Skincare by Carin

Skincare by Carin is a Los Angeles skincare business owned and run by Carin Kim, an esthetician. It is located at 3000 W. 6th St #207. Parking is entered from 6th Street, across from Carl's Jr., in the building that also houses Oh My Crab and Nails on 6th. Parking is available, including 15-minute spots, except where reserved parking is marked.

Carin worked at a bank before moving into skincare. She began by selling Korean skincare products online, and wanting to understand those products more fully led her to start esthetics school. She then pursued esthetics as a career and built the studio around it.

Facials start with a complimentary skin analysis, and the treatment that follows is shaped to the skin's needs using high-quality products and equipment. Esthetician's Choice ($175) is the most individualized option: the facial is chosen after the analysis, with modalities and corrective treatments added as the skin requires. Clarifying ($185) is aimed at clogged pores, breakouts, blemishes, and redness, and the studio recommends it every one to two weeks to keep results.

The Signature facial ($150) offers five named options, each aimed at a different concern: Rosé for anti-aging, Lemon Drop for hyperpigmentation, Matcha for dry skin, Blue Moon for acne, and Diamonds are Forever for damaged and sagging skin. Microdermabrasion ($150) is meant to brighten, soften fine lines and wrinkles, clear blackheads, reduce hyperpigmentation, and smooth texture. The Mama facial ($165) is designed for expectant mothers.

K-Sculpt ($250) is a Korean facial contouring and sculpting treatment for the face and neck, with a corrective treatment and stem cell and age-defying masks, and it is recommended as a series for lasting results. Intensive K-Sculpt ($350) adds a chemical peel with retinol, salicylic acid and lactic acid, plus a stem cell and carboxy gel mask, and is also recommended as a series.

Add-ons include LED light therapy (Celluma, $35), radio frequency ($45), high frequency in argon (violet) for acne-prone skin or neon (orange) for aging skin ($25), and Meridian Lymphatic Detox Massage with gua sha on the face, neck and décolleté ($35). Nano Needling Face & Neck ($200) targets wrinkles, pore size, scarring, uneven tone and texture, but it is not offered to anyone with active acne. Lash Lift & Tint ($85) lifts, tints and thickens natural lashes and lasts four to six weeks with little upkeep.

Booking policies: cancellations made within 24 hours are charged $50, and no-shows are charged the full amount of the booked services. Microdermabrasion needs no exfoliating for three days to a week beforehand and cannot be done while using retinol, which should be stopped two to three weeks before. Gift cards can be bought on the booking page.

Each facial is customized to the client's skin after a skin analysis, combining Korean skincare products and techniques with a holistic view of concerns such as aging, hyperpigmentation and acne.