With beauty salons shut for the better part of a year, it’s safe to say our skin has suffered during the pandemic – but not for lack of effort on our part. In September last year, Mintel reported that skincare sales had seen a steep rise in 2020, as working from (and being confined to) home meant we were wearing less makeup in general and focusing on our skincare regimes instead.
Yet, as much as we’ve tried, perfecting that illustrious glow without the help of a skin technician is no easy feat, and we bet that like us, you’ve learned the hard way that not every cult product automatically works wonders for your skin type. So for those of us who aren’t on DM-terms with our facialists, what can we do? Luckily, you don’t have to wait for salons to re-open to discover your next skin saviour.
Those in the know have been turning to Skincity. Established in 2011, Skincity is an online skincare clinic with therapists on hand to help you out with any (and every single one) of your skincare woes. All you need to do is fill out one of its simple online tests and a therapist will get back to you within a couple of days outlining the best skincare routine for you, using its cosmeceutical and results-driven brands. Plus the advice is *free*!
“Our skin therapists use the information provided [from the skin test] to generate an in-depth skin analysis and discover each customer’s current skin needs,” Lisa Kordecki, head skin therapist at Skincity UK tells GLAMOUR.
“We have a total of six tests that will guide you to a suitable skincare routine, based on your needs and your skincare goals. These tests include a basic skin test (four-step regime), a full skin test (six-step regime), a foundation test, an exfoliator test, a mask test and an SPF test.”
For those with more specific skincare queries, you can reach a therapist by phone, email, social media DMs or via online chat too.
“All skin tests are answered honestly and impartially by one of our therapists,” Lisa adds. “If a customer has very specific skin queries and we feel it would be beneficial for them to receive further advice, once we have completed the skin test we send a follow-up email with the relevant information to give them an option to discuss their recommended products further with us if they would like to.”
While it can be tempting to try every raved-about product on TikTok, Skincity doesn’t dabble in fads. Its therapists come up with a bespoke skincare routine specifically tailored to you – and the test couldn’t be simpler. Each test takes about five minutes and all you have to do is answer a series of multi-choice questions – such as, what you want out of your skincare products, how your skin generally feels post-cleanse, what your budget is and whether or not you prefer organic brands. You also have the option to upload a picture of yourself (makeup free, of course) so that the therapists can better tailor the skincare to your needs.
After receiving your bespoke results, you can choose pretty packaging options when you buy them too (delivery is always free). Skincity’s signature wrapping sees the products bundled in tissue paper alongside a reusable tote bag, makeup bag, free sample and a Kokeshi – a small doll of Asian heritage that represents gratitude. Sustainable wrapping is available too, keeping it minimal with 100% recycled packaging. Whichever you opt for, you’ll be eagerly listening out for the doorbell for this particular delivery.
For the time-poor among us who want new skincare ASAP, Skincity also categorises its products under skin conditions (including rosacea, oily skin or uneven texture) and expected results (such as soothing, mattifying, exfoliating) to help you easily search for your next skin hero. To point you in the right direction, we asked Lisa to divulge her favourite products for some common skin ailments, below.
The best products for common skincare woes
“I personally love this product! It helps to speed up the healing process as well as tackling the early signs of ageing,” Lisa says. “It’s really lightweight and will help to decongest and smooth the skin. It’s most suited to oily and problematic skin types.”
Lisa describes this cult buy as a “wonder product”. She adds: “The key ingredient salicylic acid will help to remove dead cells, both from the surface of the skin and within the pores, helping to refine the appearance of large pores and blackheads.”
“This daily moisturiser contains hyaluronic acid, a great ingredient that will help to plump the skin as it can hold 1,000 times its own weight in water, providing hydration throughout the day,” Lisa explains.
“It’s also packed with antioxidants to help eliminate free radicals – free radicals cause the skin to lose collagen and elastin, so this great product will help to bubble wrap the cells, helping to minimise the loss of collagen and elastin. The perfect day cream for anyone living in the city.”
“Discolouration and dark spots will be a thing of the past with this product,” Lisa says. “Containing 10% L-ascorbic acid and arbutin to help minimise hyperpigmentation by brightening uneven tone, it effectively heals free radical and sun-induced damage.”
“Please always use sunscreen as the last step in your regime, whatever your skin type, to prevent any further damage to the skin,” Lisa advises. “This is a personal favourite of mine and suits pretty much everyone.”
For more information about Skincity, visit skincity.com/uk
