Simple Changes, Big Impact: My Skincare Journey and Tips for Healthier Skin

Hey Simple Body Fam,

It’s Emily here from Simple Body! 💛 I wanted to open up and share my personal skincare journey with you. A while back, I had a really tough time with my skin after using a prescription retinoid cream. It left me with extreme dryness, sensitivity, irritation, and relentless itchiness for months. I felt so frustrated and helpless—no matter what I tried, nothing seemed to help.

If you’ve ever experienced symptoms like redness, inflammation, dryness, flakiness, itchiness, rough or uneven texture, or even breakouts, you might be dealing with a disrupted skin barrier too. It’s so common, but it can feel overwhelming when you don’t know how to fix it.

I was using a 10+ step skincare routine, hoping it would bring some relief, but honestly, it felt like I was doing more harm than good. That’s when I decided to simplify everything and go back to basics. I focused on repairing my skin barrier with just a few gentle products—Barrier Defense and Brighten + Boost. Within a few weeks, I started to notice a change—my symptoms were finally easing up, and my skin was beginning to heal.

But here’s the thing: it wasn’t just the products that made a difference. I also had to make a few healthy lifestyle changes that really supported my skin’s recovery. Here are some simple but effective tips that helped me along the way:

1. Use a Clean Towel Every Time You Wash Your Face

It sounds like a small thing, but using a fresh, clean towel each time you cleanse your face is so important. Bacteria and dirt from a used towel can irritate already sensitive skin, so keeping it fresh helps reduce the chance of breakouts and inflammation.

2. Keep Your Pillowcases Clean

I can’t stress this enough—make sure you’re washing your pillowcases regularly. Your face spends hours against that fabric every night, and any build-up of oil, sweat, or bacteria can cause irritation and breakouts. I now change mine at least twice a week, and it’s made a noticeable difference!

3. Clean Your Phone Often

Our phones touch so many surfaces and pick up so much bacteria throughout the day. If you’re like me and tend to hold your phone against your face, make sure you’re wiping it down with a disinfectant regularly. Trust me, it’s a game changer when it comes to keeping your skin clear!

4. Wash Your Hands Often (And Avoid Touching Your Face!)

This is one of the hardest habits to break, but it’s so important. Our hands carry dirt and bacteria that can easily transfer to our face. Washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your face as much as possible can really help keep your skin barrier healthy and clear.

5. Diet Matters! Identify your personal Triggers!

I also discovered that my skin triggers included refined sugars. Reducing sugar intake made a big difference in my skin’s appearance. Instead, I focused on filling my plate with plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. These are packed with vitamins and antioxidants that support skin health from the inside out.

6. Try a Skin-Boosting Juice Recipe

One of my favorite ways to get a daily dose of skin-loving nutrients is through juicing. Here’s a simple recipe for a skin-boosting juice that I love:

Glow Juice Recipe 🌿

• 1 cucumber (hydrating and anti-inflammatory)
• 2 carrots (rich in beta-carotene, which helps promote healthy skin)
• 1 apple (for a touch of sweetness and added vitamin C)
• 1/2 lemon (for detoxifying properties)
• A handful of spinach (packed with vitamins A, C, and E)
• A small piece of ginger (anti-inflammatory benefits)

Instructions:

1. Wash all the ingredients thoroughly.
2. Juice the cucumber, carrots, apple, spinach, and ginger.
3. Squeeze in the juice from the half lemon and stir well.
4. Pour into a glass, sip, and enjoy the glow from within!

This juice is packed with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients that work wonders for the skin. I try to incorporate it into my routine a few times a week to give my skin that extra boost!

7. Be Patient—Results Don’t Happen Overnight

This is a big one. When my skin was at its worst, I wanted a quick fix. But the truth is, healing takes time. It wasn’t an overnight miracle; it took weeks for me to start seeing results and months for my skin to fully recover. The biggest lesson I learned is that patience is key. Your skin needs time to rebuild and restore its natural balance.

After simplifying my routine and sticking with these healthy habits, my skin has never felt better. 🌼 I’ve even included some before and after photos from November to early January, so you can see the difference for yourself. Sometimes, small changes and consistency really do make a big impact!

If you’re struggling with sensitive skin, know that you’re not alone. The skin barrier is so important, and when it’s compromised, it can feel like nothing works. That’s why I’m so excited about our Sensitive Skin Supporting Kit! 🎉 It’s designed with the same products that helped me rebuild my skin barrier and find relief. Sometimes, less really is more when it comes to skincare.

Thank you for being part of the Simple Body family. I’m here cheering you on, and I know you can get your skin feeling great again! 💛

xoxo,
Emily