It was the kind of Dubai evening that felt like a dream: gentle sea breeze, soft golden hour light, and a guest list of beauty editors, dermatologists, and skincare professionals gathered aboard a yacht in Jumeirah Al Marsa. The occasion? The UAE debut of Skin Diary, one of the UK’s most talked-about derm-led skincare brands.
Founded on dermatological expertise and rooted in scientific integrity, Skin Diary embraces a simple yet powerful philosophy: listen to your skin and give it what it needs. With that ethos, their newest product, Night Repair Therapy, was born.
Available at selected clinics in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Night Repair Therapy is a luxurious overnight treatment that works in harmony with the body’s natural circadian rhythm to support regeneration and repair.
Its formula is designed to double collagen, elastin fibre density, reduce visible wrinkles, and restore the skin barrier, making it especially effective for sun-stressed and dehydrated skin, a common concern in the Gulf’s harsh climate.
- Powered by active ingredients designed to combat fatigue, dehydration, and environmental stressors, the formula aims to be both smart and soulful.
As the yacht sailed into twilight, I spoke with co-founders and co-developers of the product, Dr. Clare Kiely and Dr. Tamara W. Griffiths, both esteemed dermatologists with decades of experience.
“Your skin reflects your internal rhythm,” Dr. Clare Kiely explained. “So much happens while you sleep, cellular renewal, barrier repair and Night Repair Therapy is designed to enhance that window. It’s gentle, restorative, and grounded in dermatological science.”
When I asked what inspired them to create their own product line, Dr. Griffiths shared the story of how Night Repair Therapy came to life:
“The origins of this product stem from intellectual curiosity. Clare and I had been advising other companies, but we realised we could do this ourselves. We knew how to run clinical trials. We knew what we wanted to show, so we developed the cream and tested it ourselves.”
But for all its clinical credibility, the product has a surprisingly soulful origin.
“Bilberry extract became a star ingredient after a foraging trip in North Wales,” Dr. Griffiths said. “We saw our fingers stained purple and thought, there’s something here. It turns out bilberries are full of polyphenols and antioxidants, which makes them a perfect fit.”
“As dermatologists, it’s not about the cosmetics,” Dr. Kiely added. “It’s about well-ageing. Making sure your skin doesn’t wear out before your healthspan does.”
While Night Repair Therapy was the star of the evening, I couldn’t help but ask what’s next for the brand.
“We’ve got a day cream launching in a couple of months,” Dr. Kiely revealed. “It’s not just any day cream, it’s an SPF with DNA repair enzymes.”
As guests sipped chilled drinks and took in the marina views, the mood remained as grounded as the brand’s philosophy. There was no overblown glitz, just meaningful conversations and an emphasis on knowledge, care, and longevity.
Before we returned to the dock, I asked the pair to share one golden skincare rule, something everyone, regardless of age or skin type, should follow.
The answer came in unison. “Sunscreen!”
“We don’t want to sound like broken records, we love the sun too, but we want people to be safe in the sun.”
