Twelve months in the making, Boots has unveiled its first store that’s set to focus solely on beauty, showcasing the best in the industry across 11,200 sq ft. Based at Battersea Power Station, it will offer an array of new features, including industry-leading skincare services, a new premium haircare offering and a sparkly fragrance bar. There will also be a complexion wall showcasing some of the 4,000 foundation shades available in-store and lots of in-demand brands, including Bubble Skincare, Drunk Elephant and Rem Beauty.

Perhaps most exciting is a new dermatological area that will see a dermatologist-trained Boots pharmacist offering free consultations and clinical advice on a variety of skin concerns. Dr Justine Hextall, a consultant dermatologist, has consulted on the ranges and services, which are aimed at people who can’t afford a dermatologist or can’t find one with availability.

GPs only have two weeks of dermatology training at medical school and so, aren’t always equipped to answer skin concerns. With this new service, Dr Hextall hopes that they will be able help people with skin concerns get advice or a diagnosis earlier.

“We realised that most people come to a pharmacy first, then a GP. By the time they come to me as a dermatologist, I can’t help but think if only they’d been recommended X, Y and Z treatment earlier, they may never have needed to come to me in the first place,” she explains. There’s a lot of information out there but people don’t know what information they can rely on.

“We’ve been doing lots of teaching on acne, rosacea, sensitivities, allergies and eczema among other things, so you will really get that dermatologist-led advice.”

In a private consultation space, the dermatologist-trained pharmacist will offer one-to-one clinical advice for a variety of skin concerns including conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis. This private treatment room will also be a space where customers can book scalp checks and Dermalux LED therapy appointments at £60.

Although these services are only available at this store currently (you can also book online), Dr Hextall said: “We are hoping to roll [these offerings] out beyond Battersea Power Station to stores around the UK, so hopefully everyone will get to benefit from that access and advice.”

Images: courtesy of Boots