Pure-Pores | Purifying Clay Mask

The holidays came a little early for us this year, and we have some exciting news to share! Barrier + Beyond Vitamin Water Serum has been named one of the winners in Virginia Living’s 2026 Made in Virginia Awards in the Style & Beauty category. It's always special to see a product we've put so much thought and care into get recognized, especially alongside other talented Virginia makers. And this isn't the first time Barrier + Beyond has caught the attention of the beauty world. More on that in a minute! What the Judge Had to Say This year’s Style & Beauty judge was Carter Johnston, who has spent more than 25 years in the fashion industry. After trying Barrier & Beyond, she shared:   “This serum feels amazing while having a very subtle, clean scent. It is definitely a product that would have you looking forward to doing your skin care!” We couldn't ask for a better description of what we hope people experience with our products. Skincare should feel good to use. It's a few quiet minutes for yourself in the middle of a busy day, not another thing to check off your to-do list. What Makes Barrier & Beyond Special Barrier + Beyond is a lightweight, water-based vitamin serum that delivers hydration without leaving skin feeling heavy or greasy. It's an easy addition to just about any skincare routine, whether you're keeping things simple or layering on your favorite products. Here's what makes it a customer favorite: Lightweight, water-based hydration. The silky formula absorbs quickly, delivering hydration without a heavy or greasy feel. Made with your skin barrier in mind. A thoughtful blend of ingredients helps keep skin hydrated and looking healthy. A subtle, naturally derived scent. Like all withSimplicity skincare products, Barrier & Beyond is synthetic fragrance-free, with its scent coming from essential oils and botanicals. Made in small batches in the USA. Every bottle is made right here in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with the care and attention that go into everything we create. Barrier + Beyond Vitamin Water Serum was also featured in the Tips & Trends section of Vogue's September 2025 issue. We're pretty excited to see this serum continuing to get noticed! How to Use Barrier & Beyond Serum Adding Barrier & Beyond to your routine is easy. After cleansing, press a few drops into your face and neck. Follow with your favorite moisturizer. It's suitable for morning and evening use and layers easily under makeup. Looking for an Easy Skincare Gift? Not sure what to get someone when you don't know their exact skin type or skincare preferences? Barrier & Beyond Vitamin Water Serum is designed to fit into a variety of skincare routines, making it the perfect gift for a friend, teacher, family member, or anyone who could use a little extra hydration in their day. About the 2026 Made in Virginia Awards Now in its 15th year, Virginia Living's Made in Virginia Awards celebrate standout products made across the Commonwealth. The 2026 awards recognized 20 products across four categories: Food, Drink, Home & Lifestyle, and Style & Beauty. A panel of expert judges worked with the Virginia Living team to select this year's winners. Barrier & Beyond was one of five products recognized in the Style & Beauty category, alongside handcrafted jewelry, leather goods, and a one-of-a-kind quilted jacket. For our team, this recognition means a lot. Every withSimplicity product is made in small batches in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and we're proud to be part of a community of makers creating thoughtful, quality products in our state.  Thank you to everyone who has welcomed Barrier & Beyond into their skincare routine and continues to support what we're building. We wouldn't be here without you!

If you've been wondering what Irina's been up to lately, she's had quite the October! Our founder recently packed her bags for two back-to-back retreats, with stops in North Carolina and Tennessee. There were facials, new faces, familiar friends, and plenty of conversations about the things we love most: skincare, wellness, and making everyday life a little simpler. Here's a peek at where she's been! First Stop: Wild & Well Retreat in North Carolina From October 9–12, Irina headed to beautiful Montreat, North Carolina, where she was invited to treat attendees at the Wild & Well Retreat to withSimplicity facials! Hosted by our friends Wendy of Toxin-Freeish, a former environmental toxins lawyer who helps people make more informed choices about everyday products, and Suzy of Woo Woo Bestie, who shares all things wellness and self-care, the retreat was all about giving women a chance to step away from their busy schedules and focus on themselves. The retreat brought together women for a little time away from their everyday routines, with a focus on wellness, relaxation, and connection. As a licensed master esthetician, Irina loves helping women feel comfortable and confident in their skin. And what better setting to do that than a retreat dedicated to taking a little time for yourself? It was a chance for attendees to slow down, enjoy some much-deserved self-care, and experience our approach to skincare firsthand. There's something special about being able to sit down with someone, talk about their skin, and give them a chance to relax for a bit. That's a big part of what we love about facials, and it was fun to bring that experience to Wild & Well. Plus, a few days in the North Carolina mountains isn't a bad way to spend October! Next Stop: Camp Truly in Tennessee Just a day later, Irina was off to Franklin, Tennessee, for Camp Truly, an intimate gathering hosted by Truly Free at the beautiful Dark Horse Recording Estate from October 13–15. Camp Truly was hosted by Truly Free, a company that makes household cleaning products with a focus on ingredients. They're also one of our retail partners, so you can find withSimplicity products in their marketplace! The retreat brought together 15 brands and 60 creators for three days of connection, collaboration, and conversations about more intentional living. Camp Truly was designed to create opportunities for meaningful conversations and relationships between brands and creators who share similar values. If you've ever owned a small business, you know how much goes on behind the scenes. It's not every day that you get to spend time with other business owners, like Carly and Rachel from Kale Blossom and creators who understand this world. More Than Just Skincare and Makeup From sharing facials in the North Carolina mountains to connecting with fellow brands and creators in Tennessee, these two retreats were a fun reminder of how many people are working to make thoughtful, intentional living part of everyday life. And of course, Irina managed to squeeze in a little fun of her own, too!  We love getting to bring you along for these little behind-the-scenes moments because there's a lot more happening around here than what you see on our shelves. And now that Irina's back home, we're excited to see what the rest of the year brings!

Back-to-school mornings don't leave room for a ten-step beauty routine. So we simplified. Five easy steps, five everyday essentials, five minutes or less. Between packing lunches, finding lost shoes, and getting everyone out the door on time, this 5-minute makeup routine gives you a fresh, polished look without taking over your morning. The best part? You don't need a bathroom full of products or a complicated routine to look put together. Each step is quick, easy to apply, and designed to do exactly what you need it to do. Here's how to get ready in five minutes or less. Step 1— Even it Out: Liquid Concealer Start with a little coverage where you need it most. A few swipes of Liquid Concealer help even the look of your skin without leaving behind a heavy or cakey finish. The creamy, plant-based formula contains vanilla, jojoba, and olive fruit oil to help nourish and support the skin. Use it under the eyes, around the nose, or anywhere you'd like a little extra coverage. You don't need to cover your entire face. Just apply where you want a little more evening out, blend with your fingertips, and move on to the next step. Shop Liquid Concealer → Step 2: Add Color — Tri-Stick 3-in-1 Cheek, Lip & Eye Tint Now it's time to add a little color. Tri-Stick makes this step simple because it's one stick with three ways to use it on your cheeks, lip and eyes. The buildable cream tint goes on easily with your fingers, so there's no need to reach for a brush or spend time blending multiple products. Swipe it onto your cheeks and blend, add a little to your lips, then tap a small amount onto your eyelids if you want a little extra color. It's a quick way to add dimension and warmth to your look without adding another five minutes to your morning. Shop Tri-Stick → Step 3: Define — Botanical Mascara A couple of coats of mascara can make a big difference when you're short on time. Botanical Mascara helps define and enhance your lashes, giving your eyes a more awake, finished look. The formula is enriched with Vitamin E, Rosemary, and Thyme extracts to help condition and care for your lashes as you wear it. Apply one or two coats, depending on how much definition you want. Shop Botanical Mascara → Step 4: Add Shine — Lip Gloss The finishing touch. One swipe adds effortless shine and pulls the whole look together. It's small enough to toss in your bag for a midday refresh, whether that's between school drop-off and the grocery run or right before you walk into a meeting. Shop Lip Gloss → Step 5: Mist & Set — Facial Mist + Setting Spray Once your makeup is finished, give everything a final mist with Facial Mist + Setting Spray. Use it as the last step in your routine to help set your makeup, or keep it with you for a refreshing spritz later in the day. Shop Facial Mist + Setting Spray → That's it: five products, five minutes, one routine that actually keeps up with your mornings. Add all five to your bag and you're covered for the season. No ten-step routine required.