Top Rated 2026
In brief
- A beauty therapist works cosmetically on your skin: cleansing, peels, microneedling, skincare and advice. You can see one without a referral.
- A skin therapist (a healthcare profession in the Netherlands) has paramedical training and treats skin conditions, such as severe acne, scars and small veins, often with laser or IPL.
- A dermatologist is a doctor. They establish what you have and treat it medically. In the Netherlands you see one with a referral from your GP.
- In the Netherlands, a treatment in a salon is not covered by insurance. With a skin therapist it sometimes is, through supplementary insurance.
- For fresher, more even or firmer skin you can see a beauty therapist. At Moons that starts with the first skin appointment.
Written by Nilay, owner and beauty therapist at Moons BeautyUpdated on
Who does what? Four care providers side by side.
Before you book anywhere, it helps to know who does what in the Netherlands.
| Topic | What they do | When to go |
|---|---|---|
| Beauty therapist | Works cosmetically on your skin: cleansing, peels, microneedling, skincare and advice | For fresher, more even or firmer skin, for blackheads and the odd spot. You don't need a referral |
| Skin therapist | Has paramedical training and treats skin conditions, often with laser or IPL | For severe acne, scars, small veins and thread veins (couperose), or unwanted hair growth |
| GP | Assesses your skin and can prescribe medication | For inflammation that hurts, itching, a rash or a mark that changes |
| Dermatologist | Is a doctor: determines what you have and treats it medically | With a referral from your GP |
What exactly is the difference?
The biggest difference is the goal. A beauty therapist works on how your skin looks and feels. A skin therapist treats a skin condition, and more often works with devices such as a laser. A dermatologist, as a doctor, makes a diagnosis and can prescribe medication.
In practice they overlap. You can have a peel or microneedling done by both. With a beauty therapist the emphasis is on care, your routine and better-looking skin. With a skin therapist it is more often about a medical problem, and sometimes about a treatment your insurance covers.
For most skin goals, such as dull skin, blackheads, fine lines or marks after the summer, you can see a beauty therapist. If it is a condition or a complaint that hurts, you start with your GP or a skin therapist.
Who do you see for which skin concern?
| Topic | Where to go | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dull skin or an uneven complexion | Beauty therapist | With a peel, vitamin C or a facial |
| Blackheads and clogged pores | Beauty therapist | A facial cleanse empties your pores |
| The odd spot | Beauty therapist | With a cleansing treatment and a routine for home |
| Inflamed, painful acne | Your GP first | After that, a skin therapist or a salon can help too. More under acne treatment |
| Fine lines and loss of firmness | Beauty therapist | Microneedling, peels and connective tissue massage. Botox and fillers are done only by a doctor |
| Pigmentation | Beauty therapist or skin therapist | Superficial pigment responds to peels and microneedling. For a laser, you go to a clinic |
| Acne scars | Beauty therapist, skin therapist or dermatologist | Shallow pits with microneedling and peels. For deep, narrow pits, a dermatologist has medical treatments |
| Thread veins (couperose) and small red veins | Skin therapist or clinic | Small veins are treated with a laser or IPL. A salon can calm red skin |
| Unwanted hair growth | Beauty therapist or skin therapist | Waxing in the salon, laser with a skin therapist or at a clinic |
| Itching, a rash or a mark that changes | GP | They look at what is needed and refer you on if necessary |
What is covered by insurance?
In the Netherlands, a treatment with a beauty therapist is cosmetic and isn't covered by insurance.
With a skin therapist (a healthcare profession in the Netherlands), part of the treatments can be covered by supplementary insurance, especially if there is a medical reason. How much varies by insurer and by policy. Sometimes your insurer asks for a referral from your GP. Check your policy or call your insurer before you start.
A treatment with a dermatologist falls under basic health insurance, and your deductible (eigen risico) applies. You need a referral from your GP for it.
Who may use which title?
Skin therapist
In Dutch huidtherapeut, a protected title in the Netherlands. Only someone who has completed the skin therapist training may use it.
Beauty therapist
In Dutch schoonheidsspecialiste, a profession without a protected title. So look for recognised training and for membership of a trade association, such as ANBOS.
Skin specialist
In Dutch huidspecialist, a name anyone can choose freely. Ask who is treating you and what training they have.
Dermatologist
In Dutch dermatoloog, a medical specialist. In the Netherlands you get there via your GP.
What to look for in a beauty therapist.
They look first
A good treatment starts with looking at your skin and asking about your routine, your medication and what you've already tried.
You're told when a doctor is a better fit
With deep, painful inflammation or a mark that changes, a salon should refer you on.
There is a trade association
Moons is a member of ANBOS, the Dutch trade association for beauty care. If you're unhappy about something and we can't work it out together, you can go to De Geschillencommissie, the Dutch disputes committee.
You can see real work
Photos of their own clients and what others write. Ours are on the results page and under reviews.
You get a plan
A visible difference usually takes a series of treatments, with a routine for home in between.
What we do at Moons and what we don't.
What we do
Facial cleanses, peels, microneedling with the Dermapen, LED therapy, connective tissue massage and nourishing treatments. Alongside that, brows, lashes and waxing.
What we don't do
Laser and IPL, Botox, fillers and other injectables, permanent make-up, microblading and lash extensions. For laser, we refer you to a clinic.
Who treats you
A beauty therapist who has worked in the field since 2020 and focuses on skin improvement.
Top Rated
On Treatwell we are Top Rated in both 2026 and 2023. Read what clients write in the reviews.
See your GP first with these symptoms.
If an inflammation hurts, you have itching or a rash that won't go away, or a mark changes shape or colour, see your GP first. They look at what is needed and refer you on to a dermatologist or skin therapist if necessary.
Frequently asked questions about beauty therapist or skin therapist
What is the difference between a beauty therapist and a skin therapist?
A beauty therapist works cosmetically on how your skin looks and feels. A skin therapist (a healthcare profession in the Netherlands) has paramedical training and treats skin conditions, such as severe acne, scars and small veins, often with laser or IPL.
What does a skin therapist do?
In the Netherlands, a skin therapist treats skin conditions, such as severe acne, scars, thread veins (couperose) and unwanted hair growth. They often work with devices such as a laser.
What does a beauty therapist do?
A beauty therapist cleanses and cares for your skin, does peels and microneedling and gives advice on your routine. At Moons, brows, lashes and waxing are part of it too.
Do you need a referral for a skin therapist in the Netherlands?
For the treatment itself, usually not. If you want your insurance to contribute, it sometimes does ask for a referral from your GP. Check with your insurer.
Is a skin therapist covered by insurance in the Netherlands?
Sometimes, through supplementary insurance and mostly when there is a medical reason. How much varies by insurer and by policy.
Is a beauty therapist covered by insurance?
No. In the Netherlands, a treatment with a beauty therapist is cosmetic and isn't covered by insurance.
What is the difference between a skin therapist and a dermatologist?
A dermatologist is a doctor. They make a diagnosis, prescribe medication and treat you medically. In the Netherlands you see one with a referral from your GP. A skin therapist has paramedical training and treats skin conditions, often without a referral.
Can a beauty therapist treat acne?
With blackheads, clogged pores and the odd spot, yes. With inflamed spots that hurt, a doctor looks first. More under acne treatment.
Can a beauty therapist treat pigmentation?
Superficial pigment, yes, with vitamin C, mild acids and microneedling. For laser treatment, we refer you to a clinic. If a mark changes shape or colour, see your GP first.
Does a beauty therapist also do microneedling?
Yes. At Moons we do microneedling with the Dermapen, from €89.00. More under microneedling.
Can a beauty therapist treat thread veins (couperose)?
A salon can calm red, sensitive skin. Visible veins are treated with a laser or IPL, and for that you go to a skin therapist or a clinic. More under facial redness.
Is a skin specialist the same as a skin therapist?
No. Skin therapist (huidtherapeut) is a protected title in the Netherlands. Skin specialist (huidspecialist) is a name anyone can choose freely, just like beauty therapist. So ask who is treating you and what training they have.
How do you recognise a good beauty therapist?
They look at your skin first, you're told when a doctor is a better fit, and you can see real work and reviews. Also look for membership of a trade association, such as ANBOS.
When do you see a dermatologist?
In the Netherlands, when your GP thinks it is necessary. For example with severe acne that doesn't respond to treatment, eczema or a mark that changes.
Can I have my skin looked at first if I'm unsure?
Yes. At the first skin appointment we look at your skin together and treat it straight away, for €69.00. If your question belongs with a doctor, we'll say so.
What does a treatment with a beauty therapist cost?
That varies by treatment. At Moons in Enschede a facial starts at €59.00. All prices are on the prices page.
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