BEAUTY
SKIN SECRETS
Can a £50 test show you the way to a clear, glowing complexion? We asked three women to give it a go and share their results
COMPILED BY INGEBORG VAN LOTRINGEN.
Bespoke
skincare is all the rage, whether it’s achieved through dermatologist-prescribed regimes, custom-made creams or even genetic testing. The promise? Products that are uniquely effective for your skin (so no more binning costly serums that don’t work), your personal issues addressed and healthy skin that looks its very best.
In theory it’s a great idea, but the cost can run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds. So our ears pricked up when microbiome skincare brand Gallinée launched an easy and accessible way to get your skin analysed, with a custom skincare prescription provided at the end. The process is priced at £50, with the cost redeemable against the brand’s probiotic-focused products.
So, is it a transformational investment or a bit of a gimmick? To find out, we asked three women to put the system to the test.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Gallinée Skin Health Testing Kit uses the same technology as, of all things, PCR tests – except it doesn’t involve a cotton bud stuck up your nose, but rather a patch on your forehead. In ten seconds, it collects a sample of your skin microbiome (or its bacterial population), which is as individual as your fingerprints.