Every beauty skincare brand has a mantra, and most focus on creating products to help you achieve your best skin yet. But at Osmosis, it’s the holistic approach that is the true reflection of your skin's appearance. Two global experts share how healthy ageing begins with a better understanding of how your body and skin are interconnected. Editor Trudi Brewer shares a skincare philosophy steeped in traditional Chinese medicine, nutritional medicine, and the power of face mapping.

Image BeautyEQ, Editor Trudi Brewer having the Osmosis Vitamin A facial, with Chantal Caron, Osmosis products below.

For holistic aesthetician Chantal Caron, beauty has an intrinsic connection between the body and skin. Her skill as an expert traditional Chinese master facialist is phenomenal. In her role as a global sales manager at Osmosis Skincare, she sets herself apart in the honest skincare space. Her mantra for achieving good skin is as simple as listening to your inner health.

What is a holistic aesthetician?

They approach beauty and skincare by considering the whole person —not just the surface of the skin. They identify and address the underlying causes of symptoms that appear on the skin, rather than simply labelling them as conditions like acne, rosacea, or hyperpigmentation (brown spots).
Since no two individuals are the same, treatment methods should be personalised—not a one-size-fits-all approach. By addressing the root source of imbalance, rather than just managing symptoms, we promote genuine, lasting skin health. The goal of holistic esthetics is to support the skin's natural function and promote lasting, radiant health from the inside out.

What are the causes of a skin imbalance?

These include both internal and external factors, such as stress levels and emotional health, diet and nutrition, hormonal balance, and exposure to estrogenic toxins. These are chemicals that mimic or interfere with our body's natural estrogen hormones, including environmental pesticides and chemicals often present in water. Lifestyle habits, including sleep, hydration, and exercise. We often work with organic, non-toxic, and plant-based skincare products, choosing to avoid synthetic chemicals whenever possible. They usually incorporate modalities that promote balance within the body and support energetic alignment. It also may include a range of therapeutic techniques, such as facial massage, lymphatic drainage, aromatherapy, energy healing (like Reiki), as well as meditation and breathwork.

How do Western aesthetics blend with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

In truth, it’s not about fitting TCM into Western aesthetics; it’s the other way around. TCM offers a foundational philosophy that can deepen and enhance Western skincare practices by addressing the root cause of imbalance, rather than just the surface-level symptoms.
Applying TCM principles to aesthetic work enables a more comprehensive analysis of skin concerns. TCM encourages us to explore the energetic imbalances behind skin conditions by considering internal health, emotional state, and lifestyle habits. For example, how much internal heat is contributing to skin flare-ups? Is there a deficiency, stagnation, or excess in their body’s energy (Qi)? What’s the energetic nature of the products or herbal formulas being used—are they cooling, warming, draining, or nourishing? How long should a particular remedy be used to restore function and balance gently? This approach creates a more personalised and intuitive treatment plan. By integrating TCM’s diagnostic tools, like face mapping and elemental theory, into Western esthetics, practitioners gain a deeper perspective that leads to longer-lasting and more meaningful results.

“We need to view ageing as a natural and valuable part of life, not something to be resisted or concealed.”

— Chantal Caron

Traditional Chinese medicine has a unique approach to ageing.
How do we achieve that day-to-day in our beauty routines?

Begin by shifting your focus from simply treating the surface of the skin to supporting your body’s overall energy, or Qi. Tools like gua sha and gentle facial massage help boost circulation and reduce puffiness by encouraging the smooth flow of energy and blood—two vital components of healthy, glowing skin. Pay close attention to your internal health: what you eat, how well you sleep, and how you manage stress all play a direct role in your skin’s appearance. In TCM, the skin is seen as a mirror of what’s happening inside the body. Remember, blood flow is everything - you have to flow to glow. Ritual makes a difference. Slowing down, taking deep breaths, and treating your skincare routine as a moment of mindfulness can help regulate your nervous system and support skin health. Practices like Tai Chi and Qi Gong are also beneficial—they enhance circulation and help clear energetic blockages. Ultimately, ageing gracefully through the lens of TCM is about maintaining balance—physically, energetically, and emotionally. When your internal systems are in harmony, your skin naturally reflects that vitality and radiance.

How does Qi (chee) relate to beauty?

In TCM, Qi is understood as the vital life force that flows throughout the body, supporting essential functions and maintaining overall balance. When Qi moves freely and is abundant, it nourishes the skin and organs, fostering health and a vibrant appearance. On the other hand, when Qi becomes blocked, weak, or stagnant, it can contribute to skin problems such as dullness, dryness, inflammation, premature ageing, and breakouts. For this reason, nurturing and balancing Qi through mindful lifestyle choices, a balanced diet, and effective skincare practices is key to achieving natural beauty and lasting wellness.

How can we be more accepting of ageing in the Western world?

In many Western cultures, ageing is often seen with fear or negativity, closely tied to ideals of youth, beauty, and productivity. To change this perspective, we need to view ageing as a natural and valuable part of life, not something to be resisted or concealed. Western media often promotes narrow standards of youthful perfection, but embracing diverse representations of ageing skin, bodies, and lifestyles can help normalise and celebrate the natural changes that come with time. Practising self-acceptance through mindfulness, meditation, and gratitude can ease anxiety around ageing and foster inner peace. Many cultures, including those influenced by TCM, see ageing as a journey toward balance and wisdom. Incorporating these viewpoints can help broaden Western attitudes.
For example, in Chinese face reading, specific facial lines are seen not just as signs of ageing but as reflections of unique personal traits or life experiences, such as joy. Sometimes, ageing signs appear early as signals from the body, indicating underlying health issues. Addressing these concerns can even cause such lines to fade. Viewing these features as messages from your body encourages a deeper understanding that health and balance, not just age, affect your appearance.

For US-based Rene Torres, a functional nutritionist, certified health coach and director of education at Osmosis Skincare, the term “healthy ageing” over “anti-ageing” is a grateful shift in perspective that honours the natural journey of growing older. There is more to the aesthetic industry than just looking youthful or feeling bad for ageing. Here she shares how a holistic approach to skin health can be both empowering and beneficial.

Why is gut health vital to a healthy complexion?

Gut health is essential to a healthy complexion because the skin is often a direct reflection of the internal environment—particularly the gut. Osmosis emphasises healing from the inside out, supporting digestive wellness with targeted supplements and detox strategies to calm internal disruption.

What is medical-grade cosmeceutical skincare?

Advanced formulations that bridge the gap between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, offering clinically proven ingredients that target specific skin concerns at a cellular level. Rooted in ingredient intelligence, these products utilise potent actives in stabilised, bioavailable forms to ensure maximum efficacy with minimal irritation.

What are the principles behind Osmosis skincare?

The Osmosis philosophy prioritises holistic skin health. Medical-grade skincare products work synergistically with the skin’s natural processes to restore balance, encourage barrier repair, and promote long-term rejuvenation without compromising integrity. Instead of relying on forced exfoliation or inflammation-based correction, the focus is on activating the skin’s innate ability to heal, resulting in lasting results without compromise.

What is Osmosis Skin Mapping?

With over 20 years of proven clinical research, the Osmosis revolutionary Skin Mapping process provides clear insights into the analysis of your body’s organs, toxins, and mechanisms, which are the sources of common skin conditions. Each facial zone corresponds to an organ and the internal imbalances that often manifest on the skin. Our breakthrough Face Mapping Ritual enables the body to reveal precisely what it needs to achieve age reversal, repair skin damage, and restore your skin, body, and overall well-being to an optimal state of health.

What are the key ingredients in the Osmosis skincare collection?

Amino acids, retinaldehyde, chlorella, (fresh water algae), niacinamide (vitamin B3), phosphatidylcholine, (known for strengthening the skin barrier, and improving the delivery of other beneficial ingredientss), beta glucan, (known for its hydrating, soothing, and barrier-strengthening properties) and sasiaticoside, (also known as Gotu Kola or Cica).

How important is vitamin A to skin rejuvenation?

It's essential to support natural collagen production. Research shows that retinaldehyde, also known as retinal, is the safest and most effective form of vitamin A, stimulating collagen without thinning, damaging, or irritating the skin. It’s clinically proven to stimulate collagen in amounts equal to retinoic acid. Retinal can reverse physical alterations involved in skin ageing and photoaging (UV damage), with pronounced effects on epidermal thickness and cutaneous elasticity.

The Osmosis Revitapen Vitamin A Facial is famous. How does this benefit ageing skin?

It accelerates the repair and healing process within the skin. The Facial Infusion generates a 30-day increase in collagen production and is an excellent option for boosting and accelerating the results of daily Osmosis skincare. It is unique because it avoids damaging the epidermis by delivering high-dose active ingredients to the dermis through liposomes.