This is Sarah Chapman. If you don’t already know her name get googling – she is the lady to go to for anyone really suffering on the skin front, as well as the creator of the award-winning Skinesis range. Jemma Kidd told me last week that when she was writing her new book she turned to the facialist she trusts more than any other to advise her readers; none other than Chapman. As well as contributing her knowledge to Kidd’s latest project, she frequently shares tips with readers of publications from Vogue to the Times and now, luckily, with us. Pay attention, boys and girls.
MF: You are renowned for your bespoke facials. How much do you think a facial can help skin, and how often do you recommend clients visit you?
SC: Facials help promote healthy functioning skin at both a cellular and superficial, visible level. I can see clearly if a client has had regular facials when I analyse the skin under the magnifying lamp – they have radiant, smooth, healthy and resilient looking skins. It is much stronger and able to deal with aggression and stimulation much better. We recommend that our clients come in every 4-6 weeks as a healthy skin maintenance, and if they have a specific concern we may see them every week for a while till we correct the condition.
MF: How important is a daily skin regime and how should people know if they’re getting it right?
SC: It’s important to look after your skin every day to maintain healthy skin. I created my product range to recreate and maintain the benefits of a Skinesis facial in between appointments and to bring these results into people’s own homes. If your skin isn’t reacting well to the products you’re using (telltale signs: dull, blotchy, red, experiencing breakouts, irritated or dry) then you need to assess what you’re using and isolate what is working for your skin and what’s not. I believe strongly in daily doses of vitamin A and antioxidants to help repair damage and reinforce the skins defence.
MF: What are the most common mistakes people make when caring for their skin in your opinion?
SC: One of the most common mistakes people make is inefficient cleansing. This is a vastly overlooked step and can often lead to dull tired and congested skin. Making sure you cleanse twice a day to get a really clean skin will not only reduce breakouts and dullness, but also create a really clean base for your products, aiding absorption. I challenge my clients to change their cleansing routine, encouraging them to cleanse when they get home from work with my Ultimate Cleanse so they don’t fall into bed uncleansed as they are too tired. In seven days their skin is softer, clearer and brighter. Another real issue is over-exfoliation; harsh scrubs and dermabrasion can lead to a compromised skin barrier and poor defence so the skin becomes thinner, weaker, more sensitised and unbalanced.
MF: Your overnight facial skin treatment product has had a huge buzz – how do you know what women want from their skin?
SC: My entire range is based on the treatments I am giving to my clients every day and the real skin concerns I am seeing. Overnight Facial was designed to really capture the essence of my facial in a bottle. I know that women want to look refreshed and radiant instantly, and need a product to help them look their best even if they weren’t necessarily feeling their best. I listen to my clients and we work together on their skin challenges and routines. I have clients I have seen every month for 10 years, and we are all looking for perfection. I found that we were all mixing cosmeceutical serums with aromatherapy oils and creams to get the best results with a touch of pleasure and luxury, and I believed I could put all that into one bottle and create a product that is powerful and results-driven, but that also feels great, smells great and essentially is everything you need in one to restore and repair your skin overnight.
MF: What 5 changes would most benefit most people’s skin, especially for those who work in a busy, bustling office environment?
SC:
1) People don’t often realise how drying office environments can be on the skin, so keep a bottle of water on your desk and constantly drink throughout the day to keep you hydrated.
2) Switch to an oil based cleanser, as it will work with your skin’s own natural sebum to deeply cleanse without stripping away essential oils and drying out your skin.
3) Drip feed your skin with high doses of vitamins and omega oils, not just on the outside, but on the inside as well, by taking supplements and flax seed or fish oils
4) A lot of people are concerned that they don’t have time for a long skincare routine, so cocktail your products together to save time and give added boost to certain creams and serums.
5) If your skin feels dry throughout the day add moisture over your make up, such as intense hydrating booster – if your eyes feel dry, and you are thirsty, your skin is thirsty too!
MF: On a more personal note, how do you care for your skin?
SC: On a day to day basis I use my Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse followed by my Eye Recovery, Age-Repair Concentrate and Dynamic Defence Concentrate. At night I use the Overnight Facial, then apply Chanel body lotion from top to toe. I also take lots of supplements to help retain moisture in my skin, and keep it in tip top condition. I eat a healthy diet with lots of sea vegetables and brown rice, whilst avoiding sugar (luckily I don’t have a sweet tooth!). I also make sure I wear SPF every day, and never sit in direct sun to protect my skin against the damaging effects of the sun.
MF: What 5 Skinesis products could you not live without?
SC: I have 6! Ultimate Cleanse, Overnight Facial, Age-Repair Concentrate, Dynamic Defence Concentrate, Eye Recovery and Overnight Exfoliating Booster. If it had to just be one, it would be the Overnight Facial.
MF: What are your favourite London haunts?
SC: I live off the Kings Road in London so that’s my favourite stomping ground. It’s great for shopping with little boutiques as well as high street favourites. I’m often in between here and South Kensington, where my clinic is based, and there’s lots of fantastic little cafés and bars in the area which are perfect for nipping into for lunch or a catch up with friends.
