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity. ·Triethyl Citrate· Tocopherol Vitamin E — antioxidant. ·Malic Acid·Stearyl Triethoxysilane·Sodium Chloride· Ethylhexylglycerin Humectant — the workhorse hydrator. ·Phenoxyethanol·Ci 77491·Ci 77492·Ci 77499
Source: brand-published INCI. Last verified 19 Jun 2026. Show in detail
08 Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
16 Lavandula Angustifolia Oil NATURAL FRAGRANCE Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity.
17 Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil NATURAL FRAGRANCE Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity.