At Beautilist, we love stories that go beneath the surface, and few know skin quite like Dr Yannis Alexandrides. The Greek-born, London-based plastic and reconstructive surgeon is the founder of 111Skin, a brand that’s taken clinical expertise from the operating room to the beauty cabinet. Here, he shares his reflections on growth in science, in skincare, and in life and why real progress is built on patience and purpose.
The Power of Growth
To me, growth is the powerful force behind everything we do, whether in skin, in science, or in life. In the world of skin, growth is synonymous with resilience and regeneration: the ability for cells to renew, for damage to be repaired, and for skin to become more resilient over time. This idea is at the core of NAC Y²™, our proprietary ingredient complex, which helps repair and restore the skin’s optimal health and vitality.
In science, growth means pushing boundaries, turning clinical insight into innovation that helps my patients. It’s a constant process and dialogue that I enjoy practising in my clinic each day. It’s not about chasing trends. It’s about meaningful, evidence-based progress that elevates both the skin and the individual.
Personally, growth is the evolution that happens behind the scenes: the ongoing effort and patience it takes to build something lasting, the courage to pivot when needed, and the humility to keep learning. I always love to learn, evolve and grow, whether that is through conversations with like-minded individuals, travel, or fitness.
Beneath the Surface, Beyond the Skin
The story of 111Skin is not an overnight success. It took years of grit and determination. Even in the toughest moments as an entrepreneur, I always had the goal of continuing to serve and help my patients. This drive continued to push me forward, making me more ambitious and resilient over time.
Skin takes time to renew, and so do we as humans. Success is found in resilience and determination. Not giving up in hard moments, but continuing to aim for reaching your goals and objectives. Progress isn’t always linear!
From Private Clinic to Global Cult Brand
I didn’t set out to create a global skincare brand or start a beauty revolution. I simply wanted to help my patients by getting their skin into its best condition possible, with or without professional treatment. The biggest reward has been how well received my formulations are, not only by my patients but around the globe. You can now find 111Skin in retailers from Los Angeles to Sydney, and in more than 100 spas around the world. But engaging with our community and finding touch points to share feedback and experiences remains my biggest drive.
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Why Slow Beauty Wins
I hope the industry and consumers pivot away from fast beauty. Just like fast fashion, there are so many products launching each week. It creates a ‘throwaway culture’. I believe beauty is about quality and longevity. Great products require proper research and testing to achieve the best, long-term results. Your skin needs time to adjust and respond to ingredients, so if you’re constantly changing your routine and mixing too many different products, you might actually be doing more harm than good.
It’s never too early to build strong skincare habits. Prevention is the foundation of lasting skin health, and the most important step, especially for the younger generation, is the consistent use of a safe, clinically proven SPF. My advice is simple: treat your skin with respect, educate yourself on what it truly needs, and invest in high-quality formulas that support long-term skin health.
From the beginning, our philosophy at 111Skin has been to formulate products with ingredients that work synergistically to enhance benefits to the skin. Initially, one of the challenges I faced before creating 111Skin was the overly complex products on the market. I wanted to create powerful, multi-functional blends where the ingredients amplify one another, delivering visible results without overwhelming the skin.
We perform rigorous clinical studies for each of the 111Skin formulas because I want to establish the same scientific standards as we do in medicine. As a plastic surgeon, I’m a perfectionist and want to provide the best possible results, and I expect the same from my products.
Growth isn’t always linear. Skin and success both need time.
Instagram: @111skin
Website: 111skin.com
