The Blurb
Skin Matters is an inviting oasis for skin treatments in West London. Founded by the much celebrated facialist, Joanne Evans, it’s a haven for dedicated skin health and wellness.
Situated in the heart of Holland Park, the interior is painted in a pinkish setting plaster and zesty forest green. The service is more of a luxury spa than a clinic. The warm welcome begins at the door, where the friendly staff greet me, instruct me to remove my shoes and offer me a glass of ice cold water infused with lemon and mint.
After a quick questionnaire to assess my medical history and skin type, Tatiana whisks me downstairs to the treatment room.
The Consultation
I’m here to experience an Ultimate Glow Facial – a multi-step process and popular ‘red-carpet-ready’ treatment. Tatiana begins by assessing my skin, warning me of premature ageing caused by sun exposure, sun spots, dark circles, and wrinkles around the eye area. ‘There’s an overall loss of volume and elasticity’, she tells me, and I have keratosis pilaris on my lower cheeks.
The glow facial begins with a two-step exfoliating process, the first is a light chemical peel, which unfortunately I can’t have because I’m breastfeeding – so Tatiana replaces this process with a gentle acid-based exfoliant. The second step involves derma planing… using a light moisturising oil, she runs a fine razor over my face to remove vellus hair or ‘peach fuzz’ and dead surface skin cells.
Next, she begins a rejuvenating facial massage, gently opening up my lymph nodes in my neck and sweeping excess fluid towards them to eliminate inflammation. She follows this process with a relaxing massage using Skin Matters’ bespoke cryo-globes, which gently cool the skin, give the muscles a workout, encourage circulation, and tighten pores, increasing the overall glow!
The process ends with a light therapy session to promote healing and repair.
The Results
I check the ‘before’ photos immediately after and am shocked by the transformation. My forehead wrinkles are much reduced, the redness has receded, and there’s an overall glow to my skin that I haven’t seen in months. Even weeks later, I’m still reaping the benefits… my skin is healthier, more hydrated and beautifully supple. I will definitely be returning to Skin Matters for another Ultimate Glow Facial, perhaps for a special occasion, or whenever I need a little boost!
The Details
An Ultimate Glow Facial at Skin Matters begins at £175
119B Portland Road, London W11 4LN
