Normal + Combination Toner

A glowing, healthy complexion doesn’t come from layering on every skincare product you can find. It starts with one simple thing: your skin barrier. If you’ve ever experienced dryness, irritation, or sudden sensitivity, your barrier may be trying to tell you something. The good news? With the right routine and ingredients, you can strengthen it for skin that looks balanced, resilient, and radiant. In this post, we’ll cover: What the skin barrier is (and why it matters) Signs your barrier may be damaged The best ingredients to support a healthy skin barrier How to build a skincare routine that keeps your barrier strong What is the skin barrier? Your skin barrier—also called the moisture barrier—is the outermost layer of your skin. Think of it as a protective shield that locks moisture in and keeps irritants out. When it’s healthy, your skin feels smooth, soft, and calm. When it’s compromised, you’ll notice dryness, redness, breakouts, and irritation. A strong skin barrier is the foundation of healthy skin. Without it, even the most expensive serums or moisturizers won’t deliver the results you’re looking for. What are the signs of a damaged skin barrier? Not sure if your barrier needs attention? Here are some of the most common signs: Persistent dryness or flakiness A tight, rough, or uneven texture Redness, irritation, or sensitivity More frequent breakouts Stinging or burning when applying products If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to shift your routine to focus on barrier repair and protection. What are the best ingredients for skin barrier repair? When it comes to strengthening your skin barrier, ingredients matter. At withSimplicity, we focus on clean, plant-based, and science-backed ingredients that support your skin’s natural defenses. Here are some of the best: Hyaluronic Acid – A powerful humectant that draws water into your skin, keeping it hydrated and plump. Squalane – A lightweight, non-comedogenic oil that mimics your skin’s natural sebum and prevents moisture loss. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) – Reduces redness, minimizes pores, evens skin tone, and reinforces barrier function. Goji Berry Extract – A superfruit rich in antioxidants and amino acids, helping to fight environmental damage and revitalize dull skin. Aloe Vera – Calms irritation, hydrates deeply, and supports a soothed, healthy-looking complexion. Lactobacillus Ferment – A probiotic ingredient that promotes hydration, strengthens the barrier, and supports overall skin resilience. What's the best skincare routine for strengthening the skin barrier? Strengthening your barrier isn’t just about what you use, but how you use it. Here’s a simple, barrier-friendly routine: Start with a Gentle CleanserHarsh cleansers can strip natural oils and damage your barrier. Stick with gentle, hydrating formulas. Moisturize DailyLook for moisturizers with hyaluronic acid, squalane, or ceramides to lock in hydration and support barrier repair. Our Barrier & Beyond Vitamin Water Serum combines all the ingredients you need to have a strong, supported barrier. Always Wear SunscreenUV rays are one of the biggest culprits in barrier damage. Daily SPF is a must—even on cloudy days. Exfoliate CarefullyOver-exfoliation is one of the quickest ways to weaken your barrier. Stick with gentle exfoliants and use them sparingly. Choose Clean, Thoughtful FormulasProducts that are free from harsh chemicals and formulated with barrier-supporting ingredients will keep your skin healthy long-term. The Bottom Line: Protect Your Barrier. Your skin barrier is the foundation of every glowing complexion. When you prioritize barrier health, your skin looks more radiant, feels calmer, and stays resilient against daily stressors. At withSimplicity, our clean skincare essentials are formulated with barrier-strengthening ingredients like niacinamide, goji berry extract, and hyaluronic acid—because healthy skin starts here. Ready to repair and protect your skin barrier naturally? Time to add Barrier & Beyond to your routine!

Many people dread skin aging. While there’s no way to reverse it, there are various ways to manage it. Natural ingredients offer a safe and effective way to reduce the signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines and skin thinning.Discover the science behind some of the most beloved natural ingredients to nurture your skin. What Happens to Skin as You Age? As you age, your skin loses fat and becomes less smooth. Your veins and bones are more pronounced, while cuts and scratches take longer to heal.Your pigment-containing cells, also known as melanocytes, decrease in number and increase in size. This is the reason why aging skin looks paler and thinner than before. Pigmented spots, called lentigos or liver spots, are more evident in sun-exposed areas.The most common signs include wrinkles, saggy skin and crow’s feet. Aside from age, several factors, such as lifestyle, genetics, personal habits and sun exposure, can contribute to signs of aging. While it’s impossible to reverse aging, many ways exist to prevent the early onset of symptoms. 5 Effective Natural Anti-Aging Ingredients With many people showing interest in anti-aging solutions, the skin care industry is projected to grow to about $145 billion in 2028. While cosmetic procedures such as Botox, non-surgical fat removal, chemical peels and fillers provide instant results, they come with expensive price tags, and are not best for those looking to lead a natural, more holistic lifestyle.Many people use natural anti-aging ingredients in their quest for a youthful appearance. They are less invasive, effective and relatively inexpensive than cosmetic procedures. Check out these ingredients that are scientifically proven to provide anti-aging properties. Green Tea A warm cup of green tea provides more than an energy boost in the afternoon. It contains polyphenols that provide anti-aging and gut benefits. It’s also known for its high levels of catechins, an antioxidant that helps delay biological aging. Aside from better complexion, it can help decrease the risk of heart disease.Consequently, applying cold green tea bags to your eye area can help reduce the appearance of dark circles and soothe red or bloodshot eyes.You can find green tea extract in our Normal + Combination Foaming Face Wash. Rosehip Oil In addition to being a famous botanical skincare ingredient, rosehip oil contains nutrients, essential fatty acids and antioxidants that help moisturize and hydrate the skin. It also helps protect your skin from harmful UV exposure, which significantly contributes to premature aging. Rosehip oil also helps reduce scars and fine lines.You can find rosehip oil in our Pro-Age Serum, one of our most loved and best-selling serums that helps soften the appearance of aging. Vitamin C This ingredient defends your skin against oxidative stress, which can result in dryness and deepening of wrinkles. Due to its anti-inflammatory benefits, it can also improve the appearance of acne scars. Ascorbic acid, l-ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside and ascorbyl palmitate are synthetic types of vitamin C usually found in skin care products. This nutrient is also found in nutritious foods, such as citrus fruits, bell peppers, broccoli, strawberries and kiwi.One of the best ways to infuse your skin with Vitamin C is through a mask! We've created two natural face masks just for this purpose: Fizz-C Vitamin C Lava Clay Mask and Lumi-hance Brightening Face Mask. Pomegranate Pomegranate is more than just a tasty fruit. It contains phytochemicals that provide protection against UVA and UVB-mediated cell damage, oxidative stress and DNA damage. It’s also an excellent source of vitamin C, a natural collagen-boosting ingredient. Drinking pomegranate juice or applying creams, moisturizers and sheet masks containing this fruit helps support your journey to youthful skin.You can also find pomegranate oil in our Pro-Age Serum, one of our most loved and best-selling serums that helps soften the appearance of aging. Bakuchiol This botanical ingredient is famed as a gentler alternative to retinoids, helping treat premature aging, acne and skin discoloration without the high risk of irritation. It helps reduce erasing fine lines and improves skin discoloration as retinol but with less risk of burning and peeling, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Find it in our Pro-Age Serum! This blog is written and contributed by Mia Barnes. Mia Barnes is a health and beauty freelance writer with a passion for clean and healthy living, skincare, and wellness. Mia is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine.

Summer is the season to burn, baby, burn, but not in a disco inferno. That angry redness appears on your face, shoulders or any body part exposed to the sun’s rays for too long. What happens to your skin when you get a sunburn, and what’s the best way to deal with it?Knowing how to soothe your burn brings relief. Furthermore, learning how sunburn influences photoaging and affects your disease risk can inspire you to protect yourself. What Is a Sunburn? A sunburn occurs when you expose your skin to too much of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Although you can feel heat or infrared radiation, the UV variety is not seen or felt. You won’t feel it during exposure, but you’ll quickly recognize the trouble once your skin becomes inflamed.There are two types of UV radiation you must worry about when spending the day at the beach: UVB Radiation: UVB rays penetrate just below the skin’s surface to your epidermis, where it creates the signature burn. UVA Radiation: UVA Rays go even deeper, all the way to your dermis, where they accelerate the aging process. The burn can sometimes reach this layer, requiring medical treatment and weeks to heal. It’s important to note that the sun can be helpful in small doses. For example, it spurs your body to produce natural vitamin D, a vital nutrient hormone that affects everything from your bones to your immune system.However, the sun’s UV rays have also gotten stronger over the past three decades, thanks to climate change. Even if you didn’t readily burn as a kid, you might now. Furthermore, damage can accumulate unseen, accelerating the aging process.If you want to dive deeper into how UV radiation affects the skin and what you can do to protect your skin, check out our blog about UV rays and mineral sunscreen. Do Sunburns Cause The Skin To Age Faster? Your skin’s cells repair themselves through oxidation. However, excess oxidative stress damages DNA within cells, affecting their ability to function as they should. Although you might not immediately see the damage to your dermis as it lies beneath the surface, you can develop brown spots, wrinkles, rough skin, redness and visible blood vessels over time.Additionally, UV radiation breaks down collagen and elastin, the stuff that gives skin its suppleness and plumpness. Your skin can start to look old, crepey and hollow and cut or tear more easily. What Is the Link Between Sunburn and Skin Cancer? The damage UV radiation does to your cells may lead to skin cancer. There are three common types of skin cancer: Basal Cell Squamos Cell Melanoma Melanoma is the most dangerous type, causing 7,990 deaths in 2023. It’s the most deadly because it can metastasize quickly, spreading to other parts of the body. Another severe, albeit rare, form is Merkel cell carcinoma, which occurs most frequently in fair-skinned individuals over 50 and is associated with the Merkel cell polyomavirus.However, basal and squamous cell skin cancers can also metastasize if left untreated. About 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with the sun’s radiation — it’s the most preventable risk factor. While prevention is your best cure, seeking medical treatment for prompt removal can decrease your risk of serious complications. What Are the Best After-Sun Gels for At-Home Sunburn Care? You had a little too much fun in the sun and ended up with a burn. It happens!Although nothing can cure a sunburn except time, the right care can minimize some of the damage by cooling the burn more quickly and encouraging healing. Cooling gels, like our After Sun Cooling Gel help to rehydrate skin, providing vital moisture to cells wrung dry by the rays. How to Prevent a Sunburn: 5 Tips to Stay Sun-Safe The best way to treat a sunburn is not to get one in the first place. However, that doesn’t mean you must live your life indoors. Follow these tips to stay sun safe and avoid getting burned:  Time your exposure: The sun’s rays are brightest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., although heat may linger longer. During the summer, strive to accomplish any outdoor chores early and remain indoors during the brightest part of the day. Always wear sunscreen: Choose a formula with an SPF of at least 30 or higher. Mineral sunscreens provide instant protection, although some acne-prone folks find they clog pores. Cover up: Wear loose-fitting, light-colored, breezy clothing made of breathable fabrics like cotton and linen. While it may sound counterintuitive, covering up with the right materials can seem cooler than exposing your bare skin to the sun while preventing sunburn. Check your medications: Certain medications and herbs increase photosensitivity — how quickly you burn. For example, many folks take St. John’s Wort for depression, but it can make you more sensitive to the sun. Prescription medications that increase photosensitivity include retinoids, antibiotics, antifungals, AHAs, antihistamines, oral