After Hours Skin Clinic

In this episode of After Hours Skin Clinic, consultant dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid unpack one of the most talked-about trends in aesthetic dermatology: injectable moisturisers, also known as skin boosters.

They're marketed as the secret to glass skin, deep hydration, and radiant glow...but are they actually worth it?

We break down the science behind hyaluronic acid injections, how they differ from traditional dermal fillers, and what the evidence really shows when it comes to hydration, skin quality, and long-term results.

You’ll learn:

What “injectable moisturisers” actually are

How skin boosters differ from fillers

Whether they improve hydration, texture, and wrinkles

How long results last (and why maintenance is key)

The truth about treatments like Profilo and polynucleotides

Risks, side effects, and what to expect after treatment

Whether they’re worth the time, cost, and attention they get

Emma and Ellie also discuss the limitations of current research, the role of marketing in aesthetic treatments, and why these procedures should never replace a solid skincare routine.

💡 Key takeaway: Skin boosters may offer temporary hydration and glow...but they are not a substitute for medical-grade skincare or more targeted treatments.

Follow & Connect:

⁠www.youtube.com/@AfterHoursSkinClinic

Instagram: ⁠@afterhoursskinclinic⁠

Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Producer: Ella Blaxill

Exec: Eve Streeter

Music by Simon Elms.

This is a Raconteur Studios Production.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cleansing should be simple... but it's so easy to get wrong.

In this episode of After Hours Skin Clinic, consultant dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid explain how choosing the wrong cleanser can damage your skin barrier, trigger eczema, worsen acne and rosacea, and leave your skin feeling dry, tight or irritated.

With so many options, from oil cleansers and micellar water to salicylic acid and exfoliating cleansers, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The messaging can be unclear and complicated - what difference do additional ingredients and their so-called 'added-benefits' actually make? It is all just skincare marketing...?

This episode breaks down what's actually important whne it comes ot choosing the right cleanser for your skin type - based on the science of skincare and according to skin health experts.

Emma and Ellie also explore how factors like hard water in the UK and over-cleansing can impact your skin.

If your skin isn’t behaving the way you want it to, your cleanser might just be the problem, so we're here to help.

In this episode we cover:

How the wrong cleanser can worsen eczema, acne and rosacea

The truth about double cleansing and oil cleansers

Why “squeaky clean” skin is a red flag

The difference between gentle vs harsh surfactants (SLS)

How hard water in the UK affects your skin

Whether you should cleanse your face in the morning

The dermatologist-approved way to cleanse properly

Key takeaway:

The best cleanser removes dirt and SPF without disrupting your skin barrier.

Klira - Founded by Dr Emma Craythorne, Klira is a bespoke luxury skincare formula prescribed by dermatologists. You may hear it mentioned from time to time on the podcast and if you want to find out more head over to klira.skin

Follow & Connect:

AHSC YouTube

Instagram: @afterhoursskinclinic

Email: [email protected]

Producer: Ella Blaxill

Exec: Eve Streeter

Music by Simon Elms.

This is a Raconteur Studios Production.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you need sunscreen every day ... even when it’s cloudy or you’re indoors?

In this episode, Consultant Dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid explain the science behind daily SPF use and why consistent sunscreen application is one of the most effective ways to protect long-term skin health.

They break down how ultraviolet radiation affects the skin, including UVA, UVB, and visible light, and why damage accumulates over time, even without sunburn.

The conversation explores how sunscreen helps prevent pigmentation, premature ageing, and skin cancer, and why it’s particularly important for conditions like melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and rosacea.

You’ll also learn:


Do you actually need sunscreen every day?


Can UV really penetrate clouds and windows?


The difference between UVA, UVB, and visible light


Why pigmentation and skin tone are affected by UV exposure


The truth behind “24% younger skin” studies


How sunscreen prevents long-term skin damage


How to apply SPF correctly (most people underapply)


What to look for on the label (SPF vs UVA protection)


Why trusting the brand matters more than trends


How to find a sunscreen you’ll actually use consistently

The episode also discusses the importance of trusting well-tested brands and highlights Avène’s Ultra Fluid SPF range as part of a paid partnership, chosen for its broad-spectrum protection and lightweight, wearable formulas.

Products mentioned:

Avène Ultra Fluid SPF

Altruist Sunscreen

The Klira DayScript

📩 Send your questions: [email protected]

📱 Instagram: @AfterHoursSkinClinic

Klira - Founded by Dr Emma Craythorne, Klira is a bespoke luxury skincare formula prescribed by dermatologists. You may hear it mentioned from time to time on the podcast and if you want to find out more head over to klira.skin

Producer: Ella Blaxill

Series Editor: Eve Streeter

Music by Simon Elms.

This is a Raconteur Studios Production.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We all know pollution is bad for our lungs. But what is it actually doing to our skin?

In this episode of After Hours Skin Clinic, consultant dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid unpack the science behind pollution and skin ageing and explain why it might be affecting your skin far more than you realise.

From traffic fumes to candles, cooking fumes and indoor air quality, pollution isn’t just something you encounter on busy roads. In fact, the air inside your home may expose your skin to even higher concentrations of pollutants.

So how exactly does pollution accelerate ageing? What does it do to your skin barrier, pigmentation and collagen? And most importantly what can you actually do about it. What works to prevent the damage pollution causes - what actually helps protect your skin?

This episode, as always, focuses on the evidence-based strategies dermatologists actually recommend.

If you want healthier, calmer, more resilient skin, even if you live in a polluted place, this is what you need to know.

For more, weekly episodes covering dermatology, skincare science and skin health, don't forget to subscribe to After Hours Skin Clinic on YouTube and your favourite podcast platform!

Klira - Founded by Dr Emma Craythorne, Klira is a bespoke luxury skincare formula prescribed by dermatologists. You may hear it mentioned from time to time on the podcast and if you want to find out more head over to klira.skin

Follow & Connect:Instagram: @afterhoursskinclinicEmail: [email protected]

Producer: Ella Blaxill

Series Editor: Eve Streeter

Music by Simon Elms.

This is a Raconteur Studios Production.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Perioral Dermatitis: you might be making it worse without realising.

Red bumps around the mouth, skin that stings, tingles or won’t settle. A rash that improves with steroid cream… then comes back worse. This is perioral dermatitis and it’s being diagnosed (and misdiagnosed) more than ever.

In this episode of After Hours Skin Clinic, Consultant Dermatologists Dr Emma Craythorne and Dr Ellie Rashid explain what causes it and how to treat it properly. They break down what perioral dermatitis actually is, why it happens, and how to manage it without making it worse.

Emma & Ellie explain:

What perioral dermatitis actually is (and why the name is misleading)

How it differs from acne, rosacea and retinoid irritation

The link with topical steroids, inhaled steroids and nasal sprays

Why overusing skincare can trigger it

The role of the skin barrier and microbiome

Mask-wearing, humidity and “maskne” overlap

Why thick creams can make it worse

What “zero therapy” really means

Prescription treatments that actually work

How to build a rescue plan for future flare-ups

Why it seems to be more common now and how too much skincare layering may be part of the problem.

If you’re overwhelmed by products, confused by conflicting advice, or stuck in a cycle of flare-ups, this episode will help you reset and understand what your skin actually needs.

Send us your skincare myths and questions, we love hearing from you!

Instagram: @afterhoursskinclinic

Email: [email protected]

Producer: Ella Blaxill

Series Editor: Eve Streeter

Music by Simon Elms.

This is a Raconteur Studios Production. 

Klira - Founded by Dr Emma Craythorne, Klira is a bespoke luxury skincare formula prescribed by dermatologists. You may hear it mentioned from time to time on the podcast and if you want to find out more head over to klira.skin
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices