Everyone knows the importance of a good skincare regimen, but at the end of the day it’s so much easier to just fall into bed without giving your skin all the attention it may need. However, when a family simcha is on the horizon, you may want to step up the TLC you should have been giving your face all along. Much of the advice for skincare routines is based on the type of skin you have, making a one-size-fits-all recommendation difficult to dispense. In a perfect world, three months prior to the event, a bride or mother of the bar mitzvah boy or any other member of the simcha family would go to an aesthetician and build a customized treatment plan. But if to-do lists explode and time implodes, this may not always be possible. The Simcha Link turned to Yosefa Feldhamer, a licensed aesthetician and skincare therapist, for some expert advice on ways to get the glowing skin you want for your big day.

“Regardless of personal skincare needs, there are three basic steps for everyone to follow in their skincare routine,” said Feldhamer. “This should be as much a part of your routine as brushing teeth, but if it is not yet a daily and nightly ritual, it’s never too late to start adding it in.”

Cleansing

Feldhamer explained the importance of a nightly facial cleanse, removing makeup and anything else that has accumulated on the skin. Makeup that stays on the face clogs pores overnight. Even those who don’t wear makeup have the day’s toxins layered on their skin. “Environmental pollution, exhaust from vehicles and anything in the air as we walk around stays on our face and gets into our pores,” she said. “We are especially concerned about our face because it is always exposed; therefore, it is important to cleanse.”

Moisturizing

“Again, we are dealing with the fact that your face is exposed and assaulted by the environment,” said Feldhamer. “When the weather is cold, the wind dries out your face. Indoors, the heat or the air can dry out your skin as well. Additional moisture is a must.” She explained that just like drinking water helps the body metabolize better and the blood vessels work more efficiently, it is important to use moisturizer on your skin for hydration inside and out.

Sun Protection

Sunscreen is not just for summers and beaches. “If there’s daylight, there’s ultraviolet light doing damage, even on cloudy days,” said Feldhamer. She stressed the importance of wearing something with an SPF number, but added that higher numbers are better. “The ultraviolet rays damage collagen in the skin. This doesn’t happen right away, but cumulatively over time,” she said. Feldhamer also added that she sees clients come in with significantly more damage on the left side of their face than the right, most likely from sun exposure in the car.

By Jenny Gans

Adding these three important steps to a daily routine should help you look your best, but especially if there’s a simcha in the not-too-distant future.