Two kids and a lack of time to really look after myself has taken its toll on my skin, but after a session with skincare expert Keeley Aydin I’m on a new skincare routine and feeling hopeful
Looking at myself in the mirror ahead of my 38th birthday, I couldn’t help but sigh as I noticed how tired and dull my skin had become within the last few years.
Two children, six years of pretty consistent broken sleep and a lack of time to fully concentrate on a little self care was really starting to show.
So as I stare down the barrel of my 40s on the horizon, I knew it was time to start taking a bit more care of myself. And just like that my fairy godmother, in the form of skincare expert Keeley Aydin, stepped into my life.
For as long as I can remember, I have had a love/hate relationship with my skin. From battling acne in my teenage years, trying all kinds of tricks and trends to improve it, but being left with the scars and redness, I longed for clear skin.
At times throughout my life my skin has had that longed for glow, but age and life have brought me back to feeling like a teenager again and I just long to feel confident without make-up.
So when the chance came up to head to the Galgorm for a masterclass with Keeley herself and discover some new products in the ELEMIS range, it was like fate had stepped in.
So the day after my 38th birthday, I headed off in the hope that maybe this was going to be a turning point for my skin.
I have to say, the Galgorm is my absolute favourite place to go and unwind as there is nowhere I would rather be than exploring the Thermal Village, especially with the latest new expansion across the river which opened earlier this year.
As part of the trip we got to enjoy the spa at our leisure before being booked in for an ELEMIS facial. Of course I had heard of the famous British brand before, known for their award-winning anti-ageing products, but I’d never had a chance to try them before.
In another twist of fate, a friend had actually sent me a selection of the mini versions of some of their best sellers as my birthday gift the day before. It looked like I was really being pointed in the direction of this brand.
The facial was so relaxing, I likely dozed off once or twice, and the thing I enjoyed the most was the smell of the products, they have a wonderful aromatherapy fragrance. The smooth facial I received also included an element of massage around the neck, arms and head.
I’ve never had a treatment at the Galgorm before so it was something I’ll definitely factor in next time, especially knowing that the spa has a partnership with ELEMIS. Nicely relaxed and feeling glowing, we all headed to the masterclass with Keeley in the Orangery.
Now if you haven’t heard of Keeley before, then it’s time to get acquainted because this woman, also known as the ‘skin whisperer’, knows what she’s talking about.
With more than 30 years experience in this industry, the majority of those years being with ELEMIS, she is an authority in looking after your skin.
One of the first things that strikes me about Keeley is her own skin, because it was absolutely stunning. Now in her 50s, this woman is living proof of how these products can help keep your complexion youthful.
The second thing is her ability to simply look at someone and know exactly what their issue is. That’s one of the aspects of ELEMIS I love as I learn more about the brand, it is all about the knowledge that healthy skin starts from within. There’s a lot within our own bodies that affects our skin and shows in different ways.
As soon as I ask Keeley about my own skin, she highlights that she believes my problems could stem from stomach issues and she has advised I limit my diary and said that wheat could also be a concern.
I had always suspected elements of my diet could be contributing to my skin issues so I’m interested to see how many some adjustments could improve things.
Keeley was in Northern Ireland as part of the brands launch of their new products in the Pro-Collagen range, their new face of body care in the form of the Body Cleansing Balm and Marine Body Cream.
Beside us we have the products and a little water so we can try them out ourselves. The Body Cleansing Balm smells divine, and transports you straight to the spa. As soon as you mix it with a little water it foams up and creates a wonderful silky milk then foam texture on your skin. The great thing is that a little goes a long way, so you are only using a small amount across your whole body.
When I ask Keeley how long one of their 300ml bottles should last, she tells me potentially up to four months. At £45 a bottle, I think that is pretty good value for money, especially if it means transforming every shower into a spa like experience.
Clinical trials show it will deliver 24 hour hydration and with the brand’s signature blend of nine essential oils, including lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus, it is a treat for the senses.
This is followed up by the Pro-Collagen Marine Body Cream, their take on their award-winning famous facial cream, this time becoming an anti-wrinkle cream for the whole body.
Again I’m floored by the beautiful scent, rose and mimosa, the silky texture has an instant impact on my poor dry shins. It’s priced at £70 for 200ml and again, a little goes a long way.
But here is when Keeley’s expertise comes into play because she tells us that if we are not exfoliating then it’s just a complete waste of this product as it’s essentially being soaked up by the old dead skin cells. This is when body brushing and using the brand’s Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow Body Scrub (£50) play a key role in preparing the skin for these fab new products.
Body brushing is something I’ve done sporadically over the years, but never dedicated any real time to seeing if it works. Turns out this was a mistake of mine and we should all be body brushing every day and it will improve the tone of our skin over time.
However, it turns out I’ve been doing it wrong anyway because any time I’ve tried, I’ve been scrubbing so hard, probably with the hope of rubbing away any cellulite. It turns out what you need to do is use a gentler pressure and go from your hand, up your arm towards your heart. Then from your foot up towards your heart again and then across your torso. It’s definitely something I am trying to incorporate into my daily routine as Keeley said we would notice a difference.
So with these new products to help give the overall skin on my body a bit of TLC, what about my face and how to improve that?
ELEMIS have an incredible range of products and I feel like a kid in a toy shop looking at the ones on display in the spa at Galgorm.
Keeley starts us all off with the Pro Collagen Hydrating Cleansing Mousse, which I am now using as a cleanser morning and night. As well as this I now have a double cleanse in the evening, using the famous Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm. I think this might be one of my favourite products, the smell is out of this world and I love how it goes on dry and then once you have rubbed it in, you add water and watch it foam up. I don’t think my skin has ever been so clean, it’s now my favourite part of the day using this in the evening.
Now one of the big things that Keeley emphasised we all should be doing is using toner. I had been but I must admit I was also using it to remove make up, and probably being too rough with my skin with a cotton pad. Now I just use the Pro Collagen toning mist after cleansing and again the smell takes me back to the spa and I love how my skin feels afterwards. Keeley had explained the importance of toning was to do with replenishing the moisture in your skin, post cleanse. This product is also good at reducing the appearance of pores which I am definitely looking forward to seeing the results of.
Next up I am now trying the Pro Collgen Rose Essence In Lotion which is an absolute delightful smell, I know I have said others parts of my new skin routine are my favourite but the smell of this one is floral and just something I love to indulge in every day now. You can feel how hydrating it is as well so it’s a wonderful addition to my routine.
For those who are keen on floral scents as well, I hear the Galgorm is hosting an ELEMIS Rose-Inspired Afternoon Tea which is coming up on June 7 and features the ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Rose collection so that is definitely one to consider if you are interested in ELEMIS products and love some afternoon tea as well.
Now an ELEMIS routine would not be complete with their famous Pro Collagen Marine Cream. It’s been winning awards for years and it’s clear to see why.
In the space of just two weeks I’ve already noticed improvements in my skin’s overall health and those pesky fine lines.
It honestly feels like I have found exactly what my skin was missing, and it’s not crazy trending treatments but good quality skincare with decades of research behind it. I love what ELEMIS stands for, looking after yourself from within so it shows on your face.
After learning all we could from Keeley it was time for some delicious food at Elements in the spa before heading back to the spa to spend the rest of the evening. I was in heaven.
As if learning all of this from ELEMIS wasn’t enough, I got to enjoy a night to myself at Galgorm, the ultimate treat. The next morning I squeezed in as much spa time before a leisurely breakfast at Gillies before I had to admit my night escape was over and it was time to head back to reality.
If any of this sounds like the ideal trip for you then you need to check out the 1 Night Spa Escape package with Galgorm. The lead-in rate is £565 for two people for an overnight stay in a resort guest room, complimentary mini bar, access to the Thermal Spa Village from check in until check out, Full Irish Breakfast, Celtic Sauna Infusion experience, 60 minute ELEMIS spa treatment and a three course evening meal in either Gillies Restaurant, Fratelli or Castle Kitchen + Bar.
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