Life & Soul Lifestyle Beauty . Fashion . Health . Life
Earlier this week, I was invited to experience something truly special in honour of Mental Health Awareness Week – a complimentary facial with ESPERER skincare at the newly launched Beauty Room inside John Bell & Croyden.
If you’re regular reader, you’ll know we don’t just love skincare – we’re passionate about the why behind it. So when I heard the facial was with ESPERER, a brand rooted in Psychodermatology (the link between emotional wellbeing and skin health), it immediately made sense.
Since its launch in 2019, ESPERER has described its products as Psychodermatological skincare® – skincare that not only improves the appearance of your skin but also supports your emotional wellbeing. It’s a beautiful concept, and one that feels especially timely.
What is the ESPERER CBT Facial?
Developed by ESPERER’s founder, Dina El Adlani, this facial isn’t your average cleanse-extract-mask routine. The CBT Facial (yes, as in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is a 75-minute experience designed to address stress-related skin issues, negative self-perception, and unhealthy skincare habits. It blends talk therapy, somatic breathwork, guided visualisation, and lymphatic massage to help you reconnect with your skin – mentally, emotionally, and physically.
The six steps include:
- Consultation + AI Skin Analysis: A digital scan to assess your skin’s current condition and set intentions.
- Breathing + Guided Visualisation: A moment to mentally reset and visualise your ideal skin and how you feel in it.
- Exfoliation + Deep Cleansing: Preparing the skin to receive treatment by starting the rebalancing process.
- Facial Sculpting + Lymphatic Drainage Massage: Releasing tension while boosting circulation and tone.
- Clay Mask + Cognitive Restructuring: Gentle questions prompt reflection and a more positive skin dialogue.
- Hydration + Barrier Repair: Finishing with nutrient-rich hydration and skin recovery products.
My Experience
It was my first time inside John Bell & Croyden’s new Beauty Room, and honestly, I hope it won’t be the last. The private space feels like a quiet sanctuary compared to their usual in-store flash facials, and the calming atmosphere more than lives up to the store’s reputation for world-class wellness.
Having the facial performed by ESPERER’s founder herself was a rare treat. Dina’s passion for mind-skin connection came through in every step. She didn’t just perform a treatment, she shared insights, asked thoughtful questions, and guided the experience in a way that felt completely bespoke.
I’ve used ESPERER skincare before (their Cell Renewal Night Repair Face Oil is a favourite), so I was already familiar with the brand’s blend of plant-based actives and bioactive ingredients designed to trigger neurotransmitters that relax, uplift, and calm. But experiencing them in a structured, therapeutic treatment? Next level.
The AI skin analysis was a surprising wake-up call: it revealed that my skin was dehydrated and overproducing oil – likely a result of trialling too many products simultaneously. My biggest takeaway? Less is more. Cut back on actives. Give my skin a break.
The guided visualisation was perhaps the most introspective part of the facial. It made me stop and reflect: How does the condition of my skin impact the way I behave, or how I show up in the world?
The facial sculpting and lymphatic drainage massage was divine – any tension I was holding in my neck, jaw and shoulders melted away, leaving me feeling lifted, both physically and mentally.
By the end of the treatment, my skin was glowing and my mood was grounded. Calm, clear, and lighter somehow.
Final Thoughts
We talk a lot about how mental health affects the skin (hello, stress breakouts), but we don’t talk enough about how the state of our skin affects our mind. Poor skin days can bring on low moods, self-doubt, and even social anxiety. The CBT Facial offers a holistic approach to breaking that cycle – treating the skin while gently shifting how you feel about it.
For me, ESPERER’s approach is a brilliant match for Mental Health Awareness Week. It’s a facial that goes beyond the surface, and lingers long after you’ve left the treatment room.
With more premium brand collaborations planned in John Bell & Croyden’s new Beauty Room, I’m already looking forward to what’s next.
