As a skin enthusiast, I am always on the look out for a cutting edge skincare service, one that breaks the mould a little and provides something that is genuinely helpful. Because I favour dermatologst backed skincare, I was particularly eager to find out more about GetHarley – a new cutting edge skincare app that aims to give everyone the opportunity to have access to the most professional skincare out there.
If you’re into your skincare, you may have heard about some of the countries top dermatologists and skin doctors. Nichola Joss, Dr. Maryam Zamani, Debbie Thomas are a few I had been aware of, especially with their celebrity links. It’s one thing reading about them, and learning tips and recommendations from magazines or online interviews, but a personal chat and skin analysis just seemed something not possible.
This is where GetHarley has shook up the skincare world and the way we access skincare advice and products. When it comes to getting face-time with a leading skin expert, we often feel it’s a long process and too much money or effort. This is how the founder of GetHarley felt, before setting up the new digital platform which connects you to an industry-leading expert, for just £30, and in as little time as a week.
I set up a meeting with the brand to discuss the concept and service, so I could properly understand how it works and benefits customers. I know myself that with the skincare industry being so big, knowing which products to go for can just be overwhelming. So many brands, so many reviews, so many ingredients, so many skin tyopes and concerns…. most people get stuck and wonder where on Earth do they start.
The founder understood this, and was inspired to create GetHarley because of her own experience of searching for the right skincare products. Trying to get appointments with specialists can be tricky and tim-consuming, no one really knows how to go about it all. I for one knew I would appreciate the help.
We live in a world now where more people are taking action of their skin concerns. More people than ever seem to be suffering from adult acne, and we’re more aware of conditions like hyperpigmetation and sesitivity.
GetHarley is a service that allows you to browse their list of on-board skincare specialists, which boasts some of the countries top names. Here, you can request a 30-minute digital consultation with them which costs a flat fee of just £30. Aware that some people may be overwhelmed with who to go with, simply fill out a questionnaire as a first step, along with a photo of your skin, and the team will match you to a skin expert who is the best to consult with.
As everything else seems to be time consuming, GetHarley aims to do this quickly for you, with time cutting being what I found to be it’s USP. GetHarley can have you booked in with some of the most most in-demand experts within a matter of days. You won’t be put on a top skin experts waiting list. In fact, after I had my initial chat about GetHarley and then went on to submit photos, my online consultation was 3 days later, that same week.
My appointment was back in late November, however I wanted to get a good feel of the products I was armed with after my experience with GetHarley before coming on here to review. I had an online consultation booked, after filling out the forms online to give GetHarley a solid idea of my actual concerns, along with raw photographs.
My consultation appointment was with Dr Jo Mennie, who herself bases herself at Harley Street, so it felt great to be able to chat with her and have her look at my skin without me taking the 2 hour train to the actual Harley Street! She asked me a variety of questions, where I shared with her that I currently have dry skin although it is still prone to breakouts. I battle pigmentation, which is a combination of old red marks from acne, and sun damage from previous years not being too great with SPF (slap on the hand!). Sometimes my skin has stages of being oily, but at the moment, it’s more on the dry side.
After an in-depth discussion about the skincare that has worked, and what hasn’t over the years, Jo put me on hold for a few moments and drew up a skincare plan designed personally for me. Each product and skincare step was to complement my skin and my concerns, sharing products that work for my skin on a bespoke basis.
It’s now been around 7 weeks of using the products regularly, so I thought I’d share my thoughts of my ‘prescription’, now adequate time has passed.
My GetHarley Personalised Skincare Plan
Step 1: Cleanse with NeoStrata Resurface Foaming Glycolic Wash
Product summary:
- Potent cleanser containing a high strength blend of exfoliating glycolic and lactobionic acids
- Quickly decongests the pores and stimulates cell renewal
- Appropriate for oily, acnaic skin
This was the cleanser advised for me to use A.M and P.M. I started off using it just in the evenings and then upp-ed to evenings too after the first week was gone, just with it being very exfoliating and having a potent strength of glycolic acid. It didn’t irritate or cause any redness, which was great, and I would say it took around 3 weeks for me to start seeing a brighter, ‘un-clogged’ complexion. A good strength of glycolic acid is key for clearing out the pores deeply, and fighting acne returning. Apart from a cheek spot I got at the start of January, I’ve (touch wood) been blemish free since December!
Step 2: Actives with Obagi Professional C Serum 10%
- Designed to penetrate deep into your skin, this vitamin C serum provides effective antioxidant protection from UV damage
- Also brightens away hyperpigmentation and encourages the growth of collagen and elastin fibers
- Contains hyaluronic acid which binds moisture to your skin to prevent dryness
I have to say this was the key product from the full ‘prescription’ that I was most excited to use. Dr Jo Mennie explained that a lot of vitamin C products out there don’t actually contain enough to penetrate and be effective, with noticeable benefits and results, unless they contain 10% or above. I read up on the reviews for the Obagi serum and they were brilliant, with people saying that in a matter of just a couple of weeks their skin complexion was hugely brighter and had that fresh glow. Pigmentation had faded and texture was smoother.
Step 3: Actives with NeoStrata Clarify Oily Skin Solution
- Formulated with 8% glycolic acid to exfoliate dead cell build up while removing excess sebum and congestion from within the pores
- Also helps to soften the appearance of fine lines and post blemish marks
- Suitable for oily, acne prone skin
To tackle the blemish prone skin concern I have, this product was recommended to work in tandem with the NeoStrata cleanser to bust away the extra oil and congestion sitting in my pores, causing clogging blackheads, whiteheads and spots. It’s also a great product to use in the evening to control oil production to mattify the skin and keep any shine away for the next day.
Step 4: Moisturise with Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
- Taking the concept of a mask, a concentrated treatment to give skin an instant boost, this leave-on daily hydrator re-energises and revitalises the skin all day long
- Forming a breathable anti-pollution shield, the formula is supported by a next-generation blend of palmitoyl tripeptide-9 and marrubium vulgare extract, supercharged with antioxidants and age-defying peptides
- Caffeine, moringa extract, raspberry seed oil and acai oils provide nourishing protection, while niacinamide brightens the skin and bolsters its moisture barrier to keep the skin hydrated
Now this is what I’d call a very luxury skincare product, that feels so nourishing, thick and luxe on the skin, almost like a deep nourishing mask, yet works as a moisturiser too. Over time, this has provided brightening to my skin as well as giving it an incredible glow too. I had never heard of this brand before my consultation, but since using it and feeling very ‘special’ wearing it on the skin, I’ve researched into it and turns out it’s quite a cult. It’s pricey – like, not sure I can keep buying it – but…. it’s properties and results are very very impressive, so maybe I just need to start using less of it to get more lifespan from it!
I’ve been using it for mornings only, then switching to a NeoStrata one for the evenings as stated below.
Step 5: Moisturiser with NeoStrata Skin Active Dermal Replenishment
- Formulated to optimize hydration and help visibly reverse signs of aging
- Contains a patented amino acid derivative technology that is proven to build skin volume
- Prodew ingredient helps cushion skin with moisture and strengthen the skin barrier
I have to say I’ve been impressed with the NeoStrata products from the regimen I’ve been recommended. They have been brilliant at unclogging my pores, clearing my skin and exfoliating, without overdrying. This dermal replenishment moisturiser feels lovely to apply, absorbing quickly and working to strengthen the skin as I sleep. I’ve been waking up with fresh, dewy and moisturised skin so I have no complaints so far, and I’m assuming it’s working well in tandem with the NeoStrata cleanser and active product too.
Step 6: Sunscreen with Hydropeptide Solar Defense Non-Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50
- This broad spectrum mineral SPF 50 has zero tolerance for sun damage, guarding against harmful UVA, UVB and infrared rays
- Helps to protect against sun damage. Helps promote a clear complexion. Sheer-matte finish for a natural look
So we all know that SPF is absolutely vital when it comes to skincare. I know more than anyone now I’m battling both pigmentation caused from sun damage – mainly melasma – along with old acne marks. So you could say I’m an example of what ‘not’ to do. I have completely turned my skincare game around in the past five years. I’m aware of SPF and how even in winter, it’s so important to use. However, I know to be weary of cheaper end moisturisers or foundations that combine SPF, as sometimes they aren’t quite as effective as they are made out to be.
This was is what I’d call the crem de la crem of sun protection, with SPF diffused in a creamy non-tinted sunscreen product. It has a sheer-matte finish so it’s not too ‘flat’ or ‘chalky’ on the skin. I have used some SPF 50 products before and they’ve done the job but left a white finish on the skin, that feels tacky and a little rough. This one feels silky and hydrating, but I’d wear alongside my moisturiser too so that I’m relying on this product for mainly SPF.
Overall thoughts
The consultation costs £30, which gives you up to 30 minutes with a top skin specialist, such as the fabulous one I had. 30minutes is definitely enough time to get a thorough skin consultation, and as long as you have a high quality camera on your phone or laptop, your dermatologist will get everything she or he needs from you. Of course, as much information you can give in regards to your skin habits, products used, concerns, reactions, etc etc…. the better the consultation.
It may be that you want a dermatologist to analyse your current skincare routine and tell you what you don’t need to be wasting money on, or perhaps you have a certain problem, like rosacea or pigmentation, that you’d like specialist help with. You might just want to purchase two new products, although in my case, I gladly appreciated a full 6 step routine. I was ready for a switch up, a new collection of dermatology approved products, to try and get my skin in it’s best condition before my wedding thus year.
Of course, it’s then the price of the products you pay for, which GetHarley send to you in your own bespoke box. Speed of delivery, customer service, and all follow ups have been excellent from my experience. I received a full skincare regimen sheet outlining each product and the benefits, how to use them and when , for best results. So there’s nothing I needed to ask really… I kind of felt like I had been really looked after, even though I hadn’t actually spoke with anyone ‘in person’, if that makes sense?
The best bit is that there’s no subscription to commit to and the dermatologists and skin specialists are not affiliated with any brands, it’s just products they know to work from experience over the years. With the products being dermatologist approved, you can expect your high end brands, like your Obagi’s, NeoStrata’s, etc etc…. so the result tends to be a pricier spend on skincare. But, you get what you pay for. It’s the whole aesthetic dermatology experience, providing the products which many of us have heard of, but don’t know where to begin. For products that are on the higher end of the price scale, you need to be sure they are right for you, so having an expert handpick them out for you and advise on application etc, is a great bonus.
My results
After a month, I noticed the main changes to my skin was reduced breakouts, no oil whatsoever (my skin had been starting to go drier anyway but as I’m so spot prone, there is underlying oil), brighter and glowier skin. My pigmentation hasn’t miraculously disappeared as it’s pretty deep in places, but I’m so pleased to say the regime has worked wonders together as it has fades so much, and I actually look much more ‘clearer’ and brighter when I wake up in the morning. I’m hoping that continued use will start to make me look a little younger, too!
Cannot fault the service for ease, professionalism and speed. Would recommend hand on heart to those who are in need for skincare shake up, who are serious about seeing results. Take a look at the website here.
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