How to Choose the Best Skincare Line for Your Aesthetic Business

As a skincare professional, choosing the right skincare line for your practice is essential to providing your clients with the best possible results. The sheer number of skincare brands on the market can make choosing the right one feel overwhelming, especially when each claims to be the best. Here are 11 helpful tips for choosing the best professional skincare line for your esthetician practice.

How to Choose the
Best Skincare Line
for Your Aesthetic Business

Whether you are an esthetician, an aesthetic nurse, or any other type of skincare professional, choosing the right skincare line for your practice is a crucial step toward the best possible results for your clients.

The range of options can make it feel a little overwhelming and challenging to find a line that meets your clients’ skin needs, aligns with their budgets, aligns with your budget, and complements your treatment offerings.

The good news is, you don't have to navigate the overwhelming world of professional skincare lines alone! I'm here to share my expert tips on what to consider when choosing the perfect line for your business. 

The following information will help guide you in your decision-making, regardless of whether you are searching for the best esthetician skincare line or the best medical-grade skincare line.

Quick tip:    

Creating a simple spreadsheet is a great way to help you make an informed decision when researching different skincare lines you want to carry. List the key factors in the first row and list the skincare lines you are interested in the first column. As you conduct your research with each brand, fill out the spreadsheet.

By prioritizing your requirements and comparing each brand accordingly, you'll be able to determine which skincare line is the best fit for your business.

11 Vital Factors
to Consider When
Choosing a Skincare Brand
for Your Business

1. Product Range for All Skin Types:

   Look for a skincare line that offers a wide range of products and peels that not only cater to different skin types and concerns but, most importantly, include products that are safe for higher Fitzpatrick numbers and darker skin tones.

   If you have a diverse product line that allows you to treat every skin tone and skin type safely and effectively, you will be able to provide customized treatments that cater to all your clients' needs and achieve amazing results.



2. Education and Training:

   Another important consideration is if the company provides additional training and education for their products and protocols.

   You want to look for companies that offer education on the science behind the products, the ingredients, and how to use them with your treatments for optimal results. Some skincare lines offer online training, some in-person training, and some offer both, with varying costs.



3. Continual Support:

   Having ongoing, reliable, and an easy-to-reach representative support or customer service line is crucial in our profession. You want to work with a company that can answer your questions, give you advice on how to use and apply their products, and help you fix or resolve any issues or complications with your clients, in the unfortunate event that something goes wrong.



4. Good Reputation and Results Driven:

   Choose a skincare line that has a good reputation in the industry, with results-driven products that have been clinically tested and proven.

   Look for reviews and feedback from other skincare professionals and clients to learn more about the effectiveness and results of the skincare line. You also want to know how the company treats their customers (you) and make sure they are easy to work with.



5. Ingredients:

   When choosing a skincare line, one of the most important things to consider is the quality and effectiveness of the ingredients. Look for products that use safe, high-quality ingredients. You want your clients to achieve actual results. You also want to consider your clients' most common skin concerns and goals and choose a line with products and ingredients that address those.



6. Price Points and ROI:

   Think about how much each back-bar product will cost, as well as the retail value of the products you want to sell to your clients. Check the prices and the return on investment (ROI) for both scenarios. You don't want to put your money into a skincare line that is expensive with minimal profit margins. You should also consider your clients' realistic budgets.



7. Minimum Purchase Order:

   When researching a skincare line, check to see if the company has a minimum opening order for new customers and a minimum re-order.

   It is crucial to be aware of the minimum order requirements so that you can plan and manage your budget accordingly. Some skincare companies have no minimum purchase order requirements, while those that do might range from $500 to $5000+.



8. Pre- and Post-Procedure Kits:

   Pre- and post-procedure kits are a great way to elevate your practice and your client’s experience.

   It is a bonus if a skincare company provides post-procedure kits for clients to purchase and use at home following a chemical peel or other treatments like microneedling. These kits help clients follow their post-care regimen at home by using the proper products. They also benefit from helping improve and maintain their results from the treatment.



9. Exclusivity of Distribution Channels:

   You may also want to consider whether the skincare line is sold to the public on public sites or in stores, or if it can only be sold exclusively through professionals.

   Over the years, some professional skincare lines have started to sell to the public on platforms like Sephora, Ulta, Amazon, Target, and their own company websites. As a skincare professional, you may not want to carry a brand if your clients can easily purchase them anywhere instead of from you. On the flip side, brands sold on public platforms can offer greater awareness, attracting more clients to your practice.



10. Clinical Studies:

    When it comes to choosing a medical-grade skincare line in particular, clinical studies and trials are a must. These studies demonstrate that the products have been tested and proven to be effective. This information will also be useful when speaking with your clients about the products you carry and their benefits.



11. Community Support:

    In my professional experience, having the availability of community support has been a complete game changer for my business.

    Look for a skincare line that has a strong community presence, like Facebook groups (examples here and here). Community support can be a great way to improve your skills and knowledge and stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and developments.

Choosing a skincare line for your aesthetic practice is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your clients.

By taking these 11 key factors into consideration as you conduct your search, you will be able to make a well-informed decision and choose the best professional skincare line that benefits both your business and your clients.