1. Feed Your Skin From the Inside Out For seven days, be really intentional about hydration and whole foods. Drink plenty of water or mineral-rich herbal teas (like nettle or hibiscus). Add glow-boosting foods: berries, leafy greens, avocados, bone broth, eggs, and healthy fats. 2. Simplify Your Routine For one week, cut back how many products you are using on your skin and stick to a simple, natural, toxin free skincare routine: Cleanse with a gentle natural cleanser (oil-cleansers works beautifully). Treat the skin with a skin barrier safe serum (rosehip, plum, and jojoba are all wonderful). Moisturize with something rich in essential omega fatty acids (like tallow or emu oil). 3. Exfoliate (Just a Little!) Choose one gentle exfoliation session during the week: Facial dry brushing Gentle kaolin grains Lactic acid Don’t overdo it however! One or two light sessions help brighten the skin without stressing it. 4. Support Your Lymph + Circulation Do a little facial massage for 2–3 minutes each night using a natural oil or tallow balm. Use upward strokes, gentle pressure, and move from center outward. Even dry brushing your body for a minute or two helps with overall glow and softness. Improved circulation = natural radiance. 5. Prioritize Deep Rest Your skin literally repairs itself while you sleep (there’s a reason it’s called beauty sleep!)For the next seven nights: Keep your room cool and dark. Limit screens before bedtime. Create a nighttime ritual that signals your body to wind down. Even a few nights of truly restful sleep makes your complexion look calmer and more radiant. 6. Stress Offloading Stress hormones can dull your skin in a surprising way, so giving your nervous system some love is key.You might try: A warm bath with natural salts. Journaling to clear your mind. A few minutes of stretching. Deep breathing or grounding outside. 7. Red light therapy If you have access to a red light panel, handheld light, or even a small mask, adding a few minutes a day can boost your skin’s glow quickly. Red light encourages cellular repair, supports collagen, calms inflammation, and improves circulation — all without chemicals or irritation. Use it on clean skin for 5–10 minutes a day this week.  

We live in a world where it feels like every other ad is promising “flawless skin in 5 days,” “anti-aging injections,” or “the secret to youthful glow without effort.” But here’s the truth: your skin barrier health matters more than Botox, fillers, or fancy serums ever will. Your skin barrier is your body’s built-in protection system and when it’s healthy, it naturally gives you a plump, hydrated, radiant glow. What Exactly Is Your Skin Barrier? Your skin barrier is a protective layer keeps moisture in and toxins, pollution, and bacteria out. When your barrier is healthy, your skin: Feels soft, hydrated, and resilient Looks naturally plump and smooth Heals faster from blemishes or irritation Doesn’t overreact to products or weather changes But when it’s damaged your skin can’t protect or repair itself properly.   What Causes a Damaged Skin Barrier Your skin barrier is strong, but it’s not invincible. Everyday habits and environmental factors can slowly wear it down without you even realizing it. Here are some of the most common culprits: 1. Harsh Cleansers & Over-washing If your face feels “squeaky clean” after washing, that’s not a good thing. Stripping away your natural oils weakens your protective layer and leaves skin dry, tight, and sensitive. 2. Over-Exfoliation Acids, scrubs, and retinol can all be wonderful when used correctly, but too much, too often, can erode your barrier. It’s like sanding a beautiful wooden table every day instead of polishing it occasionally. 3. Synthetic Fragrances & Harsh Chemicals Many commercial skincare products are loaded with artificial fragrances, alcohols, and preservatives that irritate your skin. These ingredients might make products smell “fancy,” but they’re often the reason for redness, dryness, and breakouts. 4. Environmental Stressors Cold wind, sun exposure, pollution, and even indoor heating can dry out your skin and cause tiny cracks in the barrier, especially if it’s already compromised. 5. Inflammatory Diet & Stress Your skin is a reflection of what’s happening inside your body. A diet high in sugar, processed foods, or seed oils can inflame your skin. And chronic stress raises cortisol, which weakens your barrier and slows healing.   Signs of a Damaged Skin Barrier Most people have no idea their skin barrier is compromised, and instead, they chase quick fixes.Here are some telltale signs your skin barrier needs love: Flaky or rough texture Tightness or burning after washing your face Increased sensitivity to products Redness or irritation Breakouts that seem random or unprovoked Dullness, even after moisturizing If this is you, or if you simply want to maintain a strong skin barrier, what can you do?   Why a Healthy Barrier Outshines Botox Botox temporarily paralyzes muscles to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It can smooth your skin for a season, but it doesn’t actually improve the health of your skin. Here’s why your barrier matters more: It controls hydration. Without a strong barrier, moisture evaporates quickly, leading to dryness, fine lines, and loss of elasticity. It protects against inflammation. Many signs of aging (like dullness and wrinkles) are actually caused by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Both are made worse when your barrier is weak. It promotes natural collagen production. Healthy, nourished skin can repair itself and maintain firmness naturally. It creates a genuine glow. Botox might smooth wrinkles, but only a strong barrier gives you that dewy, radiant, glow that comes from within.   How to Strengthen Your Skin Barrier Naturally Here are some nontoxic, natural ways to start: Switch to a gentle, natural cleanser. Avoid foaming cleansers that strip away oils. Look for ones made with nourishing ingredients like seabuckthorn, castor, or jojoba oil. Moisturize with barrier-supportive fats. Tallow-based creams are incredibly rich in the same fatty acids found in human skin. They lock in moisture and restore your natural lipid balance. Treat the skin with clean plant based serums. We love oils like frankincense, carrot seed, reship, and plum oil. If you need extra plumping benefits, we have a clean hyaluronic acid serum with snow mushroom and Vitamin B5. Avoid artificial fragrances. These are some of the biggest irritants and can weaken your barrier over time. Choose products that are artificial fragrance free and scented only with pure oils. Stop over-exfoliating. You don’t need daily scrubs or acids. Let your skin’s microbiome stay balanced. Stick to exfoliating a maximum of 3 times a week. Feed your skin from the inside out. Eat healthy fats like avocado, salmon, and olive oil. Your skin barrier is made of lipids, after all!   When you focus on nourishing your skin barrier, you’re choosing long-term beauty over short-term fixes. A strong, healthy barrier means your skin can protect, heal, and glow all on its own. Choosing gentle, natural, and artificial fragrance free products allows your skin to thrive.

We all want glowing, youthful skin that feels soft, hydrated, and healthy. But sometimes, the things we’re exposed to every day—like sunlight, stress, and dryness—quietly speed up the aging process. The good news? Once you understand what causes your skin to age faster, you can take simple, natural steps to protect and restore it. Let’s talk about the top three culprits that age skin—and what you can do instead to keep your complexion radiant and healthy.   1. Sun Damage What happens:Over time, too much unprotected sun exposure breaks down collagen and elastin (the proteins that keep your skin firm and bouncy). This leads to fine lines, wrinkles, uneven tone, and pesky sun spots. What to do instead:You don’t have to avoid the sun completely - our bodies need it for vitamin D and mood balance! However you can protect your skin naturally. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, seek shade during peak hours, nourish your skin both inside and out with foods and oils rich in antioxidants and healthy fats that help defend against sun damage. How to protect naturally:Our Pomegranate Glow Serum is rich in pomegranate and red raspberry seed oils, both known for their rich antioxidant properties that fight damaging free radicals. These oils also help by providing essential fatty acids and vitamin E that repair and strengthen skin cells. Follow with our Fresh Face Cream, made with ingredients including propolis, frankincense, and lavender, to seal in moisture and calm sun-stressed skin. Propolis helps repair and regenerate tissue, while frankincense firms and tones, and lavender soothes and balances.   2. Dehydration What happens:Dry air, harsh cleansers, hormonal changes, and not drinking enough water can all lead to dehydration. When skin lacks moisture, it looks dull and tight, and fine lines appear more noticeable. Over time, chronic dryness can weaken your skin barrier and accelerate visible aging. What to do instead:Focus on hydration from the inside out—drink plenty of clean water, eat hydrating foods, and lock in moisture with a natural, barrier-loving moisturizer. Both our Fresh Face Cream and Blue Beauty Cream are formulated to deeply moisturize stressed and dehydrated skin. It’s made with pure tallow and nourishing oils that create a breathable barrier to prevent water loss, keeping your skin soft, smooth, and glowing all day long.   3. Inflammation What happens:Ongoing inflammation is one of the biggest hidden causes of skin aging. It silently breaks down collagen and slows cell renewal, leading to dullness, fine lines, and uneven texture. Inflammation can be triggered by many things like processed foods, harsh skincare products, or stress. It can show up as redness, irritation, acne, or sensitivity, and when it becomes chronic, it can damage your skin cells and accelerate aging. What to do instead:The key is to soothe and strengthen your skin’s natural defenses. Choose nontoxic, fragrance free, chemical free skincare that supports balance rather than stripping your skin. Our Blue Beauty Cream is one of our favorite go-to’s for this as it is formulated to calm inflammation naturally. This face creams use tallow, propolis, emu oil, and blue tansy flower oil to create a blend that reduces redness, and restores a soft, even tone. Used daily, it calms inflammation while nourishing your skin from within. While aging is natural, premature aging doesn’t have to be. By protecting your skin from sun damage, staying hydrated, and reducing inflammation, you’re giving it the best chance to thrive.   Pretty Farm Girl’s tallow-based creams are a simple, time-tested way to nourish your skin. Each jar is handmade, toxin free, artificial fragrance free, and full of nutrient-rich ingredients that truly feed your skin.