FACE FACTS

Leading London facialist Tarryn Warren explains why balancing the microbiome is key to optimal skin health, especially for clients with acne and rosacea

How is modern living affecting the skin microbiome?

“Modern lifestyles are disrupting the natural balance of the skin microbiome and impairing the healthy functioning of our skin’s defence system – this is clear with conditions such as acne, rosacea and pigmentation on the rise. Skin is under constant pressure from environmental triggers such as harsh products, pollution, stress, and poor diet and hydration. As a result, premature ageing and inflammation are being treated more than ever before, calling for a deeper understanding of how we care for the skin from the inside out.”

Why do you believe in the inside-out beauty approach so strongly?

“I spent two years working in one of the world’s leading gut clinics, so I have seen first hand the effect that nutrition and health have on the skin. Starting at the gut and working outwards should be the path taken by beauty therapists to help clients achieve optimal skin health. Skin health means reconnecting a client to their skin through wellness, as well as topical support, and helping them to see that this organ, if functioning well, can bring positivity and confidence.”

What role do probiotics play in balancing the skin?

“Our skin has a mass of healthy bacteria that protect and support it and stop harmful bacteria in our environment from attacking us. Healthy bacteria on the skin help to balance the its pH and prevent harmful skin growths. Clients who suffer from rosacea, acne or eczema can often see a massive improvement from topical probiotics. Internally, probiotics aid our digestion and immunity, and have also been linked to helping with depression and other illnesses.”

How does topical skincare work alongside good nutrition to boost skin health?

“We feed our skin through our gut, and we protect our skin on the surface. Many factors like ageing, sensitivity and inflammation can be helped through topical support of vitamins and microbiome management.

“Firstly, help clients simplify their skincare routine. The internet inundates us with things to use but this can confuse the skin and easily mess up its natural homeostasis. By constantly trying new aggressive products, clients can disrupt their skin’s cycle –I often find that customers have acids in more than three products, use too much vitamin C, and/or constantly exfoliate and strip the skin.”

What are your top tips for treating acne and rosacea in salon or clinic?

“I usually treat acne with a combination of healing therapies like LED and nanocurrent. I then combine this with a deep cleanse to help reset and clear the skin, and then get the client on to a simple programme to help balance and maintain it.

“I recommend Esse Skincare’s Gel Cleanser as a starting product for clients with acne and often advise them to have a food intolerance check as well to help support the skin from the inside out.

“With rosacea, product overuse often aggravates this condition, so initially I get the client onto a simple routine that helps to rebuild the integrity and homeostasis of the skin. I find that LED and infusion ultrasound help a lot, as well as healing treatments like nanocurrent.”