I have 20 years’ experience as a facialist and during this time I have witnessed an increase in premature ageing caused by city life; namely, the damage that pollution has on skin. It was because of this that I was inspired to create my own skincare range both to use in my in-clinic treatments and that would help clients maintain healthy, radiant skin at home. Throughout those 20 years, I had been formulating skin solutions, while my own experience with rosacea made me passionate about researching the benefits of natural ingredients.

Following this research and development, I am proud to say that our products combine the most cutting-edge, clinically proven advances in skincare and the highest-quality science-led active ingredients to effectively harness the power from potent natural actives, such as kakadu plum and sea buckthorn, using organic and biotech ingredients and no harsh chemicals.

I had a clear vision of how a product should work, which came from working with skin everyday. The first product I launched was the Luminescent Base, and I learned so much while developing it; starting from a base position of just having an idea, you have to go through a steep learning curve to bring it to life. Staying focused is key when challenges arise, I think you have to have a dogged determination and stick to what you believe.

We believe in preventative, healthy skin ageing, therefore our products are truly multitasking – they not only treat specific concerns but also nurture and hydrate skin. They are also highly effective at tackling environmental damage, which is a concern we should all be focused on.

My skincare approach is to provide a truly bespoke treatment and experience: everybody is different and that is reflected in our targeted serum collection. Skincare is not “one size fits all” and for brilliant results, your regimen must be in line with your particular conditions.

Having witnessed a multitude of skin conditions in my clinic, I wanted to create a range of serums that would be effective at treating specific issues – such as acne, dehydrated skin and pigmentation – so that each client would be able to build their own system at home. If your main concern is acne or rosacea, for example, I recommend our No. 2 Serum; whereas if you have sun and pollutant damaged skin, the No. 1 is brilliant. For dehydrated skin, the No. 3 Serum targets multiple skin layers for short-and-long term hydration. Coming soon are our No. 4 Serum – Calm + Heal, which targets rosacea and redness, and the No. 5 – Fade + Balance, which is brilliant at treating pigmentation and age spots.

Men’s skin has different concerns to women and we launched the Lisa Franklin Pro-Effect For Men range to treat these particular issues. Although male skin is thicker and pretty resistant it undergoes a significant amount of stress as a result of shaving. The surface of a man’s skin tends to be much drier due to its thickness and reduced levels of natural moisture. Beard growth can also cause problems with in-grown hairs and irritation, so men should look for gentle products that purify the skin and manage excess sebum, while increasing hydration to aid long-term skin health and reduce the visible signs of ageing. I recommend cleansing twice daily with a gel wash; incorporating exfoliation to remove dead cells; using a serum that targets your skin concerns and applying a moisturiser. I highly recommend our award-winning Men’s Pollution Defence Cream, which not only hydrates and repairs but also protects against environmental pollutants and reduces aftershave sensitivity.

For anyone who is working long hours and has a high-pressure job, like many Brummell readers, I’d recommend making time for a regular, consistent cleansing routine: it is vital for keeping your skin glowing and healthy. It not only removes the daily dirt and grime we come into contact with through our lives, but also bad bacteria that can cause inflammatory responses resulting in problematic skin conditions. An oil-based cleanser will help to draw out impurities and nourish the skin, follow this with a gentle wash to purify and deep clean. Regular exfoliation with products containing gentle acids will remove tired skin cells and accelerate healthy proliferation. The result is a radiant, more even complexion.

City dwellers face a unique set of problems. While we have known for many years about the negative impact of UV light radiation on skin health, it has now been shown that air pollution and radiation from our electronic devices are equally important concerns to address when considering long-term skin health and reducing the visible signs of ageing.

Composed of microparticles of dust, fumes and smoke, particulate matter is the debris that we can see on our cotton wool pads after cleansing. They are so small – a fraction of the diameter of a human hair – that they are able to penetrate through the pores into the skin. This not only causes inflammation and dehydration but is also associated with acne, skin sensitivity and premature ageing. A Proctor & Gamble study conducted in 2014 concluded that city life also accelerated skin ageing up to 10 per cent faster compared to rural life.

Protecting the skin from electromagnetic radiation exposure – emitted from mobile phones and other electronic devices – is especially important now that we spend more time than ever in front of screens. We are only now starting to see its negative effect on skin health. Electromagnetic and visible light radiation from screens accelerates the oxidation process, compromises the skin barrier function, increases inflammation and free radical production and exerts DNA damage, therefore it is vital to address these issues in our skincare routines.

Sustainability is at the core of what we do and this is a value that is reflected throughout our business decisions. Not only are our products environmentally friendly, we have also implemented sustainability initiatives to encourage our community to contribute to ecological preservation.

For every empty packaging returned to us, which can be sent via the post, we offer £5 off your next purchase. We are also very proud of being forest-positive: each time we produce packaging materials, we help plant more trees and we have partnered with One Tree Planted – for every £1 donated on our website, a tree is planted.

As sustainability is such a key concern for us, we have made efforts to ensure that our products are as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible.

In terms of our formulas, our range is cruelty-free, vegan, organic and non-GMO.

Additionally, all of our shipping materials are sustainable: our boxes are made from a minimum of 90 per cent recycled material and are fully recyclable, our bags are 100 per cent biodegradable, and the paper we use is also biodegradable and 100 per cent recyclable.

Lisa Franklin’s lockdown skincare routine

The lockdown and Covid-19 crisis has lead to pretty stressful times. This has an impact on the skin with overall decreased levels of moisture and the potential for inflammatory responses and the reoccurrence of any pre-existing issues. For that reason during the lockdown, I have been focused on upping my skin hydration and antioxidant levels.

Now that we find ourselves at home, it is vital to take the time to regularly take care of our skin, with special attention to:

1. Maintenance of skin hydration levels, both internally and topically

Drink at least two litres of water daily and incorporate hydration-boosting products to your regimen.

2. Increased exposure to radiation from electronic devices

Ensure your skin is protected from harmful radiation by using skincare products that limit the amount of UV rays radiation from penetrating the skin and strengthens barrier function.

3. Sunscreen

Despite the fact that we are mostly indoors, we must continue to protect the skin from sun damage. Indoor UV exposure can still occur from radiation that penetrates through windows, and sun exposure during short walks and periods outside can add up to sun damage and premature skin ageing. I suggest incorporating vitamin C in your regimen and applying sunscreen throughout the day.

Find out more about Lisa Franklin and purchase products from the Lisa Franklin collection at lisafranklin.london