Holistic Skin Care Training

Holistic Skin Care Schools and Esthetician Careers

Being an esthetician means being an expert in healthy, beautiful skin. Estheticians are trained in rejuvenating the skin by giving facials, massages or full-body treatments.

They also recommend the appropriate makeup or skin care products; or administering dermatological procedures such as laser hair removal.

Beyond that, holistic skin care training can expand an esthetician’s realm of expertise to include healthy, natural products and non-invasive skin care treatments. Holistic approaches to skin care consider the health of the whole person, including nutrition, lifestyle and emotional factors.

Career Overview

As an esthetician with holistic skin care training, your practice will emphasize the maintenance of healthy skin as a reflection of inner health, and promote the use of natural products and holistic approaches over invasive surgical techniques or abrasive dermatological treatments.

An important part of treating clients is selecting an appropriate skin care program for each individual’s skin type and lifestyle. Graduates of holistic skin care school often find work in day spas, salons, resorts and complementary health care centers.

Training and Education

What You’ll Study in Holistic Skin Care School

Basic training at an esthetician school includes study of human anatomy and physiology, including types of skin and skin conditions; holistic skin care products and procedures; sanitation; and professional practice.

Advanced or master training will also include in-depth study of skin science and how it connects to overall health and lifestyle, as well as more complex chemical and medical procedures and holistic, non-damaging treatments.

Average Length of Study

Some holistic skin care schools offer a 300- to 600-hour basic program in just a few months. Master-level training takes another 600 hours. If you already hold an esthetician license, it takes about 60 continuing education hours to finish holistic skin care training.

Average Tuition

Tuition for introductory programs generally costs $3,000 to $5,000. Completion of the 600-hour basic holistic skin care training program costs between $6,500 and $8,000, and training for the full 1200-hour master level may cost up to $13,000 or more.

Holistic Skin Care Certification

Individual states vary with respect to how many hours of training are required in order to practice under an esthetics or cosmetology license, but 600 hours of training is enough for a Basic Esthetician License in the majority of states.

The National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors & Associations (NCEA) recommends the 1200-hour curriculum or its equivalent for NCEA certification. Holistic Skincare Practitioner Certification is also available from the Association for Holistic Skin Care Practitioners.

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ current Occupational Outlook Handbook, there is increasing interest in skin treatments that promote relaxation and well-being, and job opportunities will be better for estheticians who are able to provide a broad range of services, including treatments that require holistic skincare training. In fact, the BLS predicts a 16.7% job growth rate through 2031, which is much faster than the national average.

Holistic Skin Care Salary

Practitioners with more advanced credentials, such as master-level holistic skincare training, often command higher wages. You can research salaries and job growth data provides by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics here:

Skincare Specialists

National data

Median Salary: $38,060

Projected job growth: 16.7%

10th Percentile: $25,540

25th Percentile: $31,020

75th Percentile: $53,050

90th Percentile: $79,300

Projected job growth: 16.7%

State data

State	Median Salary	Bottom 10%	Top 10%
Alabama	$34,340	$21,830	$79,230
Alaska	$47,990	$28,060	$87,660
Arizona	$40,510	$29,900	$62,090
Arkansas	$35,790	$28,180	$52,460
California	$36,550	$29,280	$99,840
Colorado	$44,570	$30,160	$78,160
Connecticut	$44,790	$35,970	$114,640
Delaware	N/A	N/A	N/A
District of Columbia	$43,400	$40,370	$103,360
Florida	$37,460	$22,820	$58,050
Georgia	$37,750	$21,580	$58,760
Hawaii	$49,010	$23,410	$118,670
Idaho	$32,670	$27,590	$56,490
Illinois	$35,450	$28,050	$63,940
Indiana	$33,570	$22,520	$47,900
Iowa	$35,190	$29,980	$69,320
Kansas	$35,520	$19,860	$71,680
Kentucky	$34,410	$23,030	$45,880
Louisiana	$33,280	$20,800	$50,340
Maine	$43,740	$28,400	$66,470
Maryland	$36,670	$26,000	$62,300
Massachusetts	$47,330	$32,230	$71,140
Michigan	$47,230	$31,400	$103,580
Minnesota	$46,060	$23,340	$106,970
Mississippi	N/A	N/A	N/A
Missouri	$34,840	$24,380	$77,420
Montana	$37,440	$20,900	$77,280
Nebraska	$36,960	$24,710	$70,250
Nevada	$35,610	$22,230	$61,690
New Hampshire	$38,550	$25,810	$55,180
New Jersey	$38,530	$27,320	$69,660
New Mexico	$45,760	$30,020	$75,390
New York	$43,680	$31,200	$99,670
North Carolina	$50,200	$21,690	$98,360
North Dakota	$38,280	$33,750	$70,410
Ohio	$42,880	$29,440	$64,170
Oklahoma	$22,510	$18,010	$45,770
Oregon	$42,370	$29,300	$70,180
Pennsylvania	$33,000	$25,740	$49,560
Rhode Island	$48,470	$26,650	$58,240
South Carolina	$29,440	$20,890	$46,250
Tennessee	$34,340	$18,880	$64,760
Texas	$35,110	$20,850	$67,090
Utah	$42,190	$22,760	$96,490
Vermont	$72,770	$31,730	$84,000
Virginia	$42,880	$22,880	$62,400
Washington	$71,630	$36,210	$126,550
West Virginia	$36,120	$27,870	$40,660
Wisconsin	$29,710	$21,250	$71,940
Wyoming	$41,300	$34,470	$61,150

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 median salary; projected job growth through 2031. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

Is a Holistic Skin Care Career Right for You?

A holistic approach to a career as an esthetician means attending to your clients’ inner health and well-being as well as the care of their skin.

You’ll need to be comfortable with interpersonal interaction and physical contact, as well as observant about skin conditions and knowledgeable about natural treatments.

Ultimately, holistic skin care training can lead to an extremely rewarding career helping people reduce stress, improve the health of their skin, and increase their overall wellness both inside and out.

_{Sources: Association of Holistic Skin Care Practitioners, NCEA Certified, Skin Science Institute of Laser & Esthetics, Spa Luna Holistic School Esthetician Training}