Q&A: Sarah Allen, MD, Unveils Skin Clique’s Virtual Esthetician Program

Sarah Allen, MD | Image Credit: Skin Clique

Skin Clique, a physician-founded aesthetics company operating in 42 states with 700+ licensed providers and 30+ brick-and-mortar locations, has unveiled its new Esthetician Program. This virtual initiative connects patients with licensed estheticians for personalized skin care consultations from the comfort of their homes. By offering science-backed product guidance and education, the program bridges the gap between consumers and credible skin care support, especially in underserved areas. Far from replacing clinical care, the Esthetician Program creates a trusted entry point for patients at any stage of their skin care journey, while ensuring that clinical decisions remain in the hands of trained medical professionals. Sarah Allen, MD, Founder, CEO, and Chief Clinical Officer of Skin Clique, spoke to Dermatology Times about the company’s mission, the virtual service, and what it means for dermatologists and their patients.

Dermatology Times: What needs in the dermatology industry does Skin Clique's new Esthetician Program address?

Allen: There are far too many people who want expert skincare guidance but don’t know where to start—or don’t have access to trusted professionals in their area. Our Esthetician Program was designed to meet that need. It allows us to support patients with licensed, highly trained experts who can provide personalized, science-backed product recommendations from anywhere. For Skin Clique, this is a natural evolution of our mission: to make skin health more accessible and more personal. We can now support patients in all 50 states for skin health consultations—not just the 42 where we provide clinical care.

Dermatology Times: How does this new virtual consultation format cater to all patients, no matter what stage of their skin care journeys they are at, or where they’relocated?

Allen: Everyone’s skincare journey looks different—and that’s exactly who this program is built for. Whether someone is just getting started or fine-tuning a long-standing regimen, our estheticians offer personalized support tailored to each patient’s needs and goals. By offering consultations virtually, we eliminate many of the barriers that keep people from accessing expert guidance—like geography, time, or lack of familiarity with where to begin. It’s a flexible, approachable entry point into skin health that can grow with the patient over time.

Dermatology Times: Could you speak on the rigorous clinical training that licensed Skin Clique estheticians go through to be involved in this program?

Allen: Training and ongoing education is one of the most important things we do at Skin Clique—it’s what sets us apart. All our estheticians are licensed professionals, but before they ever consult with a patient, they go through supplemental education developed by our clinical team. That includes education on the Skin Clique brand, our signature services and offerings, core principles of skin health, detailed product-specific knowledge, and clinical protocols for addressing a range of skin concerns. Just like our medical providers—who receive five times more hands-on training than most programs—our estheticians are held to an elevated clinical standard. We want every patient to feel confident they’re getting trusted, knowledgeable support, no matter who they meet with.

Dermatology Times: What is the process for selecting the science-backed products recommended by the estheticians? How do you ensure they align with Skin Clique's medically backed approach?

Allen: We’re very intentional about what we offer. Every product line we carry—whether it’s SkinCeuticals, Colorescience, ZO Skin Health, Epionce, or our own Skin Clique formulations—has been vetted by our medical leadership team. We look at clinical studies, ingredient profiles, and long-term safety and efficacy. Our estheticians are trained on how these products work, why they’re effective, and which patients they’re right for. It’s all about taking the guesswork out of skincare and replacing it with trusted, evidence-based recommendations.

Dermatology Times: What do you want dermatologists and aesthetic professionals to know about this program?

Allen: This program isn’t about replacing clinical care—it’s about enhancing it. We must meet our patients where they are. As access to medical specialists becomes increasingly limited and misinformation from social media ‘skinfluencers’ continues to rise, we see it as our responsibility to provide patients with accessible, evidence-based, and clinically sound guidance. This is our way of restoring trust and empowering patients with the information they truly need. We’re creating a more supportive, educational front door to aesthetic medicine. For aesthetic professionals, this is a way to engage patients earlier, build trust, and ensure they’re getting credible guidance from the start. We want to raise the standard of skincare across the board—and that starts with meeting patients where they are, building relationships, and staying grounded in science every step of the way.