I was really excited when I heard that Skintopia was opening up in Auckland, because I’ve heard a lot of great feedback about their Wellington location. Like other Dermalogica skin centres, I know they’re focused on getting great results for your skin rather than just pampering. This is exactly what my skin needs! I’ve been a Dermalogica skincare user for many years now, and started getting regular professional treatments to help keep on top of my skin health. People often ask me about the best place to get a facial in Auckland city, so when the Skintopia team invited me in to experience a treatment, I jumped at the chance to review them.
Getting to Skintopia
If you’re not familiar with Commercial Bay, it’s right by the Britomart transport hub and the ferry terminal. Super easy to access using public transport and perfectly placed for people who live and work in the central city! Driving in the CBD is a bit of a mission at the moment, due to construction and roadworks. There are some parking options nearby (Downtown Carpark gives you access via a sky bridge) but I decided to catch a Zoomy into the city to minimise my anxiety. For now, I’d recommend using public transport, or walking down if you live or work in the CBD.
Skintopia is located on Level 2 (near the food court) on the side closest to Customs St West. This was my first visit to Commercial Bay so I got a bit turned around, but you can scope the place out here before you head in.
The treatment lounge at Skintopia Commercial Bay
The atmosphere
The salon was really light and bright, clean and welcoming. Skintopia is set up a bit different to other salons I’ve visited. As well as a private treatment room, there is another open plan treatment space with multiple beds. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing requirements, they’re using this space a little differently at the moment. My appointment was in a private treatment room, but I didn’t take any photos – I was too busy relaxing!
The plan for my Dermalogica Proskin 60 Treatment.
The treatment
I’d filled in a digital consultation form before arriving, and before we got started my skin therapist Chelsea checked in about my skin concerns (hormonal acne, redness, dryness and a bit of sensitivity from wearing face masks). I was booked in for a Proskin 60 treatment, which is the same kind I usually opt for. It’s a 60 minute treatment customised to your skin concerns so can be different every time! Because the treatments are so personalised, I won’t take you through every step of mine but you can see the basic outline in the cards above. My therapist did a great job of letting me know what was happening, while still giving me time to relax.
After my treatment my skin felt absolutely incredible! Calmer, less irritated and much more hydrated. I had a chat with Chelsea afterward about how I could use the products I have in more efficient ways to get the maximum benefit for my skin, and she wrote me up a personalised skin fitness plan.
LED Light Therapy
One part of my treatment that I’d never experienced before was the addition of LED light therapy. This is where different coloured LED lights are used to target individual skin concerns. Chelsea did a good job preparing me of what to expect here, and I’m glad she did. It was a whole new experience and the light was incredibly bright! Even though I had my eyes closed and eye protection on, it was next level bright. I knew the machine was fairly close to my face, so I tried to imagine myself lying on a nice tropical beach while it worked away.
Chelsea decided against using the blue light (which helps with acne) because of the pigmentation I already have. Instead she used the green light to help with that pigmentation, and to help reduce redness and irritation. We followed that with the near-infrared light to help repair my acne inflamed skin.
I really enjoyed the LED light therapy and would get it again – I think this would be good as a regular part of your skincare routine. If you get claustrophobic, this might not be the treatment for you as it was pretty intense. There are loads of other ways they can customise your treatment, so it’s okay if that part doesn’t sound like something you’d enjoy.
My glowing skin after my treatment
Fat friendly
Waiting room seating is a cushioned bench seat, there are no dividers or arm rests. The bed in the treatment room was quite wide, easy to get up on and felt really stable to lie on. I was offered bolsters for support under my knees. No robes to worry about here – I was draped with very generously sized towels which provided ample cover. All of the staff I met during my visit were friendly and welcoming.
My verdict
My skin therapist made me feel really at ease throughout my entire treatment. I was really happy with the treatment she chose and how my skin felt afterward. One thing I really appreciated was that Chelsea advised me on how I could make better use of the products I already had. I would absolutely recommend Skintopia Commercial Bay to anyone who wants to optimise their skin health.
Have you ever tried LED Light Therapy?
Let me know how you found it!
