Why Inner Healing is the Hottest Trend in Skincare

What if we told you the secret to clear complexion circles back to a place much deeper than using the right moisturizer for your face, deeper than consuming enough water on a daily basis, and deeper than avoiding breakout triggering foods? What if ground zero of some of our most common skin problems linked back to less tangible instigators? That’s the insight Leslie Kritzer and Madison DeClerque had come to realize, launching Skin Worship to help women achieve a more confident tomorrow by helping work through the actual root of their complexion troubles. With an ever growing and consistent list of clientele, including our Good Squad girls Stassie Karanikolaou and Jordyn Woods, it’s safe to say that they’re on to something.

"My first job was in a clinical setting, working for a dermatologist and learning the ropes. I think it is very important to have a good clinical foundation for this work because there are so many different skin concerns that you need to know about that we don’t learn in beauty school,” explains Leslie of her start in the world of skincare and wellness. She soon realized, though, there was something missing from the traditional way in which clients were being seen. The clinical approach, or the topical ‘treat the symptoms’ approach, had its limitations. Even the best products could only do so much for the skin when the root issue was an imbalance in the body system.

“The skin is reflective of what is going on internally and it can be hard to help people without having a sense of what’s going on holistically,” Leslie explains. “What you are seeing on the surface is literally the tip of the iceberg.” An esthetician’s work, therefore, needed to begin on a much deeper level, understanding the patient’s medical history, emotional well-being, lifestyle choices, and so forth, in order to then properly diagnose what's occurring at the epidermis level. “On my personal skincare journey, I had to change everything about my lifestyle. I had to eat differently, manage stress differently, I had to deal with spiritual aspects of myself, and I had to approach everything from a holistic standpoint.” Seeing the powerful results of her methods, Leslie decided to launch a business that could help other women too.

After partnering with Madison DeClercq, Leslie opened Skin Worship in Beverly Hills. The clinic is made up of five beauty experts each with their own specialties—from vibrational to crystal healing—but with consistent methodologies in how they tackle their client’s struggles. Every treatment at Skin Worship “recognizes the skin is a living organism attached to a vast network of systems working together” and therefore takes a ‘skin to soul’ approach with the client. The brand has also developed a skincare line of simple and organic products. Dew Drops face oil, a light-weight formula with lots of hydrating power, has quickly become a fan favorite.

The business’s 5-star rating on Yelp is supported by a slew of success stories. The praise is not only about end results—the unique experience of a facial that starts as a personal healing journey also keeps clients coming back. “Leslie listens and cares not only about my skin, but also my overall well-being. In our first session we discussed other factors physically, spiritually, and emotionally that contribute to my skin and breakouts. I really felt like I was being heard by an esthetician for the first time in years which was so refreshing,” one reads.

Though expansion is possible, for now, Skin Worship’s brick and mortar is only in LA. Locals can take advantage of a monthly Maintenance Facial. If you’re in town temporarily though, Madison recommends The Facial Ceremony to really capture the essence and expertise of Skin Worship, and to see if a holistic approach feels right for your needs. “This two-hour facial includes bio-mat infrared therapy, essential oil therapy, extractions, microdermabrasion, three-step custom exfoliation, micro-needling, LED light therapy, micro-current, and oxygen therapy,” she explains. “Master energy healer, Benson, integrates divine energy healing and reiki using specific combinations of Hebrew letters, the tree of life, and the chakras. By sending energy through his hands to all of the major chakra points, clients experience relief from stress, headaches, body aches, and chronic symptoms.” A facial and a spiritual experience, all in one? We’ll take it.