“Well, that’s one way to get British people to go to therapy,” my friend replied when I told her about the facial I recently had – one that used Cognitive Behavioural Treatment (CBT).
Before meeting Dina El Adlani, the founder of Espérer skincare, I didn’t know much about CBT, and I certainly didn’t think I was going to be in anything remotely like a therapy session. I was expecting a calming facial using natural products, nothing more, nothing less. Yet, after the appointment, as I found myself sharing the experience with friends and family, I realised that Dina offered something far beyond skincare. What she’s doing could genuinely change the lives of people dealing with skin-related insecurities.
A close friend of mine, who suffered from severe cystic acne during her teenage years, put it perfectly. She said that if something like this had existed back then, it would’ve been a saving grace. For years, she avoided social events, dreaded school mornings, and spent far too much time hiding her skin. The emotional weight of bad skin is exactly what Dina addresses in her unique approach – not just the physical symptoms of skin conditions, but the psychological toll they can take.
Espérer’s journey began back in 2010, when Dina, a trained psychologist and former makeup artist, began researching the deep connection between emotional well-being and skin health. Over nearly a decade of study in psychodermatology, neuroscience, and natural skincare, she identified the three core emotions that have the most damaging effects on the skin: anger (triggers inflammation, breakouts, and skin irritation), fear and anxiety (dehydrates the skin, accelerates wrinkle formation, causes premature ageing, and disrupts hormonal balance) and sadness (leads to dullness, hyperpigmentation, and a weakened skin barrier).
This understanding now informs every element of the Espérer experience. It’s not just about treating the skin externally – it’s about addressing the emotional causes that may be contributing to what’s happening on the surface.
Dina begins each session using advanced AI-powered imaging technology to photograph your face under multiple types of light. The machine reveals underlying skin damage, inflammation, and patterns invisible to the naked eye. It’s fascinating – and a little confronting – to see what’s going on beneath the surface. For years, I wasn’t sure whether I had dry skin, oily skin, or some combination of both. Like many people, I was just guessing. With the scan in front of us, Dina could identify areas of dehydration, oil imbalance, and early signs of sun damage – all before recommending a treatment plan that felt truly personal.
I’ll admit, I was one of the lucky ones growing up. I never really struggled with acne, but when the odd blemish did appear, it would still really bother me. I’d get frustrated and obsess a little. During the session, Dina asked me a simple but disarming question: “What should you really say to yourself when you’re feeling frustrated by a blemish?” Without even thinking, I replied, “I should feel lucky to have the skin I have.” That moment stayed with me. It made me realise how much kindness we owe ourselves, even when our skin doesn’t look like that of a porcelain doll.
That’s the heart of Espérer. It’s not just about products or perfect complexions but changing the narrative we tell ourselves about our skin. The anti-pollution oil, the calming balms, the hydrating serums are all carefully formulated with natural ingredients to support your skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and protect against environmental stress. However, what’s equally healing is the way Dina treats your relationship with your skin, and by extension, yourself.
This isn’t just a facial. It’s a reset for your skin, and your self-perception. For many, that might be the most beneficial part of all.
