A Day Well Spent With... aesthetic doctor and skincare specialist Maryam Zamani

The A-list aesthetician on Epsom salt baths, her aura ring and why food prep is the key to success

Maryam Zamani

21 July 2019

When the London A-list need an eye ‘tweakment’, there’s one woman who tops everyone’s little black book.

Dr. Maryam Zamani is a respected Oculoplastic surgeon and leading aesthetic doctor based at The Cadogan Clinic on London’s prestigious Sloane Street, where she specialises in blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and laser treatments, injectables and peels.

Zamani also recently launched her own skincare range, MZ Skin, whose formulated cleansers, face and eye creams, serums, masks and LED light mask are loved by everyone from Elle Macpherson to Gwyneth Paltrow, Arizona Muse, Selma Blair and Princess Charlene of Monaco.

But in amongst treating patients and running her own skincare label, does Zamani have much time to look after herself?

We caught up with the skincare supremo to hear how she fits health and wellbeing into her hectic schedule.

First thing in the morning I try to spend a few minutes thinking about what my day has in store. It has taken me a long time to discipline myself not to reach for my phone, but this is my time and I like to make sure it isn’t dictated by what’s waiting for me in my inbox from the U.S. I then quickly browse my emails to make sure there is nothing urgent to answer.

I limit myself to fifteen minutes on Instagram a few times a week, uploading a surgical procedure or perhaps to highlight something I am doing that might be interesting to my viewers. Then I jump into the shower and get ready, I’m super low maintenance and will be out the door in 30 minutes.

Every morning I start my day with a hot water infused with ginger and lemon. I take either a green smoothie or freshly squeezed half mandarin and half orange juice with me to the office. Breakfast is usually wheat free bread with avocado sprinkled with chilli flakes around 10 am.

I exercise pretty much every day. Twice weekly I have my trainer David Diafat to help train with light weights. I hate weight bearing training but know how important it is to maintain strength and bone density. Twice weekly I have one on one reformer Pilates with Ellie to help re-align my posture and lengthen my body. And pretty much every evening I spend 45 minutes on the elliptical at KX gym to get my cardio in. When I travel, I like to incorporate hikes and walks into the mix and find a local trainer or gym as well.

I like to keep my morning skincare regime simple and in line with my ethos to reveal, enhance and protect the skin. I wash with MZ Skin Cleanse & Clarify while I am in the shower. Afterwards, I also use MZ skin Bright & Perfect 10 % Vitamin C Serum to combat oxidative damage and promote collagen production while decreasing the appearance of pigmentation, a condition I suffer from. And my last step is MZ Skin Tint & Protect or MZ Skin Hydrate & Nourish to help hydrate and maintain hydration on my skin while also protecting it with SPF.

Afterwards, I use Tom Ford bronzer to help with a little artificial glow, Chanel mascara and DCT Blistex lip balm.

Clinic life is busy and if I am not prepared for lunch, I have a tendency to reach for sugary substitutes so I prepare a chopped salad for lunch filled with yummy greens like kale or spinach, avocado always, a few nuts, tomatoes and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds. Preparation is key to achieve a healthy relationship with food.

My favourite snack at the moment is green apples with almond butter.

Dinner varies as I have an active social life. When at home I like to eat with the kids and my husband. Dinner ranges from Persian vegetable stews with veal, Persian rice and green salads to lean protein with salads.

I rarely drink alcohol during the working week as I find it makes me foggy. Holiday’s don’t count though, my go-to poolside drink is a skinny margarita or an ice-cold glass of rose! Moderation is always the key and fortunately I am a light weight.

At night, I wash my face again with MZ skin Cleanse & Clarify. Twice weekly I keep it on while I am in the bath to help with deeper exfoliation or I indulge in my delicious Radiance and Renewal mask. I then use a topical prescription strength retinol 3-4 times a week followed by MZ skin Replenish and Restore mask and MZ Skin Soothe & Smooth eye cream, lip balm and I am ready for bed.

I like to prepare for the next day by making a to-do list the night before and setting myself up for a smooth day. This means I answer all my emails before going to bed and prepare my kids for the morning mania. I have recently starting taking a short bath with Epsom salts and body oils at the end of the evening to relax me and prepare me for the next day. I think mindfulness comes in also when I exercise. I find that it helps clear my mind and gives me a mental break to refocus on doing something active.

I love to take an Epsom salt bath infused with lavender oil to help relax me before bed. I used to be solely a shower kind of gal but now I love the added bath ritual!

I always place my phone in another room as I easily wake with the buzz of new messages.

I take very few supplements as I think nutrition is best achieved with food. I do take vitamin d and calcium and occasional B12.

Since I was a teenager, I have always loved a manicure and pedicure every other week. Because of the craziness of my schedule, I also indulge in a weekly massage and prior to the massage I do a light home treatment and use my LED mask while I am being massaged.

Annually I also love to go on an activity-based retreat like The Ranch Malibu or Yeotown. This year, my trainer, David Diafat, has created a new retreat in Spain, called Younigfit, and I will be going there!

I am slightly superstitious and always wear an evil eye or five! Recently I have started using the aura ring which helps monitor my sleeping, respiratory rate, activity, etc.

I have botulinum toxin injections two-three times a year. As I suffer from melasma, each September I have a moderate peel to help remove pigmentation worsened by the summer holidays. I find life busy and finding time for lasers and light-based treatments is difficult but I manage to do one every six months. Now I love Profhilo treatments so I do that annually as well.

I like to try ‘trendy’ treatments in the name of research, so I am up for most things as long as they do not involve starvation or significant downtime! When I am on holiday, I like to check out local spas and indulge in interesting new local treatments.

I also love acupuncture and acupressure - I find them deeply relaxing.

I think that wellness is now a lifestyle. Live well, feel well, look well. It’s a compilation of everything I do. I have always had exercise as a part of my life but I am currently trying to put mental wellness as a priority. This means sleeping more, spending more time with my family and friends, less time on electronics and removing sugar from my diet.

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Maryam Zamani

A Day Well Spent With

A Day Well Spent With... aesthetic doctor and skincare specialist Maryam Zamani

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