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.