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PRODUCT PROFILE
REAL INGREDIENTS. REAL RESULTS. After an extensive career in the beauty industry, Prologic founder, Rachel Robertson was ready to pursue her dream of combining her specialised understanding of the skin’s anatomy with her knowledge in cosmestic chemistry. Rachel Robertson
Strongly influenced by current research into corneobiology and by applying the corneotherapeutic principles of repairing and maintaining the skins natural barrier function, Prologic Advanced Innovative Skincare Technology was born. A NZ owned, operated and manufactured skin care range, that is also vegan friendly, natural and places sustainability and ethical processes at the top of its core values. Beauty Biz had the opportunity recently to speak to Rachel as well as Paula Cliffin, the Australian Distributor, who combined form, a powerhouse of experience and love for the beauty Industry.
Rachel, can you tell us about yourself and how you first got started in the industry? I trained as a Beauty Therapist 22 years ago, working both here in NZ and in London. In 2006 I opened my own Advanced Skin Clinic, which I had for 9 years. During this time, I was named NZ Therapist of the Year and my clinic was named Runner Up for NZ Clinic of the Year. In 2009 I started my Cosmetic Chemistry journey, completing post graduate training, and then 2011 Prologic was launched in NZ.
Paula, you specialise in Oncology care. Can you tell us a little about this and how you became an expert in this field? Having worked in the industry as a Skin Therapist for over 30 years, I have always been 50
Beauty Biz Year 14 Issue 4
exposed over this time to new and existing clients alike who are on cancer journeys. In my younger days, I used to just freak out to be honest because there really wasn’t much information around about what was beneficial for these clients with treatments and ingredients. Luckily, this has changed immensely over the years, meaning I have been able to gather information, talk to colleagues, doctors and eventually, when training was available – undertake this. I choose to train with Morag Currin, who teaches through Oncology Training International. Before COVID it was face to face, they now have plenty of online courses. Her book is my bible, called Oncology Esthetics – A Practitioner’s Guide (make sure you get the revised and expanded edition). I constantly have my head buried in this book, as Oncology is a massive subject. Working with Oncology clients has changed my life, my focus and the way I work. They have and continue to be my life’s work. I have so much passion for these people, their skin and their souls coming through the other side of their journeys or their passing. You become very much a part of their recovery or passing journey, which is an absolute privilege on so many levels. I often receive the most beautiful notes of thanks from families because we are not just helping them with their skin, we touch them in a non-medical way and make them feel some sort of normal – such an important point to remember.
Paula Cliffin
And what do you wish the industry knew more about when it comes to caring for clients undergoing oncological care?
Someone once said to me “Do cancer people want to look pretty”? Well, I had to really control myself when I explained what I offer has NOTHING to do with looking pretty, everything to do with helping health challenged clients support their skin and microbiome through corneotherapy treatments and products, whilst they are fighting for their lives. Knowing what medical treatments clients are undertaking and therefore what you can offer as a Skin Therapist, needs to be black and white in a therapist’s head. If there is grey, don’t offer it or get more information as we need to do no harm and I do hate to say, that harm is being done. Not intentionally of course, but from not knowing so get educated! Remember cancer is a word, not a sentence.
Rachel, can you tell us about Prologic and how it came to be? Prologic came about for a few reasons, the first was my frustration with the lack of clean formulations in the industry. Studying Cosmetic Chemistry gave me such a big insight into the traditional way of formulating, which was working
