• April 23, 2007
• Vol. 67
• No. 16

An A-List Beauty Guru

By Alexis Chiu

When Celebs Like Jessica Alba and Molly Sims Have Bad Skin Days, Kate Somerville Has the Cure

Kate Somerville's beauty training was anything but pretty. In the 15 years she worked in plastic surgeons' offices as a medical skin-care specialist, Somerville cared for patients with controlled facial burns from cosmetic laser surgery. "Their skin would be oozing and scabbing," she recalls, "and I had to figure out the best way to heal it."

Today the skin woes she tackles for celebrity clients ("My waiting room looks like a paparazzi's field day!" she jokes) like Paris Hilton, Katherine Heigl and Mariska Hargitay tend more toward acne and sagging skin, but her philosophy remains the same. "I'm not about stripping and harming the skin," says Somerville, 36, who, for example, prefers natural enzymes to harsh ingredients like glycolic acid in her products (which she began selling on QVC in February, when the line sold out in six minutes). "I'm about nourishing the skin."

For all her success (her West Hollywood clinic is a $3 million annual business), Somerville—who has a son, Chae, 5, with husband Landa, a musician—still struggles with her own complexion. "I've had hives, eczema," she sighs. "All my emotions come out in my skin!"

More From This Article

Breakouts? Blotches? Yes, Celebs Have Skin Problems Too!

JESSICA ALBA, 25 THE PROBLEM: Her lower cheek keeps breaking out. THE SOLUTION: Because the area flares up due to stress and heavy makeup, Somerville both treats and strengthens it with light therapy.

KERRY WASHINGTON, 30 THE PROBLEM: Uneven pigmentation. "Her skin is darker, so every time she gets a blemish she gets a brown spot." THE SOLUTION: Vitamin C product to lighten irregularities.

FELICITY HUFFMAN, 44 THE PROBLEM: "Her texture is gorgeous, but she's losing elasticity," Somerville says. THE SOLUTION: Infrared laser therapy and her Deep Tissue Repair cream to stimulate collagen production.