Esthetician Spotlight: Riley Still

Meet Riley Still, a licensed esthetician, and discover his expert skin care tips, daily routine, and professional insights for healthy skin.

If you’re looking for Alchimie Forever in Atlanta, look no further than Faced the Facial Studio. Owned by Ansley Bowman, with four locations throughout the city, this is the perfect place to go for monthly facials. At their East Cobb location, ask for Riley Still, who recently shared his journey to becoming an esthetician with our CEO and Co- Founder Ada Polla.

AP:What was your journey to becoming an esti?

RS:When I was in middle school, my interest in skin care was piqued when I started struggling with teen acne. Once I realized how much change I could make with my skin just from using products, I started looking more and more into the world of skin care, esthetics, and dermatology. While I was in undergrad, I attempted to switch majors to biology with the thought of being pre-med and becoming a dermatologist. After realizing dermatology is often diagnosing, prescribing, or injecting, I decided to switch again. (I wasn’t too upset about getting to skip those upper-level physics courses and the MCAT!) I knew I wanted to be hands-on with clients while working with them to achieve their goals. Esthetics was the obvious choice. I graduated and went back to school for esthetics. It might have been a bit of an interesting journey, but I have finally arrived at my destination and I couldn’t be happier!

AP: Where do you currently practice?

RS:I am currently based out of the East Cobb location of Faced the Facial Studio.

AP:How did you discover Alchimie Forever? What was your first Alchimie Forever product?

RS:I actually discovered Alchimie Forever when I first started at Faced! The Kantic+ Nourishing Cream was the first Alchimie Forever product I used, and it quickly led to me trying every Alchimie Forever product we carry!

AP:Favorite Alchimie Forever product and why?

RS:My favorite Alchimie Forever product without a doubt is the Kantic Brightening Moisture Mask! I am absolutely obsessed with it! As someone with more sensitive skin, I often have redness, a damage barrier, or areas of irritation. This mask immediately nourishes my skin while also reducing redness. The product itself has such a luxe, rich feeling when applying, and since the mask has become part of my self care routine, I associate its natural light scent with relaxation. It helps me physically and mentally recover at the end of a long day. I also can’t forget to mention the radiance and glow that my skin has after using it!

AP:What Alchimie Forever product do you use or recommend the most to clients?

RS:RS: The Alchimie Forever product that I use the most and recommend to clients the most, again, is the Kantic Brightening Moisture Mask! Whether I am focusing on hydration and calming redness, or ensuring a client leaves with lasting glowing skin, this mask will always be the first one I reach for! I also love recommending this mask to my clients to use once or twice a week at home to keep their skin looking it’s very best. I’ve had a few clients use the mask the night before/morning of their weddings. When I see them at their next appointment, they have always been so excited to share how plump and glowy their skin was for their special day!

AP:Your #1 skin care recommendation to your clients.

RS:My number one, top of the list recommendation to my clients is being consistent at home. The 80/20 rule of great skin care means that around 80% of your skin goals are accomplished by you at home and the remaining 20% is accomplished through professional treatments. Being consistent with your home routine is one of the most effective ways to ensure that you are meeting the goals you have set for your skin. When you have a consistently followed home routine, it allows your esthetician to build out a treatment plan with more advanced procedures to help you obtain the best skin possible! I also have to mention my runner-up favorite recommendation: Use a broad- spectrum SPF everyday! No negotiations!

AP:What’s your skin care hot take/unpopular opinion/controversial idea?

RS:Simplify and Observe. I feel like over the past several years people have become obsessed with the idea of a skin care routine that has more steps than a flight of stairs! While that might work for some, it can feel extremely unobtainable for others. My favorite analogy is that the products you use at home are like a library. It is great to have access to so many books, but you aren’t going to read all of them everyday, right? Skin care products are the same! It is so beneficial to have a library of products you can choose from, but you don’t need to cram all of them into your routine every day. Pay attention to your skin and see what it is telling you. Is your skin feeling a bit dry? Grab a hydrating serum to use in your routine that morning or evening. It can be as simple as that. In a world of skin care routines that look more like grocery lists, it is okay to simplify and use only what your skin needs when it is telling you that it needs it! And always remember the best skin care routine is one that you will follow daily!

AP:What’s one thing you avoid at all costs when taking care of your skin?

RS:The number one thing I avoid at all costs is touching my skin throughout the day. Our hands are constantly touching different surfaces picking up all sorts of germs. It might seem crazy, but think about it: how many surfaces that your hands interact with on a daily basis have been freshly disinfected? Unless I have freshly washed hands, I avoid touching my face to help keep it as clean as possible!

AP: Can you talk about the connection between self care and skin care?

RS:I think that the connection between self care and skin care is symbiotic. The skin is the largest organ of our bodies, which means that it has a multitude of different functions and responsibilities. When you take care of your skin, you are also taking care of yourself. The general idea of self care usually involves something related to skin care, so in my mind, one does not usually exist without the other.

AP: What’s your favorite form of self care (ie. how do you unwind)?

RS:I personally love having a self care moment a few nights every week. My favorite is when I am able to shower early, throw on some comfy clothes and a face mask (9 times out of 10 it of course is the Kantic Brightening Moisture Mask!), and unwind from the day on my couch with a sweet treat and whatever reality show is calling to me. It might sound a bit simple, but after a busy day of clients, my social battery is often depleted, the simplicity is the perfect way to recharge.

AP:Take us through your morning routine

RS:My morning routine tends to fluctuate depending on what my skin is needing or what goals I am working towards! Right now, my morning routine is:
Youth to The People: Superfood Cleanser, OR Face Reality: Ultra Gentle Gel Cleanser
Plated Skin Science: Eye Serum
Plated Skin Science: Daily Serum, OR Good Molecules: 10% Azelaic Acid Treatment, OR GlyMed+: Restoring Fulvic Elixir
Alchimie Forever: Kantic Light Clarifying Cream
Alchimie Forever: Protective Day Cream SPF 23, OR Face Reality: Daily SPF 30 Plus

AP:What are you excited about right now?

RS:Right now I am excited for the future of esthetics! There is a massive web of research and development within the esthetics world and I cannot wait to see what new breakthroughs, technologies, ingredients, and methods are discovered!