Thirns is a luxury, made-in-Bath botanical skincare brand conceived by skincare therapist Olga Brennand, that harnesses the clinical powers of organic, plant-based ingredients. Joanna Lewis met Olga at her Bath-based clinic to learn about her skincare line and to experience one of her bespoke facial treatments.
As we head into winter, there’s no question that we need to give our skin extra love and care. Harsh winds, freezing temperatures, and decreased humidity levels all contribute to skin feeling and looking dull, dry, and tired. And, as a mid-40s mum, I can also add the challenges of trying to juggle a career and family life into the mix!
Born and raised in Kazakhstan, known for its exceptionally cold winters, Olga is well versed on the damages environmental stressors can cause. It was also here that her passion for plants and harnessing their medicinal and therapeutic qualities was sparked, helping her parents collect wild flowers for home medicines.
Fast forward a couple of decades, much of it spent working as a skincare therapist for some of the biggest names in the beauty industry, and Olga has poured this passion into her luxury skincare brand Thirns.
The science
Thirns is made from the finest ingredients, including carefully selected botanical extracts known for their beneficial effects on the metabolism of the skin. Rosehip, sea buckthorn, juniper, and raspberries feature heavily throughout the product line, healing extracts derived from thorn flowers and bushes – hence the name Thirns, an Old English and Norse word for “thorns”.
A key differentiator that sets Thirns apart from other brands is its use of advanced botanical technology.
“Thirns utilises plant cell technologies developed in France and Switzerland,” Olga explains. “This is a technology that harnesses the full medicinal and healing properties of the plants required for the active natural ingredients used in various cosmetic applications, without damaging or destroying the whole plant. We combine these plant cell-derived ingredients with the highest quality essential and carrier oils and hydrolats from specially selected suppliers in the UK, France, Germany, and Switzerland.”
Each product is handcrafted in small batches by Olga in her laboratory in Bath, ensuring the highest quality, then packaged in premium white glass jars that block light to avoid any product degradation. Important to note is that Thirns does not use any perfumes or artificial fragrances, is not tested on animals, and is clinically approved.
Simplifying skincare for real results
Purposefully designed as a minimalist range, Olga hopes that Thirns will simplify skincare routines while providing results quickly.
“One of the key things I’ve noted over the years is the long lead times to produce often minimal results, even from premium lines,” Olga says. “I set out to change this with Thirns, with visible results that can be seen in less than two weeks. All the products are designed to work in unison with your skin, by restoring and supporting its own metabolic cycles.”
Following a skincare treatment with Olga (more on that later), I was prescribed some Thirns products to try at home. There is no question that this is a truly luxurious skincare line. It’s rich, nourishing, and smells absolutely divine (so, it’s a good thing that the range also includes an aromatherapy candle!). Having written about beauty for the better part of two decades, I’ve tried hundreds of creams, but nothing has felt as luxurious as Thirns.
Hero products
There are seven skincare products in total: a cleansing balm, an energising mist, a firming emulsion, an overnight recovery cream, an eye cream, a revitalising mask, and a lip balm.
There are two products, in my opinion, that are real powerhouses (and I’m trying to eke them out as long as I can!); the cleansing balm and the overnight recovery cream.
The cleansing balm includes vitamin-rich rosehip to boost collagen production, improve elasticity, and detoxify and brighten the skin, and juniper to clarify, tone, and help protect from environmental aggressors. It’s a creamy, beautifully scented balm, and a small bit goes a long way; gently massage into dry skin, then, use a little warm water to create a decadent emulsion. Finally, rinse the balm off with warm water and a face cloth. The balm thoroughly cleanses skin without leaving it dry – even removing stubborn makeup like mascara.
“It’s more than a cleanser,” Olga notes, “Not only does it remove impurities, but it hydrates and balances your skin, and it will feel smooth and radiant immediately after.”
Refreshingly, there’s no need for toners or serums with Thirns, so it’s straight on to the overnight recovery cream, designed to restore and nourish skin while you sleep. It’s made from sea buckthorn extract to protect skin from water loss and free radicals, and rosehip extract to boost collagen.
It’s deeply moisturising and a little really does go a long way. It is a thicker cream, but don’t let that put you off if you prefer lighter formulas – it sinks in quickly with no greasy residue and leaves you with wonderful feeling skin. Plus, you can drift off to sleep enveloped in the cream’s heavenly scent.
Bespoke treatments
Olga’s Thirns treatments are available at her home-based clinic, 1 Derrymans Green.
Treatments are entirely bespoke following an in-depth skincare consultation, and are designed to be results-driven while offering a relaxing and pampering experience.
Olga’s analysis showed that my skin was dehydrated and required a deep cleanse, likely exacerbated by the fact that I was using a liquid formula cleanser instead of a balm. The latter, Olga explains, is far superior at dissolving impurities without stripping the skin’s protective barrier.
Beyond the heavenly application of Thirns products, the treatment comprises two main elements: Olga’s innovate Face Sculpting Massage method and the use of rotating brushes that deeply cleanse the skin, allowing the products to really work their magic.
Olga explains that her exclusive Face Sculpting Massage is designed to move lymph (the fluid that flows through the lymphatic system) to the lymphatic points, improve microcirculation, and gently lift and reposition the facial muscles. The massage feels deeply invigorating, almost like a workout for your face, leaving skin looking smooth, glowing, and most importantly, lifted.
It’s then onto a deep exfoliation using a selection of high-speed rotating brushes that sweep away dead skin cells and remove dirt, oil, and makeup that can build up over time. Once complete, my skin had never looked so clean!
Olga recommends her products and a monthly, bespoke treatment regime for anyone aged 30 and over. She says this is a pivotal point in which caring for your skin is vital as the ageing process kicks-in.
As I stepped out of Olga’s clinic, my skin looked brighter, firmer, and more radiant, but more importantly, I felt as though I’d pressed pause on the chaos of everyday life. Armed with a curated selection of Thirns skincare, I can now bring a touch of that calm, restorative luxury into my daily routine. And as a mid-40s mum constantly balancing it all, that small moment of indulgence feels nothing short of essential.
To buy Thirns products or to book a custom facial treatment with Olga, visit: thirns.co.uk
Thirns facials can also be enjoyed at the Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel.