Meet the Skincare Line the World’s Top Facialist Is Obsessed With

When a skincare line comes along that blows the mind of one of the most in-demand and respected facialists in the world, you know it has to be nothing but phenomenal. And that’s exactly how Joanna Czech – the go-to skin savior of the likes of Bella Hadid, Kim Kardashian West, and Candice Swanepoel – describes Dior’s ‘Capture Totale C.E.L.L. Energy’ range. The result of over 30 years of cutting-edge research, in partnership with some of the best research centers and universities in the world, it marks a new era for the ‘Capture Totale’ line thanks to a unique discovery into mother cells.

Although they only make up 0.2 percent of our skin cells, mother cells are key when it comes to slowing down the aging process. Without getting too scientific, this is because when the energy of these cells decreases, their cellular functions decline, and this affects the vitality of the face. Or – put simply – makes you look much, much older, much quicker. By using scientific expertise, alongside four powerful flowers and new patented technology, Dior has found a way to stimulate the energy of our mother cells to help in our quest to turn back time. Consisting of five hero products, including a cleanser, toner, serum, eye cream, and moisturizer, ‘Capture Totale C.E.L.L Energy’ might just be the most advanced and effective anti-aging line out there – and facialist to the stars Czech agrees…

“When Dior – a fashion house – came to me with the new ‘Capture Totale’ range, I asked myself, “Do I do this?” But as soon as they started talking about cell energy, I was like a fly all over it, because they came up with a complex to stimulate energy of the cells, and that’s what I do during my professional treatments!”, Czech reveals over Zoom with Savoir Flair’s Beauty Editor-at-Large. “When cells lose energy, it starts the aging process. I use sound and light to stimulate cell energy. When you do this, you stimulate energy for approximately three weeks, so you get much longer-lasting results. During my treatments, I use massage to stimulate blood flow and bring oxygen to the cells, and then I use the Dior ‘Capture Totale C.E.L.L. Energy Serum’ that’s hydrating, plumping, brightening, and cell energizing. The effects of the treatment are much longer-lasting. So, I think it’s a match made in heaven!”

During our chat with Czech, we found out everything there is to know about this revolutionary skincare range, whilst picking up some of her top anti-aging tips along the way. If you’re looking to put your best face forward.

What ingredients make this skincare line so effective?
Dior uses a four-flower complex, which contains longoza — one of the flowers with the highest level of energy because it can basically grow on ash! For years they studied nearly 1,700 plants and only four of them were chosen because they energize for various reasons. Longoza because it works in random environments, and peony, which has the most petals amongst any flowers existing!

Also, there’s the presence of a particular accelerated hyaluronic acid, which is a combination of short and medium-length chains of HA, and they create lubrication between the cells to help them work much better and more effectively. Anything that has to do with reenergizing the cells is amazing, because it’s the biggest part of our aging process.

If you infuse products with stem cells, they will not work, because stem cells are not allowed to be alive within the product. But if you use ingredients that stimulate stem cells and energize them, then that definitely works.

So, would this range benefit women in the Middle East, who have to contend with extreme heat outside and very cold A/C inside?
If you asked me to pick just one product to take anywhere, whether extremely hot or extremely cold, it would be the ‘Capture Totale C.E.L.L. Energy Super Potent Serum’. HA works in all types of weather, and we need as much hydration as possible. It’s great for any environmental situation, and it’s a natural ingredient in our skin that’s key for hydration!

I have to say, that for the first time in my 35-year career, that after using the serum for just one week I was honestly like, “what on Earth happened?!” I kept playing with my skin just to make sure it was really my skin! It’s a miracle when something can make such a big difference in just seven days. For my skin, it was brightness, and my skin was unified — so the presence of pores was minimized — and it was super hydrated. Everyone asked me what I’d done! I can’t live without it now, and I test many lines all around the world! I have a nervous breakdown when my serum starts running out [laughs].

Apart from aging, does the line treat other skin concerns?
Absolutely, it treats every skin concern because it regenerates cells, and healthy cells can create the power of healing! So, it has great healing properties. When I first started testing it, I had no idea what it was. I usually receive products “blank” because I shouldn’t know what they are, and I shouldn’t have any preconceived ideas. I started using it on my rosacea and my breakouts, and it was super healing and brightening. When we have proper energy of the cells, they will address whatever is damaged.

You’re known for your use of facial massage techniques. How would you use them to maximize the effects of the Capture Totale products?
When I use my cleanser, I want to stimulate blood flow, so I usually use circular motions – NEVER forgetting the neck and décolleté. This is so, so important, so I’m so glad you asked me about this! I know there are lots of neck and décolleté creams out there, but I don’t really believe in them… I believe in treating your face, starting with the nipples and ending in the hairline. You must not forget about that entire area.

For the toner, I use the ‘press release’ motion, which I call the ‘sponge’ technique. When you press and release the skin it microscopically opens, and when you release it, it grasps whatever is on the surface. So right away from the toner you get that plump feeling. With the serum, it’s very similar. Initially, I very gently spread the serum, then I perform a little tapping motion to stimulate blood flow to bring more oxygen to the tissue and to help everything absorb better.

For the eye cream, I recommend using circular motions at nighttime, from the inside out at the top, and outside in along the bottom. Be very firm along the upper part to create that extra lift. In the morning I use wavy motions from the inside out, because I want to get rid of puffiness. Then when it comes to the moisturizer, warm it up inside your palms to release any active ingredients and apply all over with a little tapping – NEVER forgetting about neck and décolleté. Nipples up, guys!

What’s the biggest mistake you see women making with their skin?
Right now, overtreating it. That’s a huge mistake! Maybe it’s from having too much time on their hands or the fact that there are 60,000 skincare lines born a month. By overtreating it, it could be anything – over-exfoliation, using lasers, etc. Trends in skincare, without much support of science — I’m just not in to. Trends are fantastic in fashion, but not in skincare. Trying everything your girlfriend does is a mistake. I personally would advise sticking to the advice of an expert and staying in touch with them.

"Trends are fantastic in fashion, but not in skincare. Trying everything your girlfriend does is a mistake."

Then there’s still the thing that I can’t believe, and that’s when people go to bed without proper skin hygiene! And I’m talking about the whole body, not just the face. More than ever it is so important to take care of our body, because of our health. Our skin makes up two square meters and about three kilos in weight (for a mature person) and has about 25 percent of our immune system! If we don’t prepare it properly for rejuvenation and regeneration time at nighttime, we have a 25 percent less chance of being healthy. During sleep, we produce proteins called cytokines that regulate our immune system, so preparing for nighttime is super important.

What three products can you not live without?
Toner, Dior’s ‘Capture Totale C.E.L.L. Super Potent Serum’, and my facial massager.

What lifestyle changes should we adapt to have our best ever skin?
. Diet is responsible for about 70 percent of skin health, so make sure it is balanced and healthy. Avoid dairy, sugar, and excessive drinking as much as possible. If you don’t address your digestion system, nothing will help, and results will not last on the same level. You have to treat your skin from the inside out!
. Don’t Smoke.
. Exercise regularly.
. Drink lots of water.
. Get the proper amount of sleep.
. Avoid excessive exposure to the sun.

If you weren’t a facialist, what would you be and why?
I would be a surgeon, which is what I set out to do because I love helping people!

Debunk the biggest skincare myth you’ve heard.
Lasers do not stimulate collagen production!

Complete the sentence: To me, beautiful skin is…
Healthy, dewy, radiant, and looks best for the age that you are.