I was given a princess treatment at a luxury British skincare house with royal-linked roots, where a dermatologist-led facial used herbal peeling, LED, and microcurrent
I didn’t expect a skincare appointment to come with a royal backstory – but that’s exactly what I walked into with Libi & Daughters in London.
The British skincare house traces its recorded family history back to 18th-century Europe, when Leiba (Liba) – the daughter of a Prussian apothecary from Stettin and a childhood friend of Princess Sophie (later Empress Catherine the Great) – travelled to the Russian court in St. Petersburg with her infant daughter, Hannah.
It’s the kind of origin story that makes you sit up a little straighter before anyone has even looked at your skin. After meeting founder and dermatologist Dr Inna Szalontay and having a consultation, I went in for a comprehensive skin rejuvenation treatment – and honestly, it felt like I was being handled with the care normally reserved for someone who has people to carry their shopping.
The treatment started with Libi’s signature N°79 Peeling Solution, which is described as an exceptionally gentle herbal peel designed to delicately exfoliate dead skin cells, refresh the complexion and leave skin looking more radiant and even-toned. It felt polished and precise – not harsh, not stingy, just that satisfying “something is happening” feeling without the panic.
Next came rejuvenating LED phototherapy to support skin recovery and overall luminosity, followed by a gentle ultrasound treatment to enhance the facial and leave skin feeling fresh, smooth and revitalised. The whole thing was calm and controlled – more “quiet luxury” than clinical drama.
Then they moved on to microcurrent therapy as a non-invasive finishing step to gently stimulate and tone the facial muscles, paired with a brightening mask for an extra boost of glow. If you’ve ever wanted your face to feel like it’s being subtly lifted without anyone going near it with anything scary, this was that moment.
To finish, they applied Libi N°62 Calming Ointment – a rich, nourishing formula packed with botanical ingredients including calendula, chamomile, chickweed and rosemary, alongside vitamin E, cocoa butter and beeswax. It’s aimed at delicate, sensitive and inflammation-prone skin, and it genuinely felt like the perfect “seal” at the end: protective, soothing and properly comforting.
The timing is no accident, either – the brand launched a new Routine Collection built around Morning, Evening and Daily rituals, inspired by more than a century of family expertise and shaped by a simple philosophy: Cleanse. Support. Nourish.
The launch represents the latest chapter in an extraordinary family story spanning six generations of women devoted to the science of caring for skin. The collection brings together this remarkable heritage with modern dermatological expertise, creating skincare that honours tradition while addressing the needs of contemporary skin.
The Routine Collection is the latest expression of that legacy and brings together generations of experience in a skincare ritual designed for modern life.
The morning routine
Designed to prepare and protect the skin for the day ahead, the Morning Routine follows a simple three-step ritual. The journey begins with Silica Soap, which gently cleanses while refining the complexion through natural mineral exfoliation without compromising skin comfort.
Next, the Purifying Suspension helps clarify and balance the complexion, leaving skin feeling fresh, smooth and refreshed. The ritual concludes with the Tinted Protecting Ointment, a unique fusion of skincare and complexion care.
Formulated with azelaic acid, salicylic acid and niacinamide, alongside a rich lipid base that supports the skin barrier, it helps improve the appearance of tone and texture while providing a natural-looking finish. Available in multiple shades, it enhances rather than conceals the complexion.
The evening routine
As evening arrives, the focus shifts from protection to restoration. The ritual begins with Cleansing Milk, which gently removes makeup and impurities while remaining comfortable enough for use around the delicate eye area.
The Purifying Mask follows, helping to remove the day’s build-up and leave the complexion feeling clarified and balanced. The final step is selected according to individual skin type from Normal, Dry, Sensitive or Oily (with Combination skin following the Normal variant). Rich lipid-based nourishing ointments help support the skin barrier overnight, allowing skin to wake feeling comfortable, balanced and replenished.
The daily routine
For those seeking complete morning-to-evening care, the Daily Routine combines both rituals into one comprehensive skincare system. Rather than encouraging consumers to assemble routines from multiple brands and overlapping ingredients, Libi & Daughters offers a structured approach in which every formula has a defined purpose and works harmoniously with the others.
Morning care refreshes and protects the complexion for the day ahead, while the evening ritual focuses on deeper purification and nourishment to support overnight renewal. Each Daily Routine is tailored to individual skin types, ensuring the final nourishing step delivers personalised care where it is needed most.
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