Full treatment details
You know how hard it is to find a facial that actually respects sensitive skin instead of overwhelming it. Our Signature Custom Facial in San Diego was built for that exact problem: a 75-minute treatment for $150 that blends skin-focused technology with real relaxation.
We work with tired, red, breakout-prone, and easily irritated skin every day. Because Candy Iverson founded Urban Rituals after nearly 15 years as both an esthetician and massage therapist, we approach skincare through the skin barrier, the nervous system, and the patterns that trigger flare-ups. That means we do not force a preset routine onto reactive skin.
In this guide, we explain what this facial includes, who gets the most value from it, what your session feels like, and how the results compare with stronger options like chemical peels and microchanneling.
What Is a Signature Custom Facial?
Our Signature Custom Facial is a personalized 75-minute treatment that changes based on how your skin shows up that day. We built it for people who want visible results without the harsh feel that can come with aggressive acne or anti-aging treatments.
The facial centers on sensitive skin, reactive conditions, and rosacea. That means we pay close attention to redness, heat, barrier stress, congestion, and the products you have used in the last several days before we choose exfoliation, extractions, or technology. We combine esthetic practice with massage therapy, Reiki, CranioSacral concepts, and calming touch so your treatment supports the face and the system behind it.
That mix matters for reactive skin. The National Rosacea Society and the American Academy of Dermatology both emphasize gentle care, trigger awareness, and daily barrier support for redness-prone skin, which is why we keep our facial precise instead of overly stimulating.
- Consultation and skin reading — we check current sensitivity, breakouts, dryness, redness, and recent active ingredients.
- Hands-on treatment — this may include cleansing, enzyme work, extractions, lymphatic drainage, high frequency, LED, microcurrent, or facial cupping.
- Recovery support — we finish with products and aftercare that help calm skin instead of sending you home flushed and guessing.
For clients who are congested but easily inflamed, customization can get very specific. One common sequence starts with a brief lymphatic massage, moves into only a few targeted extractions, and finishes with low-intensity high frequency, giving the skin clarity without turning the session into an aggressive reset. Skin can look clearer and softer after one visit, while still feeling settled instead of raw.
Who Is It For?
We created this service for clients who want a personalized experience and who care about how a treatment feels as much as how it looks. It is an especially strong fit for sensitive, reactive, acne-prone, or rosacea-prone skin. Clients from San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, and Encinitas often tell us they want medspa-level intention without losing the comfort of a true spa treatment. That is exactly where this facial sits.
This facial may be right for you if your skin stings easily, gets red after trying new products, breaks out under stress, or swings between congestion and dehydration. It also works well as a first step before deciding whether stronger services like chemical peels or microchanneling make sense later. And if your routine changes often, we can scale back tools and put more focus on calming, hydration, and circulation support.
- Reactive or rosacea-prone skin — we reduce friction, heat, and overstimulation while focusing on barrier-friendly support.
- Mild acne and congestion — targeted extractions, high frequency, and LED can help address clogged pores without turning the whole facial harsh.
- Early anti-aging concerns — microcurrent, massage, and hydration can improve tone and glow when the skin is too sensitive for more intensive resurfacing.
- Stress-related skin changes — nervous-system care helps clients who hold tension in the jaw, brow, scalp, and face.
The American Academy of Dermatology notes that procedures like chemical peels and microneedling can help acne marks, texture, and fine lines, but they are more treatment-driven and usually involve more planning and recovery. Our signature facial is the gentler place to start when your skin needs information, not force.
What to Expect
Your session runs 75 minutes. We guide you through each step so you know what we are using, why we chose it, and what your skin is telling us in real time.
- We begin with a focused consultation, asking about skin type, sensitivity, rosacea, lifestyle, stress, and home skincare routines.
- We cleanse and assess the skin, then choose products that support hydration, clarity, and barrier comfort without adding unnecessary irritation.
- We may include microcurrent to lift, LED to calm inflammation, high frequency for breakout-prone areas, or facial cupping to encourage circulation.
- We monitor comfort and sensitivity throughout the service and adjust pressure, timing, and product strength if your skin needs a softer approach.
- We finish with aftercare guidance so you know what to use, what to pause, and when to come back.
The technology inside the session is chosen carefully. FDA-cleared over-the-counter LED devices are marketed in the United States for acne and wrinkle concerns, and cleared microcurrent devices now include indications for facial wrinkles and mild to moderate inflammatory acne, so these tools have a practical role when they are used thoughtfully. What matters more than the tool itself is timing. If your skin barrier is irritated, we may skip or shorten a step that would be fine on another day.
How we adjust for sensitive skin
Reactive skin rarely responds well to a one-speed treatment. We watch for flushing, heat, and tingling, which is why pre-visit intake matters. If you have used retinoids, exfoliating acids, acne spot treatments, or home devices recently, tell us before we start so we can protect your barrier.
- Recent exfoliation may mean less stimulation.
- Active breakouts may call for shorter extraction time.
- Visible redness may shift the focus to LED, cooling products, and massage.
- Dehydrated skin may need barrier repair before any anti-aging step.
For the first 24 hours after your facial, keep things simple: a gentle cleanser and moisturizer, no scrubs or strong acids, and daily sunscreen the next morning. For rosacea-prone skin, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day, ideally a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Benefits & Results
Our goal is simple: help your skin look clearer, feel calmer, and recover better between visits. Right after a session, many clients notice less surface redness, softer texture, a fresher tone, and relief in the jaw, temples, scalp, or brow. Over a series, the bigger changes usually show up in consistency: fewer reactive episodes, smoother texture, and skin that tolerates home care more easily.
We keep expectations honest. Microcurrent can create a nice short-term lifted look, and LED can support acne and inflammation care, but neither tool replaces a strong home routine or the need to match treatment intensity to your skin barrier.
- Redness and sensitivity — calming massage, barrier-friendly products, and low-irritation customization. If redness is severe or persistent, a dermatologist-led rosacea plan may need to come first.
- Mild acne and congestion — extractions, high frequency, LED, and product guidance. For deeper acne scarring, microchanneling is a more targeted option.
- Early fine lines and dullness — hydration, microcurrent, and circulation support improve glow and tone. For stronger resurfacing, a chemical peel can address texture and discoloration more directly.
- Stress showing in the face — relaxation and nervous-system support help reduce a tight, overworked look.
If you are deciding between this facial, a chemical peel, or microchanneling, we usually suggest starting here when your skin is reactive, your routine is inconsistent, or you are unsure what your skin can tolerate. The information we get from a custom facial often makes every future treatment choice smarter. Expect reduced redness, softer texture, and a calmer feel right after your session, with clearer and more even skin usually following over the next several weeks.
Why Urban Rituals
Candy Iverson built Urban Rituals around sensitive skin, nervous-system support, and hands-on skill. She brings nearly 15 years of experience as a dual-licensed esthetician and massage therapist, starting in the Esalen massage tradition, earning her esthetician license in 2015, and later adding Reiki, CranioSacral therapy, and Yogissage training.
That background gives us a wider lens than a standard facial room. We do not look only at breakouts or dryness. We also look at tension patterns, overstimulation, sensitivity triggers, and how the body is holding stress. For clients who have struggled with reactive skin, that broader skill set makes the appointment feel more thoughtful and more useful. This is part of our facials menu, and many clients pair it over time with treatments like microcurrent or an Organic Sculpting Facial.
Pricing & Booking
Our Signature Custom Facial is $150 for a 75-minute session. Book online through the Vagaro scheduler, or call the studio if you would like help choosing.
- Signature Custom Facial — $150 · 75 min
Urban Rituals · 3333 Midway Drive #104, San Diego, CA 92110 · (619) 786-6159

