In a time where everybody and their mother is trying to be an influencer it can be hard to cut through the misinformation and never-ending trend cycles, especially when it comes to beauty and skincare content.
Thankfully, professionals are starting to use skills and knowledge to create content to educate as well as attract clients and brand partnerships, creating a more niche lane of influencer known as the “skinfluencer”. Here are 5 incredible UK-based skinfluencers to follow, whether you want to boost your knowledge in a digestible way or find inspiration to start your own skinfluencing journey.
Dr Maryam Zamani
Instagram: @drmaryamzamani: 61.8K
@mzskinofficial: 107k
@theguineapigpodcast: 2,455
TikTok: @drmaryamzamani 1,091
Dr. Maryam Zamani is a leading oculoplastic surgeon and facial aesthetics doctor specialising in surgical and non-surgical facial aesthetic procedures in London. She is also the founder of science-led skincare brand MZ Skin.
A true powerhouse, Dr Zamani is the perfect example of the professional ‘skinfluencer.’ She speaks openly to camera about difficult topics such as filler distortion, turning down clients for surgery and dangerous beauty treatments, as well as educating around trending skincare ingredients and how to use them.
To top it off, Dr Zamani is also the co-host of The Guinea Pig Podcast where she holds uncensored conversations about safe aesthetic treatments with journalist Fiona Golfar.
Alicia Lartey
Instagram: @alicia.lartey 26.8k
TikTok: @alicia.lartey 10.1k
Alicia Lartey is the cool girl of the UK aesthetics scene. Her experimental style and confidence to execute alt beauty trends makes her feed refreshing. Most importantly, with her credentials as an aesthetics practitioner, she is a trustworthy source of information.
Lartey’s focus is on Black skin and, as a former acne sufferer, she helps arm followers with the information and ingredient recommendations to make improvements and tackle complications like hyperpigmentation.
She does deep dives into products and their ingredients, testing, critiquing and comparing viral products. Interestingly, Lartey has managed to expand her reach to include hair and make-up content, which helps attract a wider audience.
The Skin Priest
Instagram: @theskinpriest 153k
TikTok: @theskinpriest_ 87.7k
Okikiola Emaleku, aka The Skin Priest, is a Birmingham-based aesthetician who calls herself the Harriet Tubman of skincare for her mission to shuttle confused clientele to the safety of her expert knowledge.
Her content is as hilarious as it is educational. By jumping on popular TikTok trends and Stitches she brings home her message in humorous and memorable ways.
In her clinic, Facials By The Skin Priest she offers in-depth consultations and takes a personalised approach to skincare, considering factors such as lifestyle, ethnicity, age, and other individual differences.
She specialises in the management of inflammatory skin conditions like acne, hyperpigmentation and rosacea.
Andy Millward
Instagram: @andymillward_ 27k
TikTok: @andymillward_facialist 50.7k
Andy Millward, a facialist, aesthetician and educator based in Birmingham, is known for his “less is more” approach to skin health.
Millward uses his social media platforms to visually portray important information. His video demonstrating UV exposure when using the incorrect amount of sunscreen, after testing a series of popular SPFs, is an example of some of the valuable content he creates.
Transparency is key to Millward’s brand; he talks candidly about his own ageing and evolving innovations in the industry and isn’t afraid to change his mind. We love the recent video where he talks about the skincare steps he used to dismiss but has recently changed his opinion on.
Evie Samuel
Instagram: @eviesamuel_ 57.8k
TikTok: @sknperfct 15.6k
Being a cosmetic chemist, Evie Samuel is naturally experimental. Her Instagram and TikTok feed is packed with Samuel testing peels, devices and clinical-grade skincare. Her credentials as a scientist in the space are enough to feel safe in her hands but her glowing “glass skin” only adds to her allure.
While she may have perfect skin now, it was her own struggle with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that got her interested in skincare and ingredients.
Her website where clients can book in-depth skincare consultations, also features an ingredient glossary explaining everything from alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) to vitamin K.