Dermal Therapist James Vivian Shares His AM and PM Skincare Routine

Welcome to another edition of ‘Skincare Shelfie’.

The faces and friends of Adore Beauty are privileged enough to try a lot of different skincare products, so if a product lands itself permanent residency on their skincare shelf, you know it’s worth adding to cart.

In this article, we take a look through the coveted skincare shelf of Melbourne dermal therapist James Vivian.

If you're expecting a thousand different potions and lotions you’ll actually be quite surprised.

James’s skin philosophy is quite simple when it comes to treating his skin goals (mainly hydration).

"I know what my skin likes, I don't love having a whole lof of stuff there, confusing me. I try to encourage that philosophy for our clients as well." says James.

It’s also important to note that when it comes to beauty, it’s never a one-size-fits-all approach.

We all have individual skin types and concerns so should be adding to cart products that are suited to those individual concerns.

However, if you're after the best products for hydration, well ageing and radiance, we have a feeling you're going to want to take notes!

James Vivian’s AM Skincare Routine.

1. Viviology Gentle Foaming Cleanser.

What: Viviology Gentle Foaming Cleanser 200mL

Fast facts:

• An Australian-made, gentle cosmeceutical cleanser.

• Contains skin-loving ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, cucumber seed oil, native Australian plant extracts, cucumber seed oil.

• Is also vegan and cruelty-free.

First things first, pop your hair back with a headband because James wants to make sure you're cleansing right up to your hairline!

Makeup can sit and reach right up to your hairline so we want to make sure you avoid any product build up or breakouts from not cleansing every inch of your face.

Then, “Always start with clean hands." says James.

He starts with his go-to cleanser, the Viviology Gentle Foaming Cleanser which of course he helped create: “I just love this cleanser so much. I was obviously part of the formulation process."

James likes to cleanse in the shower in the morning, but you cleanse wherever you like friends, no judgement here!

"Then I cleanse my face for 2mins. I'm a big advocate of the 2 minute cleanse.” he says.

The Viviology Gentle Foaming Cleanser is also only $45 for a 200ml bottle which an added plus.

2. Cosmedix Benefit Balance Antioxidant Infused Toning Mist.

What: Cosmedix Benefit Balance Antioxidant Prep

Fast facts:

• A cosmeceutical mist that nourishes and hydrates.

• Has a potent antioxidant blend that offers environmental protection.

• Suitable for all skin types (even hypersensitive or those with sun damage or hyperpigmentation).

“Next I use the benefit balance spray from Cosmedix.” says James.

Although James loves to incorporate a mist in his own AM routine, he actually advises his clients in clinic that this isn’t actually an essential step.

“However, I personally love to use it.

I find that when my skin is just that little bit more moist, before I put my serums on, that I can actually work everything across the skin more, I don't need to use as much product.”

3. Osmosis Skincare StemFactor Growth Factor Serum.

What: Osmosis Skincare StemFactor Growth Factor Serum 30ml

Fast facts:

• A potent serum with over 600 growth factors and peptides that encourage skin's repair process.

• Contains stem cell derived collagen and elastin to help with accelerated ageing.

• Antioxidants help protect against free radical damage.

What does a dermal therapist use for well-ageing?

If you have dry skin like James but can’t tolerate hyaluronic acid, you might want to add this serum to your routine…

“This is my key age management serum. I'm allergic to hyaluronic acid, so whenever I apply those ingredients to my skin topically, whilst it feels really hydrating after about a week, i’ll have a really strong reaction around my eyes. My skin will go flaky and thick."

So this is why James relies on the Osmosis Skincare StemFactor Growth Factor Serum which doesn’t contain hyaluronic acid, but still offers the hydration skin needs.

“Then I do a cocktail of three different serums, one pump of each in my hand that target my antioxidant protection, hydration and brightness."

Multi B plus by Aspect is exactly the same as the Aspect Extreme B 17 , a lovely niacinamide hit.”

James then layers on the Cosmedix Reboot Overnight Hydration Serum. “This is a humectant-rich serum. So because I can't get my humectants from hyaluronic acid, I get these from the squalene.

Then of course, the Vivology vitamin C serum which brightens the skin straight away. Good shield protection.”

4. PCA SKIN Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster.

What: PCA SKIN Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster 6g

Fast facts:

• A cosmeceutical lip treatment offers long term hydration.

• Nourishes, plumps, and fine lines and wrinkles are reduced in appearance.

• Makes lips instantly softer.

• Key ingredients include: Ultra-filling spheres, peptides and vitamin E.

Real Adore Beauty and Beauty IQ Uncensored fans know this lip treatment with long-term volume-increasing benefits is also loved by fellow dermal therapist Joanna Fleming as well as AB customer Nim who had this to say:

“This is unlike anything I have tried, it genuinely surprised me how well and fast it works. My lips have never looked more smooth and hydrated, it got rid of the wrinkles in just a few days. And it is gentle on sensitive skin!”

James admits "This is a bougie splurge." So not a must-have, but he loves it because it’s instantly so soothing and hydrating.

“I can put this on in the morning and not have to think about reapplying it til the next day.”

5. Cosmedix Hydrate+ Daily Moisturizer.

What: Cosmedix Hydrate+ Daily Moisturizer

Fast facts:

• A light, daily cosmeceutical moisturiser that hydrates the skin.

• Ideal for all skin types including sensitive skins.

• Contains antioxidants to help fight free radicals.

Now this is probably the most important (and usually the last) step of anyone’s AM routine: sunscreen.

While as individuals we all have our preferences for different reasons, the sunscreen James uses everyday is the Cosmedix Hydrate+ Daily Moisturizer, which he of course “reapplies throughout the day” as all good skincare students should.

James likes to rotate this with the Viviology Moisturising Mineral SPF50 Sunscreen 75mL which is more mattifying especially when more exposed to the sun if travelling or going for a walk.

6. Aspect Pigment Punch Body.

What: Aspect Pigment Punch+ 30ml

Fast facts:

• A targeted cosmeceutical body treatment to brighten the look of dark spots and age spots.

• Key ingredients include: Tyrostat-11™ (Rumex Occidentalis and L-Ascorbic Acid), daisy flower extract (illuminating), lactic Acid (hydrates and is also smoothing), shea butter (moisturising and hydrating).

• How to use: AM/PM: Apply to clean skin and gently massage until absorbed. For best results always follow daytime application with SPF50.

Another product James loves is the Aspect Pigment punch exfoliant as it’s powered by powerful antioxidant ingredients like Tyrostat-11 - (a blend of vitamin C in the form of L-Ascorbic Acid).

We know UV rays and the sun can further exacerbate pigmentation and melasma, so if you have any form of that/have those concerns on your face or body, the Aspect Pigment punch is a must-try.

Says James, “I think of this as a 2-in-1 moisturising exfoliant, because it’s got a lactic acid component to it which I think is really important.

When often people are talking about the dryness that they have on their body, what they need is two fold, they need to exfoliate and hydrate."

Pro tip from James: “When you get out of the shower, I don't really towel dry off completely, I’ll just pat my body a little bit, so there's still a lot of water on the skin, and then I can use a tiny bit of this and it helps spread really easily.”

James has another really great tip for those who suffer with really dry body skin (especially in winter), watch the Skincare Shelfie YouTube video below to find out:

James Vivian’s PM Skincare Routine.

1. Viviology Liquid Exfoliant.

What: Viviology Liquid Exfoliant 200mL

Fast facts:

• A targeted resurfacing treatment with an AHA and PHA complex.

• Sloughs away dead skin cells and also calms, soothes and helps with the appearance of large pores.

• Helps improve skin texture and tone.

• Can also help with congestion and redness.

• Ingredients include: sweet cherry extract, niacinamide and native Australian plant extracts.

“I love exfoliating every night, and not everyone can do that.”

That’s why James created the Viviology Liquid Exfoliant “I wanted to create one that I could use every single night."

It’s not super, super strong. It does its job, it allows penetration of everything to go deeper; it allows you to wake up fresher and brighter without the irritation."

Pro tip: “After I’ve cleansed, i'll get a cotton round, wet it under a tap, squeeze out all the water, (because now it’s a damp pad) so the product will sit on the pad and go into my skin as opposed to becoming a very expensive swipe.”

Genius! We’re screenshotting this one and sending it to all our friends - wet your cotton rounds first so you get maximum product into your skin rather than some of it being quickly absorbed into your cotton pad.

2. Viviology Retinol Serum.

What: Viviology Retinol Serum 0.3% 30mL

Fast facts:

• A slow-release 0.3% encapsulated retinol serum with nourishing supporting ingredients like ceramides, squalane and peptides.

• Works to give you radiant skin while while also addressing fine lines.

• Helps boost collagen as well as plump the skin.

“Then I go my retinol serum from Viviology.”

Again, among the range of gentle but effective Viviology skincare products James helped formulate is an “elementary vitamin A serum.”

“We encapsulated the retinol; we included ceramides to make it gentle but it really still performs like the vitamin A that I was using historically."

The creamy texture of the Viviology retinol means James finds he doesn't usually need to then follow up with a moisturiser.

However on days his skin does require a moisturiser, James reaches likes to apply the very popular Viviology Ceramide Moisturiser 50mL . (If you need refresher on why your skin needs ceramides, you can read more in this Beauty IQ article.)

3. Cosmedix Rescue Intense Hydrating Balm & Mask.

What: Cosmedix Rescue Intense Hydrating Balm & Mask

Fast facts:

• A soothing balm that helps relieve skin redness.

• Helps skin heal, calms and has an antioxidant-rich formula.

• Improves the look of dry and flaky skin.

• Can use as a spot treatment or an overnight mask.

• Key ingredients include: she butter, D-panthenol, cherry extracts and willowherb extract.

“I can sometimes get irritated around my eyes, or I can sometimes just want a breather from all this stuff.”  On days James wants to pare things back, he reaches for this calming and soothing mask.

“So great for dry skin; so great for when your skin’s inflamed or for when you’re travelling."

For those who like to keep up with legit TikTok skincare trends James also says this is “A fabulous product to slug with."

Cosmedix is a brand James has been using and working with for over 15 years since he was a self-described “baby dermal therapist.”

So he’ll also occasionally swap in the Cosmedix Restore mask (which he tells us his husband also steals from the shelf because he loves it so much).

Finally...

James leaves us with these pearls of skincare wisdom:

“I always encourage people to get the products theyre going to use everyday, because they're the ones that make the difference.”

For more Skincare Shelfies and expert tips check out these BIQs:

• Skincare Shelfie: 11 Products a Makeup Artist Has on High-Rotation

• Skincare Shelfie: Our Beauty IQ Uncensored Co-host Shares Her AM and PM Routine

• Still Haven’t Tried Viviology? You’re Missing Out. Start With This AM and PM Routine