Medical Grade Skincare: Science Secrets for Healthier Skin
Elevate your skincare with clinically proven ingredients for real results.
Skincare and the pursuit of youthful, healthy skin is nothing new. In fact it’s a concept and goal that has endured through the centuries better than most. From the ancient Egyptians exfoliating with Dead Sea salt and harnessing the power of oils to reduce wrinkles, to the honey facemasks of the ancient Greeks, each era has explored and developed their own treatments to get ‘that’ glow and reduce the signs of aging.
Luckily for us, the science behind skincare has undergone some huge advances over the last century (even if the rise of the facewipe may have some of us doubting the truth in this), and we’re now in a position to reap the rewards. A comprehensive understanding of the changes our skin goes through as we age and how the use of targeted treatments and active ingredients can play a real role in both reducing and reversing these changes has revolutionised the skincare field, paving the way for truly effective products and treatments.
Whilst starting skincare at any age will only ever be a positive thing, we always find one of the most under-rated tools is early intervention. Being pro-active about your skincare, rather than fire-fighting problems when they appear, can make all the difference. That’s where medical grade skin really comes into its own. Beginning these treatments at an early age, and using them regularly as an integral part of your skincare regime not only brings benefits that can be seen today, but lays the foundations for healthy, youthful skin throughout your life.
To help you make sense of the options available, we’ve chosen some of our Elevate hero ingredients and treatments and why you’ll love them as much as we do.
Retinoids (AKA Retinol, Retin-A, Tretinoin)
Hailed by many as the gold standard of anti-aging, retinoids (Vitamin A derivatives) are an incredibly effective tool in the fight against aging. By stimulating cell turnover and encouraging collagen production they’ve been found to significantly improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles¹. Strength and efficacy varies massively between formulations, and they have the potential to irritate at higher strengths, so incorporation into your routine should be gradual and planned. Working with your medical aesthetics practitioner ensures you’ll get the best quality products, and a plan that will get the most out of them, whilst minimising the risk of irritation.
Vitamin C (L- ascorbic acid)
Another truly heroic ingredient, Vitamin C has been shown to be one of the skin's most powerful antioxidants, capable of reducing sun damage, wrinkles and pigmentation². As with retinoids, all Vitamin C is not made equal, and using a product with the correct formulation is essential to seeing the results you want. At Elevate we recommend and stock the OBAGI range, whose medical grade formulations deliver effective and reliable results.
Hydroxy Acids (AHAs/BHAs)
Exfoliation is a concept that has been around for centuries, and for good reason. While it may conjure up thoughts of your teen years face wash, the power of effective and regular exfoliation shouldn’t be underestimated. While the field of hydroxy acids could probably fill a few blogs all on its own, the takehome message is that the hydroxy acids work as chemical exfoliants, increasing cell turnover and bringing a huge number of visible benefits such as improved tone and texture, and reduced fine lines and wrinkles. There’s a wide range of types and concentrations and care should be taken to use products that are appropriate for your skin and your goals.
Peels
Taking things a step further, chemical peels are expertly formulated treatments, used to exfoliate both the surface and deeper layers of the skin, and bring a host of benefits that can be tailored to address your specific skin concerns. At Elevate we offer a wide range of peels including our Signature Peels and the OBAGI Blue Radiance Peel, ensuring there’s an option for everyone. Depending on the peel, results such as smoother, brighter skin can be seen after just one treatment, whereas longer term use can improve signs of acne, decrease pigmentation and significantly boost collagen production.
Facials
Ever heard the phrase ‘facials are for life not just for a spa day’? Well, neither have we, but we’re going to firmly stand by it. The right facial can bring a huge number of benefits such as improved hydration, more even skin tone and firmer skin. Whilst one off treatments might be ideal to leave you glowing for that special event, the real magic lies in regular, tailored sessions. Our Aqua3 Hydrofacial is an 11-step treatment which combines active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, and advanced techniques to deliver visible results. Our Tighten and Glow facial takes things a step further, combining the Aqua3 Hydrofacial with radio-frequency and low-level laser skin tightening to create a firmer and more contoured appearance.
Dermapen Microneedling
A safe and minimally invasive technique, microneedling uses fine needles to create micro-abrasions in the skin, stimulating the body’s healing response. This increases production of collagen and elastin, leading to smoother, firmer, and more youthful-looking skin. At Elevate we use Dermapen, an advanced microneedling treatment that delivers noticeable and long lasting results including scar and stretch mark reduction, improved skin tone, decreased pores, and reduced wrinkle formation. Combining the application of active compounds with microneedling can improve delivery to deeper skin levels leading to even greater results.
Healthier Skin Starts Here
While it might feel like we’ve thrown a long list of treatments at you, the reality is that the best results are likely to come from a combination of the above. Using well formulated products, and being aware of the range of strengths and potential for irritation of some products is vital, but with early, regular and properly planned use of these treatments, you really can achieve visible and sustainable results. If you’re interested in creating a plan that’s going to work for you, and help you get the most out of medical grade skincare, book a free consultation with one of our team. We’ll help you identify some clear skin targets and formulate the best treatment plan to get you there.
Siddharth Mukherjee et al. ‘Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety’ Dec 2006 Pubmed Central Online, accessed 06.03.25
Al-Niaimi F, Chiang NYZ. ‘Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications’. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017 Jul;10(7):14-17. Epub 2017 Jul 1. PMID: 29104718; PMCID: PMC5605218.