An A-List Facialist Shares Her Skincare Routine

In The Morning...

I always start with body brushing. I do it for five minutes before having my shower. Done properly, dry brushing has many benefits – it’s energising and boosts circulation, as well as banishing dead, dehydrated skin cells, and flushing toxins from the body. After a quick shower, I have a double espresso. 

Body oil is a must. I’m a big believer that we should treat the body with as much care as we do the face. Having body brushed and showered, the skin is primed for moisture, so I take my time to apply a body cream, which I mix with a few drops of body oil. Costa Brazil’s Firming Body Oil is my favourite – it’s rich in omega oils and vitamins A and E – and I often mix this with the matching Body Cream. Containing aloe leaf juice, orange flower water, antioxidants and vitamins, it smooths the skin and improves tone and firmness, and when combined with the oil, it reinvigorates and revitalises dry skin for a brighter appearance. If I have time, I’ll use Biologique Recherche’s Massage Glove to apply it.

My morning skincare routine is all about simplicity. I’ll rinse my face in the shower then apply a pH-balancing toner (lately I’ve been loving Exquisite Ultra Hydrating Facial Toner) which I apply with my hands using a ‘press and release’ motion. This mimics the action of a sponge and enhances the efficacy of other products. I then use a serum – always Environ Vita-Peptide C-Quence Serum – followed by Cosmetics 27 Eyes 27 and a light moisturiser. 

I never ignore my neck or hands. Your neck, décolletage and hands have a reduced lipid layer, which is why they tend to show the signs of ageing more quickly. You should always give these areas double treatment every day, using the same products you use on your face. SPF is also a must.

Puffiness is one of my bugbears. I’m prone to puffy eyes in the morning but find herbal tea and cold therapy is a great remedy, so I wrap homemade herbal tea ice cubes in gauze and run them over my face. I also love eye masks – you’ll often find me wearing 111Skin Sub-Zero De-Puffing Eye Masks at my desk. 

Clean, fresh skin is the perfect base for make-up. I don’t tend to wear much make-up during the day unless I’m going to an event, but the most important thing you can do is ensure your skin is hydrated before applying your base. Avoid powder as this tends to sink into fine lines and wrinkles. You can’t beat a good lip balm – Ipsum Lip Oil and Dr Rogers Restore Healing Balm are my favourites.

In The Evening...

It’s important to take your evening cleanse seriously. I have six different cleansers, which I mix up depending on how my skin is feeling. If I’m wearing make-up, I’ll choose a milky or oil-based cleanser; if not, I love a gentle gel cleanser. Twice a week, I’ll do a double cleanse with Environ Pre-Cleansing Oil to soften any dead skin and impurities, then use Environ Hydrating Clay Mask for 20 minutes to gently polish the skin’s surface.

A toner is key. Biologique Recherche P50 PIGM 400 is incredible – it gently exfoliates the skin, regulates oil production, moisturises and brightens. If my skin is feeling sensitive and I want to use something gentler, I’ll turn to I toner from my new kit, which is a soothing blend of hyaluronic acid, chamomile and vitamin C.  

My evening routine is all about moisture. Once my skin is cleansed, my priority is applying nourishing ingredients for the best beauty sleep. Recently, I’ve been using Oio Lab’s Organic Treatment Oil, which is incredibly soothing and great for irritated and inflamed skin. I also can’t be without Cosmetics 27 Baume 27, a multipurpose balm which is great for dry skin. Biologique Recherche Crème Masque Vernix is also a staple – once a week I’ll massage this into the skin and leave for ten minutes for a mask effect. 

For a high-tech at-home facial, use an LED mask. I love my Celluma mask, which I use for 20-30 minutes a couple of times a week. For quick results, I also swear by my Facial Massager. Used with a face oil, it’ll oxygenate the skin, stimulate drainage, minimise breakouts and release tension.