Unveil The Skin You Want
Jennifer Aniston has wonderfully glowing skin, I know, I have interviewed her and seen that skin close up. It looks dewy and fresh and doesn’t look like she has had any ‘work’ but she looks a good 15 years younger than her years. In an interview recently she revealed that she shuns cosmetic surgery and injectables but did confess to having facials and using lasers and chemical peels. So I thought that I would head to the Cadogan Clinic and see what kind of cosmeseutical facial they could recommend to help me hold back time from marching across my face!
Located in the heart of Knightsbridge on Sloane Street, a five minute walk from Sloane Square past the likes of Chloe and Anya Hindmarsh, there is a lot of temptation just getting to and from the clinic. The clinic itself is relaxing and reassuringly medical with surgical procedures being carried here as well.
My therapist Sophie was very experienced, well informed and knowledgable. She first explained that she is going to do a Visia skin scan assessment of my skin to help to determine exactly where I needed assistance. The scan results (above) compare your skin to 100 other people your age and skin type to see how damaged your skin is. Comparing wrinkles, pores, texture, sun damage, red areas, spots, brown spots and bacteria you get a comprehensive breakdown of where you haven’t looked after your skin over the years – which is a little terrifying!
Sophie then designed a bespoke Cadogan facial based on the results of the Visia scan. After talking me through what she was doing and why, I lay back to relax and enjoy the pampering. She started with a double cleanse using Skinceuticals Simply Clean, which is a deep cleansing, pore refining gel cleanser containing botanical extracts and fruit acids. For the exfoliation part Sophie decided on a 35% glycolic peel (glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane ,an enzyme which basically munches away at the dead skin cells and breaks the bonds which hold dry skin together, giving you really smooth glowing skin), with a 50% solution on a small area that I saw as a problem spot for me. She then used Skinceuticals face balm for the lymph drainage massage, which is super anti-aging, helping with loss of lipids and collagen breakdown. Next there was the fabulously nourishing Skinceuticals Vitamin C mask, containing Vitamin C and amino acids which nourish the skin and defend against free radical attack, it also tightens and detoxifies the skin, which helps to achieve a more radiant complexion. Sophie then finished with a few drops of Skinceuticals Phloretin antioxidant serum, sensicure cream gel and SPF 30 so that I was protected and ready to face the day.
My skin positively glowed afterwards and it is still incredibly soft, two weeks later. The texture and tone of my skin is very even and I’m using a lot less make-up – in fact only using it to cover the odd spot that crops up now. It is no wonder that celebrities skin looks so good when they are able to indulge in these treatments on a regular basis.
The Cadogan Clinic, 120 Sloane Street, Chelsea, SW1X 9BW, 0808 252 8799. Nearest tube: Sloane Square. The bespoke facial starts at £90.
