10 Mintures with Terri Vinson

10 MINUTES WITH

TERRI VINSON

Terri Vinson is a Cosmetic Chemist and expert in the science of skin for over 15 years. Terri thrives on exposing the misinformation and confusion surrounding many cosmetic ingredients, debunks current skin ‘mythology’ and provides easy to digest information on all the common skin issues and concerns in her new book, Skinformation.

We spend 10 minutes with Terri to learn how she got started, how her skincare line got started and how Skinformation came to be.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?

I am a self-confessed science nerd who is totally committed to making a difference in the beauty industry! I am also a cosmetic chemist, skin scientist, and the founder and formulator of Synergie Skin. I began my career as a senior science teacher in my twenties as I have always been deeply compelled to inspire, educate, and create a curiosity and love of learning all things science. I later transitioned to a role as formulator educator for a cosmeceutical company. In the early 2000s I made a leap of faith and opened a start-up skincare clinic in Melbourne. My role there was to create skincare and consult with clients. This was gold to me and formed the basis of my Synergie brand today. Synergie Skin organically grew as global cosmeceutical brand allowing me to ultimately marry my passions for skin science, beauty and the confidence that brings. Fast forward fifteen years and I am so grateful to be considered an expert in my field today. When I’m not formulating in my Melbourne lab, I frequently lecture at cosmetic medicine conferences, contribute to renowned aesthetic publications, and have just released my first book: Skinformation, A Clean Science Guide to Beautiful Skin.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE INDUSTRY?

I worked my way up the corporate ladder as an educator and formulator for a cosmeceutical company. Still, I always felt the industry was missing a key component - empowering the customer with a scientific understanding of their products. The ‘why’ is just as important as the ’what’ in using skincare. Although the clean beauty movement is big now, it was unheard of fifteen years ago. No one was producing ‘clean science’ products and there were no female scientists responsible for both formulating and controlling their brands. I felt the industry was ready for evidence-based products that produced results with the highest safety profile I could offer. I had big ideas and just knew that I had to go out on my own to bring my vision to life.

HOW WAS SYNERGIE SKIN BORN?

The idea of Synergie began with my notebook and pen whilst I sat at a cafe at Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne, waiting for my daughter to come out of a movie. I had the urge to brainstorm what I could uniquely offer: female scientist, understands women’s needs, evidence based results, clean science advocate, able to take a formulation from inception to shelf - my creative insight began to crystallize. I spent my savings (AKA running away money) renovating a little shop in Camberwell, Melbourne, that would become my clinic. My formulations began with one product, Vitamin B3 serum, which interestingly remains my biggest seller to date. I had my products made by a local compounding pharmacy according to my specific formulas and methods. In those days making a 5-litre bottle was a huge order. I would sit a trestle table in the back room of my Camberwell clinic labelling bottles and packing orders.

WHAT HURDLES IN FORMULATING A PRODUCT RANGE DID YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME?

As a mum, I have always felt that if I will not put it on my face, or my children’s faces, then I will not put it on my customer’s face. This was just as important as creating products that really made a difference to skin using ingredients backed by scientific data. Encompassing this philosophy, I later coined the term ‘Clean Science’ meaning all Synergie products are formulated without the addition of questionable ingredients, such as parabens and artificial fragrances. Embracing clean science certainly cones with challenges. For instance, it’s incredibly hard to find a ‘clean’ preservative, and often I have to search far and wide for the right ingredient that meets my guidelines. The most difficult product to perfect has been ÜberZinc daily protective moisturiser with 21% Zinc oxide. Zinc is a wonderful anti- inflammatory and natural mineral sunscreen but is renowned for being super tricky to formulate with. It took me years in the lab, but I am proud of this elegant moisturiser with built in UV protection that has been a best-seller for many years. Manufacturing in Australia was also a given for me. Sure, it would have been cheaper to manufacture overseas, but keeping jobs in Australia and supporting the Australian economy, particularly in light of the COVID pandemic, is far more important to me.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW BOOK. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE A BOOK?

I wrote Skinformation as the ultimate go-to bible for the skin-savvy reader. As an educator, I want my readers to learn the science of skin and remove the products that don’t serve them from their bathroom cabinet. I want to empower the reader to make their own smart skin choices so they can feel true skin confidence from the inside out. I was frustrated by all the white noise and misinformation about skin and cosmetic ingredients. Many companies try and blind consumers with science and trendy buzzwords, which I do not agree with. All this information was parked in my head and has been growing and accumulating over years, and I needed to find a home for it all. So, the idea of Skinformation was born!

CAN YOU TELL A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BOOK, WHO IT’S FOR, WHAT YOU HOPE YOU WILL INSPIRE IN ITS READERS ETC?

Being a former senior science teacher, I understand how we learn, and it was important to explain concepts in a no-nonsense manner with simple visual references and LOADS of analogies. My book is straightforward, quirky and loaded with plenty of fun facts and visuals to help you break down the science behind the beauty. Skinformation is a deep dive into topics across all age groups and skin concerns; from teen acne to ageing, pregnancy and stretch marks, Skinformation educates us on the biology behind each life stage, while revealing which skincare products will really work and why. My daughter has likened reading my book to having a one-on-one chat with your favourite science teacher or skin guru! The Skinformation reader will be seeking accurate information and safe, long-term solutions for their skin. They will be wellread, savvy beauty seekers, those who value transparency and quality. In saying that, there truly is something for everyone in the book from adolescence to menopausal skin concerns.

WHAT ARE 3 LESSONS 2020 HAS TAUGHT YOU?

1. Just when you think you have plans, be prepared and expect them to change! 2. Be relentless in all pursuits that matter to you - there will be roadblocks, but problems are simply solutions about to be born. 3. Appreciate the simple pleasures in life - walking with the person you love, eating a clean meal and telling your kids how much you love them.

HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO LAUNCH INTO THE NEW YEAR?

We recently moved into our new manufacturing facility for Synergie Skin and are busy further building our brand in the new ISO accredited laboratory and manufacturing facility. It really is a ‘pinch me’ moment walking into this massive new space and reflecting on how it all began in a little Melbourne skin clinic. Throughout 2021, I’ll be focusing on amplifying the message of clean science skin health through my new book, Skinformation. I’ve also been working on quite a few new products that I’m dying to release! What I will say is that there has been a focus on effective facial masks in the beauty industry (for great reason!) and I’m excited to contribute to this area.

www.synergieskin.com

A SHINING DIARY

Isabella Loneragan is one of Australia’s best and most experienced skin therapists offering expert acne, rosacea, pigmentation plus cosmetic and anti-ageing treatments. Her leading skincare clinic, The Dermal Diary, has expanded and moved to a new and beautiful home in North Sydney.

Isabella qualified with internationally renowned expert, Yakov Gerschovich in Paris in Advanced Facial Sculpture Massage, and the Buccal Massage, which features in The Intrinsic Facial Experience at The Dermal Diary and is also apparantly a favourite of Meghan Markle. Isabella is the only therapist in Australia qualified in this technique.

Isabella has made beautiful complexions her business, building a solid reputation in the cosmeceutical, beauty and dermatology industries, as well as the plastic surgery industry both in Australia and overseas. Her 13 years across all industries is evident in the results she provides.

The stunning renovated Victorian style terrace location epitomises the highend experience of having a treatment at The Dermal Diary. Decked out in The

Dermal Diary’s signature white and navy throughout the building, this chic new space features 4 treatment rooms, one of which is dedicated to ‘Healite treatments’, for those who wish to add a little extra onto their facial. Healite is an incredible clinically proven LED technology that stimulates collagen and elastin, reduces redness, and treats skin conditions like acne and rosacea - living up to its name of ‘Healite’.

With plush navy velvet chairs and luxury treatment beds plus vintage mirrors and exquisite artwork in each room, the space exudes luxury for those wanting to not only be pampered, but first and foremost receive genuine expertise and a tailored skincare that’s synonymous with The

Dermal Diary brand and The Dermal

Diary’s Private Collection skin care range. The new bigger location means

The Dermal Diary team has recently expanded to bring on three additional therapists to keep up with the incredible demand for The Dermal Diary’s formula for care and repair of all things skin. “After what’s been a challenging year for the entire skincare industry, we are so thrilled to have arrived at this point where we can move into a bigger space and bring on new therapists. I can’t wait to welcome our clients to the new space so they can experience it for themselves,” says Isabella.

We spoke to Isabella about how she has managed to face the challenges of 2020 head on and come out shining with expansion in her business

HOW DID YOU FIRST ENTER THE INDUSTRY AND GET STARTED?

I completed a Diploma of Beauty and Dermal Therapies in Cape Town in 2007, and from that I opened a tiny little one roomed business called Exquisite Skin Therapy, I built it from a couple of clients a week to 10 facials a day 6 days a week and ran the business for 5 years. Now, here we are with a new clinic, four treatment rooms and a team of five.

WHAT DREW YOU TO DERMAL THERAPIES?

After running my first business I knew that I was very interested in the skin on a deeper level than what the Beauty Diploma had offered me so when I returned from South Africa in 2011 I decided that in order to know if studying Dermatology was what I wanted I should seek out employment in a Dermatology clinic which was what I did. I spent about 4 years in Dermatology and knew working with skin was for me!

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT AS A THERAPIST?

Probably flying to France and studying under Yakov Gersovich - a facial master who taught me buccal massage which I have since designed my Intrinsic Facial around, and also trademarked the tern “The Intrinsic Facial”. We’re one of the few clinics in Australia that offers this technique, which I’m really proud of.

ASIDE FROM THE FABULOUS INTRINSIC FACIAL, WHAT OTHER TREATMENTS DO YOU OFFER?

For those who are busy and can’t spend an hour getting a facial, you can book The Bright Facial Experience, is ideal for those looking for an express brightening and rejuvenating facial. It’s comprised of a personalised mini

facial followed by a Healite treatment. You’re on the bed for 30 minutes - perfect for those that are on the go! Alternatively, ‘The Original Facial’ is an in-depth understanding of your individual skin condition and needs to ensure each service not only feels luxurious but delivers results you can see. Whether you have Acne, Rosacea, Pigmentation or Premature Aging, this treatment is designed especially for you. The Signature Facial is tailored to the individual and works to utilise the Sculptural Lifting Technique, part of the expertise gained from my training in Paris. This technique works on the reduction of emotional tension in the face that results in sagging, enabling the muscles to be worked and lifted throughout the facial. Galvanic infusion technology is also applied in the signature enabling the penetration of serums into the skin maximising results.

YOU HAVE CREATED YOUR OWN SKINCARE LINE! CAN YOU SHARE WITH US HOW THAT CAME TO BE?

I have worked with so many skin lines, too many to mention, and I was tired of having to cheery pick so many products from different ranges to get the results I wanted for my clients. So, I knew it was time to design my own. I have also been working within the Dermatology industry for a long time, so I knew what worked and what didn’t. My experience and knowledge of the skin and also knowing what my clients needed all led me to be able to create The Private Collection. It’s been incredibly successful. We‘ve continued to develop new and innovative products and have recently launched the Luminous Lift, which offers an instant face-lift.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCT WITHIN THE RANGE?

All of them! However, a couple that are very popular are the Superfruit Reveal and the Glow Getter. Superfruit Reveal is a fruit derived specialised exfoliating enzyme that gently dissolves dead skin build-up, without scratching or creating inflammation like beaded exfoliants tend to do. Tropical fruits like mango, kiwifruit and pineapple are used and are high in antioxidants reversing any free radical damage. It leaves the skin smooth, bright and able to absorb treatment products at a higher rate. Glow Getter is a cross between BB cream and SPF tinted moisturiser, but better! This tinted hydrating SPF 30 is complexion brightening, anti-aging and barrier protecting thanks to the Peptides, Niacinamide and stearic acid. It acts like a primer, evens out the complexion like a tinted moisturizer, covers small imperfections and redness like a concealer, hydrates the skin like a day cream, brightens up dull complexions. This is the perfect lightweight alternative to foundation for the summer that will also nourish your skin

HOW DID YOU AND YOUR TEAM GO DURING SHUTDOWN EARLIER THIS YEAR AND WHAT’S BUSINESS BEEN LIKE SINCE REOPENING?

We actually lost most of our team due to COVID. As we were shut down, they needed to leave to get other jobs - so that was sad for all of us. My PA stayed on however and now we have 3 new therapists so there is five of us currently. Business has doubled since we have reopened. I assumed I would have to slowly work to rebuild the business as I couldn’t imagine people would want facials due to the risk of COVID however it’s been the opposite - our clients have been craving touch so on June first, when we reopened the diary filled almost instantly. I used the 10-week closure to design new products and manifest where I saw the business going once we reopened, so all in all it was a very productive time for me. The move to the larger location was based on the increased demand for treatments which had resulted in us outgrowing our original location.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM IN 2021?

Further business growth and nurturing our team to allow them to continuously provide our clients with the standard of treatment that is synonymous of The Dermal Diary. We are first and foremost Skin educators and manage our clients’ skin but our purpose is to improve the way our clients feel about themselves, so as long as we are doing that, I am happy.