Cultivate Skincare

Cultivate Skincare builds each facial around HydraFacial technology and adjusts it to the skin's needs on the day. The studio is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and is closed Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Clients can book online through Vagaro or call (415) 990-7894.

Facials can add LED therapy, microcurrent, lymphatic drainage, dermaplaning or high frequency. The Custom 45 Minute Facial Reset ($220) uses HydraFacial with antioxidants and peptides, plus a massage and mask. The Custom 60 Minute Facial Renewal ($270) includes advanced exfoliation, tailored boosters, a mask and a neck and shoulder massage, with red light therapy, lymphatic drainage or dermaplaning chosen by skin need. The 85 Minute Facial Elevated Experience ($320) adds corrective boosters, double masking and massage with a choice of LED red light, lymphatic drainage or dermaplaning. A Skincare Consultation ($50) helps clients put together a routine, and its fee is waived with any treatment or spend over $200.

The studio runs a Face Reality acne program. A Face Reality Acne Consultation ($100) assesses skin, lifestyle and acne history, and offers product recommendations and follow-up visits; the fee is waived when Face Reality home-care products are bought. The Face Reality Acne Treatment ($175) uses customized hydrating enzymes or peels, targeted extractions, balancing masks and LED LightStem therapy, and requires a consultation first. Visits are typically every 2 to 4 weeks early on, and significant changes can take 3 to 6 months.

Peels include the VI Peel, a medium-depth treatment for signs of aging, sun damage, acne, oily skin, age spots, freckles and hyperpigmentation, also used for melasma, fine lines and wrinkles. A session takes about 15 to 20 minutes with 6 to 8 passes by an esthetician, at $400. Clients are asked to stop Accutane six months beforehand and to avoid retinol and other active-ingredient products for 72 hours before. The business claims the VI Peel is the only chemical peel safe for the under-eye area.

Teen and men's options are also offered. The Teen Clarifying Hydrafacial ($180) uses salicylic acid, extractions, hydrating ingredients and blue LED light, and a three-treatment package with a personalized consultation is $490. The Bearded Guy Hydrafacial ($175) is designed for men with beards and cleanses the nose, cheeks and forehead. After any HydraFacial, clients are advised to avoid harsh cleansers, toners, masks, scrubs and exfoliating products for several days.

The studio sells its own line of skincare, including cleansers, serums, moisturizers, eye cream, sun protection and blemish products. According to the business, its products are pharmaceutical-grade, backed by science and FDA-approved, and meet its standards for safety, quality and efficacy.

Each facial is built on HydraFacial technology and customized to current skin needs, with the esthetician personalizing every step rather than following one fixed protocol.