We’re incredibly proud of NAA members and the unique ways that they apply Nutritional Aesthetics® in their personal and professional lives. It’s our goal to support them and share their wisdom by highlighting their stories with you in a periodic ‘Member on a Mission’ feature. Our latest featured member, Misia Smith, resides in the UK, where she has been practicing holistic aesthetics since 2004. Misia is the owner and sole practitioner at her exclusive skin studio Soothe in Nottingham. She was one of the first in the UK to qualify as a Level 4 Aesthetic Practitioner in Advanced Skin Science.

Misia says, “Holistic and Nutritional Aesthetics has been a dominant feature in my life! As a young girl, I experienced numerous reactions to just about every skincare product I tried. My sore, inflamed skin was the bane of my life and as a young girl interested in beauty and health it was also frustrating. So at 16 I studied ‘Beauty Consultancy’ in the hope that I might understand the reasons behind my sensitivities. However, the level of information was not as in-depth or scientific as I’d hoped, so I started my own research into product ingredients. I worked in the National Health Service where I gained a good knowledge of anatomy, physiology and health and eventually after having my family went on to study Holistic Therapies such as aromatherapy, massage and holistic facials. However, my passion remained with promoting skin health through helping clients understand how their skin works and the influence of healthy nutrition on skin conditions. Surgery and injectables were the ‘fashion’ back then and I wanted to provide a beautiful place for women who wanted a natural alternative. I was passionate about the natural prevention of premature ageing, and so Soothe was born.”

We spoke to Misia about the role that Nutritional Aesthetics® plays in her business and her approach to skin health:

NAA:

What excites you the most about the Nutritional Aesthetics® Alliance?

Misia Smith:

I was excited to discover the NAA because previously I spent a lot of time researching topics in books and online and I couldn’t find anyone who shared my holistic-nutritional-skin passion to exchange ideas with. There’s so much conflicting advice available. The NAA provides a first port of call for information and a feeling of family with like-minded people. It’s lovely to see the beauty field catching up and the ‘fashion’ becoming healthy skin and lifestyle.

NAA:

How do you apply Nutritional Aesthetics® principles to your work?

Misia Smith:

Gosh, every day with every client who walks through my door! I would never treat a client without first going through my Advanced Skin Care Review in which we discuss their skin care regimen (including ingredients), lifestyle, diet, sleep patterns, health and much more! When clients come to Soothe for a ‘facial’, they can expect the needs of their skin, mind, body and soul to be fed.

NAA:

Please complete this sentence, and elaborate as much as you wish: “For optimal skin health, I wish people would do more of ___________________, and less of ___________________.”

Misia Smith:

I wish people gave more consideration to the quality of the products they are eating or putting on their skin. We are literally what we eat. If we eat rubbish, we’re going to feel rubbish (and our skin will show us that it’s not happy!). The same principle applies to our skin – if we apply chemical laden, poor quality products to our skin, it’s going to behave poorly.

I wish people did less paying attention to big advertising campaigns making unrealistic promises of youth and flawless skin. It makes people cynical about the benefits of good skincare when the promises aren’t kept. People end up believing that all skincare products are the same. They are certainly not.

I also wish people did less aspiring to look like other people and did more of being proud and happy in their own beautiful skin.