local storiesFebruary 16, 2026

Exploring Life & Business with Dali Gandara of Skin By Dali

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dali Gandara.

Hi Dali, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Dali Gandara, a Los Angeles native, licensed esthetician, and medical assistant based in Manhattan Beach. I own Skin by Dali, where I focus on helping clients achieve real, lasting results while feeling completely cared for in the process.

I’ve always cared deeply about making people feel good in their own skin, and that instinct started at home. I grew up in a close-knit Mexican American family, deeply influenced by my grandmother who immigrated from Mexico and believed in self-care as a form of respect for yourself and for others. Watching her prioritize care, presentation, and intention left a lasting impression on me. That foundation, along with my desire to make my family proud, continues to guide how I approach my work.

My path into skincare began more than a decade ago. In 2012, I started at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, where I was introduced to luxury skincare and learned how much the experience matters, not just the treatment itself. That environment shaped my understanding of precision, consistency, and the importance of making people feel genuinely cared for.

As I gained experience, I wanted to understand skin on a deeper, more clinical level. I transitioned into medical aesthetics, worked alongside medical providers, earned my Clinical Medical Assistant license, and refined my approach to long-term, results-driven skin health. That period shaped the way I practice today, where science and intuition meet.

In 2024, I became a Faculty Trainer for DiamondGlow and SkinMedica with Allergan Medical Institute. Teaching other providers has reinforced my belief that great skincare is rooted in education, intention, and curiosity.

Opening my own practice felt like a natural next step, though it came during a season of significant personal change. Building my business independently has taught me resilience and clarity, and those experiences deeply influence how I show up for my clients. Today, my work centers on thoughtful, personalized treatments in a space that feels calm, honest, and supportive, while continuing to grow in a way that feels aligned and authentic to who I am.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, and I never expected it to be. My education and work experience have always been deeply hands-on and client-facing, so stepping into business ownership meant learning the backend, including operations, finances, and systems, largely through real-life experience and on my own. At times, that learning curve brought moments of self-doubt, and even now, imposter syndrome can show up, but I’ve learned to move through those moments by staying aligned with my values and trusting the work I’ve put in.

Professionally, building something independently required trusting my instincts without the safety net of working for a large corporation. Those challenges ultimately strengthened my confidence and shaped how I show up for my clients, with more empathy, intention, and clarity.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Skin by Dali is a results-driven skincare practice located in Manhattan Beach, California, rooted in education, personalization, and long-term skin health. My approach blends advanced clinical treatments with a strong emphasis on skin barrier integrity, consistency, and realistic outcomes. Every client’s skin is treated as unique, and no two treatment plans are ever the same.

I specialize in corrective and maintenance-focused treatments, including DiamondGlow facials, microneedling, chemical peels, and fully customized facial treatments. I work alongside a medical director who serves as an advisor when needed, ensuring that every treatment plan is thoughtful, safe, and aligned with best clinical practices. One of the things I take the most pride in is delivering clinical-grade results while still creating a luxury, enjoyable experience. My goal is for treatments to feel effective without being painful or intimidating.

The experience itself is just as intentional as the treatment. I incorporate elements like music, touch, and a calming environment to make each appointment feel restorative and grounding. What sets Skin by Dali apart is the balance between results and experience, where clients feel relaxed, cared for, and confident in the care they’re receiving.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Integrity has been the most important quality in my success. I focus on delivering real, long-term results rather than over-treating or upselling. That means being honest about what a client truly needs, setting realistic expectations, and prioritizing skin health over quick fixes.
Leading with integrity has allowed me to build trust, consistency, and lasting relationships with my clients.

Contact Info:

Website: https://skinbydali.glossgenius.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinbydali
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/skin-by-dali-manhattan-beach?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
Other: https://share.google/8fcNAyIQBkd2iQKXX

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