Lauren Kate is a facialist, maybe not a term you’ve heard before, but now you have. Lauren opened her boutique facial clinic The Facialist (I see what you did there) in Miami in 2017 offering eager Gold Coast faces essential, clinical and luxury facials and well, she’s had a steady following ever since. In fact, Lauren is in such high demand, she is currently on the hunt for a new location to expand her popular business (when things return to normal). We caught up with Lauren to get the down-low on how we can look after our skin at home…

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I am South Australian born but the Gold Coast has been my home for 20 years.

What do you love most about the Goldie?
The landscape, the Gold Coast has incredible beaches and just a stonesthrow inland, a backdrop of valleys and rainforests, one of the most beautiful destinations in the world!

Tell us about The Facialist.
The idea for The Facialist was born when I was teaching skin science, I would see students come through my classes, learning about the skin and performing clinical treatments that they may not be able to afford to have themselves.

The Facialist is a space for all ages, all genders and all skin conditions where the emphasis is on skin health and self love, not sales goals. A beautiful space where you can have top notch treatments, delivered by advanced skilled therapists at a price that doesn’t make your eyes water. Whether it is a clinical corrective treatment or much needed me-time you seek, we have you covered.

What’s a good routine that I should get into for looking after my skin at home?
Keep it simple, Cleanse, Treat, Hydrate, Protect. Cleanse daily to remove pollutants and cellular waste, treat individual skin concerns with a select serum, hydrate with a moisturiser to correct and maintain the skin barrier and protect with SPF! A good Facialist can help you tailor your skin care products to meet your skin health needs.

Are there any food or drinks that play with your skin that we should limit/avoid? And are there any that are beneficial?
Absolutely! Foods rich in Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin C, E & EFA’s are my favourite big players when it comes to skin, think dark leafy greens like spinach, nuts, seeds, avocados, mangos, lemons and bananas to name a few. And to limit, alcohol and sugar. Alcohol can cause facial flushing, pruritus, impared immunity and disrupted skin barrier function, and excess sugar attacks the skin’s collagen and elastin and has a causative link to acne.

I got sunburnt (oops), what should I do to not peel?
Sunburn is skin cells in trauma, the ‘peel’ that follows is the skin’s way of shedding dead, dying and damaged cells from your body. It’s best to let your skin handle this but you can speed up the healing with cool compresses and gentle soothing moisturisers such as aloe vera.

I’m starting to get some fine lines, what can I do?
Ditch the sugar and the sunshine! Excess sugar sabotages skin in a process called glycation, basically hijacking the beautiful proteins in your skin and causing them to become rigid, the UV Radiation from our sun attacks these same proteins. Skincare products containing Retinoids, a form of Vitamin A, are a great idea to throw into your night-time skin routine, Retinoids work to combat damage to the skin’s proteins and promote new collagen production, treating pesky fine lines and wrinkles.

Should I exfoliate?
Yes, but don’t overdo it. Skin cells naturally exfoliate themselves but as we age the process slows down, this can contribute to congestion and leave your skin looking dull. How often you should exfoliate and what with, comes down to your individual skin condition, it’s always best to reach out to your Facialist to make sure your exfoliant is right for you.

What’s the best option for getting rid of blemishes?
This is a tricky one, the cause and condition of the skin are important factors, there are tons of quick fixes however they may resolve the blemish temporarily but don’t treat the underlying cause. The best option? Call us.

My skin looks dull and lifeless, anything I can use around the house to look fresh again?
The best thing you can use around the house are your own hands! A gentle home facial massage will give you back your glow. Massage has many benefits, it will help to improve circulation, simulate cellular turnover, aid lymphatics and relax muscles, leaving your skin more radiant. Take care not to pull, it should be gentle with flowing strokes upward and from the centre.

What do you think is a must-have item for your skin?
SPF! Enjoy the sunshine, but do so safely. I prefer a good physical sunscreen.
(there is more on our blog on this topic: protection or poison)

What’s your best piece of beauty advice?
Your skin is a reflection of your internal health and wellbeing, diet and lifestyle have huge implications on your skin health, regular facials and a good skin care routine are only part of the picture. My favourite beauty advice is to ‘Feed your Face’. What are you eating, what aren’t you eating, are you getting enough?

Tell us your favourites on the Gold Coast:
Coffee spot: Hide N Seek
Café for breakfast: Caffeine Kings
Restaurant for dinner: The North Room