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Skin Theory
Skin Theory

Skin Theory

Spa in Glen Ellyn, IL

Rated 4.8 out of 5 (62 on Google Maps) (opens in a new tab) Closed now

Skin Theory describes itself as a skin clinic focused on specialized work, and says it has helped thousands of clients work toward healthy, confident skin. Founder and owner Karen O'Reilly, a licensed esthetician, leads the practice. Clinic appointments run Monday through Thursday from 10am to 7pm and Friday from 10am to 4pm, with Saturday and Sunday closed. The boutique keeps similar hours, closing at 6pm Monday through Thursday.

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About

Skin Theory describes itself as a skin clinic focused on specialized work, and says it has helped thousands of clients work toward healthy, confident skin. Founder and owner Karen O'Reilly, a licensed esthetician, leads the practice. Clinic appointments run Monday through Thursday from 10am to 7pm and Friday from 10am to 4pm, with Saturday and Sunday closed. The boutique keeps similar hours, closing at 6pm Monday through Thursday.

The business takes a functional approach, looking at the root causes of problem skin and age-related concerns, and says it chooses ingredients that are science-based and backed by research. Its specialties are acne clearing and work on uneven skin tone, texture and age-related concerns.

The Acne Clearing Program aims to clear and control breakouts, address pigmentation, and reduce inflammation, redness and irritation. Clients complete an intake by text before a required consultation of up to 75 minutes ($100), which decides whether they are a good candidate for the program. Treatments are 30 minutes every two weeks ($95 each), including a skin assessment, a custom treatment and extractions. The program runs 12 to 16 weeks, and the business states a total cost between $1,300 and $1,500, covering treatments, coaching, home care, product strength adjustments and refills. Clients must be at least 15, and a parent must attend the consultation for clients aged 20 and younger.

Custom tailored facials begin with a skin consultation and assessment and are built around each client. Options include oxygen therapy, cold globe therapy, steam, enzymes, mild chemical exfoliation, LED light therapy, extraction, barrier repair, hydration, and actives such as peptides, vitamin C, beta glucan, growth factors and exosomes. Adding dermaplane costs $25. The New Client Custom Tailored Facial ($175, 60 minutes) includes an intake form and skin assessment. Glo2 by Geneo facials come in 45, 60 and 75 minute versions at $175, $225 and $250, combining oxygen-based exfoliation, ultrasound to move ingredients into the skin, and lymphatic drainage; dermaplane can be added at no charge. HydraFacial Signature Express (30 minutes, $175), Elevated (60 minutes, $225) and Platinum (75 minutes, $250) use a vortex device to cleanse, exfoliate, extract and hydrate in one session, with boosters for hyperpigmentation, fine lines or acne; dermaplane can be added free to the Elevated and Platinum versions.

Chemical peels include a Light TCA Peel (about 30 minutes, $125, no downtime, suited to acne scars, pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles), a PCA Sensi Peel (about 45 minutes, $125, for sensitive skin and rosacea), a Glutathione Glycolic Peel (about 45 minutes, $125, no downtime), a Mini Pro Peel (about 45 minutes, $125, a lighter version of the business's most popular peel) and an Advanced Pro Peel (about 45 minutes, $200). BioRePeel, ProClinical Peel with Glutathione and Pro Peel are also offered, with prices not listed. A series about a month apart is recommended, and some peels can be done year round. Microstamping, also called collagen induction therapy, uses sterile fine needles and an Exceed Pen. Options at 75 minutes are Growth Factors ($250), Dermaplane ($250) and PDRN ($325). Treatments involve no downtime; skin may feel warm like a mild sunburn, and makeup and SPF wait until the next day. A post-procedure kit is included for day five. A series of three to six sessions is typical for acne scars and age-related concerns. Brow shaping (mapped, tweezed, trimmed and groomed) is $33 with or without wax, tint is $33, and shaping plus tint is $57.

Cancellations or rescheduling are requested at least 48 hours ahead. Later changes may be charged 50% of the service, and no-shows are charged the full cost of the reserved service. The studio sits next to Blackberry Market on Hillside Avenue, with street parking and a parking garage at Main Street and Hillside Avenue nearby.

Takes a functional approach that looks at root causes of problem skin and age-related concerns, using ingredients chosen for science and research backing.

Services

Final prices may vary.

A consultation-led program of bi-weekly acne treatments, with home care and product adjustments over 12 to 16 weeks.

  • Bi-Weekly Acne Treatments $95
  • Acne Program Consultation (required) $100

Brow shaping with or without wax, tinting, and shaping combined with tint.

  • Brow Tint $33
  • Brow (with or without wax) $33
  • Brow + Tint (with or without wax) $57

Light to medium-depth peels for acne scars, pigmentation, fine lines, sensitive skin and rosacea.

  • Glutathione Glycolic Peel $125
  • Light TCA Peel $125
  • Mini Pro Peel $125
  • PCA Sensi Peel $125
  • Advanced Pro Peel $200
  • Biorepeel Price at booking
  • Proclinical Peel With Glutathione Price at booking
  • Pro Peel Price at booking

Facials built after a skin assessment, with optional dermaplaning, and a new client version that includes intake.

  • The Custom Tailored Anti-Aging Facial $175
  • The Custom Tailored Hydration Reset Facial $175
  • The New Client Custom Tailored Facial $175

Three timed facials combining oxygen-based exfoliation, ultrasound and lymphatic drainage, with free dermaplane add-on.

  • Add Dermaplane Free

Three timed vortex facials that cleanse, exfoliate, extract and hydrate, with booster options.

  • HydraFacial Signature Express Experience $175
  • HydraFacial Elevated Experience $225
  • HydraFacial Platinum Experience $250

Collagen induction treatments with optional growth factors, PDRN or dermaplaning, and a home kit afterward.

  • Microstamping + Dermaplane $250
  • Microstamping + Growth Factors $250
  • MICROSTAMPING + Growth Factos $250
  • Microstamping + PDRN $325

DMK Enzyme Therapy, custom peels and an exosome infusion facial.

  • Acne Clearing Program Price at booking
  • Brows & Lashes Price at booking
  • Chemical Peels Price at booking
  • Custom Peels Price at booking
  • DMK Enzyme Therapy Price at booking
  • Microneedling Price at booking
  • Microstamping Price at booking

Seven Glo2 treatments aimed at protecting, firming, energizing, hydrating, smoothing, refining or brightening the skin.

  • Brighten Treatment Price at booking
  • Energize Treatment Price at booking
  • Firm + Boost Treatment Price at booking
  • Hydrate Treatment Price at booking
  • Protect Treatment Price at booking
  • Refine Treatment Price at booking
  • Smooth Treatment Price at booking
  • The Dermaplane Custom Tailored Facial Price at booking
  • The New Client Dermaplane Custom Tailored Facial Price at booking
  • The Glo2 by Geneo Essential Lunchtime Facial $175
  • The Glo2 by Geneo Elevated Facial $225
  • The Glo2 by Geneo Anti-Aging Deluxe Experience $250
  • Glo2 by Geneo Facial Price at booking
  • Hydrafacial Price at booking
  • The Custom Tailored Facial Price at booking
  • The Exesome Infusion Facial Price at booking
  • The Firm & Tighten Facial Price at booking
  • The Glow & Go Dermaplane Facial Price at booking

Photos

  • Shelves of skincare products in dark cabinetry
  • Close-up of a client's glowing skin after a facial
  • Glo2 facial treatment being applied to a client's face
  • Client receiving a green enzyme mask being brushed on
  • Close-up of defined brows and lashes result on a client
  • Before and after acne treatment results on a man's face
  • Before and after acne clearing on a woman's cheek and jaw
  • Before and after acne improvement on a woman's face
  • Before and after acne results on a woman's cheek, with Skin Theory watermark
  • Before and after acne results on a woman's face, front view
  • Before and after acne clearing on a woman's face, front view
  • Before and after acne improvement on a woman's cheek, with Skin Theory watermark

Meet the team

Team members listed on their website. Individual roles, credentials, and current employment have not been independently verified.skintheoryesthetics.com (opens in a new tab)

Highlights
  • Acne Clearing Program with a required consultation, a 12 to 16 week plan and home care support
  • Custom tailored facials built after a skin consultation and assessment
  • Glo2 by Geneo and HydraFacial menus with free dermaplane add-ons on select options
  • Microstamping with growth factors or PDRN, with a post-procedure kit included
  • Chemical peels ranging from light no-downtime options to a four-step medium-depth peel
  • Professional skincare lines recommended for home use and sold in the studio
Good for
  • Acne from age 15 and up
  • Sensitive skin and rosacea
  • Age-related concerns
  • First-time facial clients
  • Clients planning a series of peels or microstamping
  • Brow shaping and tinting
Treats
  • Acne
  • Acne scars
  • Pigmentation
  • Uneven skin tone
  • Texture
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Age-related concerns
  • Sensitive skin and rosacea
  • Inflammation, redness and irritation
  • Unwanted facial hair
Techniques
  • Acne clearing program with extractions
  • Custom tailored facials
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Cold globe therapy
  • Steam
  • Enzyme therapy
  • Mild chemical exfoliation
  • LED light therapy
  • Barrier repair
  • Exosome therapy

Products & treatments

  • Face Reality
  • Vivant
  • An-Gloss Ceramide Lip Treatment
  • Exceed Pen (microstamping device)

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