What Is CPD and Why Does It Matter in Beauty?

Nadia Jibril
May 6
4 min read

By Nadia Jibril, Education & Certification | International Institute of Beauty

In the fast moving world of beauty, one thing is certain learning never stops. Whether you're an experienced therapist, a salon owner, or just starting your career, keeping your skills fresh and relevant is essential. This is where CPD, or Continuing Professional Development, comes into play.

But what exactly is CPD, and why does it matter so much in the beauty industry?

In this article, we’ll break down what CPD is, why it’s important, and how it can help you grow your confidence, credibility, and client base. Whether you’re looking to learn new techniques, meet insurance requirements, or stay ahead of trends, CPD could be the most powerful tool in your professional journey.

What Is CPD?

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It refers to any learning activity you undertake after your initial qualifications that helps you:

Improve existing skills
Learn new techniques
Stay up to date with industry standards and innovations
Maintain professional knowledge
Meet regulatory or insurance requirements

CPD can include courses, workshops, online modules, seminars, industry events, product training, or even structured self study. The key is that it contributes to your ongoing professional growth.

In the beauty industry, CPD helps ensure that practitioners continue to offer high quality, safe, and effective treatments to clients in a constantly evolving market.

Why Is CPD Important in the Beauty Industry?

1. Keeps You Legally and Professionally Compliant

While the UK beauty industry is not strictly regulated, most insurers require proof of up to date training. Treatments evolve, new technologies emerge, and safety protocols change.

Without regular CPD, you could risk invalidating your insurance or falling behind industry standards.

Many awarding bodies, such as VTCT, ITEC, and professional associations like BABTAC or The Guild of Beauty Therapists, expect ongoing CPD from their members. It’s not just good practice it’s becoming the industry norm.

2. Builds Client Confidence

Clients are becoming more knowledgeable and selective about who they trust with their beauty treatments. When they see you investing in your development, it reassures them that you’re committed to offering the best, safest, and most up to date services.

Being able to say you’ve recently completed CPD in, for example, microneedling, skin rejuvenation, or advanced waxing techniques, instantly elevates your credibility.

3. Expands Your Treatment Offerings

CPD gives you the opportunity to add new, in demand treatments to your menu. This could include:

Dermaplaning
LED light therapy
Advanced skincare
Brow lamination
Chemical peels
Lash lifts
Holistic therapies

These are often short courses that can significantly boost your income potential and keep your service offering fresh and exciting.

4. Supports Your Career Growth

Whether you want to open your own salon, become a trainer, specialise in aesthetics, or move into a senior role, CPD is a stepping stone to career progression. It allows you to keep evolving, setting goals, and achieving them.

Continuing Professional Development isn't about staying where you are it's about building the future you deserve.

What Counts as CPD?

The beauty of CPD is that it can take many forms. Here are some recognised types of CPD for beauty professionals:

Short courses or workshops (e.g. skin needling, electrical facials)
Online learning or e courses (if accredited)
Industry webinars or live training sessions
Attending beauty expos, events, and product launches
Manufacturer led product training
Shadowing or mentoring with experienced professionals
Self directed research with documentation

Some CPD is formally assessed and comes with certificates. Others may require you to keep a CPD log or portfolio showing what you’ve learned and how you’ve applied it.

How Many CPD Hours Should You Complete?

There’s no universal rule, but many professional bodies suggest aiming for 20 to 30 hours of CPD per year.

If you're a member of an organisation such as BABTAC or The Guild, they may have their own guidelines. Even if you're not part of a membership body, setting a personal goal for yearly CPD helps you stay consistent.

Tip: Don’t wait until the end of the year to rush your learning spread your development out and take your time to truly absorb each skill.

Choosing the Right CPD Courses

When choosing a CPD course, quality matters. Make sure it meets the following criteria:

✅ Accredited by a recognised body (e.g. VTCT, ITEC, CPD Standards Office)

✅ Covers relevant content aligned with current industry standards\

✅ Delivered by experienced and qualified tutors

✅ Provides evidence of completion (certificate or CPD log)

At The International Institute of Beauty, we offer CPD approved courses designed specifically to support beauty professionals at all stages of their career.

Whether you’re upskilling in skincare or developing your salon management capabilities, we’re here to guide you.

How to Track Your CPD

Keeping a CPD portfolio helps you stay organised and proves your commitment to professional development. Your portfolio might include:

Course certificates
Notes and reflections on what you’ve learned
Dates and number of hours completed
Plans for future learning
Client feedback (if applicable)

This is especially useful when renewing insurance, applying for new roles, or preparing for inspections.

Final Thoughts: Keep Growing, Keep Shining

CPD isn’t just a tick box exercise it’s a commitment to yourself, your clients, and your future. It shows that you take your role seriously, value your expertise, and are dedicated to providing safe, effective, and current beauty treatments.

In a world where trends change rapidly and client expectations are high, CPD keeps you at the top of your game.

The most successful beauty professionals are those who never stop learning and with the right support, you can be one of them.