How to Stay Ahead in Skin Care

Sponsored by Pomp

In today’s fast-paced beauty landscape, being a skilled esthetician isn’t just about hands-on technique—it also means staying sharp as an educator, guide, and ingredient expert. Clients arrive informed (and sometimes misinformed) thanks to TikTok trends, Reddit skin care threads, and influencers promoting the “latest and greatest” product. That means staying ahead in skin care isn’t optional—it’s essential. Here’s why continuous education is key—and how to access the right tools to stay ahead. 

Your Clients Are More Informed Than Ever 

With just a few taps, clients can watch a dermatologist break down ingredient lists or see a creator try a viral routine. This constant stream of content has made clients more curious—and more skeptical. They’re looking for estheticians who can answer their questions with authority, explain ingredient benefits clearly, and cut through the hype with science-backed recommendations. 

If you're not keeping up, it shows. And in a market where trust drives loyalty, outdated knowledge can cost you repeat business. 

Education Across Brands Is a Challenge 

The challenge isn’t just learning about new ingredients and modalities—it’s accessing that education across dozens of different professional brands. Unlike larger medical or retail networks, many estheticians work independently or in small studios, making it harder to stay looped in to brand trainings or product updates. 

And if you don’t have a medical director on staff? It can be even more difficult to access advanced product knowledge, treatment protocols, or behind-the-scenes formulation insights that more clinical brands typically reserve for physician-backed settings. 

The Professional Advantage: Staying Curious, Staying Competitive 

Clients can Google their questions, sure—but they can’t replicate your experience, hands-on training, and product insight. That’s your edge. When you invest in continuing education, you're not just learning new information—you're sharpening your confidence, elevating your recommendations, and delivering more personalized results. 

And clients feel that. They notice when you're the esthetician who can tell them why a product is effective, not just how to use it. They return because they trust your evolving expertise—not static advice. 

Making Ongoing Education Accessible 

The biggest challenge isn’t a lack of passion or curiosity—it’s access and can also be the cost. Many estheticians juggle busy client schedules, limited free time, and difficulty finding centralized, high-quality education across multiple brands. And for those working independently, the barrier to in-depth training can feel even higher. 

Tips to Keeping Up Your Brand Education 

Staying on top of your education doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. These simple, practical tips can help you build product knowledge, stay informed on industry trends, and grow your confidence—one step at a time. 

1. Start small 

Commit just one hour a week (or whatever is feasible with your schedule—maybe it’s 30 minutes—that’s OK!) to continue learning. This could involve watching a webinar, reading up on ingredients, or revisiting a brand’s product manual. Consistency matters more than volume, and even a small investment of time adds up. 

2. Listen to your clients 

Pay attention to the brands, products, or concerns they bring up. If multiple clients ask about barrier repair or a trending serum they saw online, make that your cue to research the topic or revisit related brand trainings. You don’t need to follow the trends but you should be able to confidently address them.  

3. Learn from your peers 

Stay connected with other estheticians through forums, social media, or professional groups. What brands or protocols do they love right now? What education opportunities have helped them grow? Community is one of the best ways to discover valuable insights you may have missed, see what products are selling, and hear first-hand experiences.  

For example, Pomp has an Estheticians-Only Facebook group , where they keep esties updated on brand education opportunities and group members can chat with peers about relevant topics.  

4. Go deep, not wide 

Instead of trying to learn everything about every brand, focus on a few that resonate with you and your clients. Understand what makes those brands unique—ingredients, philosophy, protocols—and focus on how to educate clients around those specific offerings. Mastery builds confidence. 

5. Lead with solutions 

When you're learning, focus on how to solve just one of your client’s top concerns—whether it’s acne, dehydration, or sun damage. You don’t have to address everything right away, but if you can confidently recommend a targeted solution, your value is immediately clear. 

6. Use client feedback to grow 

Stay curious even after you make a sale. Ask clients how they liked a product, how their skin responded, or if they saw results. Their experience is part of your education—it builds your product knowledge and strengthens your future recommendations. 

7. Set aside a small budget 

Whether it’s for a course, an advanced workshop, or a conference pass, investing in education is investing in your business. Many estheticians set aside a monthly or quarterly education budget. (Pomp’s subscription includes access to ongoing brand education and webinars as part of your membership.) 

8. Know where to look 

Seek out education portals that bring together multiple brands, offer on-demand webinars, and provide real-world business guidance. Whether through a platform, brand partner, or association (like ASCP!), ensure your go-to resources are current, easy to access, and aligned with your professional goals. 

In an industry where the only constant is change, education is your superpower. Staying curious—and connected—to high-quality learning opportunities doesn’t just make you a better esthetician.,it sets you apart. 

Images courtesy Laura Murray, Pomp