[unpaid/affiliate] How would you feel about handing over your skin issues to someone else to deal with? I’m not 100% decided but I’ve been looking closely at beauty concierge service, Renude, which does exactly that. It’s a by-pass to expert level knowledge without the dermatologist fee or – pertinent to now, the traveling, because who has a derm on their doorstep? How we buy our skin care is changing so rapidly and I see a place for the Renude model.
I think the first thing to understand is that it’s a service – something for you to use to address skin concerns and turn your skin around to where you want it to be. I like the idea of this buzzing about in the background of my life and ticking it off my to do list with very little effort on my part. I used to have a lawn care service that just appeared every few weeks to deal with the grass and I didn’t really have to do anything at all except enjoy the weed free grass – it’s that sort of life admin that I have time for.
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Renude works on a subscription model which normally I have no time for – but it’s a fairly minimal commitment and I see why it’s operated this way. You start by doing a basic skin quiz at the end of which you sign up. You pay a redeemable fee of £20 for a video consultation with an experienced aesthetician who will discuss your concerns (not point out your ‘flaws’) and recommend skin care products which are then sent to you (obviously you pay for those) – you don’ t have to buy everything they recommend. They can also work products you already enjoy and own into your custom skincare routine.
All the products are curated to give visible results. A further £20 is taken quarterly, again, redeemable, and you are able to message your aesthetician whenever you want if you want further information or advice. Renude is a female founded start-up with knowledge at the background, Pippa is a cosmetic chemist (No.7, Illamasqua) and Cate is a data scientist (specialising in health & social issues).
The site has record keeping features which are very useful – such as the skin diary, where you upload your own pictures from the beginning and then every six weeks on-going so you can see the progress. This gives you the control of having the same lighting and environment for accuracy. The site also keeps your bookings (because you can book further video consults) and a record of the products you’re using. I love seeing Donna’s journey as you can see above – I mean, look how glowy she is! And it’s a good way to illustrate that age and tone is no barrier to using a service like this.
The compelling thing for me about Renude is that you’re not going to be only recommended expensive brands – they work within all budgets so you are as likely to see yourself (depending upon which budget category you select in the quiz) with CeraVe or Bioderma as you are to see IS Clinical or Priori. I’m excited to see Dear Klairs, award winning Korean skin care that isn’t easy to find.
If you’re the sort of person who loves poring over skin care reviews and likes trying new products, it’s not for you, but if you feel overwhelmed by the amount of choice (and even I do!) and having to make those choices without feeling fully informed or sure, Renude is for you. It’s basically skin care that’s right for your skin chosen by experts who want you to have great skin and all you have to do is apply it!
If it sounds like something you want to try, you can get an extra £5 of credit to use against any products (use code JANE2022) and for every product you buy you get £1 credit towards future purchases. It’s HERE. Also, just to note that the people in the main picture are the people you’ll be talking to – it’s not posed by models 🙂
Transparency Disclosure
All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
10 comments
No. I have mild rosacea, but products aimed at that and even for sensitive skin can actually break me out. I like to read the ingredient list as I can spot something that might cause me a problem. The weird thing is some non-sensitive brands I can use with no issues.
I know to avoid all the usual acids for a start. Also, I can use a new product for a month with no problem, and suddenly it will break me out.
That’s so frustrating – it sounds like the eternal search. I think it’s a big red flag that brands are now bringing out ‘calming and soothing’ products for skin that’s reacting to the influx of acids. I’m less and less enamoured with them.
It’s not for me.
Correct me if I’m wrong Jane, but it sounds like they’re not doctors or dermatologists – so if someone goes to them for something – they can’t prescribe the ingredients that might be needed to help.
So for me, if I’m paying, then I’d probably go to one of the prescription dermatologist services which includes the prescription skincare. For basic skincare – then it’d be one of the many amazing and well respected dermatologists who have YouTube channels with clear advice for different skin conditions and product recommendations – and they’re free!
They’re all clinical aestheticians and there is a consultant dermatologist at hand for exactly what you describe. But as I say, if you’re someone who loves deep diving into ingredients yourself it’s not for you. If you feel you need to be referred to a doctor for your skin condition, then again, it’s not for you and would definitely be best to see your own GP for a referral. In my head, I see it as something for people who are just baffled by the array of options out there and who would rather not do the research (which can often be conflicting and confusing) and leave it to people who’ve already done the work. There’s an awful lot in between basic skin care and prescription skin care. I’m guessing you are someone who enjoys discovering ingredients and absorbing the knowledge (and implementing it carefully) but there are lots who don’t. But time will tell – I agree that there are lots of other options out there and you should do what you feel is best for you – everyone should :-))
Yes! You’re right about that – I do like deep diving into ingredients and finding what best works for me, and my family. I agree that time will tell – with these types of services, transparency is everything. How often do they recommend a particular product – ie do they have a stable of pretty much the same products that they recommend for the same problems? Do they get kickbacks? What’s their ethics policy?
I know that sounds a bit full on – but to me, if they get those things right, then maybe it will work!
You’re right to ask the questions. It’s a start up so I am assuming that a more profitable model will kick in at a later point but it’s my understanding that there are no ‘kick backs’ but they will make a normal profit on any skin care items sold. I’m curious about it because it’s at the beginning of what could be a big change in how we buy skin care and crucially, it’s not trying to replace expertise with algorithms – it has real people to talk to not bots. I mean, we get advice (or can get advice) for skin everywhere as you point out but not usually personalised at an-online retail point. I feel that they’d need a lot of clients for it to move into the profit mode but I guess that’s what they’re working on now. Oh, I should also say for clarity that a friend of mine has recently started working there (which is how I know about it) which means I will be able to keep an eye on how it’s doing on-going.
I am considering this. I have always been interested in looking after my skin but I am bamboozled in my late 60’s about what I actually NEED!
There are just so many brands out there!
I found the website glitchy and difficult to work with. I had the zoom consultation which went fine, then there was a much longer wait period between that and getting the product recommendations than they had told me there would be (several days and one chase-up from my end, rather than the ‘less than 24 hours’ I’d been told during the consultation). Then when I logged in to see the product recommendations, you could only see one of the product recommendations – you had to sign up to the subscription service to even see the products they recommended. It wasn’t for me at all.
Oh, that’s such a shame – hopefully they’ve worked out any glitches now but you shouldn’t have to chase, I completely agree.