Skincare expert Sarah Chapman

FACIALIST sarah chapman set up skincare brand skinesis in 2008. she lives in London with her partner, simon.

ONE of my earliest forays into skincare came when I was a teenager. I borrowed my mother’s at-home tanning lamp, but after a couple of sessions it burnt my skin so badly I had blisters all over my chin.

Looking into lotions to heal the skin led to my obsession with beauty products. After school I moved to London to study makeup, then special effects make-up in Australia, plus beauty, aromatherapy and sports massage back in the UK. My dad always said: ‘You have your whole life to work — spend as much time as you can learning.’

Throughout my 20s I did everything from selling fragrance in Harrods to working for skincare companies in sales and development.

My light bulb moment came when a client said she was jealous of her friends’ skincare cabinets full of beautiful bottles and luxurious smelling creams. While she used good quality ingredients I’d recommended, they smelt of nothing and the bottles were dull. I thought — why can’t we have both? Fantastic scientific formulas, with luxur y fragrances and elegant packaging.

I worked with scientists and chemists on quality, clinical strength products packed with vitamin A, which de-ages and regulates skin. My Overnight Facial Serum-Oil launched in 2008, and is still our best-seller.

Opening my flagship clinic in Chelsea two years ago was a dream come true. I now have 35 employees and an eight-week waiting list for appointments. I’m still involved in each product from start to launch. Hearing people such as Victoria Beckham recommend my products is an honour, and there’s nothing like going to Harrods and seeing my range on the shelves.