The 1883 Beauty Cabinet: Skinvestment’s Amy on Tretinoin, French Pharmacy Finds and No Gatekeeping

Welcome to The 1883 Beauty Cabinet, our new recurring series exploring the routines, rituals and products behind some of the beauty industry's most trusted voices. In each edition, we open the cabinet of an inspiring insider to discover the products they rely on, the treatments they swear by and the beauty philosophy that shapes their routine.

by Raluca Tudose

The 1883 Beauty Cabinet: Skinvestment’s Amy on Tretinoin, French Pharmacy Finds and No Gatekeeping

BY Raluca Tudose

The 1883 Beauty Cabinet: Skinvestment’s Amy on Tretinoin, French Pharmacy Finds and No Gatekeeping

BY Raluca Tudose

To launch the series, we’re stepping inside the beauty cabinet of Amy, founder of Skinvestment. Known for translating complex skincare science into refreshingly accessible advice, Amy has built a loyal following through evidence-based recommendations, global beauty discoveries and one very firm rule: there’s no gatekeeping.

Cabinet Snapshot

Skin type

Dry, dehydrated and prone to perioral dermatitis flare-ups

Skin goals

Healthy, hydrated, glowing skin with long-term collagen support

Beauty philosophy

Science over hype. Consistency over complexity.

Can’t-live-without product

Tretinoin

Signature scent

Racyne Santal Ceremony

Meet Amy

For anyone discovering you for the first time, tell us a little about yourself and the story behind Skinvestment.

Hi! I’m Amy, the skincare obsessive behind Skinvestment. After years of testing products and researching ingredients, I wanted to make skincare simple.

I break down the science, share honest recommendations, skincare hacks and easy-to-follow tips to help people understand what works, why it works and what’s actually worth their money. I also love discovering the very best skincare from around the world—and there’s absolutely no gatekeeping. Ever.

If you had to sum up your beauty philosophy in one sentence, what would it be?

After trying thousands of products over the years, I’ve realised the secret to great skin isn’t having the longest routine or the most expensive products. It’s consistency, patience and choosing ingredients backed by real science. The products that make the biggest difference are often the ones you keep coming back to.

Before we open the cabinet properly, tell us about your skin.

My skin is naturally dry and dehydrated, and I’m prone to perioral dermatitis flare-ups. At 39, my goal is simple: healthy, bouncy, glowing skin that stays strong and hydrated while supporting collagen for the long term.

Inside Amy’s Beauty Cabinet

Talk us through your morning skincare routine.

My mornings are all about protection. I use a vitamin C serum for antioxidant support, followed by a generous layer of sunscreen every single day.

Because my skin is so dry, I actually stopped cleansing in the morning altogether. It’s made a huge difference to my skin barrier. such a simple change, but one I’ve genuinely noticed the benefits from.

And what does your evening routine look like?

Evening skincare is my happy place.

I love taking my time with a double cleanse, layers of hydrating toners and essences, tretinoin on alternate nights, and a nourishing moisturiser to finish. When my skin needs a little extra TLC, I’ll reach for the 107 Beauty Avocado Cuddle Sheet Mask. It feels like giving your skin the biggest, creamiest hug.

Which product have you repurchased more times than you can remember?

Tretinoin. No hesitation.

It’s my skincare ride-or-die, and I refuse to ever let the tube run empty.

What was the last beauty product you finished?

Definitely the Dr. Althea PDRN Reju 5000 Cream. I get through a tube roughly every three months because I use every last drop.

I’m also obsessed with the Cosmetic Consult Miracle Skin Transformation Treatments. They’re my twice-weekly reset and have transformed my skin texture, brightness and even my hormonal melasma.

What is the newest addition to your cabinet that has impressed you most?

The NYM Fundamentals Primer Lotion.

It’s one of my favourite French pharmacie discoveries. It instantly makes my skin feel softer, plumper and smoother while creating the prettiest, most natural base for makeup.

Amy’s Beauty Rules

If your entire beauty cabinet disappeared overnight, which three products would you replace first?

A high-protection sunscreen, tretinoin and a deeply hydrating moisturiser. Those three products are the foundation of my routine. Everything else builds from there.

Which beauty products are worth the investment?

Sunscreen and retinoids, without a doubt. They’re backed by so much evidence, and the long-term payoff is genuinely worth every penny.

And where can people happily save their money?

Your skin doesn’t know if your moisturiser cost £20 or £200—it only knows the ingredients.

There are so many affordable products that deliver incredible results. My golden rule is simple: ignore the fancy claims, turn the bottle over and read the ingredient list!

Is there a hyped product or trend you think is overrated?

Collagen creams and 24 karat gold creams.

They’re not necessarily bad, but they’re not where I’d spend my skincare budget. I’d always invest in ingredients with proven benefits, like SPF, retinoids, peptides and antioxidants.

What’s the biggest skincare mistake you see people making?

Trying to do too much.

Retinoids, acids and exfoliants are all brilliant ingredients, but layering too many powerful actives together can damage your skin barrier. Great skin comes from consistency, and your barrier will thank you for the restraint.

What’s one skincare rule you personally break?

I definitely don’t wait the recommended amount of time between each skincare step.

Life’s too short and I’m far too impatient!

Beyond the Cabinet

Which makeup product would you hate to be without?

Erborian CC Dull Correct.

It’s the ultimate “your skin but better” product. It blurs redness, boosts radiance and leaves skin looking naturally fresh and glowing.

What fragrance is currently sitting at the front of your beauty cabinet?

Racyne Santal Ceremony.

I discovered it in Paris at Oh My Cream and have been obsessed ever since. It’s one of those fragrances that instantly makes you feel more elegant—even if you’re just running errands in leggings.

Is there a beauty treatment that has transformed your skin?

Microneedling.

I use the Qure Micro-Infusion System at home, and paired with tretinoin it’s made one of the biggest long-term differences to my skin. The results aren’t instant, but consistency really does pay off.

What’s the most unexpected thing we’d find in your beauty cabinet?

Bepanthen and baby creams.

Whenever my skin barrier is compromised or I’m having a flare-up, they’re the first products I reach for. And here’s my most underrated beauty tip: apply Bepanthen to dry lips overnight. It’s an absolute game changer.

What’s your slightly indulgent beauty habit?

Late night YesStyle scrolling whenever I can’t sleep.

Do I need another serum? Absolutely not.

Am I still adding the newest Japanese sunscreen launches to my basket at 2am because I think I’ll somehow regret not trying them? Absolutely.

Finally, what is the one product you suspect will still have a place in your beauty cabinet ten years from now?

Definitely sunscreen.

It might not be the most exciting answer, but it’s the one product I’d never be without. You can own the fanciest serums, treatments and beauty gadgets in the world, but SPF is the everyday habit that helps protect your skin for the future—and I’ll still be applying it generously in ten years’ time.