Edition #007: Ask An Esthetician: Leslie Kritzer with Skin Worship
Meet your beauty bodyguard: Leslie Kritzer. She is more than just a master at her craft—Kritzer is a skincare vanguard. One of the main issues she works to combat? The stigma around aging. Proudly in her 50s, Kritzer has developed bio-regenerative modalities that support skin elastin and overall vitality, transforming the fear of aging into something that's graceful and celebrated. Aside from anti-aging techniques, Kritzer can speak to the latest and greatest in skincare treatments, bio-hacking with peptides, supplements, and diet for longevity, and having a much more honest conversation around plastic surgery.
A skincare alchemist, taking a holistic approach that blends astrology, wellness, and personal life coaching to energetically fine-tune clients on a vibrational level. With her unique method, Leslie has become a true MVP in the beauty space. Her extensive experience has honed her skills in lymphatic, sculpting, and buccal massage, along with customized advanced aesthetics. Co-founding Skin Worship in 2016, with her business partner Madison Han, the duo redefined skincare into a groundbreaking model that integrates a system of balance and refinement
A: I prefer it to traditional facial oils, because I like the control I get from being able to scoop a small amount of balm into my hands, warm it up and smooth it onto the face. Oils can be messy, and hard to dispense the right amount. I love to dab a small amount on my cheekbones, lips, and elbows, and the consistency of the balm makes it very easy to do so. The texture is neither too waxy, nor too liquid, and it emulsifies easily. It holds density where oil does not. It's a wonderful product for self massage.
A: I have never had a better lip treatment in my whole life. I keep one by my bed, in my car, and in the skin studio. I have perpetually dry lips, and most products seem to make them even more dry. None have the technology of ÂN-GLOSS that can restore my lip moisture for long after use. Using it nightly before bed, ensures hydration throughout the whole next day. Typical balms with shea butter do not help with trans-epidermal water retention capacity like the vegan cholesterol in ÂN-GLOSS.
A: The cooling tip creates a smooth easy glide, and makes it easy to get the right amount of product on your lips. No product is wasted, and you can keep your fingers clean.
A: ÂN-DEW was an inspiring product targeting rosacea, a skin condition that is very under-served in todays marketplace. The clean and attractive packaging felt elevated and the product line was a great addition to Skin Worship. The ANFISA Skin team is excellent to work with.
Q: Can you share some personal skincare tips or routines?
A: I tend to cycle my active products for a few months at a time, and then give it a break, so as to prevent topical addiction. Our skin adapts to things quickly, often leading to a reduced response. A little known amazing pimple trick is to mix a small amount of ground pure aspirin with a small amount of water based serum or gel in to a paste and use as a spot treatment. This takes down the inflammation very quickly. I love to layer hydrating serums with a thicker balm or moisturizer overnight. I work the product in with massage technique to allow deeper penetration and move the lymph.
Q: What common skincare concerns do your clients have, and how do ANFISA Skin products help address them?
A: Everyone experiences chapped lips, especially in the dry Los Angeles weather. ÂN-GLOSS has been a game changer for myself and my clients in tackling the never ending dry lip cycle. We also have many sensitive clients who can't tolerate barrier deterioration, and while they need to exfoliate, they need to do it gently while not causing rebound inflammation. ÂN-DEW accomplishes this well with the right combination of acids and anti-inflammatories.
Q: How do you stay updated on the latest trends and advancements in the skincare industry?
A: I am a beauty and skin enthusiast who has always been passionate about skin, science and wellness, and how they all intersect in today's beauty culture. It is effortless for me to continue learning about new products, technologies, and techniques whether it be through the esthetician community, media, or my own experimentation and ideas. I want to age with vitality, and keep being as cute for my man as I can ;) so I will always be on the hunt for new hacks. I am still a believer that aging gracefully is chic.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being an esthetician?
A: I am a tactile person, and being able to heal with my hands is extremely rewarding. People often share how public and on display skin is, and that they feel shame and an erosion of self confidence when their skin is not its best. Being able to be instrumental in guidance and support around skin health and wellness in general is exciting. A lot goes into healthy skin beyond my room, and I love to guide clients into the broader community of wellness practitioners. To me there is no better job than helping people to feel their best.
** THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS INTERVIEW ARE THOSE OF THE INTERVIEWEE AND NOT ANFISA SKIN. THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA. WE ARE NOT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN FIRST AND ENSURE YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR RESEARCHING FURTHER IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANYTHING MENTIONED ABOVE**