With over 30 years of experience across every corner of the beauty industry, Paul Carbis is a respected leader, educator, and therapist. From owning and managing salons to formulating products, training therapists, and mentoring others in the field, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for skin health. Renowned for his results-driven approach and expertise in treating complex skin conditions—particularly through skin needling and scar revision, an area where he’s seen transformative outcomes for clients.
We sat down with Paul to dive into his expert take on skin health, the power of skin needling, and what really works when it comes to achieving lasting, visible results.
What inspired you to specialise in skincare, and what do you love most about helping people with their skin?
I became a therapist when I bought my first salon. The girls in the salon were of the opinion that I couldn’t tell them what to do because I wasn’t a therapist. So, I became one! I was primarily only interested in skin. Nails, waxing, massage, etc. didn’t really inspire me, but when I saw what a difference I could make in people’s lives by fixing their skin, I was hooked and studied even further. This opened doors into a wide variety of roles in the industry.
What's one piece of skincare advice you believe everyone should follow, regardless of their skin type or concerns?
Wear Sunscreen every day no matter what the weather conditions are! Sun is the thing that will cause the most damage and age you the quickest.
What’s the most common skincare mistake you see people making, and how can they avoid it?
Most people don’t have a hydrating serum (Hyaluronic Acid) in their skincare routine. It’s a “Must have”. Every function of the skin works better when the skin is super hydrated. Hyaluronic Acid attracts and binds up to 1000X its own weight in water and therefore hydrates the skin. People tell me they drink lots of water. That’s great for your body, but very little of it gets to your skin. A topically applied Hyaluronic Acid is vital for good skin health.
What’s your go-to skincare routine for healthy, glowing skin? Are there any key products or steps that are essential for everyone?
Daily in the morning: Gel Cleanser, Eye Cream, Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C serums, Moisturiser, sunscreen.
Night 1: Gel Cleanser, Eye Cream, Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin A, Moistuiriser
Night 2: Gel Cleanser, Eye Cream, Hyaluronic Acid and B Vitamins, Moisturiser.
Weekly: Fruit Enzyme Exfoliant
For those with sensitive or reactive skin, what are some of the best ingredients or practices to soothe and strengthen their skin barrier?
Most people I see don’t actually have sensitive skin. They are sensitised because they are so dehydrated. When you have a low water content in your skin, everything that you come into contact with is far more concentrated and so you get reactions. So Hyaluronic Acid is my number one product for sensitised skin. Then I look to B group vitamins like B5 Panthenol and B3 Niacinamide which calm and soothe the skin whilst repairing the barrier function.
How important is it to have a balanced skincare routine, and how do you recommend clients adjust their routine with the changing seasons or their skin’s needs?
Changing your home skincare routine each season is important. Your skin reacts to temperature, humidity, wind and lifestyle changes from indoors to outdoor activities. Heating and air-conditioning can also have a big effect on people’s skin. Also as your skin improves using good skincare and having in-salon treatments, the ingredients you can use change from soothing, barrier repair, super hydrating ingredients into collagen synthesis, anti-wrinkle peptides and stronger Vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin A. It is important to seek the advice of a skincare professional each season who will design a program for your individual needs rather than just follow trends from TikTok, TV commercials or the latest influencer.
What advice would you give someone who is just beginning their skincare journey and feels overwhelmed by the sheer number of products and options available?
Go to a reputable salon and ask for someone to analyse your skin and recommend what you should be using. Simply, any program you do should contain a cleanser, a hydrating serum, a moisturiser and sunscreen.
With so many new skincare trends and ingredients constantly emerging, how can people cut through the noise and find what works for them?
STOP listening to the internet and people who just aren’t qualified to give skincare advice. Reputable salons will have therapists who are trained and skilled in skincare, ingredients and specific treatments. There is a lot of rubbish out there, so getting the right advice from someone who is actually qualified is the trick.
If you were stuck on an island, what are 3 skincare products you would consider essential? (Describe by function vs ingredient based if possible)
- Cleanser (Preferably a gel cleanser): Lifting oils, debris and bacteria off the skin daily is essential for a heathy skin. Look for ingredients like Coco glucoside or Decyl glucoside which are made from coconut as the active ingredients.
-
A Hydrating Serum: Keeping the skin hydrated means that it will be less reactive and function optimally. The
essential ingredients will be a high quality Hyaluronic Acid or Sodium Hyaluronate. - Sunscreen: Forget about the SPF, it’s not as important as the ingredients. Look for a broad spectrum physical sunscreen that contains at least 5% Zinc Oxide and / or Titanium Dioxide. These reflect away the harmful UVA and UVB wave lengths.
What skincare skincare trends are you excited to see in the industry?
I‘m really excited to see the advances in the area of skin needling. We are now treating scars, acne pock marks, lines and wrinkles, skin laxity, pigmentation, stretch marks and restoring collagen and elastin loss. The other area that is exciting is the use of natural Australian botanicals in the newer skincare brands. Ingredients like Kakadu Plum, Davidsons Plum, Quandong, Kangaroo Paw and even Prickly Pear Cactus are revolutionising the industry with outstanding results from natural sources.
And to finish, This or That?
- Gym / Home Workout
- Glamping / Luxury Resort
- Active Lifestyle / Relaxed Lifestyle
- Books / Podcasts
- Minimalist Skincare Routine / Complex Skincare Routine
- Night Owl / Early Riser
- Home Cooking / Eating Out
- Cold Plunge / Sauna
- Skincare Products / Skincare Supplements
- Coffee / Tea