Celebrity facialist Teresa Tarmey has made her mark in London’s Notting Hill, with a roster of clients including Kate Moss, Emma Watson, and Julianne Moore. As one of the most sought-after skin experts in the industry with over 20 years of experience, her bespoke treatments combine advanced technologies and techniques, tailored to each client’s skin. As we transition into spring, we turned to Tarmey for her expert insights on how to refine our skincare routines—what to embrace and what to avoid as the season changes.
Do Wear SPF, Rain or Shine
No matter the weather (and we know how a UK Spring can be temperamental!), keeping your skin protected and shielded against the many environmental stressors out there is absolutely crucial to maintaining its health. I never leave the house without having applied some SPF – if you’ve worked hard at establishing a good routine, why wouldn’t you want to protect all your efforts?
Do Double Cleanse
Whilst this isn’t something you should reserve only for a certain season, Springtime is when the weather generally improves, and so we spend more and more time outside – where grime really builds up on our skin surface. So, double cleansing – especially at nighttime – is the key to ensuring your skin is fully decontaminated and prepped to absorb the rest of your routine.
Do Listen To Your Skin
Your skin is very clever at telling you what it needs and everyone’s skin is different, which is why following ingredient trends can often be counterproductive. If your skin is looking good, then keep your routine simple. If it needs extra help, I advise on targeting specific concerns with the right blend of active ingredients: for example, Lactic Acid for brightening any pigmentation or Microneedling for smoothing uneven texture and scarring.
Do Adopt Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Spring cleaning isn’t just for the home – it’s for your wellbeing too. Clearing out any unhealthy habits from your daily routine and welcoming in nourishing ones are what lie at the core of healthy skin. For example, getting enough sleep and rest, drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced, nutritious diet and exercising enough for your body all contribute to a healthy complexion, even if you don’t think they’re connected. After all, it’s all
linked!
Do Establish A Consistent Facial Routine.
Getting regular facials is a great way to unlock the best version of your complexion, as you’ll be getting real advice from genuine experts, who have a level of knowledge that will help you really understand the unique characteristics of your skin and therefore offer the most valuable type of guidance.
Don't Take Too Much Skincare Advice From Social Media
Unless it’s an account you fully trust. It’s important to remember that people often get paid to endorse certain products – and also everyone’s skin and experiences are so different – so taking what you see with a pinch of salt will help you ensure you’re making decisions that are right for you and your skin. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to skincare.
Don't Layer Too Much
With the change in seasons, it can be tempting to incorporate new steps into your skincare routine, to ensure your skin is adequately prepared to respond to the different temperatures and weather conditions. But I am a huge advocate for not overtreating the skin. Of course it’s okay to try new ingredients and treatments within your routine, but I would always advise to introduce one active at a time – whether it’s a Retinol, Lactic or Peptide – rather than sandwiching them all on top of each other, which can overwhelm the skin and have an adverse effect. Simplicity is key!
Don't Overdo The Oils
If there’s one thing to give up for Lent, I would say oil-based skincare. Whilst some people’s skin can tolerate oil, my general rule is to actively avoid it as it can be so congesting, clogging the pores and causing breakouts. That’s why my skincare range is oil-free, to make it more suitable for every type of skin – oil can be quite polarising.
Don't Rush Your Skincare Time
Springtime is often when social calendars start to go a bit crazy, and it can be very tempting to just rush over your skincare routines
if you’re really busy. However, I am a big advocate for taking your time and really enjoying the process of doing your skincare routine. After all, it’s an act of self-care, and we should be fully present in those little moments of joy. We deserve to show up for ourselves, and giving yourself a relaxing atmosphere will make you feel SO good.
Don't Be Scared Of The Signs Of Aging
This is quite a hard one, as everyone wants to of course look and feel their best, and a lot of the narrative behind this is to ‘correct’ the signs of aging. But, I would say to focus your efforts more on keeping the skin healthy. If your skin is nice and hydrated, fine lines are less likely to appear and deepen. If you keep your collagen levels up, your skin will be naturally more plump and dewy. If you wear SPF, you are less likely to experience sun spots and pigmentation. All in all, these will promote a more rejuvenated complexion and therefore keep you looking and – more importantly – feeling your best self. I wouldn’t say it’s about not wanting to age, but about not wanting unhealthy skin.