Reviewed: The Peninsula Spa and Wellness Centre is an Urban Sanctuary Inspired by London's Royal Parks

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We're spoilt for choice when it comes to hotel spas in the capital, with some of the most prestigious wellness spaces in the world residing in London's landmark hotels. The Peninsula Spa and Wellness Centre, housed in the Belgravia hotel, is a welcome addition—a subterranean oasis that instils a sense of calm with its nature-inspired interiors.

Dreamed up by world-famous architect and interior designer Peter Marino, it's a haven of tranquillity inspired by the surrounding nature found in Hyde Park, Green Park, and Buckingham Palace Gardens, with beautiful mosaic tiling creating abstract motifs inspired by local landscapes.

As with the rest of the hotel, which is known for its high-tech amenities (including 'spa mode' lighting in the bathrooms and wireless charging points), technology plays a significant role, with light panels that mimic natural light in the basement space and twinkly underwater music.

(Image credit: The Peninsula )

The Peninsula London first opened its doors in September 2023, with the spa opening following in December of the same year. This hotel is the first from the Peninsula brand in the UK, following properties in Hong Kong, New York, and Paris. It has quickly established itself as one of the most prestigious hotels in the area—a notable achievement, considering that historical icons The Berkeley and The Goring are its Belgravia neighbours.

This is everything you need to know about booking a luxury spa day at The Peninsula Spa and Wellness Centre, including the treatments to look out for and the most luxurious packages for a day of indulgence (or a lavish UK staycation).

THE SPA

(Image credit: The Peninsula )

Celebrated architect and interior designer Peter Marino designed the space, in collaboration with Hopkins Architects, taking into consideration the nearby green spaces. Lighting is considered, with overhead panels that stimulate natural light. Cleverly, the lights dim to an ambient glow as night falls. The spa is situated in the basement of the hotel, which is a commonplace for big London hotels. But rather than opt for the dark, cocoon-like atmosphere of, say, The Corinthia, which leans into its underground location with black marble and fire pits, the spa creates an illusion of space and light to complement its natural theme.

At the centre of the spa is a tranquil 25-meter heated pool, surrounded by intricate mosaic-tiled walls in shades of green and blue depicting abstract landscapes. Like the rest of the hotel, the spa is spacious, with the facilities spanning two floors. There are four thermal cabins with varying degrees of heat, as well as a sauna and steam room, located in the changing rooms.

(Image credit: The Peninsula )

The Peninsula Spa and Wellness Centre is available to guests staying at the hotel, but Londoners and tourists can also book a spa day or treatments to experience this serene bolthole in one of London's most desirable areas. For those staying at the hotel, there's an in-room Wellness Portal where guests can take yoga classes or try a meditation session from the comfort of their own rooms.

THE TREATMENTS

(Image credit: The Peninsula )

There are seven, cocoon-like treatment rooms, including a couple's room. The treatment menu is broad, with some lovely add-on treatments to tailor each experience, with beauty brand partners of Subtle Energies and Margy's Monte Carlo, as well as hair royalty Errol Douglas, who heads up the hotel's salon, The Atelier.

The holistic facials are a highlight, using products from Ayurvedic aromatherapy brand Subtle Energies. Visitors to the spa can add a guided meditation or Shirodhara, an Ayurdevic treatment that involves pouring warm liquid over the forehead for relaxation. The spa is the first in the UK to partner with the Swiss brand Margy’s Monte Carlo, offering the Ultimate InSkin Elixir Facial. This high-tech facial begins with a personal diagnosis, allowing the facialist to select an elixir and mask tailored to the individual's skin type.

There are also some sumptuous body treatments available, including chakra-balancing massages, detox body wraps and an exfoliating body polish that utilises mineral-rich Himalayan crystals. Guests can also opt for traditional Chinese medicine treatments, such as acupuncture, performed by one of the specialist practitioners-in-residence.

COLLABORATIONS

(Image credit: The Peninsula)

The Penisuala Spa introduced two new wellness packages this summer to further enhance their wellness offering—and they're worth getting excited about.

Cult LA-brand Ricari Studios brings its one-of-a-kind ‘Ricari Method’ to the hotel, which uses a combination of technology and human touch to sculpt and tone the body. 'Ricari' loosely means 'to re-charge' in Italian and works on the concept that we can rejuvenate the body through stimulating blood flow and boosting lymphatic drainage—a philosophy rooted in ancient wellness that's also very on trend right now. Devised by Anna Zahn in Los Angeles, this partnership marks the first time the method has come to the UK.

ONE: Personal Training, founded by former professional athlete Henry Barratt, offers personalised one-on-one sessions including strength and resistance training, functional movement, boxing, and Pilates.

PACKAGES

The Indulgent Relaxation package (£560)

• Personalised Holistic Massage (1 hour)
• Anti-Pollution Facial (1 hour)
• Body Wrap (45 minutes)
• Two hours of spa facility access, including our indoor 25m swimming pool, vitality pool and sauna

Holistic Escape (£450)

• Personalised Holistic Massage (1 hour)
• Holistic Age-Defying Facial (1 hour)
• Two hours of spa facility access, including our indoor 25m swimming pool, vitality pool and sauna

Time for tea (£535)

• Personalised Holistic Massage (1 hour)
• Holistic Age‑Defying Facial (1 hour)
• Afternoon Tea in The Lobby
• 2 hours facility access (pool, vitality pool, sauna)

NEED TO KNOWS

Spa days at The Peninsula London start at £250 for use of the facilities for three hours, and you can book through the spa's website. Alternatively, you can use the facilities free of charge if you book a 90-minute treatment.

You can view the full treatment menu and prices here.

Address: 8/F, The Peninsula, 1 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HJ

Phone: 020 3959 2888

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Style Briefing: Michael Rider’s Celine Is Already Defining a New Fashion Era— Here's How He Did It

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Welcome to Style Briefing, a deep dive into the groundbreaking labels redefining fashion. From exploring their history to spotlighting the hardest-working hero buys for your wardrobe, we decode not only the designer behind the brand but also their latest collections and the signature style tribe they inspire.

In this latest instalment, we turn our attention to the exciting new era of Celine under Michael Rider. Having spent a decade working alongside Phoebe Philo before returning to the house as Creative Director, Rider has ushered in a fresh chapter that has reignited excitement around the storied French label. Here, we break down how, in less than two years, he has transformed Celine into one of the most coveted luxury fashion houses in the world, with stylish women everywhere eager to buy into his vision.

The Designer

(Image credit: Celine)

When Michael Rider was appointed artistic director of Celine in 2024, it signalled a kind of homecoming—not just for the designer but for die-hard fans of Phoebe Philo. You see, Rider served as design director of ready-to-wear for a decade from 2008 to 2018 under Philo, honing his design language beside one of the most influential creatives in the sphere of women’s fashion, and contributing to the cult of @oldceline, the account that was created after the changing of the guard that brought in Hedi Slimane. While Slimane’s appointment initially divided opinion among Philo loyalists, his tenure proved undeniably successful from a commercial standpoint, driving significant growth for the house and attracting a new generation of loyal consumers.

Before Celine, Rider worked for another industry trailblazer between the years of 2004-2008, Nicolas Ghesquière, who then held the reins at Balenciaga. The American designer, who was born in Washington, D.C., has essentially worked for three household names in fashion because, after his first stint at Celine, he graduated to helming the womenswear arm of Polo Ralph Lauren. Known for its iconic prep—and tastefully executed sportswear—you can see the fruits of all three in what the internet is now calling “Current Celine”.

Celine stands for quality, for timelessness and for style.

Michael Rider

Style Notes

Été Celine (Image credit: Celine)

Michael Rider has already defined his Celine, choosing three words to encapsulate its essence before his first show for SS26. “Celine stands for quality, for timelessness and for style.” To those, one could add a certain intelligence—these are clothes for thinking women—and focus on the female gaze. Phoebe Philo’s most enduringly referenced pieces always lent a specific air to whoever bought them, whether it was the grass-coloured, menu-printed blanket (with entries including, “Bangers and Mash, £4.99” and “Jam Roly Poly”) or her black sock boots complete with contrast beige toebox. That air was hard-to-put-your-finger-on, cool yet clever, and it’s a legacy that is being continued by Rider, a designer who understands how to make easy, and yet erudite, clothes.

The Collection

Celine Spring/Summer 2026 (Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Celine’s Parisian HQ—16 Rue Vivienne—was the venue for SS26, or, more specifically, its courtyard, with show-goers happily shaded beneath the canopy of trees lining either side of the catwalk. The setting, a snapshot of a breezy city life in spring, mirrored the collection in some respects; clothing that was classic-with-a-twist—artful yet undeniable wearable.

Celine SS26 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Rider presented a fully-realised wardrobe, with facets of tailoring (tuxedo jackets styled with skinny jeans), prep (navy blazers worn over high-waisted chinos) and feminine sculpture (jersey gowns twisting around the body), offering his customer “hero” pieces to collect—and wear for a lifetime (the cropped biker jackets, scarf-lined trench coats, gilded Celine logo belts, which have already flown off the shelves, and leather Derbies). The colour palette was distinctly Philo-esque, primary shots of canary, tomato and cobalt, which intersected with plenty of black and white.

“Old Céline” was how the fans referred to the brand under Philo (Hedi Slimane famously scrapped the brand’s accent over the first “e” when he joined the maison). Maybe Rider’s era could be defined as “New Old Celine”, considering his association with Philo, Or, maybe, he will carve his own path, while paying homage to the house’s storied heritage, and many chapters.

The Icons

ÉTÉ CELINE (Image credit: Celine)

The Celine belt sn’t just a thing of beauty; it’s a bona fide cult accessory. Cleverly incorporating the brand’s distinctive logo — two interlocking Cs rendered in curved gold-finished plates — it strikes a balance between statement-making and sophistication. The effect is arresting and artistic, a far cry from quiet luxury, while also serving as an ingenious marketing tool that continues to captivate customers past, present and future. A staple among some of fashion’s most stylish names, it has the power to transform even the simplest outfit.

CELINE

Maison Celine Belt 13mm

CELINE

Maison Celine Belt 13mm

CELINE

Maison Celine Belt 13mm

The Impact

ÉTÉ CELINE (Image credit: Celine)

Whilst the house doesn't publicly discuss its sustainability practices, Rider used the words “quality” and “timelessness” to describe his Celine—and they go some way to helping the brand’s case when it comes to consumption. These are clothes that speak for themselves, outside a seasonal trend cycle, and, as such, should almost become collector’s items (rather like “Old Céline”, which surely still does a brisk trade on resale platforms).

Celine Fan Club

(Image credit: Future/ Getty)

With a rollcall of fans including Meryl Streep, Tracee Eliss Ross and Michaela Coel, Michael Rider is certainly doing something right. After his most recent show, in fact, Ross commented on Instagram: “my my my MICHAEL RIDER what a collection.” It's also becoming a red-carpet threat (Hacks' Hannah Einbinder wore the coolest "gown", actually a turtleneck and tulip skirt, at this year's Cannes Film Festival).

The Marie Claire Edit

What’s special about this collection is that you could cherry pick one item and deploy it whenever an outfit needs a little something extra. This is as true of the “everyday” garments (the brand’s cotton-twill black trousers), as the look-twice accessories (the honeyed sunglasses). Here are just some of our favourites below.

CELINE

Sundown Shade Sunglasses

CELINE

Large Drop Bucket Bag

CELINE

Jane Flare Jeans in Denim Union Wash

CELINE

Jelly Bay Sandal in Eco Certified Pvc

CELINE

Défilé Shell Necklace

CELINE

Square silk scarf

CELINE

Duo Zipped Bag in Triomphe Canvas

CELINE

Cage Flat Sandal in Goatskin

CELINE

Peplum Jacket

CELINE

Aura Loafer in Goatskin

CELINE

Triomphe Triangle Top in Monogram Matte Jersey

CELINE

Triomphe Swimsuit Bottom in Monogram Matte Jersey

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“I Thought I Was Just the Weird One”: Milly Goldsmith Has Never Had a Boyfriend—But Opening Up About Being “Chronically Single” on TikTok Helped Her Realise She Wasn’t Alone

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When Milly Goldsmith uploaded a TikTok describing herself as “chronically single”, she thought a handful of people might relate. Instead, millions watched, and thousands of women flooded the comments to admit they'd never had a boyfriend either, confessing feelings they'd not shared out loud: that they felt left behind, embarrassed or convinced something must be wrong with them.

For Goldsmith, the response was a revelation. For years, she'd believed she was the only woman approaching 30 who'd never experienced romantic love. Instead, she’s since been called the voice of a generation and “the Gen Z Bridget Jones”.

Here, she reflects on shame, loneliness, people-pleasing and grieving the life she thought she'd have by now, and explains why she's finally stopped seeing being single as her greatest failure.

What It Feels Like To Have Never Had A Boyfriend

As told to Mischa Smith

I always thought getting a boyfriend was something that would just happen. It seemed like one of those milestones everyone reached without really thinking about it, like learning to drive or moving out. Everyone around me just seemed to find someone naturally, so I assumed the same thing would happen to me.

It wasn't until I was about 18 that I realised maybe it wasn't going to be that straightforward. By the end of school, I'd never had a boyfriend. I'd barely spoken to many boys, and all of my friends were starting relationships. At first, it was just something I noticed in the back of my mind, but over the years, that feeling slowly turned into fear.

@millygoldsmith

📔Chapter 31: the deadline for love It’s weird I’m fine one day and then not the next Like today I’m fine. I’m loving life. I’m loving my singeHOOODD But 2 days ago, I wasn’t. My mood was interrupted by this overwhelming sense of fear and panic Like SHIT I’m 28 and I’m still saying later ha haha but I’m fine with it??? Like I’m happy and if I’m like this for the rest of my life it won’t phase me because it’s all I know But the fear comes when i actually sit and think…huh…I haven’t experienced that thing everyone raves about and “can’t live without” Like that thing called love. The thing people say is the best feeling in the world?? Almost so goood that it feels like a drug Crazy Crazy how I’ve never come close to that feeling So then I’m like f*ck I WANT THAT but yeah I’m not doing anything about it because I’m so comfortable so I just tell myself I’ll experience that later (That ‘later’ is now and also 4 years ago) Sooooo…I had a little wobble in therapy because I realised ah shit time is no longer making me feel comfortable, if anything it’s making me feel panicked Idk if I’m making sense But just another brain dump as always

♬ original sound - millygoldsmith

I got to university and still hadn't had a boyfriend. I hadn't even had a situationship, and the longer I stayed single, the more it became my normal. Being independent became my comfort zone, so the idea of letting somebody into my life started to feel unfamiliar, and because it felt unfamiliar, it also felt frightening.

Even now, relationships are still this huge unknown to me because I've never experienced anything different. Love is such a huge shared human emotion, and I haven't really experienced that side of it. For something that's such a fundamental part of so many people's lives, it can feel quite isolating. There's definitely a sense of fear, but there's also a huge amount of FOMO.

I felt like I'd been left behind.

I think the turning point came after Christmas in 2024. I come from a family of four siblings, and Christmas has always been loud. There are loads of people in the house, presents everywhere, food everywhere, games, and conversations. I absolutely love Christmas. But that year, all of my siblings were with their partners and for the first time ever, it was just my parents and me.

If I'd had a partner, I would've been doing exactly the same thing as everyone else. Instead, I felt like I'd been left behind. Not just within my family, but somehow in life itself. I remember sitting there thinking: why? Why does this seem so easy for everybody else? Why can't I experience something that everyone else seems to experience naturally?

@millygoldsmith

lOLLLLL

♬ original sound - millygoldsmith

I'd been going to therapy already, but I'd never really spoken about being single. I think part of that was because I hadn't fully acknowledged how much it affected me, and the moment I said it out loud, it would become real. It would stop being something I could blame on bad luck or bad dates or bad men.

Deep down, I think I knew there was something about me that I needed to understand, but I wasn't ready to face it yet. Then I started journaling. I'd never really journaled before, but suddenly I had all these emotions that needed somewhere to go. There was a lot of crying, a lot of confusion, and a lot of anger.

(Image credit: Milly Goldsmith)

I kept thinking: why me? As I wrote, I slowly started connecting the dots. One of the biggest revelations was learning about attachment styles. I'm an anxious avoidant, which is probably one of the worst combinations if you're trying to build relationships. I need enough space to realise I actually want somebody, but by the time I've taken that space, I've usually pushed them away.

To someone else, it looks like I'm not interested; to me, it feels like I finally feel safe enough to let them in, but by then, they're already gone. That cycle suddenly explained so much about my life.

Being single wasn't the hardest part. The stories I'd told myself about being single were.

One of the strangest parts of all this has been talking about it publicly. When I first made a TikTok about being "chronically single", I genuinely thought people would think I was weird. I honestly didn't know anybody else who'd reached 28 without ever having a proper relationship.

I uploaded the video without overthinking it, which is unusual for me because I'm a perfectionist. I just wrote honestly about how I felt. Then it exploded. Suddenly, thousands of women were commenting, saying they felt exactly the same way, which completely changed my perspective because I'd spent years believing I was the odd one out.

Saying "I love you" to my parents honestly feels like saying a swear word.

The more I started understanding myself, the more I realised this wasn't just about dating, it was about the way I'd learnt to protect myself. One thing therapy made me think about was how difficult I find vulnerability.

Saying "I love you" to my parents honestly feels like saying a swear word. Everything in my body just tenses up.

It feels like I'm stripping away every layer I've built around myself. Every wall I've spent years putting up suddenly comes crashing down. They're only three words, but they carry so much weight. I just haven't had enough practice saying them to make them feel normal.

Even now, after my parents have read the chapter in my book where I write about this, my whole body tenses up knowing they know how I feel. There's still a small version of me that's trying to protect herself.

(Image credit: Milly Goldsmith)

Growing up, love wasn't really expressed through words in our family; it was always through actions. My mum would cook dinner, and she'd give me a hug. My dad would give me £10 after a dance exam and tell me he'd been proud of me, that was our version of saying, I love you.

I know my parents love me; I've never doubted that for a second. It was just something that went unsaid. Now that I'm older, I can see how growing up in an environment where we didn't verbalise those feelings has shaped me. It makes sense why opening up to people doesn't always come naturally. It's something I'm still trying to unlearn.

With some people, saying "I love you" feels completely natural. One of my best friends says it to me all the time, so I say it back really easily because I know there isn't any risk. I know it'll be received in exactly the way I intend it.

The same is true with my nieces; I'm always telling them how loved they are because I want them to grow up hearing those words. Maybe there's a part of me that's trying to give them something I would've found easier to hear growing up.

If I'm changing myself depending on who's in the room... who actually am I?

I don't think I'm broken; I just think some relationships require me to unlearn habits that have been there for a very long time. The same thing happened with people-pleasing; for years, I thought I was simply being kind. I thought changing my plans to suit somebody else or making myself endlessly available was just what nice people did. I didn't even know what boundaries were. Therapy taught me that being a kind person and being a people pleaser aren't the same thing.

When it came to dating, I'd let people move dates three or four times because I didn't want them to think I was difficult. I'd convince myself it was absolutely fine. Now I realise I could've said, "No, this day works, or it doesn't." That isn't rude; that's self-respect. I think there were lots of moments where I could've respected myself more.

For a long time, I worried more about whether someone else was annoyed with me than whether I was happy. I was constantly moulding myself to fit other people. Eventually, I had to ask myself a really uncomfortable question: If I'm changing myself depending on who's in the room… Who am I?

@millygoldsmith

♬ original sound - millygoldsmith

For years, I believed being single meant I'd failed somehow, that there must be something wrong with me. Now I see being single completely differently.

It's actually the default; it's where we all begin. It's given me an incredible amount of independence: I can travel on my own, spend weekends on my own, enjoy my own company, and I know myself incredibly well. Some people joke that maybe I know myself too well now.

Of course, there are moments where I think it would be lovely to have someone to book holidays with, cook dinner with or go to the cinema with. I'm still human, I still want love. But I don't see being single as something that's wrong with me anymore.

That's probably been the biggest shift of all.

Bantam

Things I Told My Notes App: the Funny and Candid Guide to Living Your Best Life From the Gen - Z Bridget Jones

Things I Told My Notes App by Milly Goldsmith, published by Bantam, is out now.

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What Lily Loves: The Trainers Everyone Wants Right Now, a New York Designer I’m Obsessed With, and The Best Skirts for Hot Commutes

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Welcome to What Lily Loves, a personal edit of the pieces, places, and ideas currently inspiring me. Think of it as your insider guide to what’s shaping my wardrobe and daily rituals. From standout finds and under-the-radar designers to shopping destinations, cultural hotspots—from restaurants and theatres to podcasts—here are the latest discoveries I’m loving.

(Image credit: @lilyrussobah)

The Designer Drop

New Balance X Miu Miu With Coco Gauff

Miu Miu

New Balance X Miu Miu 530 Sl Deco' Leather Sneakers

New Balance and Miu Miu are once again joining forces with tennis star Coco Gauff, unveiling a new collection and campaign ahead of the Wimbledon Championships, which get underway on 30 June. Among the most coveted pieces in the collection are the cult New Balance 530 SL trainers, available in both brown and white leather. The styles have only just landed, but they're already selling out fast—so if you're hoping to get your hands on a pair, you'll want to act quickly. Shop the collection in full here.

Spotlight On

Tory Burch

American designer and entrepreneur Tory Burch founded her eponymous fashion brand in 2004 in New York. While the brand is widely known for its signature gold buckle ballet flats, polished everyday handbags, and timeless eyewear, it is her clothing that has become one of my personal highlights each season. For summer, whether it’s an anything-but-ordinary white vest paired with a pleated skirt or a chic carryall for work, it’s her ability to turn the everyday into something fun and unexpected while always maintaining that polished uptown aesthetic New Yorkers are known and loved for. With my wishlist growing longer every day, here are some of my favourites right now.

Shop the edit:

Tory Burch

Sequin Mesh Dress in Blue

Tory Burch

Pierced Multi-Strap Heeled Sandal in Metallic

Tory Burch

Romy Color-Block Clear Bucket Bag

Tory Burch

Tank Top in White

Tory Burch

Ella Twist Reversible Tote

Tory Burch

Kira Rectangle Sunglasses

New In This Week

Summer Workwear Skirts

Finding something to wear in the heat that is comfortable enough for the school run, comfortable for navigating public transport on the commute, yet still smart enough to look office-ready by the time you arrive can sometimes feel like a real challenge in summer. Which is why I have been gravitating towards skirts that are either midi in length or fall just to the knee. The colour, fabric and print options are endless, which means this wardrobe classic need not be boring. From pleated linen in soft, buttery shades to more structured printed styles, simply pair with a vest top or a crisp shirt and your favourite sandals and you’re good to go.

Shop my edit:

COS

Pleated cotton skirt

Never Fully Dressed

Baia printed midi skirt

H&M

Cream lace skirt

M&S

Satin Lace Slip Skirt

MaxMara

Canvas skirt

ALIGNE

Yvonne Midi Skirt

On My Radar

The Ralph Lauren Clubhouse at Sloane Square, London

(Image credit: Ralph Lauren)

To celebrate the start of Wimbledon, Ralph Lauren is bringing Sloane Square to life this summer with a four-week immersive takeover. There are giant Polo Bear sculptures dotted around the square, plus The RL Clubhouse hosting everything from workshops and talks to family games and kids’ activities. From 29 June, it even turns into a Wimbledon screening spot, so you can catch the tennis live outdoors. Ralph’s Coffee returns with a summer menu of iced matcha, soft serve and Wimbledon-inspired favourites like strawberries and Pimm’s. There’ll also be shopping, gifting and eyewear, with proceeds supporting The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

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Conor McGregor's Jimmy Fallon Interview Sends the Wrong Message to Survivors

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When Conor McGregor, the UFC fighter whom an Irish civil jury found had raped Nikita Hand, walked onto one of America's most-watched talk shows, there was no difficult conversation or acknowledgement of that finding. Instead, there were jokes, promotion and the whirring machinery of celebrity rehabilitation.

It is hard to imagine a clearer message to survivors of sexual violence: even when the court believes you, the court of public opinion is ready to move on.

The Tonight Show appearance was far from an isolated incident. This came despite a court hearing medical evidence that doctors had documented extensive bruising across Hand's body following the assault, while a paramedic testified she had "not seen someone so bruised, with that intensity of bruising" in a long time. Yet just two months after the verdict, McGregor made his first major public appearance, attending Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington, D.C., no less.

That appearance was followed by a string of other high-profile outings, including another visit to the White House, as well as interviews with Tucker Carlson and Fox's Sean Hannity. Neither interviewer addressed the civil case, instead allowing McGregor a platform to sound off about immigration and his presidential ambitions.

Thousands of women and girls marched and rallied calling for an end to male violence against women and girls on the 7th of March 2026 in London. (Image credit:  Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

We often talk about why victims don't come forward. We list shame, fear of not being believed, and the trauma of reliving an assault in court. All of those barriers are real. But there is another question we ask far less often: what incentive do survivors have to endure years of investigation and legal proceedings if the person they accuse appears able to resume public life almost immediately afterwards?

This week, the Crown Prosecution Service announced changes designed to make rape trials fairer for victims. Prosecutors are being encouraged to focus more on a suspect's pattern of behaviour, rather than placing survivors under the microscope. As Victims' Commissioner Claire Waxman said, survivors need confidence that they will be treated with "dignity, respect and fairness" throughout the justice process.

These are welcome reforms, but justice doesn't end when a verdict is delivered.

It's also a slap in the face for all survivors of sexual assault and rape

Eliza Hatch

If the legal system is working harder than ever to encourage victims to come forward while wider culture continues welcoming powerful men back onto our screens, we create an impossible contradiction. We tell survivors that reporting matters while showing them that accountability may only last as long as the news cycle.

As campaigner Eliza Hatch puts it: "It's not just an incredibly insensitive and thoughtless insult to Nikita Hand. It's also a slap in the face for all survivors of sexual assault and rape, who are constantly told that men's careers and future prospects are worth more than their pain, suffering and lived experiences of trauma."

@_cheerupluv

I could go on…

♬ Another Day of Sun (From la La Land) [Piano] - JAIME CÓRDOBA

That contradiction isn't reserved for celebrity culture, either. Just last month, three teenage boys in Hampshire who were convicted of raping two girls avoided immediate custody. The judge cited, among other factors, their youth, low IQ and, maddeningly, a desire to avoid "criminalising" them unnecessarily. The sentences are now under review.

Though the details differ, the underlying message feels depressingly familiar. Again and again, attention focuses squarely on the futures of perpetrators, not the lifelong impact on survivors. We've heard countless examples of judges worrying about perpetrators' careers, their prospects and their supposed sporting promise. Too rarely do we ask the same questions about the people they assaulted.

We see this time and time again and it sends a harmful message to all of society that rape isn't that serious, when in reality it devastates women and girls' lives."

Sinéad Geoghegan, Head of Communications at the End Violence Against Women Coalition

This pattern stretches back decades. Brock Turner, the Stanford swimmer convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman, received a mere six-month sentence after the judge cited concerns that a longer prison term would have a "severe impact" on him. His case became a global symbol of whose futures the justice system instinctively protects.

And though the country and court differ, the instinct to protect offenders is startlingly consistent.

As Sinéad Geoghegan, Head of Communications at the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), says: "The fact that a man found by a civil court to have raped a woman has been platformed on one of the world's most popular TV shows exemplifies the lack of meaningful accountability so many perpetrators face, particularly those with power and status. We see this time and time again and it sends a harmful message to all of society that rape isn't that serious, when in reality it devastates women and girls' lives."

Of course, none of this is to argue that every offender is beyond redemption or that rehabilitation has no place in justice. But when we rush to restore powerful men to positions of influence while the people they harmed continue to navigate lifelong trauma, it sends a message, whether intentionally or not, about whose pain matters more.

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Spironolactone Is Being Dubbed the GLP-1 of Acne—Here’s What Derms Want Us to Know

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A precious few things are touted as a cure-all for hormonal acne, but spironolactone—a prescription-based medication—has been doing the rounds on social media for exactly that reason. But can anything really be a cure-all for something as complex as acne, and who exactly is it right for?

Originally developed to treat conditions such as high blood pressure and heart failure, spironolactone is now frequently prescribed by consultant dermatologists, like Dr Zainab Laftah, for hormonal acne and female pattern hair loss due to its anti-androgen effects.

“It’s most commonly prescribed for women with signs of androgen-driven conditions,” Dr Laftah explains. “This includes hormonal acne, particularly acne affecting the lower face and jawline, excessive hair growth (hirsutism), and female pattern hair loss. By blocking the effects of androgens, spironolactone helps reduce oil production, slow hair follicle miniaturisation, and improve unwanted hair growth.” She adds that it isn't routinely prescribed to men because of those same anti-androgen effects, which can lead to side effects including breast enlargement, reduced libido and sexual dysfunction.

It's gone viral online for a reason; it really does work. Partnerships Manager Molly Jappy, 27, tried everything to treat her hormonal acne, which was caused by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). “I spent 10 years trying every treatment and ointment, including Accutane, antibiotics, topical treatments, supplements and endless skincare products to no avail,” she tells Marie Claire UK. “I felt hopeless until I discovered spironolactone. I’ve had clear skin ever since. My confidence has just soared.”

Similarly, journalist and beauty expert Kristina Rudulfo found that her nodular, cystic acne wasn't responding to over-the-counter skincare. She eventually discovered spironolactone, which she took on and off over the next eight years. “Results typically show at the three-month mark and the difference was dramatic. I went from having anywhere from 15-20 painful, red cysts all across my jawline to having smooth, clear skin. Similar to the way people describe GLP-1 treatments as erasing "food noise", spironolactone erased the mental load of acne. I was no longer stressing and monitoring my diet for triggers, or combing over every single ingredient in my skincare and make-up.”

Kristina has since gone off the medication, however—citing side-effects from the anti-androgen properties that make it so effective. In combination with her contraceptive IUD, she found that spironolactone made her menstrual cycle irregular and, at times, caused it to disappear altogether. "Before planning for a family, I wanted to come off it and get my body's reproductive health and hormones back to baseline," she says. "But I do think I'll go back on it eventually because it was the most effective acne treatment I've ever tried."

It’s not a one-size-fits-all, despite what social media is saying

Dr Malvina Cunningham

While Consultant Dermatologist and Renew + Me ambassador, Dr Malvina Cunningham states that many people tolerate spironolactone well, she notes that Rudulfo's experience is not uncommon. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all, despite what social media is saying. Acne is a complex condition, and what works well for one person may not be suitable or effective for another.”

The most common side effects include increased urination (the medication is a diuretic), as well as breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities, headaches, dizziness and fatigue. However, there are also more serious side effects to consider.

Dr Christine Hall, a GP and aesthetic doctor who has taken spironolactone herself, stresses that the medication should only be used under appropriate medical supervision. "I have seen many hospital admissions, particularly in older people, where the cause has been this drug," she states. “In many cases, it is good practice to carry out blood tests before and during treatment. One of the key concerns with spironolactone is that it can affect and elevate blood potassium levels. Elevated potassium levels, known as hyperkalemia, must be monitored carefully because, if left unchecked, they can lead to serious complications, including abnormal heart rhythms and, in severe cases, death.”

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Accordingly, it is generally not prescribed to people with certain underlying health conditions, including kidney disease, where the risk of elevated potassium levels is higher, or those with very low blood pressure. It is also not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding or while trying to conceive.

Interestingly, another less common side-effect that has been widely discussed on social media is breast enlargement. “It can happen because spironolactone’s anti-androgen effects alter the balance between androgens and oestrogen,” explains Dr Laftah. “In women, this may lead to a feeling of fullness or a modest increase in breast size, although this is not a universal side effect and is typically mild.” She adds that, in most cases, any breast enlargement associated with spironolactone improves or resolves once the medication is discontinued.

Out of the nine women I spoke to for this feature, only two reported mild side effects, including increased urination and occasional light-headedness. What may prove more prohibitive, however, is accessing the treatment itself.

Spironolactone is prescribed off-label for acne and is typically recommended by a dermatologist following an assessment. While it can be prescribed through the NHS, many people access it privately. All but one of the women I spoke to had received their prescription through a private dermatologist. The exception was Molly, who was eventually able to access it on the NHS following a PCOS diagnosis. Several cited NHS waiting times and administrative hurdles as reasons for going private.

"The biggest issue was actually getting hold of it," says 29-year-old writer Amber Rawlings. "There's so much red tape. I didn't even try going through the NHS because I'd heard it could take months, so I went straight to a private dermatologist. It was extremely expensive.”

While spironolactone itself is relatively inexpensive, the overall cost is driven by consultations, blood monitoring and follow-up appointments. Typically, an initial dermatology consultation can range from £200 to £350, while subsequent appointments may cost £100 to £250, depending on the clinic.

It was worth it for Amber, though: “I went from having skin that I was constantly fixating on to skin that I didn't have to think about at all. And honestly, that changes your whole existence. If you’re a suitable candidate for it, I’d recommend it in a heartbeat.”

But, of course, spironolactone is not the only solution for hormonal acne. As Dr Hall asserts, before even considering it, individuals should see a dermatologist and get an accurate diagnosis of the type of acne they have. “That’s really the key to finding the right treatment," she says. "In general, we like to start with the least invasive approach first. That means making sure someone is using the right over-the-counter skincare products and that their routine has been properly optimised. If that's not enough, we would usually consider adding topical prescription treatments. Oral medications are typically reserved for situations where they are genuinely needed.”

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