Review: Kathryn Lewsey
The Stables | 10B Warren Mews
W1T 6BY
Tucked away down a cosy mews in Fitzrovia, Pfeffer Sal is the type of place where you feel relaxed as soon as you step inside. Think low lighting, tranquil music and a chilled ambience that’ll have you unwinding in seconds.
This luxury clinic offers bespoke skin treatments with a holistic approach, combining science and nature to help you achieve your complexion dreams.
I recently popped by to experience the clinic’s new The Three Sixty Facial – and spoiler, it’s just as good as it sounds.
Meeting my therapist, Chloe, at reception, I was led down to the treatment room which is probably the dreamiest place I’ve ever had a facial. Softly lit, it smelt incredible and had a chic minimalist decor.
Chloe talked me through the process, explaining she’d thoroughly cleanse and analyse my skin before scanning it with the clinic’s skin diagnostic machine. The scans would then indicate what kind of treatments my complexion needed and determine what my facial would entail.
Before kicking things off, Chloe asked me about my skincare routine and what my concerns were. I explained that no matter how much moisturiser I applied, my skin was always very dry and that pigmentation was also something that I wanted to tackle.
Chloe left me to change into a fluffy dressing gown and get into the treatment bed, which was super-soft and even heated! When Chloe returned, she gently double-cleansed my skin before taking a look at it and agreeing with what my main concerns were.
Next up, the scanning! I sat down in front of the machine while Chloe scanned my face from three angles – face-on and each side. This clever machine generates six scans of your face using skin imaging technology and controlled wavelengths of light. This allows the therapist to view the deep layers of the skin, where concerns often begin and aren’t always easily detectable to the naked eye.
Sitting back down with Chloe, she showed me each scan and talked me through them. One scan showed the sun-damage and pigmentation that my skin had. Chloe explained how certain areas were darker as they were places on my face that I often missed (mainly the top of my forehead) – and that I needed to make sure to cover these areas when applying SPF.
My skin also showed up as being quite sensitive and looking redder in other areas. Chloe recommended that I switch my SPF50 for 30, as there wasn’t much difference in the protection but it would be kinder to my complexion.
Other things that popped up included the hydration levels being pretty low and a smattering of blackheads on my nose. Chloe explained which treatments she’d be using today to give my skin some good old TLC. She also told me how the clinic uses a range of different products and that the brands they use are sustainable, as well as being free from the likes of parabens, palm oil and sulphates.
I laid back on the bed and Chloe started off with exfoliation and extraction, which would help eliminate those pesky blackheads. She gently massaged an exfoliator onto my skin, which contained enzymes to effectively remove dead skin cells. Chloe then expertly steamed my face and extracted the congestion and impurities from my skin.
Next, Chloe gave me a dreamy facial massage with a super-hydrating treatment mask. As she worked the product into my skin, it already felt softer than it had in months.
Chloe then placed goggles on my eyes to protect them while I had the LED light therapy. I spent 20 minutes under the red and blue light combo, which worked to clear congestion and stimulate collagen.
Finally, Chloe slathered my skin with a serum that was packed with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
Walking out after, I still felt serene as I made my way home – even when I had to jump onto a busy tube. My skin felt silky soft and was glowing for days.
Not stopping there with the incredible service, I also received an email post-treatment which recommended the products I should use for my skin. I was also advised to try micro-needling as an option for reducing the pigmentation.
From start to finish, my experience with Pfeffer Sal was incredible. From their bespoke treatments, expert knowledge and soothing setting, this really is the place to go when your skin needs a pick-me-up.