Inside My First Biologique Recherche Facial – Daphne Studio NYC

biologique recherche nyc daphne studio review

 

Daphne Studio NYC

Despite being religious about my skincare, I’ve never actually gotten a facial.

Oh I’ve always wanted to – oxygen facials, chemical peels and everything in between always caught my interest – but I was never certain if they really did anything other than provide a pampering experience and I was hesitant to have my face touched.

I once saw a friend after she went to get her extractions done and the resulting all over red dots horrified me and closed me off to facials.

 

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Then this summer happened and I started dealing with the worst skin of my life – repeated acne, blackheads and blotchy-ness. 

It also coincided with a slow down in my skincare regime as I’ve been using up my beauty products and trying to reduce the clutter on my “shelf of hoarders” as C calls it. I decided now was the time to test out the big guns once and for all.

I did some research into top spas in New York City and came across Daphne Studio – I was particularly interested in trying out their treatments as they’re one of the few spas in NYC with Biologique Recherche products.

 

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biologique recherche nyc daphne studio review

 

Biologique Recherche

If you haven’t heard of Biologique Recherche, it’s a skincare line most known for the Lotion P50, an acid toner that chemically exfoliates the skin, regulates excess sebum production, moisturizes and helps to regulate the skin’s pH.

P50 has been heralded as a holy grail cult beauty product for years but it’s quite difficult to get a hold of outside of France. 

There are very few spas in NYC that carry biologique recherche products and ever rarer to find a spa that only uses biologique recherche in its treatments so I settled on Daphne Studio readily.

 

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biologique recherche nyc daphne studio review

 

Daphne Studio

Daphne Studio NYC offers both facials and body treatments specifically with P50 so I knew this would be an unforgettable experience.

On my first visit, I knew I had to try an oxygen facial (supposedly the facial of choice for the stars) and the P50 body treatment to tone and exfoliate me from head to toe.

These are the two treatments I had performed:

Daphne Oxygen Facial Pressurized oxygen increases absorption of product and naturally increases skin’s moisture levels. Delivering hyaluronic acid, vitamins and powerful antioxidants, this facial breathes new life into dehydrated, dull skin. The results are immediate, with no down time.

Biologique Recherche P50 Exfoliating and Detoxifying Algae Wrap With a unique formula exclusive to Biologique Recherche, Lotion P50 gently exfoliates as well as moisturizes the skin. The body is then wrapped with algae and essential oils in an infrared blanket for a detoxifying and oxygenating effect. Skin is hydrated, firmed and lifted. This treatment fights water retention, aging and stress.

Read on to hear about my experience!

 

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biologique recherche nyc daphne studio review
biologique recherche nyc daphne studio review

 

Daphne’s Spa

Daphne is located in downtown New York City’s Nolita neighborhood. It’s a small spa with two treatment rooms and provides a calming, exclusive experience.

Upon entering, I saw two gorgeous gold mirrors and a full wall of the entire Biologique Recherche product line – skincare goals!

 

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What’s in Biologique Recherche P50

P50 is called a lotion but it might be more accurate to call it a toner as it should be used as the toner step in your skincare regimen (after cleanser, before lotion).

Biologique Recherche P50 contains a number of acid active ingredients to enable the skin to chemically exfoliate, regulates sebum production and regulates the skin’s natural pH.

Biologique Recherche first debuted the product in 1970 and today there are 3 different versions of the product on the market in various strengths. Notable acid ingredients in P50 include

  • Niacinamide: a form of Vitamin B3 that brightens the skin and helps lighten hyper-pigmentation
  • Lactic Acid: a gentle AHA that helps strengthen the skin’s protective barrier by increasing the production of natural ceramides in the skin.
  • Salicylic Acid: a BHA most often used as an acne treatment – it’s antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and exfoliating

 

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biologique recherche nyc daphne studio review

 

The Body Treatment

Julie was my esthetician and she did an amazing job. First up was the body treatment. I’m so glad I showered before this because she first applied a lotion all over my body and massaged it in with a scrub like brush pad, which felt so soothing on freshly cleansed skin.

Then she applied P50 all over, which was cooling and refreshing to the touch. P50 is known for having a soured milk smell (as most all acid products do) but I personally didn’t mind it and nearly fell asleep while she worked her magic!

On a side note: I specifically kept my phone with me on the treatment bed to try to document the entire process (and especially the facial) but after the P50 was applied I wasn’t allowed to move. Instead, I was wrapped in a infrared blanket so that the P50 could be heat activated.

The heat is adjustable – Julie kindly dialed down the heat as I had a stress rash on my torso at the time. Overall, the experience felt like being fully wrapped in one of those warm towels they serve after dinner sometimes and less like a hot sweaty sauna.

 

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biologique recherche nyc daphne studio review
biologique recherche nyc daphne studio review

 

The Oxygen Facial

The Oxygen Facial was up next.

During this process, Julie injected pressurized oxygen into my dull and dehydrated skin. The facial helps to deliver hyaluronic acid and vitamins to breathe new life into my face and I left the appointment glowing.

One thing I was worried about was leaving the spa with blotchy red and irritated skin but they luckily don’t perform extractions at Daphne Studio. Instead, they allow the biologique recherche P50 to chemically exfoliate the skin and let the acid in the formula clear out debris rather than rely on physical extractions.

I’m a huge convert to chemical (vs. physical) exfoliators so this was yet another reason that cemented Daphne Studio as an excellent spa on my list.

 

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Hope you enjoyed the photos and write up. I documented the experience in real time on my Instagram so be sure to add me to see future spa visits and skincare routines!

 

Follow me @Sher She Goes on

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19 Comments

  1. paige
    July 31, 2016 / 9:15 am

    I’ve never had a facial either but this sounds so cool. The whole chemical peel sort of thing as a facial scares me, but it sounds like you had a great experience and I’m going to take your word on it haha

    • Sher
      Author
      July 31, 2016 / 5:52 pm

      Hi Paige! I’ve never gotten a chemical peel because they are definitely harsh – i think you even leave the office with a red face! Will update you if I ever take that plunge ha. :)

  2. Juliette
    August 1, 2016 / 2:38 am

    Oh this sounds like a dream! Must have been super relaxing!

  3. Heather Cole
    August 1, 2016 / 6:34 am

    I’ve never had a facial before, let alone been to a spa but it’s something I want to try this year, and it’s good to know it’s a pleasant experience that actually works!

  4. Camila Alarcon
    August 1, 2016 / 5:51 pm

    This place looks wonderful, I love the style to it and I hope I was there!

  5. Tarah
    August 1, 2016 / 5:53 pm

    I too have been weary about trying a facial, but this sounds like a great experience!

  6. Conor
    August 1, 2016 / 7:05 pm

    Despite being a guy, this looks like world class pampering and I would find it hard to say no to it! The oxygen injection sounds slightly freaky but heck, I’d be willing to give it a go :D

  7. Amy
    August 1, 2016 / 10:54 pm

    I love a spa day! I’ve never had an oxygen facial, but I love a microderm session and a little pampering!

  8. melody pittman
    August 2, 2016 / 1:24 am

    This was a perfect post for me to read because I have been a spa girl for 25 years now. However, I am not familiar with this spa or their products. Looks like you had a fantastic experience and the spa has definitely piqued my interest. ;) Love oxygen facials and definitely need them at my age. ;)

  9. Theresa
    August 2, 2016 / 3:49 am

    What a lovely spa this looks like. I still have PTSD from my first spa exp that I’ve been reluctant to get one done again.

  10. Izzy
    August 2, 2016 / 3:51 am

    When you can’t even read the name of the venue, you know the treatment is gonna be fancy. Good for you treating yourself, I’m obsessed with pampering treatments and I have had one facial and it was honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done for my skin! I must try this oxygen facial! Holy wow!

  11. Kevin Wagar
    August 2, 2016 / 1:19 pm

    I could handle a little pampering. Looks like this might be the place to do it :P

  12. Anna nuttall
    August 2, 2016 / 3:12 pm

    Beautiful photos – this look amazing!

  13. Elise
    August 4, 2016 / 2:06 pm

    These photos are stunning! I would love to visit this place.

  14. Tanvi Rastogi
    August 4, 2016 / 4:04 pm

    Sounds like a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing.

  15. Claire
    August 13, 2016 / 3:41 am

    Sounds like you had a great experience. Not sure I could do the chemical peel though!

  16. Jacqueline
    October 15, 2016 / 5:26 am

    I’ve never had a facial, not to mention been to a spa yet it’s something I need to attempt this year, and it’s great to know it’s a lovely ordeal that really works!

  17. September 3, 2019 / 3:36 pm

    What products did u end up using from bioloqiue recharge for your acne

    • Sher
      Author
      September 3, 2019 / 3:50 pm

      Hi Lia,

      P50 is probably the #1 product I would recommend but there are a couple different versions of the toner, depending on your skin type and if you’ve used acid actives before. I recommend heading into a spa that sells Biologique Recherche so they can give you a personal recommendation for your skin!

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