“I’m a contemporary visual artist and I work primarily with clay. I make sculptural pieces, but I also draw, make collages, and I work with sound as well. Most of the time I’m in my studio making, but I also work with galleries or arts organisations delivering workshops with community groups or setting up exhibitions.
My studio’s only 10 minutes’ walk from my house. I live in the Calder Valley, in West Yorkshire, which is beautiful – full of moors and hills – so I always take the long way round.
My day often starts with reclaiming clay that needs recycling. I’ll rehydrate it, lay it out on plaster and then get it ready to use again. Working with clay is hands-on. It’s quite a physical job. The materials are really heavy. The way I work, making quite big pieces, takes a lot of energy.
My hands are always on the go, whether it’s shaping wet or leather-hard clay, working with glazes (I mix them myself which means dealing with different chemicals and minerals), or firing in the kiln. Clay is very drying and my hands really take a battering. But they’re artist’s hands and I’m very proud of them.
As for my face, I have quite a simple skincare routine. I just use a face wash, toner and moisturiser, then a serum on top and sunscreen. But I will wash my face during the day if it feels a bit too dusty – it can get very dusty in the studio – or if I’ve wiped clay or glaze on my skin by mistake.”
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Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme
Dr Ejikeme says: “Aliyah’s frequent exposure to studio dust and clay leads to microscopic particulates accumulating on the skin surface. This mechanical and oxidative stress can weaken the skin barrier over time. Her frequent cleansing may strip natural oils, increasing dryness or irritation.
To help restore and protect her skin, apply the new Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Hydrating Serum with niacinamide and ashwagandha after each cleanse. Niacinamide helps support the skin barrier, while ashwagandha helps to soothe.
To keep her routine gentle yet effective, I also recommend using Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Essence Toner with niacinamide and ginseng after cleansing, to calm and hydrate before putting on serum and moisturiser.”
“I have a good skincare routine, but it’s not complicated. With all those other things you’re supposed to use, I’m a bit clueless. I’d like to know what to do but I don’t necessarily want to spend a lot of money trying different things. Or I don’t want to upset my skin – I feel that sometimes when you change products too much it can upset it. My skin is pretty good to me – I don’t get spots or anything like that. I do have pigmentation even though I wear sunscreen but I feel like that’s probably unavoidable from being outside so much.”
Dr Ejikeme says: “Aliyah is cautious about introducing new products, which is understandable. When the barrier is intact and skin is behaving well, it’s wise to take a minimal approach.
However, she can still enhance her routine with simple, effective formulas. Modern Chemistry by Boots Glow Brightening Moisturiser with vitamin C and niacinamide can be helpful; it delivers hydration and brightens skin. It’s a straightforward upgrade with vitamin C that supports tone, radiance and barrier health without overwhelming the skin.”
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‘I’m very lucky that I get to work as an artist all of the time’
“The nature aspect of where I live hugely inspires my work. A lot of the ceramic sculptures I make are based on plants and vines and different sides of nature, including herbalism and the folklore associated with plants. I also volunteer at a local community apothecary garden. That outside connection and being in nature is massively important because my work is about going back to the studio and translating all of that into ceramics. I wouldn’t change it but that mix – of being in a dusty, dry studio, having hands in the soil or walking in the hills – is pretty tough on my skin.”
Dr Ejikeme says: “Outdoor exposure to wind, rain and UV can accelerate skin dryness. Skin fatigue and lipid loss are common in such environments. Aliyah should prioritise barrier support.
Using Modern Chemistry by Boots Glow Exfoliating AHA/BHA Toner one to two times a week at night will help gently smooth the skin and prevent congestion caused by environmental exposure. Follow with Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Moisturiser with rice extract and niacinamide to lock in hydration and support the barrier.
For daily hydration and to prep the skin in the morning, use Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Essence Toner with niacinamide and ginseng under moisturiser.”
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‘Most of the time I’m in my studio making’
“At the end of a studio day there’s a lot of cleaning to be done — mopping, wiping down, making sure there’s no dust, and wrapping everything up so it doesn’t dry out. My studio’s in an old mill and, as is typical with many artist studios, they’re baking hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter. No in between.
I’m very lucky that I get to work as an artist all of the time. It’s a real privilege. I work with materials that I find endlessly fascinating and share my space with other artists who are constantly inspiring. Through workshops, I get to share my craft knowledge and skills with other people, which is really fulfilling. Some of them would never describe themselves as creative or as an artist, so it’s a real joy to encourage them to work with clay. As artists, we get to share a lot and that’s really lovely.”
Aliyah’s Modern Chemistry formula
Dr Ejikeme’s summary: “Aliyah’s lucky that her skin is coping well with the effects of being in a dry work environment combined with exposure to the elements.
With just a few tweaks, and incorporating Modern Chemistry by Boots Glow Brightening Moisturiser with vitamin C and niacinamide, her skin can get antioxidant support. This helps boost the skin for a radiant complexion.”
AM routine
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Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Essence Toner
Cleanser: use a gentle cleanser
Essence: use Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Essence Toner with niacinamide and ginseng to replenish hydration and prep the skin
Serum: apply Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Hydrating Serum with niacinamide and ashwagandha
Moisturiser: follow with Modern Chemistry by Boots Glow Brightening Moisturiser with vitamin C and niacinamide
Sunscreen: to protect the skin from UV damage
PM routine
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Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Moisturiser
Cleanser: use a gentle cleanser
Essence: use Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Essence Toner with niacinamide and ginseng
Toner: follow with Modern Chemistry by Boots Glow Exfoliating AHA/BHA Toner
Serum: apply Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Hydrating Serum with niacinamide and ashwagandha
Moisturiser: finish with Modern Chemistry by Boots Restore Moisturiser with rice extract and niacinamide
Find the right formula for you: Modern Chemistry by Boots – skincare with science at its core
