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Lightyears before Hollywood’s obsession with beauty biohacking, Keren Bartov was already using medical-grade, high-tech skin care tools to bring glow-from-within radiance to stars’ visages. Her results were most recently seen on clients Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth Debicki and Mikey Madison, who visited the celebrity facialist’s Notting Hill studio for bespoke facials ahead of the annual Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards in London on Nov. 5.
The 47-year-old aesthetician also saved A-listers from a cross-Atlantic trip by popping up in LA with her suite of skin-plumping, jawline-snatching devices and her own Keren Bartov Advanced Skin Care serums and creams ahead of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and Academy Museum Gala last month. VS Angels models Joan Smalls, Jasmine Tookes, Elsa Hosk and Amelia Gray beamed with Bartov’s signature glow at the lingerie company’s takeover of Sony Pictures Studios on Oct. 18, as did longtime clients Demi Moore and Mila Kunis at the star-studded Academy fundraiser. She also prepped Kim Kardashian’s skin for her 46th birthday party, and also works with Beyonce and mom Tina Knowles, Julia Roberts, Michelle Monaghan, Eiza Gonzalez, Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Wilde, to name just a handful.
“Before a major event, my goal is for the skin to look its absolute best while remaining calm, balanced and refreshed. The last thing I want is to cause irritation or an unexpected reaction right before a red carpet,” notes Bartov. “I often combine technologies that help improve the appearance of firmness and texture with lymphatic drainage, gentle enzymatic exfoliation and skin care that delivers hydration and radiance.”
In fact, the U.K.-based skin expert has an arsenal of more than 50 technologies — in which she’s invested millions of dollars to ensure only the most state-of-the-art facials — “but the number itself isn’t what matters. It’s knowing when to use each one, in what order and in what combination,” explains Bartov. “I’m always looking for [products] that allow me to achieve more precise results with less aggressive intervention. I never introduce a technology or ingredient simply because it’s new or everyone is talking about it. For me, innovation has to be backed by science, safety and meaningful results.”
Her pre-event treatments are based on her 90-minute Signature Glow Facial ($500 to $900), available at her London and Tel Aviv clinics. She incorporates her namesake luxury skin-care products along with the Onda Pro (which uses microwave and cool waves to tighten, contour and reduce cellulite), the Lumenis TriLift (which incorporates radiofrequency, microneedling and muscle stimulation for firming and lifting), the buzzy XERF (Bartov was among the first to add the radiofrequency skin-tightening machine to her menu) and other non-invasive, multi-modality medical devices.
For the Victoria’s Secret and Academy events, “I treated clients with completely different skin concerns, which meant every protocol was different. What they all had in common was the desire for skin that looked naturally healthy, fresh, and radiant, creating the perfect canvas for makeup without ever looking overdone,” says Bartov.
A former aspiring actor, Bartov’s unexpected path to Hollywood began in southern Israel, where she opened a tiny skin clinic in her community before expanding to Tel Aviv. Fellow Israeli Gal Gadot became her first celebrity client and earliest cheerleader, and pushed Bartov to bring her methodology to London in 2023.
Bartov recently debuted a Festive Facial to prep clients’ faces for upcoming holiday soirees. Like her signature offering, the clinical treatment uses up to five tech tools in a specific sequence to address collagen loss, pigmentation, acne and signs of aging. Visitors can also pick up her limited-edition holiday gift sets (from $400) created in collaboration with British artist Clym Evernden, who also drew up a winter window dressing for Bartov’s Notting Hill clinic.
Can’t book a flight or secure an appointment at her overseas outposts? Bartov’s skin-care sets are also available online for anyone to achieve her red carpet-ready glow from home.
Ahead, Bartov shares what she can’t live without (including her most priceless essentials), the ingredients and devices that have piqued her interest and those that she recommends skipping.
In a nutshell, what led you to becoming a star-trusted skin expert?
Keren Bartov: Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been drawn to everything related to beauty, aesthetics and skin care. It was always something I loved, but as I got older, I realized I also wanted a stable career, something I could build and grow over time, so I decided to study cosmetology. Very quickly, I discovered there was so much more to it than I had imagined. I fell in love with the field, started studying and exploring it in depth and realized I had found my place.
Today, I feel like I’ve somehow managed to bring all the worlds I love together: beauty, aesthetics, creativity, working with people and even a little bit of the entertainment world, especially when I’m preparing actresses and models for some of their biggest moments.
For more than 17 years, I’ve been studying, researching and exploring advanced technologies and treatment methods from around the world. What started as genuine curiosity and passion eventually became the treatment method I’ve developed over the years.
Developing my own skin-care line was a natural extension of that journey. I wanted to take the knowledge and experience I’d gained in the treatment room and translate it into products that could become part of my clients’ everyday routines. To this day, nothing excites me more than seeing how the right treatment and skin-care routine can transform not only someone’s skin, but also their confidence.
How do you decide what new product or technology makes the cut? What are the red flags that tell you something is just a fad?
I never introduce a technology or ingredient simply because it’s new or everyone is talking about it. For me, innovation has to be backed by science, safety and meaningful results.
Before incorporating a new device or product, I look at the research behind it, how it works, whether it’s suitable for different skin types and how it can complement the treatments and products I already use.
I take exactly the same approach when developing my own skin care. Every formula needs to have a clear purpose. For example, with Melanin Correcting Serum, the focus is on addressing the appearance of uneven pigmentation, while Hydra Reboost Cream is about providing the hydration and comfort the skin needs. They’re different products designed to address different concerns, and that’s exactly how I believe skin care should work.
What ingredients, devices, or innovations are exciting you most right now, and why?
One technology I’m particularly excited about is Onda Pro, which uses targeted microwave energy to address concerns including skin firmness and the appearance of facial contours. What interests me most is how I can incorporate it into a broader, personalized treatment protocol.
Another is XERF, a radiofrequency technology designed for non-invasive skin tightening. I was among the first practitioners in the world to work with it, and I love being involved in the early stages of exploring new technologies, understanding their capabilities and discovering who can truly benefit from them.
When it comes to ingredients, I’m a strong believer in peptides, active acids, and ingredients supported by solid clinical research. I’m not interested in whatever ingredient happens to be trending online. I’m interested in what can genuinely address a specific skin concern.
Peptides are particularly interesting to me, which is why I love incorporating a peptide serum into a targeted skin-care routine. I’m also a big believer in exfoliating acids when they’re used correctly. My Booster Peel & Glow Serum reflects that approach: using active ingredients with a clear purpose, rather than exfoliating simply for the sake of it.
To me, real innovation isn’t always about discovering something entirely new. It’s about finding smarter, more precise ways to use ingredients and technologies that have already proven themselves.
What beauty trends do you suggest clients skip?
I’m not a big fan of beauty gimmicks that look amazing on social media but don’t necessarily deliver meaningful, long-term results.
Sheet masks and under-eye patches are good examples. They can provide a temporary boost of hydration or make the skin feel refreshed, but I don’t see them as a substitute for skin care that genuinely works on the skin.
I’d much rather see someone invest in a well-formulated serum that addresses their actual skin concerns. That’s why I’ve always placed so much emphasis on active formulas, whether it’s Advanced Skin Serum as part of a consistent routine or Melanin Correcting Serum for someone looking to address uneven skin tone.
I’m also cautious about trends like at-home microneedling. It’s a procedure that requires professional knowledge, and when done incorrectly, it can cause irritation, infection and damage to the skin. Another trend I’m not a fan of is using active acids without understanding their concentrations, how they interact, or whether they’re suitable for your skin.
I absolutely believe in advanced skin care and using multiple products, but every product should have a purpose. I don’t believe in adding something to your routine just because it’s gone viral. For me, the question isn’t how good a product looks on camera. It’s what it actually does for your skin.
Walk us through your treatments. What do you consider when creating custom protocols for clients?
No two people have exactly the same skin, so no two treatments should ever be identical. I start with a thorough skin assessment, looking at texture, hydration levels, pigmentation, elasticity and sensitivity. I also consider age, lifestyle, skin-care habits, previous treatments and, of course, what the client wants to achieve.
One of the things that makes my method different is the ability to address several concerns within a single treatment. For example, I might combine technologies targeting firmness, texture, hydration, and radiance, carefully selecting devices that complement one another. But personalization doesn’t end when the client leaves the clinic. I also look at what they’re using at home, because professional treatments and daily skin care should support one another.
Someone dealing with pigmentation might benefit from incorporating Melanin Correcting Serum into their routine, while someone whose skin needs more hydration might be better suited to Hydra Reboost Cream. In other cases, I might focus on introducing active serums gradually or adjusting the evening routine.
I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all facial or a one-size-fits-all skin-care routine. I believe in understanding exactly what the skin needs and building the right protocol around it.
What are your top tips for a solid foundational skin-care routine? What people avoid?
I’m a big believer in a comprehensive skin-care routine that incorporates multiple products and active ingredients, as long as they’re carefully selected and work well together. I don’t think we should be afraid of having several steps. What’s important is understanding what each product does and why it’s there.
For me, the foundation of great skin is proper cleansing, targeted active ingredients, hydration, and daily sun protection.
In the evening, I always recommend starting with a double cleanse. I use my Micellar Water to remove makeup and impurities, followed by a gentle milky cleanser to thoroughly cleanse the skin.
Once the skin is clean, I like to work with different serums depending on its needs. Booster Peel & Glow Serum is one of my favorites for improving the appearance of skin texture and radiance, while Advanced Skin Serum is an essential part of my own routine.
For clients dealing with uneven skin tone and pigmentation, I often recommend Melanin Correcting Serum. I also love incorporating a peptide serum, as peptides are among the ingredients I believe in for supporting firmer, healthier-looking skin.
I place enormous importance on nighttime skin care. While we sleep, the skin goes through natural renewal and repair processes, and I love using those hours to give it targeted care.
One ingredient I believe in most is retinol. It’s one of the most extensively researched ingredients in skin care, with well-established benefits for improving skin texture, the appearance of fine lines, and uneven skin tone over time.
That belief was also behind the development of Next Gen, my retinol-infused night cream. I consider it an important part of a targeted evening routine, with the frequency of use adjusted to the individual’s skin.
Hydration is equally important. I love Hydra Reboost Cream for keeping the skin feeling comfortable and moisturized, and Hydration Glow Spray is one of my favorite finishing touches for an instant boost of freshness and radiance. It’s also a product I love having with me when I travel.
In the morning, my focus is on hydration, protection and maintaining healthy-looking skin. Sunscreen is absolutely non-negotiable.
Of course, not every active ingredient is suitable for everyone, and I don’t recommend layering strong acids and retinol indiscriminately. It’s important to tailor combinations and frequency of use to the skin’s needs and tolerance.
What should we avoid? Constantly switching products, combining active ingredients without understanding how they work together and expecting overnight results.
I always compare skin care to going to the gym. If you want to see real results, you have to be consistent. It’s the combination of the right products, a consistent routine and professional treatments that makes the difference.
What are some essentials that you can’t live without right now?
If there’s one skin-care product I can’t live without, it’s my Advanced Skin Serum. It’s one of the products I reach for every single day and a true essential in my routine. I love how it helps my skin look smoother, fresher and more radiant. No matter where I’m traveling, it always comes with me.
I’m a big believer in movement and taking care of my body. Strength training is an important part of my routine, and I also love going for walks. With all the traveling and work, it’s my time to clear my head and focus on myself.
I love activewear that’s comfortable enough for a workout but stylish enough to wear outside the gym. Alo Yoga’s Airlift leggings are exactly my style, especially on days when I’m going straight from a workout to meetings or errands.
I absolutely love Victoria Beckham’s tailoring. There’s something so precise, feminine and effortlessly elegant about her designs. A beautifully tailored blazer and trousers are a combination I can always rely on, especially for meetings and events.
I love this bag. There’s something iconic and timeless about it, and I’ve always preferred pieces that never go out of style.
For me, great foundation should still let your skin look like skin. I love a lightweight base that evens out the complexion, adds freshness and lets the skin’s natural texture show through. That’s exactly the kind of makeup I gravitate toward.
I love makeup that adds a subtle touch of light without looking heavy. This is one of those products that can instantly bring a little color and radiance to the face, especially when I’m going straight from a long workday to dinner or an event.
I love candles and beautiful home fragrances, and Diptyque is one of my favorite brands. Baies has that elegant, comforting scent that instantly creates a lovely atmosphere at home. Lighting a candle at the end of the day is one of my little rituals.
And one thing I could never leave off the list: Evenings at Home With My Husband and Kids.
This might not be a product, but it’s the one thing I truly can’t live without. I spend so much time traveling and working around the world that the simplest moments at home mean the most to me. Family dinners, spending time with my kids or just having a quiet evening with my husband are the moments I look forward to most.
