Taming a troublesome complexion is no easy feat, but there are a handful of tried-and-true methods, beyond a solid skincare routine, that can make a noticeable difference. Straight from the experts who’ve tried it all, these underrated skin health hacks can elevate your routine and help you achieve your best skin yet.
Dr Ewoma Ukeleghe Recommends...Regular Facials
I see facials as the perfect way to reset your skin every month. A fundamental misconception is that they somehow replace your skincare routine, which couldn’t be further from the truth. This is often the problem when people report dissatisfaction with facials. In other words, you’re expecting too much!
Regular facials should be seen as the perfect adjunct to your skincare regime. Consistency is the key to results – that’s how you get the most bang for your buck. Whether you’re getting a Hydrafacial or a sculpting treatment, it’s essential to understand the different types of facials and what you can or can’t achieve with each.
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If you’re searching for one that’s personalised to your skin’s needs, look no further than the Skinesis Bespoke Facial by Sarah Chapman, from £195 for 60 minutes. This is the ideal combination of a double cleanse, extractions, light peel and microneedling (if needed). I’d recommend this to those who are looking to address specific skin concerns.
Katharine Mackenzie Paterson of KMP Skin specialises in the space where ‘tech meets touch’. Her holistic approach to the skin combines in-depth consultations and the use of LED microcurrents. As a bonus, her Hanover Square studio is a gorgeous retreat from the bustle of London. Book in for a Medi Lift Advanced treatment (£365 for an hour and 45 minutes) if you want to focus on slow ageing and skin health – her special microcurrent gloves give optimum facial lift.
Meanwhile, Hadda Akrim of Minimal by Hadda is known for her mesmerising massage technique and bespoke approach to her clients’ needs. You’ll see instant results as she focuses on releasing tension from overworked muscles, as well as lymphatic drainage. Facial massage also acts as the perfect appetiser before extractions and peels. Start with the Total Sculpt facial, which costs £275 for 55 minutes.
I recommend getting a facial every four to six weeks to align with the skin’s turnover cycle. Regular facials will lead to clearer, more youthful-looking skin by maintaining hydration, improving texture and reducing blemishes – but remember, progress isn’t linear: sometimes things get worse before they get better, and it takes time to see a difference.
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Beauty Editor Medina Azaldin Recommends...Seeing A Dermatologist
I'm not immune to the allure of a shiny new gadget, but the best investment I’ve ever made for my face was booking in with a consultant dermatologist.
While over-the-counter skincare and facials are fine if you have persistent skin concerns, be it rosacea or, in my case, acne, arranging face time with a certified medical professional can help determine the root causes and tackle them head on.
Finding the best derm can be overwhelming, as there are so many out there. I went to Dr Anjali Mahto at Self London because I wanted a practitioner who understood Asian skin. Mahto is also honest about her own acne. A session with her starts at £450, but she gives practical product recommendations with accessible prices and minimal steps. In the UK, a consultant dermatologist is the most qualified medical doctor specialising in skin, hair and nails. Your practitioner should be listed in the General Medical Council (gmc-uk.org). Word-of- mouth recommendations are good too, and social-media platforms are useful for exploring a practitioner’s overall vibe.
At your initial consultation, it’s important that they make you feel secure. They’re there to offer their expertise and practical advice, not to upsell or criticise your appearance. If they recommend ‘fixing’ your nose when you’ve come in for adult acne, look elsewhere.
Depending on the severity of your condition, the NHS is helpful, although it may take longer. If you’re going private, Dr Alia Ahmed, Dr Alexis Granite and Dr Derrick Phillips are revered in the industry. Outside of London, try Dr Sajjad Rajpar in Birmingham or head to Dr Nicole Chiang in Manchester. Online dermatology services such as GetHarley make seeing an expert quick and affordable, and are a great way to get a feel for your doctor before committing.
Dr Sam's Flawless Moisturiser Light
Dr Idriss Major Fade Hyper Serum
Beauty Director Katy Young Recommends...Skin-Boosting Injections
Don't get me wrong - skincare features heavily in my beauty routine – ‘life routine’, really – for reasons way beyond deep cleansing and glow. But sometimes, when life gets in the way, skincare doesn’t always cut the kind of mustard I need for real radiance.
When it feels as if I haven’t slept for weeks or some other life force has turned off my light for good, no amount of azelaic acid, retinol or hyaluronic serum (the glow-enhancing trinity) does the trick. But the magic does seem to happen if I turn to the new generation of skin-boosting injectables, which includes polynucleotides, biostimulators and mesotherapy.
These aren’t fillers or muscle-freezing jabs – far from it. These form part of a new wave of cosmetic injectables developed to boost skin health from within, whether by encouraging the production of bouncy collagen – which encourages the skin’s healing response and cell turnover – or reserving hydration levels from the top down for an immediate refresh. And I’m telling you, it is immediate.
If you haven’t heard of polynucleotides, you probably have heard of salmon-sperm injections, right? Well, these are one and the same: a bio-regenerative treatment, typically derived from trout or salmon DNA, which works to stimulate fibroblasts that make skin-cushioning collagen. The injections are relatively painless (after the application of numbing cream, mind you) and fans report bouncier, glowier skin that lasts weeks. The latest version, aptly named Newest, combines polynucleotides with hyaluronic acid for added plumpness and wrinkle-blurring; an effect that lasts up to seven months.
Mesotherapy involves administering tiny injections of vitamins and minerals to the face, and it is hugely popular. I always enjoy the ‘glowy’ aftermath, but Dr Emma Craythorne tells me that ‘the evidence really is quite weak. And it’s difficult to know whether it’s the multiple injections that are improving the fibroblast activity.’
Long term, I also rate Sculptra, a form of poly-l-lactic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite, which stimulates collagen and increases skin density. Biostimulatory injections like Sculptra and Radiesse are great for lifting and plumping but rely heavily on their handler, as nodules can result if they aren’t administered carefully – which is why I only see Dr Ashwin Soni for mine. Glow wisely, reader.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Facial Moisturiser
Klira The Klira Special Bespoke Prescription
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Senior Site Beauty Editor Amelia Bell Recommends...Trusted Ingredients
The world of skin health can be convoluted. There's always a new lexicon to learn or another step to add to your routine, and that’s before you’ve wrapped your head around the latest buzzy ingredient. That’s why, instead of the proverbial spring clean that often sees us changing our skincare in a state of panic, I adopt a more mindful approach: eschewing so-called trends (beef tallow? No, thank you) and any ‘miracle’ products riding the viral wave.
‘It’s more about results rather than key ingredients,’ agrees skin expert Annee de Mamiel, who says that focusing on your desired skincare goals – in my case, a healthy glow – rather than the specific ingredients trending on TikTok is how to really boost your skin’s radiance. You save yourself from a 10-step routine, and the consistency also limits the risk of damaging your skin barrier.
Hence, I invest in searching for science-backed, multi-purposeskincare brands that dig beneath the deeper layers of the dermis. One such example is the Japanese-French-inspired company Evidens de Beauté, which harnesses a triple-layer collagen (the protein responsible for plump, hydrated-looking skin) to target different layers of the dermis – a saviour for this transitional weather, when my skin can feel particularly parched.
Another recent discovery is Neuraé, Sisley’s sister brand that is powered by neuro-cosmetics and explores the skin-brain connection. The formulas are streamlined and, inside, the bottles are brimming with neuro-ingredients to alleviate tired-looking skin. Meanwhile, the brand Iräye speaks to a growing interest in prioritising lymphatic health. More than a TikTok fad, it’s about ‘clearing out all the lymphatic, metabolic clutter to create smoother, clearer skin,’ says de Mamiel. ‘If you concentrate on moving the lymph, it shifts any puffiness and gives the best contoured look to any face,’ she adds.
Incorporating a gua sha tool helps, but Iräye has also developed a technology to improve lymphatic health via a serum, eye cream and moisturiser. I also love Simple’s barrier-boosting serum; it’s hardworking, affordable, and combines ingredients such as ceramides and niacinamide. It leaves my skin glowing year-round.
De Mamiel Brightening Cleansing Oil
EviDenS de Beauté The Serum
Neuraé Harmonie The Oil
The Cream With Lymphactive™
Simple Ceramide Boosters & Omega Complex Booster Serum
Beauty Writer Katie Withington Recommends...Adding A Tool To Your Routine
When I first entered the beauty scene, I used to love being a guinea pig for skincare tools. It felt futuristic to use an electronic device to clear my complexion. Armed with the promise of a full skin MOT, I spent a lot of time on my elaborate Star Trek-esque routine, queuing up blemish-busting LED masks and buzzing contour wands with facial steamers and dermaplaning tools. Today, most of it sits idly next to my sink.
Beauty gadgets are much like exercise. If you haven’t established your desired outcomes beforehand, or found a tool that truly engages you, you’re likely to give up after the novelty has worn off. Plus, commitment is key; the results are often temporary and require upkeep. That said, just like working out, the results are usually worth the consistent effort.
I used to be an avid gua sha user, having fallen for the chiselled effect of a lymph- atic massage, but caught myself skipping out manual tools in the name of streamlining my evening regime. Refy’s latest launch combines Korean skincare with a sculpting rollerball applicator, which means I can apply my moisturiser while working on my jawline and cheekbones without any additional steps. As a fan of cryotherapy’s sensorial-calming benefits, I use 111Skin’s cooling metal globes. They depuff my baby cheeks quickly, but also add a touch of luxury to my late-night wind-down, alleviating tension from a day’s worth of gritted teeth.
As for electric gadgets, invest in one high-tech tool that targets your biggest skin gripe. I’ve seen the most impressive results from Foreo’s wireless LED mask, which offers eight different wavelengths to address most concerns, from pigmentation to blemishes. It sits in the premium tier of beauty innovation, offering a menu of programs for my unpredictable skin, and slots nicely into my routine. The days of endless tool-trialling have ground to a halt.
Refy Face Sculpt
111SKIN Cryo Sculpting Globes
Foreo FAQ™ 202 Wireless Anti-Aging Silicone LED Mask
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