Over the past several years, the craze for skincare has skyrocketed. People, especially millennials, are obsessed with the newest creams, moisturizers, masks, and toners. The most dedicated to skin care also turn to professional treatments. Professionals, such as skin care specialists, are in increasingly high demand.
Skin care specialists are licensed professionals that perform skincare treatments such as facials, peels, and hair removal. They also work with patients to develop daily skincare routines that work for their personal needs. Advice from a skin care specialist is personalized and often more valuable than suggestions from online influencers.
Skin care specialists need to study skin care and cosmetics before they can practice. They usually need to pass a vocational program in cosmetology or esthetics. Most states, with the exception of Connecticut, require skin care specialists to get licenses as well. This means that skin care specialists are highly qualified to give skin care advice and help their clients maintain a healthy, dewy glow.
Skincare specialists cleanse and beautify the face and body to enhance a person’s appearance.
DutiesSkincare specialists typically do the following:
Skincare specialists give facials, full-body treatments, and head and neck massages to improve the health and appearance of the skin. Some may provide other skin care treatments, such as peels, masks, and scrubs, to remove dead or dry skin.
In addition to working with clients, skincare specialists create daily skincare routines based on skin analysis and help clients understand which skincare products will work best for them. A growing number of specialists actively sell skincare products, such as cleansers, lotions, and creams.
Those who operate their own salons have managerial duties that include hiring, firing, and supervising workers, as well as keeping business and inventory records, ordering supplies, and arranging for advertising.
Skincare specialists must complete a state-approved cosmetology or esthetician program and then pass a state exam for licensure, which all states except Connecticut require.
EducationSkincare specialists usually take a state-approved cosmetology or esthetician program. Although some high schools offer vocational training, most people receive their training from a postsecondary vocational school. The Associated Skin Care Professionals, the largest organization devoted to these workers, offers a State Regulation Guide, which includes the number of prerequisite hours required to complete a cosmetology program.
TrainingNewly hired specialists sometimes receive on-the-job training, especially if their jobs require working with chemicals. Those who are employed in a medical environment also may receive on-the-job training, often working alongside an experienced skincare specialist.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsAfter completing an approved cosmetology or esthetician program, skincare specialists take a written and practical exam to get a state license. Licensing requirements vary by state, so those interested should contact their state board.
The National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology provides contact information on state examinations for licensing, with sample exam questions. The Professional Beauty Association and the American Association of Cosmetology Schools also provide information on state examinations, as well as offering other professional links.
Many states offer continuing education seminars and programs designed to keep skincare specialists current on new techniques and products. Post-licensing training is also available through manufacturers, associations, and at trade shows.
Important QualitiesBusiness skills. Skincare specialists who run their own salon must understand general business principles. For example, they should be skilled at administrative tasks, such as accounting and personnel management, and be able to manage a salon efficiently and profitably.
Customer-service skills. Skincare specialists should be friendly and courteous to their clients. Repeat business is important, particularly for self-employed workers.
Initiative. Self-employed skincare specialists generate their own business opportunities and must be proactive in finding new clients.
Physical stamina. Skincare specialists must be able to spend most of their day standing and massaging clients’ faces and bodies.
Tidiness. Workers must keep a neat personal appearance and keep their work area clean and sanitary. This requirement is necessary for the health and safety of their clients and increases the likelihood that clients will return.
Time-management skills. Time-management skills are important in scheduling appointments and providing services.
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As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you've taken on a leadership role. Using our career map, a skin care specialist can determine their career goals through the career progression. For example, they could start out with a role such as esthetician, progress to a title such as specialist and then eventually end up with the title regional sales manager.
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The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 28.1% of skin care specialists listed product knowledge on their resume, but soft skills such as business skills and customer-service skills are important as well.
Some places are better than others when it comes to starting a career as a skin care specialist. The best states for people in this position are Washington, Colorado, Idaho, and Alaska. Skin care specialists make the most in Washington with an average salary of $51,025. Whereas in Colorado and Idaho, they would average $48,231 and $47,940, respectively. While skin care specialists would only make an average of $46,607 in Alaska, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.
1. Alaska
$46,608
Avg. Salary
2. Idaho
$47,941
Avg. Salary
3. North Carolina
$42,132
Avg. Salary