How My Sensitive Skin Inspired a Brand New Way of Looking at Things

For as long as I can remember, my skin and I have had a complicated relationship. 

As a child, I suffered from eczema. As a teenager, it was relentless acne. And by the time I hit my thirties, I was juggling both eczema flare-ups and breakouts. It felt like my skin was at war with itself—and no matter what I did, nothing seemed to give me lasting relief.

I tried everything, from expensive facials and dermatologist visits to steroid creams and antibiotics. For a while, they’d work. My skin would calm down, and I’d have hope that maybe this time, the solution was here to stay. 

But inevitably, the problems would return. It was exhausting, not just for my skin, but for my confidence too. It felt like I was in a never-ending battle of trial and error.

A Journey Back to Simplicity

It wasn’t until I hit a breaking point that I realized I needed to do something different—something that aligned more with what my skin was telling me, rather than what I was constantly trying to force it into.

It sounds cliché, but I came to understand that my skin wasn’t the enemy—it was just trying to communicate with me. It was asking for something simple, authentic, and natural.

One day, my husband, who grew up in France where natural skincare is a way of life, suggested I try making my own products. I was skeptical at first. I had spent years using products with long lists of ingredients—how could a simple, homemade recipe be the solution? But with nothing to lose, I gave it a go.

When I first started experimenting, I’ll admit, I was a little too ambitious. 

My initial facial oil concoction had far too many ingredients because I believed that "the more, the merrier." Unfortunately, my skin didn’t agree—it reacted badly, and I was left with red, irritated skin for hours. That’s when I realized the power of the phrase "less is more." 

I decided to go back to basics and simplify my approach, creating a blend of organic argan, chaulmoogra, and soothing essential oils. This time, my skin soaked it up, and the results were almost immediate. 

It was as if my skin had been waiting for something simple and nourishing all along.

That blend eventually became the foundation of my personal skincare routine and, in time, evolved into what we now call InstaGlow Brightening Beauty Oil. It was a key turning point that shaped how I look at skincare—not just for myself, but for the brand that would become Oasis: Beauty Kitchen and, later, Postcard.

The Power of Simplicity and Trusting Your Skin

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of battling skin issues, it’s that sometimes, less really is more. 

The beauty industry often tells us that the more steps we add to our routine and the more products we buy, the better our skin will be. But my own experience—and the experiences of many others—has shown me that our skin is smarter than we give it credit for.

Your skin is highly intelligent. It knows how to heal itself, how to balance itself, and how to protect itself when given the right environment. 

Sometimes, that means stripping back to the basics—finding ingredients that nourish rather than overwhelm, and giving your skin space to breathe. Instead of chasing after every new product or trend, it’s about finding what works for you.

This approach to skincare isn’t just about achieving perfect skin; it’s about learning to trust the signals your body sends you. 

We’re constantly bombarded with marketing that tells us we need more—more products, more routines, more complexity. But I’ve found that going back to simplicity can be the most powerful thing you can do for your skin.

Modern-Day Challenges to Keeping It Simple

That’s not to say it’s easy to take a step back in today’s world. 

We live in an era of overwhelming choice, where there’s a serum or cream for everything, and skincare trends change faster than we can keep up with. 

From 10-step routines to the latest in skincare tech, we’re constantly bombarded with products promising miraculous results. But the more we chase after perfection, the more we risk losing sight of what our skin actually needs.

One of the biggest challenges we face today is learning to cut through the noise. 

The skincare market is saturated with information—and misinformation. As consumers, we’ve been trained to believe that more ingredients and more steps equal better results, but science tells us otherwise. 

Studies show that overcomplicating our skincare routines can actually lead to irritation, barrier damage, and breakouts, especially for those with sensitive skin like mine.

Then there’s the impact of modern-day stress. 

Between long hours at work, lack of sleep, and environmental pollutants, our skin has a lot to deal with on its own. Add to that complex routines filled with products that don’t align with our skin’s needs (especially for our face), and it’s no wonder so many of us are struggling with skin issues.

Exploring What Works for You: Enjoying the Process

What I’ve learned is that skincare is a deeply personal journey—and it’s one that’s meant to be enjoyed. 

Whether it’s making a tiny shift like switching to a simpler moisturizer or a complete lifestyle change like adopting natural products, the process is just as important as the results. It’s about finding joy in the small moments of self-care, knowing that you’re doing what’s best for your skin and your body.

For me, that meant letting go of perfectionism. 

I had to stop comparing my skin to the flawless, airbrushed images I saw online. Instead, I focused on what made my skin feel good—products that were simple, natural, and aligned with my body’s needs. 

It wasn’t an overnight change, and there were moments of frustration, but ultimately, it was a shift that brought peace, not just to my skin, but to my relationship with myself.

Scientific Support for Simplicity

Interestingly, there’s science to back up the idea that simplifying your skincare can lead to better results. 

Dermatologists have long advocated for a “less is more” approach, especially for people with sensitive or reactive skin. Studies show that using too many products at once—especially those containing active ingredients like retinoids or acids—can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier, making it more susceptible to irritation and inflammation.

In fact, the skin barrier is a crucial part of our skin’s defense system. 

When it’s healthy, it locks in moisture and keeps irritants out. But when we overload it with too many products, especially those with harsh chemicals or preservatives, we risk damaging this protective layer. The result? Sensitivity, breakouts, and flare-ups.

Simplifying your routine, on the other hand, helps protect your skin barrier. 

By focusing on gentle, nourishing ingredients that work in harmony with your skin, you give it the tools it needs to heal, hydrate, and thrive. This is especially important in today’s world, where pollution, stress, and modern lifestyles already put extra pressure on our skin.

A Lifestyle, Not Just a Routine

What started as a personal experiment to heal my own skin has turned into something much bigger—a new way of looking at beauty, health, and well-being. 

At Postcard, we focus on products that are simple, natural, and sustainable, but the message goes beyond skincare. It’s about embracing a lifestyle that aligns with what’s right for your body, your mind, and the planet.

That might mean making small changes—switching to natural ingredients, simplifying your routine, or even rethinking the way you approach self-care. Or it could mean embracing a larger shift, like adopting a more sustainable lifestyle that benefits both you and the environment. 

Whatever your journey looks like, it’s about finding what works for you and enjoying the process along the way.

We’re all on this journey together—learning, growing, and discovering new ways to take care of ourselves. For me, it’s been a journey that started with my skin but has led to a whole new way of seeing the world. And I hope it’s a journey that inspires you to look at things in a brand new way, too.