My skin barrier cracked...and so did I 😵‍💫🧴

Hi beautiful, ☕️

Oh—it’s spring. 🌸

Which also means my skin is freaking out, my nose won't stop running (thanks allergies) and spring break…IYKYK 🤧 

So yeah—it’s been a week.

One part of me wants to crawl under a weighted blanket.

The other part?

Trying to be present, fix my face, and survive whatever seasonal allergy purgatory I’m in.

So today, we’re diving into:

• Why my skin barrier cracked (and the 5 things that saved it)

• Why do trees hate me so much? (and what’s been helping me survive allergy season)

• What my toddler taught me about guilt + being present (cue the emotional mic drop)

Let’s get into it. 👇 

My skin barrier is not okay 🫠 

My face went from glowy to dry, tight, shiny, and sad basically overnight.

I over-exfoliated. I skipped moisturizer.
I cranked the heat.
And boom—my skin barrier rage-quit.

Here’s how I got it back online:

1. I Simplified Everything. 💖 
   My skin was reacting to everything, so I broke up with my routine and went back to just this gentle cleanser (I went through a bottle already), a watery oil serum (healing & not greasy), and a strengthening ice ceramide moisturizer. Within a few days, my skin finally started to chill out.
   Tip: If your cleanser leaves your skin squeaky or tight, it’s probably stripping your barrier—switch to something calming and hydrating.
   

2. I Layered Hydration Like a Sandwich. 🥪 
   My skin wasn’t just dry—it was dehydrated, and layering this enriched water toner (will keep talking about this one because it’s that good), and this Japanese essence lotion (to protect & firm), made it feel instantly more plump and happy. It soaked everything in like a sponge.
   Tip: Apply each layer to slightly damp skin to lock in hydration more deeply and avoid transepidermal water loss (aka tight, crusty vibes).

3. I Added the Balm Back. 🌟 
   I had stopped using balm because I didn’t “need it”—but my skin was begging for it. I love this healing balm stick for reactive skin. One layer of this at night and the flakes, redness, and tightness calmed down fast.

   Tip: Press it into dry patches after moisturizer—especially around the nose, chin, and any irritated spots.

4. I Added a Barrier Repair Cream.
   This thick, creamy barrier repair cream was the game-changer that made my skin feel safe again. It stopped the stinging, calmed everything down, and brought back my glow.
   Tip: Use it as your final layer at night when your skin feels raw, sensitive, or just needs extra TLC.

5. I Reintroduced a Gentle Peeling Gel.
   Once my skin was calm, this enzyme peeling gel (no actual peeling, just leave on for 5 minutes and rinse off). It helped smooth out the rough texture and gave me back that healthy, post-flare glow. This one is so good!
   Tip: Use it just 1–2x a week only after your skin is fully healed—never during a flare-up, and always follow with barrier support.

Your skin won’t heal overnight—but give it the right conditions, and she will come back stronger.

My allergies are doing the most 🤧 

Every spring, like clockwork, my body forgets how to function.

Runny nose. Puffy eyes. Random hives.

And I always think I’m getting sick… but nope—just allergies being dramatic again.

I’ve had bad allergies since I was a kid. Like, oxygen tank + asthma attacks bad. Now? I still get totally knocked out for weeks every spring unless I’m on it.

Here’s what helps me not spiral:

• Rotate Antihistamines – so your body doesn’t build tolerance. I currently use Blexten which is a prescription medication, if your OTC meds don’t work, ask your doc for a stronger prescription to help with allergy season!
  

• Start Meds Early – don’t wait till you’re a sneezing mess.
  

• Freeze Your Pillowcases – weird but magical.
  

• Nasal Rinse Life – gross but clears out the drama. This rinse saves me! I use twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed.
  

• Vitamins Daily – quercetin, C, zinc, probiotic. Every. Single. Day.
  

• Humidifier - I love this cool mist humidifier for my allergies, and for when the kids get sick

Basically, I’ve accepted I’m allergic to spring. 🌸 

But at least now I’m not suffering through it like I used to.

“Can you play with me?” hits different

My 2.5-year-old says this to me all the time:

“Mama, come play with me!”

And it’s not just about toys or blocks. 🧸

It’s her way of saying,

I need you.
I want your attention.
I want you.

And wow… the guilt that hits when I hear that and realize I’m not actually present?
Immediate.

Because 9 times out of 10, I’m physically there…

But mentally juggling 25 tabs: Dinner, emails, laundry, Instagram DMs I forgot to answer, and whether I remembered to take my vitamins.

But recently, I saw a video from a child psychologist who said: If you can give your child 15-20 minutes of undivided attention a day—on their terms—it makes a massive difference.

That means:

• You don’t tell them what to play.

• You don’t direct the game.

• You just follow their lead and go all in.

15 minutes isn’t a lot of time. ⏲️ 

So I’ve been trying. With both my kids.

Sometimes it’s pretend tea parties.
Sometimes it’s Pokémon battles or stacking blocks in the exact wrong order.

But for those few minutes, I’m all there.

No multitasking.
No “just a second.”
No half-eye on the phone.

And honestly? I feel the shift. ❤️ 

In them—and in me.

Because when they ask “Can you play with me?”, they’re not asking for perfection. They’re asking for presence.

And that, I can give.

Thank you for being here and see you next week! 😘 

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xo Jen

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