Skin + Me Stories: Frances + Melasma

Our Skin + Me stories shine a light on some of your personal skincare journeys – and what we can all learn about skin health. Combining unique real-life experience and product recommendations with an expert prescription to make effective progress, everyone’s story is different.

Here, Frances, 48, from London, tells us more about making up for her past skincare choices, the routine that works for her, and how she’s treating her melasma with her Skin + Me Daily Doser.

Tell us about your skincare journey over the years

“I didn’t think about looking after my skin until I was in my late 20s. Then I started using moisturiser at night and eye cream. Later on, once I realised how damaging UV light is, I started using foundation with SPF and layering it with sunscreen. 

“I also had laser treatment on my melasma to lighten the pigmentation, but it wasn’t effective. Nowadays, I make sure I always apply factor 50, along with a vitamin C serum and I stay out of the sun as much as possible.”

What mistakes have you made along the way?

“Not using sunscreen! I was using tanning booths and applying fake tan instead of SPF.”

When did you first start using Skin + Me? What’s your current prescription?

“In three months in on my Skin + Me journey. I started off with quite a high prescription of Hydroquinone. For the last month I’ve been prescribed 0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide and 4% Azelaic Acid.”

How has progress been overall? 

“The treatment has been effective and my hyperpigmentation has really improved – it’s such a relief. The instructions are easy to follow, the delivery is prompt and the regular emails from my Skin + Me dermatologist are useful in terms of checking in on my skin health.”

What advice would you give to someone struggling with melasma?

“Go to Skin + Me before you start considering more expensive options like IPL (intensed pulsed light) or a skin peel. I’ve found topical treatments far more effective. Apply sunscreen all the time and remember to reapply every few hours. Be patient.”

What does your current skincare routine look like?

“In the morning, I cleanse with micellar water and apply two Face Theory serums. Then I slather on my Factor 50 SPF and let everything sink in before I think about makeup. 

“At night I wash my face, have a clean sweep with micellar water and then apply my Skin + Me prescription. I wait ten minutes before I moisturise.”

Do you have any Holy Grail products?

“I’m vegan and my favourite products reflect that. Everything I use has to be vegan and cruelty-free – this cuts out the clutter and makes it easier to decide what brands I’m prepared to support.

“When it comes to cleansing, I’m a big fan of great value Superdrug Simply Pure Face Wash and Superdrug Vitamin E Micellar Water. I love Face Theory Exaglow Serum and Simply Pure Moisturising Serum for hydration and my go-to SPF is Solait Sensitive Factor 50 – I’m making up for lost time and never without it.”