ICYMI, Youth To The People recently launched Pros To The People, an exciting new initiative in partnership with a set of ultra-talented licensed estheticians across the U.S. and Canada, all of whom will serve as yet another amazing resource to the YTTP community. Over the next year, you’ll get to know these experts on a personal level as they share their diverse stories and how they got to where they are today. That, and they’ll of course be dropping an avalanche of skincare knowledge and sharing their own unique approaches to all things skin.
Expect to see (and learn!) a ton from these talented souls in the coming months. In the meantime, get to know each estie via Meet The People. Without further ado…
The Pro: Kahina Jean-Baptiste
The Place: New Jersey
Like so many of us, Kahina Jean-Baptise first became interested in skincare out of personal necessity.
“As soon as puberty hit, I suffered with chronic cystic acne that I struggled tremendously to treat,” she recalls. “There was not a lot of credible information on how to treat skin in the 2010s and misinformation was at an all-time high. I felt like there were 30 different voices telling us how to care for our skin.” This ultimately led Kahina to take matters into her own hands.
“Through extensive personal research and trial-and-error, I started slowly finding what worked for my skin,” she says. “And through that, I became passionate about wanting to be a credible source of easily-accessible skin-health information for my community.”
On top of this, Kahina was greatly inspired by her mother who decided to become a licensed cosmetologist after spending years working as a teacher.
“She showed me that I could explore esthetics despite working full time in corporate.” And so that’s exactly what she did. In 2020, Kahina took a leap of faith and enrolled in an esthetics program to become a licensed esthetician.
“I decided to dedicate myself to being the best skin professional I could be with the goal of sharing my knowledge to those looking for a clear, easily accessible guide to caring for their skin,” she says. Lo and behold, it turned out to be one of the best decisions she ever made.
Kahina now works as a licensed esthetician in New Jersey in addition to being a self-described “skinfluencer” on her Instagram @selfcarecoka, where she creates compelling content about everything from her favorite products to helpful skincare explainers.
“The best part about my job is seeing my clients and followers tell me they tried something I recommended and that it dramatically changed how they felt about their skin and themselves,” says Kahina, who adds that her ultimate objective is to educate her community on how to build healthy, lifelong skin habits.
“When I see a client or follower adapt a healthy skin habit, like wearing SPF daily, and having them see the positive results of that, I get so excited because my job is done.”
Kahina is now a proud member of the YTTP Pro family after being a longtime admirer of the brand.
“YTTP first fell onto my radar when fellow esthetician @seangarrette shared his love for their Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask,” she says. “When I gave it a try I instantly fell in love and looked deeper into the brand… I loved how they promoted all skin types and tones in their communications and felt such an inclusive energy from them.”
And that, dear readers, is a brief dive into how Kahina built a career in skincare and became one of YTTP’s inaugural Pros. Now keep reading for more fun facts—including her must-have YTTP product and the person who inspires her the most when it comes to all things skin.
Skin type: “Combination, hands down.” Must-have YTTP product: “Polypeptide-121 Future Cream. This thing is going to keep me looking young forever!”
Skincare philosophy: “Blemishes don't block the beauty!”
Her skin inspiration: “My mother, Sherley Jean-Baptiste. She never, ever, goes to bed without doing her skincare routine and it shows.”
Written by Kaleigh Fasanella for Youth To The People
