Fresh faced

New treatments this month oxygenate the skin and infuse it with glow-giving ingredients, and we try a deeply hydrating facial

Million Dollar Facial System oxygen treatment

Inspired by the way exercise can transform the body and mind, Million Dollar Facial System has added an oxygen treatment to its offering. The new Oxy-Pro treatment combats a range of complaints, is suited to all skin types and combines science with yoga philosophy.

Yoga can boost circulation, which brings more oxygen to the cells, and it can reduce stress and inflammation, leading to a more restful sleep and resulting in healthier, more radiant skin.

The Oxy Pro Mask is a reactive gel that the therapist applies to the client for 10 minutes. Every two to three minutes, the mask is activated again by massaging. The key ingredient is Chinese privet seed, which contains a high moisture and oxygen content.

It also contains fruit enzymes including carica papaya and mango enzyme pumpango, which is rich in vitamins and minerals. Both help to gently exfoliate and stimulate cell renewal to fight acne.

The yoga massage incorporated into this treatment further helps increase oxygen to hydrate the skin to improve fine lines and wrinkles.

Million Dollar Facial System recommends charging £55 for a treatment. 0151 449 3555 / milliondollarfacial.com

Dermalogica introduces Luminfusion

The new Luminfusion facial from Dermalogica is a 60-minute skin treatment that combines a retinol and hydroxy acid blend, targeted eye peel and Daily Microfoliant for exfoliation stacking. It uses nano infusion technology and LED red light therapy.

The facial begins with a double cleanse to remove make-up and oils, followed by an exfoliant packed with retinol and salicylic and lactic acids, which offers a professional level of resurfacing. A targeted eye peel patch is then applied to exfoliate and hydrate in one step. Next comes nano infusion around the eyes to drive actives deeper, followed by nano infusion over the exfoliant, amplifying the skin resurfacing.

As a final level of exfoliation stacking, the formula is removed with an application of Daily Microfoliant. The client is then prepped for red light therapy (LED) to energise and boost skin regeneration. Dermalogica’s professional-only Light Energy Masque is applied to work with the LED, then removed to reveal smoother, more radiant skin.

Dermalogica recommends charging £70 for the 30-minute facial. 0800 917 7147 / dermalogica.co.uk

Phytomer Trésor Wellness Massage

Inspired by Ayurveda, the new treatment from Phytomer is a hands-on massage for the full body and the scalp, designed to release accumulated tension by creating space in blocked areas. The 60-minute therapy incorporates key movements including energy circles to encourage energy flow, used on hands, stomach, intervertebral spaces, arch of the foot, back and neck. It also incorporates energy lines to release tension along the spine, legs, feet (metatarsal spaces) and hands (intermetacarpal spaces), as well as percussion movements on the shoulders, trapezius, side of spine, tibia and heel of the foot, and dry pinching on the hands and feet to reactivate and stimulate energies.

The massage uses Phytomer’s Supreme Body Massage Oil, which comprises organic glasswort and apricot kernel oils and is scented with jasmine, mandarin, bergamot, lily of the valley, white flowers, laurel, musk, cedar, amber, vanilla and coconut.

Phytomer recommends charging £100 for the 60-minute massage. 01892 750850 / phytomer.co.uk

Tried and tested… Germaine de Capuccini Timexpert Hydraluronic facial

The lowdown: This facial maximises the hydrating benefits of hyaluronic acid (HA) by using three molecular weights of the ingredient to target different layers of the skin. Low-molecular-weight HA hydrates and improves suppleness, wrinkles and skin density, medium weight strengthens the skin’s natural defence system, protecting against pathogenic bacterial flora, and the highmolecular-weight variety forms a film over the skin surface to prevent water loss.

The facial also contains patented ingredient HLG, formed of three biocompatible active ingredients (HA, polyglutamic acid and lysine) to promote the sustained release of active ingredients.

The Timexpert Hydraluronic products contain polysaccharides that stimulate the activity of HAS, an enzyme responsible for HA synthesis and secretion, both by the keratinocytes and fibroblasts, thus increasing HA in the dermis and epidermis.

In addition, a polyamino acid inhibits the action of hyaluronidase, the enzyme responsible for degrading HA. Sulphated glycosaminoglycans derived from red seaweed and black fern retain moisture, while antioxidants and chelating agents protect against free radicals.

The experience: I visited The Spa at Carden in Cheshire for a facial with therapist Maisie Davies. After cleansing my skin, Davies applied the Facial Fill-In Concentrate to problem areas like the forehead, frown lines and eye area, using stimulating manouevres such as skin rolling, pinching, clamping, transverse and longitudinal movements.

She then mixed the Facial Fill-In Concentrate with the Facial Oleo-Gel 3HA+ and applied it to my face, using the Cool Massager (a chilled gua sha-shaped tool) in a series of phased movements to cool, plump, densify, contour, and detoxify the skin through lymphatic drainage. Next, Davies applied a thick layer of Extra-Moisture Facial Mask and left it to work for 15 minutes to maximise the hydrating and plumping benefits, before peeling it off.

The facial finished with the Hyaluronic 3D Force Moisturising Fill-In Serum and the Plumping Moisturising Gel-Cream to add to the cosmetic filling effect, as well as sun protection.

The verdict: After the facial my skin was superficially plumped, but the hydration and strengthened skin barrier were long-lasting. I really enjoyed the cooling effect of the Cool Massager as well as the sensation of theExtra-Moisture Facial Mask – the thick, peel-off masks are still very much on trend with clients.

Business benefits: This facial pairs well as a follow-up to more advanced treatments; Germaine de Capuccini says it’s a great cosmetic alternative or complement to medical-aesthetic filler treatments, and that it can also soothe discomfort due to extreme dryness caused by certain advanced treatments. It’s suitable for sensitive skin and safe for cancer patients. The Hyaluronic 3D Force Moisturising Fill-In Serum and the Plumping Moisturising Cream/Gel-Cream are also available to retail.

Tried by Ellen Cummings

Germaine de Capuccini recommends charging from £75 for a 60-minute facial. 0845 600 0203/ germaine-de-capuccini.co.uk