I Tried San Diego's New Sound Healing Facial — and My Skin Is Still Glowing Two Weeks Later

In wellness circles, facials and sound baths aren't exactly new. But pairing the two into one immersive treatment? That's where things get interesting.

When I heard about The Sound Healing Ritual, a new offering from Soulcare Standard and with, kate + co, I was immediately curious. As someone who has attended countless sound baths over the years at yoga classes, at wellness festivals, and as standalone experiences, I wondered what it would feel like to receive sound healing while simultaneously receiving a facial. The answer, as it turns out, is pure bliss.

Seoul Glow Lab in San Diego's Convoy / Kearny Mesa neighborhood

The experience begins at Seoul Glow Lab, San Diego's first Korean beauty concept store. Equal parts retail destination, community hub, and educational space, the thoughtfully designed storefront is lined with coveted Korean skincare products, wellness essentials, and carefully curated beauty finds. It's also home to Soulcare Standard, a space rooted in intentional care for the skin, nervous system, and daily rhythms.

When I arrived, I was warmly welcomed by Sabrina Kim, a licensed esthetician and the founder of Soulcare Standard, and Kate Cobarrubia of with, kate + co, the sound healer for the facial session. Before beginning, Sabrina took time to sit with me for a brief consultation to discuss my skin concerns and overall wellbeing. My skin tends to be dry, sensitive, and prone to redness, but if I'm being honest, as a busy working mom, I was more interested in an hour of complete rest more than skincare at that moment. 

And that’s also the main goal of this intentional offering: to support both the skin and the nervous system to fast-track rejuvenation and complete healing. Sabrina's approach draws inspiration from Korean wellness philosophies that prioritize consistency, barrier support, gentle techniques, and long-term skin health. Her treatments go far beyond the surface, incorporating lymphatic drainage, sculpting massage, tension release, and personalized skincare protocols designed to support the skin's evolving needs.

Meanwhile, Kate brings her background as an artist, sound healer and community wellness experience practitioner through with, kate + co to the experience. Together, the two have spent the last year hosting community wellness gatherings at Seoul Glow Lab featuring yin yoga, gua sha rituals, sound baths, tea ceremonies, and intentional pauses. 

The Sound Healing Ritual emerged organically from those community events with the desire to offer a more intimate, one-on-one experience that allows guests to fully immerse themselves in both practices at once. 

Soulcare Standard founder Sabrina Kim and with, kate + co founder Kate Cobarrubia | Photo Credit: @joecobarrubia

It’s a brilliant combination. As Sabrina worked through the facial, Kate layered the room with the soothing sounds of crystal singing bowls and Koshi wind chimes that created a deeply sensory experience that felt very synergistic.

What stood out most was how the sound healing changed my relationship to the facial itself. Normally during treatments, my mind tends to wander. I start thinking about emails, deadlines, errands, or whatever else is waiting for me outside the treatment room but the sound healing gave my attention somewhere else to land. Instead of drifting into mental to-do lists, I found myself fully absorbed in the vibrations, allowing my body to soften more deeply into the experience. The result was a level of relaxation that felt noticeably different from a traditional facial.

And Sabrina's touch is nothing short of magical. The facial incorporated lymphatic drainage techniques, a scalp ritual, and gua sha massage, all of which immediately seemed to reduce puffiness and release tension throughout my face and jaw. The sculpting work felt gentle yet effective, creating that coveted post-facial glow while encouraging a sense of physical release I hadn't expected.

Somewhere between the sound bowls and facial massage, I lost all track of time. Unfortunately, that's also the downside of truly relaxing; the hour seemed to disappear in an instant.

Photo Credit: @joecobarrubia

When the treatment ended, my skin looked noticeably brighter, calmer, and more luminous. But what surprised me most was what happened afterward. Over the following days, I continued receiving compliments on my skin. Even two weeks later, my complexion still appeared more supple and hydrated than usual.

Part of that, I suspect, comes from Sabrina's personalized recommendations following the treatment. She suggested incorporating a mugwort essence into my routine to help address redness and sensitivity, and I've noticed a significant improvement in the rosacea flare-ups that typically linger across my cheeks.

While no facial can permanently transform your skin overnight, this experience felt different because it addressed more than just skin concerns. It created space to regulate, rest, and reset, which is something many of us are craving just as much as healthy skin.

The Sound Healing Ritual is available through Soulcare Standard and with, kate + co at Seoul Glow Lab, 4344 Convoy St., San Diego. Locally Well readers can receive 15% off The Sound Healing Ritual with the code LOCALLYWELL when booked by June 30 for any future appointment date.

Upcoming events led by Sabrina include sweat. sculpt. sip. on Sunday, June 7, an evening of mat Pilates, lymphatic gua sha, herbal mocktails, and after-hours shopping designed to bring movement, skincare, and connection together in one space.

The duo will also host a Summer Solstice Ritual on Monday, June 22, featuring a slow-flow vinyasa practice, sound healing, guided gua sha, and herbal wellness offerings inspired by the seasonal shift into summer. Designed as a physical and energetic reset, the experience invites participants to slow down, reconnect, and embrace the spirit of the solstice through intentional self-care.