Spa Review: We Leaned Into a Clean Skin Script at The Complexion Apothecary
The Complexion Apothecary is an eco-conscious and luxurious salon and spa in Burbank, CA that caters to the ultimate clean in skin care.
Right in the heart of the media capital of the world (aka Burbank, CA) sits a beauty secret we can’t hold onto any longer: The Complexion Apothecary, an eco-conscious and luxurious salon and spa that caters to the ultimate clean in skin care.
“Our number one standard is green and clean,” says Dyane MacKinnon, founder and owner of The Complexion Apothecary, or TCA for short. Dyane, who has been in the beauty industry for 23 years as a Hollywood makeup artist (you’ll find her recent work in ABC’s Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration), founded the green and clean space as a result of her own personal intolerances and allergic reactions to the number of manmade chemicals found in most skin care lines.
Hollywood makeup artist Dyane MacKinnon is the founder and owner of The Complexion Apothecary.
“Our endocrine systems are disrupted by artificial fragrances and by a lot of toxins and we’re not necessarily using skincare in small doses anymore,” Mackinnon says. “We are putting on layer upon layer upon layer of products and we are doing it numerous times a day and your body can’t possibly filter all of that.”
The solution? Provide a space to get skin on an effective and environmentally-friendly track that is both beneficial to the planet and to you!
The Complexion Apothecary is an open-concept salon filled with beautiful natural light.
Walking into TCA on a sunny afternoon, you immediately think green and clean. It’s hard to believe they’ve only been open for eight months! First you’re greeted with the most beautiful natural light that only heightens the open-concept salon. The artistic and unique wallpaper also sets the backdrop for a single and customized salon chair and their main focal point: a living green wall.
A living green wall is the main focal point in the main salon area.
TCA actually is the host to a variety of plants that are stationed throughout the salon because plants are one natural way to help with the salon and spa’s air quality. Reclaimed wood shelves holds the main line they use called [comfort zone.]
Products from [comfort zone] line the reclaimed wood shelves along the wall.
[comfort zone] is by Italian brand Davines and is vegan and cruelty free.
Davines products are 95% biodegradable and made by wind power only.
The skin care line by Davines Haircare (TCA is also a Davines exclusive hair salon) that is imported from Italy is vegan and cruelty free, and can only be found in 600 spas across the U.S.
“Davines products are 95% biodegradable, as well as [comfort zone],” Mackinnon says. “All the products are made by wind power only. They remove more plastic from the environment annually than they produce as a company.”
The Complexion Apothecary also follows an 80/20 clean rule. 80% of what is used in the salon and spa is as environmentally and socially friendly as possible, while the remaining 20% is conventionally made but has purpose. For example, their laundry, paper products and surface cleaning are all B Corp Certified, but they still comply with disinfectant standards like the use of barbicide.
Past the salon area are two spa rooms that have been created by way of European standards.
Past the hair wash stations you’ll find two spa rooms that Dyane and her husband, James, (who’s an Emmy Award-winning Hollywood makeup artist too) created by way of European standards. The beds are equipped with hydraulics, the ceiling glitters with fiberoptic lights meant to look like stars, the rooms are completely soundproof and they’re incredibly dark to set your mind and body into full relaxation mode.
Plus, TCA uses Hollywood grade makeup lights that are neither warm nor cool, and for up to 10 feet away the strength of the light is the same. This allows Dyane to see every client’s face very clearly.
The beds are equipped with hydraulics and Hollywood grade makeup lights, which allow Dyane to see every client’s face very clearly.
The rooms are completely soundproof and dark to put guests’ minds and bodies into full relaxation mode.
Their treatments range from Hydrafacials and microdermabrasion to Gua Sha and LED dome treatments. Their estheticians each thrive in their own expertise too. For example, some of their clients come specifically to Veronica for microchanneling to help with scars and spots, or they come to Justin who specializes in helping those transitioning with hormonal acne.
I experienced their signature 30-minute Glow & Go Peel Facial.
Since I was pressed for time I decided to experience their signature 30-minute Glow & Go Peel Facial. After a double cleansing (a staple for everyone btw) with [comfort zone] Essential Face Wash, Dyane mixed together a peel rich in vitamin C to brighten, lift dead skin, and get rid of dullness. For the next 30 days my skin will be illuminating at full capacity thanks to this peel, losing only 25% of the results a month—which means I’ll be back to see Dyane in the spring!
But she also has another great tip: “I definitely suggest a blowout after a facial, which is amazing because after we do a facial we do a scalp massage.” Which is perfect advice because the salon chair is located right outside the treatment room doors!
Dyane owns the spa and salon with her husband, James, an Emmy Award-winning Hollywood makeup artist.
Plan to make a visit to The Complexion Apothecary in 2023. Not only will first time clients get 15% off any service and 25% off body waxing on Wednesdays, TCA also has plans to add product line Le Mieux.
More information on The Complexion Apothecary here. Follow them on Instagram: @thecomplexionapothecary
The Complexion Apothecary is located at 4150 D Riverside Dr Suite D, Burbank, CA 91505. Contact them at 818-688-2210 or send an email to: thecomplexionapothecary@gmail.com.
[Photos by Patty Serrato and courtesy of The Complexion Apothecary]
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Patty Castellon is a two-time Emmy award winning producer who has worked in the entertainment industry for 16 years. After many years of tracking lifestyle trends by some of the most prominent celebrities in the world, she has developed a true passion to connect audiences with the latest news in beauty, fashion, and wellness. Patty is LA based, living with her husband Cesar and their three children. Follow her on Instagram: @pattylynnpix