Who and where should you go for facials in London? If this is a question you find yourself asking, whether as a resident or a fly-in visitor to the city, then look no further than this Wallpaper guide*.
Whether it’s lasers with little to no downtime, or injectables that subtly rejuvenate rather than freeze or overfill, this regularly updated list of proven procedures, experienced practitioners and design-led clinics comes with the beauty stamp of approval editor Hannah Tindle.
The Wallpaper* guide to facials in London
Inside the clinic of Dr. Karen Doherty’s Stoke Newington
(Image: Courtesy of Dr. Karen Doherty)
Dr. Karen Doherty
The interior of Dr Karen Doherty’s clinic, located on a leafy street in North London, has been designed by gallerist Max Radford. So when you walk in, it’s worlds away from the medispa, with eclectic furnishings and an atmosphere that immediately makes you feel like you’re in the safe hands of someone with a keen eye for detail.
Dr. Karen takes the same approach to her aesthetic treatments, which are based on her patients’ individual facial anatomy. Taking a “less is more” approach to filler and using bespoke techniques to deliver eye-brightening polynucleotides, it delivers transformative yet natural results. One of my personal favorites in terms of in-clinic treatments includes the non-invasive NeoGen Plasma skin resurfacing, which will also be offered at her new Shoreditch location, due to open in 2025.
Dr Karen Doherty, Stoke Newington, London, N16
Maison Sisley
Sisley opened the first London Maison in July (2024), bringing the brand’s signature face, body and hair treatments to the UK capital. “We’ve been looking to open a Maison Sisley in London for a while,” Christine d’Ornano, the French skincare brand’s global vice president, tells Wallpaper*. D’Ornano designed the Maison’s interior with her mother, founder of the company Isabelle d’Ornano, with details that speak to its Mayfair location.
For those who like classic but also specialized facials, Maison Sisley has a comprehensive list of treatments on offer, each using its world-renowned products. The ‘Sisleÿa with Ginkgo Gua Sha’, ‘Sisleÿa La Cure’ and ‘Supremÿa’ facials are designed to address specific skin concerns, with built-in sensory elements (such as treatment room lights, essential oils, scalp, hand massage and feet). for maximum relaxation.
Maison Sisley, 61 South Audley St, London W1K 2QP
sisley-paris.com
Pfeffer et al
Nestled in the heart of Fitzrovia, Pfeffer Sal is a clinic of intimate proportions just below the ground floor of a cobblestone shop off Warren Street. Its nest-like environment, decorated with air-purifying plants, provides instant tranquility when you enter its door (a restored design from the 1930s).
Opened in 2015, the clinic works with selected ethical, sustainable and clean brands to provide a range of treatments backed by the latest science and technology. “We’re big on proven results and benefits, otherwise we can’t justify using something,” Pfeffer Sal’s website says. On top of all resurfacing facials, laser cleansing, micro-needling and rapid skin tightening (these can be added to seasonal facials) Pfeffer Sal also provides seasonal ‘limited edition’ treatments, allowing clients to experience the latest techniques and products .
Pfeffer Sal, The Stables, 10B Warren Mews, London W1T 6BY
Omorovicza’s London Institute on South Audley Street in Mayfair
(Image credit: © Mark Cocksedge)
The Omorovicza Mayfair Institute
Hungarian skincare brand Omorovicza opened a new London Institute almost a year ago (November 2023), designed to evoke the atmosphere of a thermal spa. Its interiors were created by Tina Vaia and Ed Milton of EJM Studio using materials that refer to its mineral-rich product ingredients such as travertine, copper, clay and terracotta.
In its two treatment rooms, just below the first floor of the building, there are facial and doctor treatments. A customized facial begins with a consultation with one of The Mayfair Institute’s therapists, who will ask questions about your skin type and concerns (thorough cleansing, steam, masks and massage were key components of my ). A treatment plan, the ‘Omorovicza Recipe’, is then provided with products tailored to your needs, along with advice on how best to use them.
The Omorovicza Mayfair Institute, 60 South Audley St, London W1K 2QW
omorovicza.co.uk
FaceGym
Inge Theron launched FaceGym ten years ago, opening its first location in Selfridges. Today, the brand has 15 studios worldwide – six of which are based in London – providing facial ‘workouts’ through non-invasive massage techniques to stimulate muscles for a lifting and sculpting effect.
Treatment options include ‘Signature Sculpt’, which uses FaceGym fingers and tools, such as a uniquely shaped gua sha, created in collaboration with make-up artist Isamaya Ffrench, or ‘FaceGym Pro’, an EMS device. Alternatively, there is the option of a ‘hands only’ workout, with added hydration and cleansing if desired. Facial massage also increases circulation and drains lymph, reducing puffiness and swelling. The techniques used by FaceGym provide immediate results that continue to last for weeks afterwards. Don’t expect light patting or stroking: it’s called “training” for a good reason.
FaceGym, studios in various locations across London including Surrenne, Old Barrack Yard, London SW1X 7NP and Selfridges, 400 Oxford St, London W1A 1AB
Products of Dr. David Jack, including ‘Yellow Peel’
(Image: Courtesy of Dr. David Jack)
Dr. David Jack
Having recently opened a fourth site in the City’s Royal Exchange (alongside existing clinics in Belgravia, a pop-up in The Savoy and a flagship on Harley Street), Dr David Jack is one of the UK’s most trusted aestheticians. All are designed with interiors that complement the architecture that hosts them. In the case of the Belgravia Clinic on Ebury Street, a 1960s building, the space is decorated in contrast to its brutalist exterior, inspired by a 1930s Milanese villa by Piero Portaluppi.
Here, you’ll also find SkinTech Studio, a special facial bar developed with the clinic’s head esthetician to work alongside injectables. The ‘Pigmentation Facial’ combines derma roller microneedling and mesotherapy, where a cocktail of antioxidants is delivered to the skin to reduce pigmentation and boost hydration. Mine, performed by one of the specialist practitioners, was combined with dermaplaning and the ‘Yellow Peel’ from Dr David Jack’s eponymous skin care range.
Dr. David Jack, 96 Harley St, London W1G 7HY and 59 Ebury St, London SW1W 0NZ
Dr Joney De Souza: Skin and Laser
Marylebone-based Dr Joney De Souza’s clinic, which specializes in laser treatments, ‘less is more’ injectables and a host of other treatments such as PRP, is just across Chiltern Street. Inside, you’re greeted by a line-up of Diptyque’s ‘Baeis’ and Dr Joney’s team, before meeting the man himself.
Born in Brazil, Dr. De Souza has been practicing aesthetic medicine for 20 years, developing the “De Souza Method” which addresses “volume”, “texture” and “tone”. During a consultation, he will advise on a unique “contour and lift”, “smooth and refined” and “clean and tone”. For the final result, Picosure, a laser treatment with minimal downtime that reduces hyperpigmentation while stimulating collagen production, “resets” my skin after the summer in preparation for the winter months. Other laser options, all administered by a specialist, range from IPL to Co2 resurfacing.
Dr Joney De Souza Skin and Laser, 49 Blandford St, London W1U 7HH
A treatment room at Augustinus Bader: The Skin Lab, located on Dover Street in London
(Image: Courtesy of Augustinus Bader)
Augustinus Bader: The Skin Lab
Augustinus Bader’s Skin Lab is adjacent to Lanserhof Clinic’s London outpost at The Arts Club on Dover Street. Offering facial treatments in line with Professor Bader’s approach to optimal skin health and using the brand’s signature TFC8 technology, which is present in all of its products, the ultimate goal is to “enhance cellular communication” to rejuvenate, tighten, tone and refinement.
Along with the facial I had, there was an IV vitamin drip at The Lanserhof, which delivered a powerful amount of nutrients directly into the bloodstream (what happens inside the body reflects outside, after all). The treatment itself began with placing my head in a Visia skin analysis machine, where the skin is scanned with multispectral imaging to reveal damage beneath the surface. Each component is then customized to reflect the client’s needs, from steam and RF, to extractions and light therapy. Needless to say, I left glowing.
Augustinus Bader: The Skin Lab, The Lanserhof at The Arts Club, 17-18 Dover Street, London W1S 4LT
111 Harley St.
111 Harley St. by Dr Yiannis Alexandridis – also the founder of 111 Skin and 111 Cryo – provides a range of surgical, non-surgical and injectable aesthetic treatments (over 10,000+ per year, to be exact, according to her website). Each one is performed with the same meticulous care and attention to detail at the clinic, which was established in 2001. Now, it is world-renowned for providing cutting-edge treatments through its team of specialists. This includes products like Ameela, an injectable skin-toning polynucleotide derived from DNA found in salmon sperm.
Exosomes ASCEplus SRLV, also derived from stem cells, is a topical product used in conjunction with micro-needling, known for its moisturizing and healing properties. I applied mine through Potenza, where tiny needles of a thickness according to my skin type (this is decided by a doctor after a thorough consultation) penetrate the epidermis alongside radio frequencies. Encouraging the body’s healing process and the production of collagen and elastin, although this is not for the faint of heart, the results are worth the momentary discomfort.
111 Harley St., London, W1G 6AW
