Is your skin barrier actually damaged — or is it just throwing a little tantrum? In this episode, Ella breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in skincare: how to tell the difference between temporary irritation and true barrier damage. You’ll learn what your barrier really is, how it protects you, the common mistakes that wreck it, and simple, science-backed steps to heal and strengthen your skin again.

🛍 Shop Ella’s Barrier-Safe Picks: ShopMyShelf Barrier Collection

💕 Connect with Ella:

• Instagram: @Your.Estie.Ella
• TikTok: @Your.Estie.Ella
• Clear by New Year Hub
• 1:1 Skin Consultations: Book Here

✨ If You Loved This Episode:

• Share it with a friend who’s overdoing their exfoliation!
• Tag Ella in your stories and let her know your biggest takeaway @your.estie.ella
• Leave a review — it helps more people learn how to simplify skincare the smart way.

🧴 Ingredients to Know

Surfactants (Cleansing Agents)

These are the ingredients that make cleansers foam and remove dirt, oil, and makeup. The right surfactant will cleanse without stripping your skin’s natural oils.

Gentle surfactants to look for:

• Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
• Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
• Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
• Coco-Glucoside / Decyl Glucoside
• Disodium / Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate

Stripping surfactants to avoid (especially as the first ingredient):

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
• Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
• TEA-Lauryl Sulfate

Humectants (Hydration Magnets)

Humectants are ingredients that attract and hold onto water in the skin — kind of like a sponge pulling moisture from your environment or your deeper skin layers. They keep your complexion plump, soft, and hydrated.

Common humectants to look for:

• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Beta-Glucan
• Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
• Sodium PCA

Soothing + Calming Ingredients

When your barrier is feeling sensitive or reactive, these ingredients help calm inflammation and support repair. They can be found in toners, serums, or moisturizers.

Soothing superstars:

• Centella Asiatica (Cica)
• Ectoin
• Allantoin
• Madecassoside
• Bisabolol
• Green Tea Extract
• PDRN (for advanced skin repair)

In today’s episode, we’ll walk through all four phases of the cycle — menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal — and break down what’s happening hormonally, how your skin tends to behave during each phase, and how to better support your skin and body with targeted care, foods, movement, supplements, and habits.

Whether you’re dealing with monthly breakouts, dullness, dryness, or inflammation — understanding your cycle can be the missing link in building a routine that actually works with your skin, not against it.

PLUS, this episode also marks the soft launch of my Clear by New Year Challenge, a free 90-day skin health reset starting October 1st. AND I’ve got the inside scoop on the Clearstem 23% off sitewide sale, happening Sept 29–30 only 👀

Join the Clear by New Year Challenge today!! Join HERE

Clear by New Year Bundle Flash Sale through Friday 10/3

ClearStem Flash Sale 9/29 & 9/30 23% off with code YOURESTIEELLA

Shop everything mentioned in this video here: https://shopmy.us/collections/2457168

Murad Acne Control Rapid Relief Acne Sulfur Mask: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26384657

TOPICALS | Clearly Clarifying & Calming Mask : https://go.shopmy.us/p-26384670

Mindbodyskin: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26384718

Mindbodyskin 2: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26384743

ZITSTICKA | Undercover: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26384755

Shop more of my favorite products here: https://shopmy.us/ellaelston

Today we’re diving into three powerhouse ingredients that are changing the game in skin health and rejuvenation: Ectoin, PDRN, and Growth Factors. These aren’t your everyday skincare buzzwords—they’re science-backed, clinically researched actives that are showing real promise in calming inflammation, repairing the skin barrier, and even supporting long-term anti-aging.

You’ll learn what the science says about their effectiveness, the best types of formulas to look for, and how they fit into a well-rounded skincare routine.

Whether you’re an esthetician, skincare enthusiast, or someone curious about the next generation of treatments, this episode will give you a clear, approachable understanding of these advanced ingredients—without the fluff.

Let's Work Together!

🌸 Services at a Glance

• Virtual Skin Analysis – 60 min consult + 5–7 page custom PDF.
• Express Skin Analysis – Intake form + 3–6 page personalized PDF.
• Coaching Call – 30 min Q&A (no full routine).
• Skin Boot Camp – 3 sessions over 3–6 months for long-term results.

Bundles ✨

• Skin Analysis + Coaching Call – Includes 60 min session + 30 min follow-up.
• Skin Success Series – Three 30 min coaching calls.

Shop everything mentioned in this video here: https://shopmy.us/collections/2430340

MEDIK8 | Liquid Peptides Advanced Face Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26105796

INNBEAUTY PROJECT | Elastic Skin Firming & Plumping Refillable Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26105805

DR. WHITNEY BOWE BEAUTY | Peptide + HA Plumping Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26105820

Ecto-Pdrn 10% Extreme Dose (1.014 Fl.oz) Korean Anti-Aging Serum With Vegan Pdrn, Ectoin & Panthenol : https://go.shopmy.us/p-26105883

BIODANCE | Rejuvenating Caviar PDRN Real Deep Mask: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26105890

ALLIES OF SKIN | Multi Peptides & Gf (Growth Factor) Advanced Lifting Serum: https://go.shopmy.us/p-26105910

Shop more of my favorite products here: https://shopmy.us/ellaelston