'I’ve Switched Out My 7-Step K-Beauty Routine' For This Under-$20 Serum
There are tons of reasons to wear SPF every day, but in case you needed another one, experts previously told HuffPost UK that UV exposure can damage the skin barrier . There are plenty of other reasons your skin barrier can become compromised too, including conditions like rosacea and psoriasis or temporary behaviors like over-exfoliating. If you've noticed that your skin has become dry, flaky, red or otherwise irritated (even to the point of stinging when applying skin care products), you could have a damaged skin barrier. Luckily, we found a serum reviewers are calling a "pink ranger to the rescue."
You might be familiar with The Ordinary , the budget-friendly skin care brand with no-frills packaging and a cult following. They're the brand behind the under-$10 "Botox in a bottle" argireline solution that we previously gave a HuffPost Shopping Award . They also make an unassuming $17 bottle called the Soothing & Barrier Support Serum , which contains a pink liquid serum formulated to repair a damaged skin barrier, reduce redness and boost hydration in just two hours.
Shoppers back up this claim, with one writing that the serum "starts soothing within the first hour for sure" and another saying their "redness usually goes away overnight." The formula includes hydrating and soothing ingredients you might recognize like ceramides, niacinamide and vitamin B12, along with centella asciatica phytotechnologies. Centella asciatica is an increasingly popular skin care ingredient, especially in the K-beauty realm — dermatologists previously told HuffPost that it can strengthen the skin barrier and calm redness and sensitivity.
The Soothing & Barrier Support Serum is simple to use: It's suitable for all skin types and can be applied day or night. All you need is a few drops. As always, make sure to patch test first before using it on your whole face. While you may be wary of the serum's bright pink color, reviewers say it "absorbs right in" without staining your face ( or your sheets ) pink.
The serum's ingredients are soothing and gentle on sensitive, compromised skin. Amazon
The serum's impact on damaged, irritated skin has been a game-changer for many shoppers, both those with chronic skin conditions and those just in a rough patch. One says it "works so good for my hand and face eczema," and another claimed , "I have spent hundreds if not thousand on reducing symptoms related to rosacea, eczma and contact dermatitis. This works by far the best!"
And, relevant for the season, people say it's "great on sunburned skin" so you can heal your skin barrier if you forgot to reapply SPF. One shopper wrote about their experience trying to use their daily glycolic toner after getting a minor sunburn. "Needless to say (or maybe necessary to say?!) I learned the hard way what a damaged skin barrier looks like," they wrote. "My breakouts got wild, they invited their friends, and the venue (my forehead, temples, and sides of nose) quickly reached capacity. Then [The Ordinary] Soothing & Barrier Support Serum shows up to the party and after a week of consistent use, it manages to kick almost all of the crazies out. What a literal nightmare, but with a happy ending."
If you have sensitive skin and have been noticing stinging, tightness or redness, it could be worth looking into whether your skin barrier has been damaged. While you may think of this serum as yet another step in your routine, it could make a major difference: One reviewer even said , "I've switched out my 7 step K beauty routine for just this." Below, you'll find more shoppers who are amazed at how this little pink serum that could has transformed their skin barrier.
"I love this serum when my face is in need of a little bit of barrier support TLC! It helps calm my skin from irritation, inflammation and redness. It feels really good on the skin and because it is pink it adds a pretty little glow . It is not sticky or greasy and has not caused me any irritation or breakouts...FYI - I do have semi sensitive skin. I know there's a lot of barrier support serums on the market, but this is definitely a great serum if you're on a budget. I definitely will be repurchasing again." — Ashley Marie ♥️
" Of the products I've tried on my sensitive, dry but acts like combination, middle aged skin, this has made the most difference. When my redness is more, it helps reduce the intensity of it, and helps the texture of my skin. My makeup still goes on well after putting this on, and this helps my skin retain moisture ." — Paula S.
" I've been trying to reintroduce vitamin A derivatives (retinol, retinal, etc.) into my skincare and if I get too aggressive my skin will react by all or a combination of turning red, feeling hot and itchy . Once I apply The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum my skin instantly feels soothed and no other product provides this relief . The consistency is pretty thick but it does absorb, and leaves your skin feeling a little tacky. I use it only at night and don't notice the pink color rubbing off on my white sheets ." — C. Lee
"I tried this first in a small size gifted from The Ordinary when I ordered some other products. I love it - terrific on my eczema sensitive skin. I've definitely seen in improvement in my 55+ year old skin . My mini is running low and couldn't be without it." — Customer
"I use it when my face is not in good shape like flaky or red. it really works. The redness usually goes away overnight and it helps with dry flaky skin . The serum is pink but don't let it scare you. It rubs in easily and calms the skin down." — tinymouse
The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.
Related...
Yahoo
