In Conversation with Advanced Skincare Expert, Abigail James

March is Women’s History Month and to celebrate, we’re talking to a unique group of women who are experts in the field and use advanced beauty in their professional skincare practice. They not only talk the talk, but they also walk it, too! They help clients look and feel their best and believe that well-being is greatly improved by taking an inside-out approach. Today, we’re chatting with Abigail James.

Abigail James literally wrote the book on healthy, glowing skin. With more than 15 years in the beauty industry, Abigail has become a highly respected leader in the beauty and skincare industry. She relies on a whole health approach to skincare; one that combines overall health and well-being with the latest facial methods to help clients achieve a radiant and healthy glow. She has locations in The Beaumont Hotel, Mayfair, and London.

Medico Beauty: Self-care is becoming a new buzz word. Often clients feel they lack enough time for themselves. What advice do you have for getting started?

Self-care comes in many different forms. It doesn't have to be a yoga retreat or a day at the spa. It can be something as simple as 5 minutes meditation at the beginning or end of the day, a face mask in a warm bath, a walk in the park outside on your lunch break. To me, it’s little moments and actions to be a little kinder to yourself. Buy yourself flowers as a thank you to yourself.

Medico Beauty: What is your favourite wellness ritual?

I am a fan of a yoga class, but I also love a massage or spa treatment. The power of touch is incredible, working on muscles as well as emotions.

Medico Beauty: How do you recover after a stressful day or in the moment of a serious meltdown?

Breath work! As in focusing on dropping my shoulders, I take a deep breath in and count to ten, let it out then focus on breathing in for the count of 5 and out for the count of 8 for a minute. I also like to walk, I need to get outside, look at my surroundings, look up at the sky. If it's a particularly ongoing stressful time I like to walk in the park or along the river, I don't take the children or the dog, I like to be near water, getting out in nature, I find so mentally balancing.

Medico Beauty: What personal achievement are you most proud of?

Bringing up my three children on my own while building a career.

Medico Beauty: What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

Travel more. It’s such a big beautiful, exciting world; you learn so much from experiencing different cultures and places.

Medico Beauty: How did you get started in the field of Advanced Skin Health and Wellness?

I retrained as a beauty therapist after I had my first child age 23. I went to night school for two years and learnt everything from tanning, waxing, nails, face and body treatments. I continued to learn and work part time in salons and spas. Additionally, I specialised in massage for a number of years, sports, pregnancy, baby, holistic and also trained as a Dr. Hauschka Aesthetician. In time, I became very interested in skin care, skin conditions and working with the face. Six face massage courses later along with lots of aesthetic training in peels, needling, and technology’s I now combine both aspects of high tech and holistic and have done for many years.

Medico Beauty: What single discovery do you believe has made a difference in treating skin concerns?

Peels! I think they have been a real skin changer, the way they absorb, the positive impact on the skin, the results.

Medico Beauty: What’s the best way to get started with using active ingredients?

For at home, Include some sort of gentle acid for exfoliation, such as lactic acid. This also helps with hydration as well as brightening. And a retinol in the evening. Then, build the routine from there.

Medico Beauty: Have you had any beauty or skincare disasters?

Personally, I have had many skin reactions over the years, I'm about to share a blog and YouTube video on this!

Medico Beauty: What skincare advice do you have for those on a budget or who would like to save money?

Invest in serums. These are the products that are really doing things. A basic routine that's most effective includes cleanse, apply a serum, and moisturise. You can use things out of your kitchen cupboard as face masks and massage oils as a nice at home alternative. Being totally honest if you buy good skincare that's well formulated, you will, in the long term, save a load of money from not buying the wrong products that aren't actually doing anything!

Medico Beauty: Tell us about any new exciting projects you’re developing in 2019?

My brand new website is due to launch this week: new branding, features, information resources and a whole lot more! I've been mentoring a therapist who is now joining my team and I might be looking for future team members and lots more exciting plans I can't share just yet.

Medico Beauty: How do you see advanced skin health evolving in the future?

The rate skincare has advanced over the past 5 years is incredible. I think skincare is going to become more intelligent, working more on a cellular level, delivery systems continue to be improved. Hopefully, more brands will become safer on their ingredient philosophies too.

Medico Beauty: What is your favourite face mask right now?

Soothing peptide - totally love it! Hydrates, calms, suits all skin types. I will personally use it twice a week to keep skin hydrated.

Medico Beauty: Favourite CosMedix hero product?

I must admit I have a few! I do totally love Purity Clean and also Serum 16, as a non-aggressive retinol.   To learn more about Abigail James, visit her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube and read her blog.