Me Skin & Body, South Yarra

Tucked above the buzz of South Yarra’s Toorak Road sits one of Melbourne’s most quietly iconic skin clinics: Me Skin & Body
If you climb the stairs of the elegant terrace that houses Joey Scandizzo’s salon you'll find this South Yarra staple that’s been quietly transforming skin for over 25 years. Owned by skincare expert Brooke Holmes (also known as Zoe Foster Blake’s go-to skin wizard) and experienced dermal clinician Rachael Hofer, Me Skin & Body offers a rare blend of cutting-edge treatments and soul-soothing care.

Brooke’s philosophy is all about marrying serious skin science with a nurturing, intuitive touch—and that’s exactly what I experienced during my visit. I was lucky enough to be booked in with co-owner Rachael, whose magic hands gave me one of the most memorable facials I’ve had in a long time.

The Facial: Synergie Skindulgence in Expert Hands

The moment I lay down on the treatment bed, I knew I was in expert hands. Rachael started with a thorough skin analysis using a wood’s lamp, then moved into the clinic’s Signature Synergie Skindulgence Facial. It’s a tailored treatment that pairs Synergie Skin’s high-performance cosmeceuticals with layered massage and gentle yet powerful actives.

(As it happened, I’d just interviewed Synergie founder Terri Vinson the day before for the podcast, so it felt serendipitous to experience the products in a treatment setting so soon after. And yes, they absolutely delivered.)

The facial began with a double cleanse and a Synergie lactic acid peel to gently exfoliate, followed by sonophoresis infusion with the brand’s B serum and Hylavive for deep, targeted hydration. But the real hero here? The massage.

Why Massage Makes All the Difference

I’ve always believed that the difference between a good facial and a great one lies in the hands. You can have all the tools, lasers and serums in the world, but if the massage is lacklustre, it just doesn’t hit the same. Rachael’s hands? Pure alchemy. She strummed my facial muscles, released the tension in my jaw and neck, and worked lymphatic pathways in a way that lifted, sculpted and calmed me on every level.

What Is Buccal Massage — And Why You Need It

Then came the pièce de résistance: buccal massage. If you haven’t tried it, it’s where the therapist uses gloved hands inside your mouth to massage your jaw and cheeks. I know—it sounds a bit nuts. But it’s unbelievably effective for releasing tension and lifting the face. When Rachael removed her hands 10 minutes later, I felt a wave of release—it was as if my jaw had unclenched for the first time in months. My face felt… spacious.

Post-Facial Glow and Acupressure Bliss

She followed with a long, luxurious session of acupressure facial massage, and by the time I floated out, my skin was noticeably brighter and plumper—and I felt lighter, more grounded, and more than a little bit glowy from the inside out.

I was so impressed with how much clinical know-how Rachael brought to the treatment, but also how nurturing the whole experience was. That’s the magic of Me Skin & Body: they’re able to deliver real, skin-changing results and hold space for your nervous system to rest and reset.

What Else Is On Offer at Me Skin & Body?

Next time, I’m planning to try some of their more intensive tech offerings: the Cutera Excel V (which uses Laser Genesis to target fine lines, redness and pore size) and the Lutronic LaseMD Ultra (a fractional laser that combines resurfacing with deep hydration). They also offer microneedling, mesotherapy, LED, and custom treatments tailored to your specific skin goals.

The Verdict: A Reset for Skin and Soul

In a world of rushed appointments and tech-first facials, Me Skin & Body is a rare find. It delivers real results and holds space for deep rest — something both your face and your nervous system will thank you for.

If you’re in Melbourne and craving that elusive balance of skin transformation and total relaxation — you know where to book.