Picture this:
It’s a Wednesday morning, the kind where your coffee hasn’t kicked in, your reflection looks suspiciously like it hasn’t slept since 2012, and your skin feels about as hydrated as a week-old raisin. You rummage through your skincare stash, hoping for a miracle, but most bottles are just… meh.
Then—like a rom-com plot twist—you meet two products that change everything. Not because they promise to make you 22 again, or because they smell like a dessert you can’t pronounce, but because they get you. They understand that your skin doesn’t want drama—it wants care.
Welcome to the world of Blue Dew and Pro-Age Serum from withSimplicity, a woman-owned brand tucked in the scenic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia that’s quietly making waves in the clean beauty world. And when I say “clean,” I don’t just mean “sort of natural with a leafy logo.” I mean no parabens, no synthetic fragrances, no dyes, no harsh chemicals, and not even a whisper of animal byproducts. Just pure, hand-crafted, small-batch, ethically sourced goodness that makes your skin—and your conscience—feel good.
Why “Pro-Age” Beats “Anti-Age” Any Day
Let’s get one thing straight: this is not about erasing years from your face. Frankly, your years are your story, and they’re gorgeous. Pro-Age skincare is about supporting your skin so it can thrive at any stage, the same way you’d water a plant you actually want to keep alive (looking at you, forgotten fern in the corner).
Irina Dovganetskiy, the master esthetician and mom behind withSimplicity, saw a major gap in the market: people who wanted results and ingredients they could pronounce. She built a line that proved “natural” doesn’t have to mean “less effective.” And two of her star players—Blue Dew and Pro-Age Serum—are living proof.
Blue Dew — The Cool Kid of Moisturizers
When you first meet Blue Dew Beauty Balm, your brain does a double-take.
It’s… blue. Like “mermaid lagoon” blue. But this isn’t some artificial color pulled from a chemistry lab—it’s courtesy of blue tansy essential oil, a botanical so soothing it practically hums a lullaby to your skin.
Blue tansy is a powerhouse antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, perfect for calming redness, dialing down irritation, and generally helping your skin find its Zen. Combine that with vitamins A, C, and E (aka the Avengers of skincare) plus camellia oleifera seed oil, and you’ve got yourself a moisturizer that works harder than a barista on Monday morning.
The Texture
It’s a balm, not a cream—which means no water in the formula. Translation: every single drop is active. You only need a teeny, pea-sized amount, and it melts into your skin like butter on warm toast. Except, unlike butter, it won’t clog your pores or leave you greasy. Instead, you get a soft, dewy finish that makes you look like you’ve been drinking 8 glasses of water a day and sleeping like royalty (even if you haven’t).
Who Needs Blue Dew?
- Dry skin warriors
- Redness strugglers
- Sensitive skin folks who’ve been burned (literally or figuratively) by harsh moisturizers
- Anyone chasing that “healthy glow” without glitter, shimmer, or trick lighting
When to Use
Morning, night, pre-makeup, post-sun exposure… basically whenever your skin needs a pep talk.
Pro-Age Serum — Nature’s Gentle Retinol
If Blue Dew is the comfort blanket, Pro-Age Serum is the personal trainer—firm, supportive, and always pushing you toward your best self.
The star ingredient here is bakuchiol, often called “nature’s retinol.” But before you picture peeling, redness, and hiding from sunlight like a skincare vampire—stop. Bakuchiol gives you the same benefits as retinol (smoother skin, fewer fine lines, more even tone, boosted elasticity) without the irritation.
Why It Works
Bakuchiol comes from the babchi plant and has been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries. Here, it’s joined by rosehip seed oil, which is rich in vitamin A and essential fatty acids for skin regeneration, plus frankincense, ylang ylang, and rose oils—all potent anti-inflammatories and antioxidants that smell like a high-end spa treatment.
The texture is silky, golden, and light. One pump glides over your skin, sinking in almost instantly, leaving no residue—just a subtle glow that whispers, “Yes, I am this radiant naturally.”
Who Needs Pro-Age Serum?
- Anyone curious about retinol but too scared of the “ugly phase”
- People with sensitive skin who want real anti-aging results without compromise
- Those looking to prevent signs of aging before they start knocking at the door
When to Use
Nighttime is ideal, but you can also use it in the morning under SPF. In fact, the bakuchiol + sunscreen combo is a bit of a skin health dream team.
The withSimplicity Difference
Now, here’s the kicker: these products are not just skin-deep. Every jar and bottle is made by hand in small batches in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. That means your Blue Dew and Pro-Age Serum were likely mixed, poured, and labeled by an actual human who cares about the final result—not cranked out by a machine in a warehouse that smells like plastic.
They’re also part of a bigger mission. Through the brand’s “Polish with a Purpose” program, every nail polish sold helps feed someone in need via the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. So, your skincare routine? It’s feeding your skin and your community.
How to Make These Two Products Your Skin’s Power Couple
Here’s my personal, tried-and-true routine for the chef’s kiss glow:
- Cleanse — Something gentle and hydrating, no skin-stripping allowed.
- Pro-Age Serum — 2-3 drops pressed into damp skin. Let it fully absorb (30 seconds).
- Blue Dew — A pea-sized amount, warmed between fingertips, then patted into skin.
- SPF — If it’s daytime, don’t skip this. Bakuchiol plays nice with the sun, but your skin will thank you for the extra protection.
The serum works at a cellular level to improve tone, texture, and firmness over time, while the balm seals in moisture and creates that coveted lit-from-within glow. Together? They’re like the skincare version of peanut butter and jelly—different, but magical when combined.
Your Skin’s Future, Minus the Fear
The beauty industry loves a bit of fear-mongering—wrinkles! sagging! pores!—but withSimplicity flips the script. They’re not here to scare you into buying products. They’re here to help you celebrate your skin as it is, while giving it the nutrients, antioxidants, and hydration it needs to age like fine wine (or, if you’re not into wine, like your favorite leather jacket that just gets cooler over time).
Blue Dew says, “Hey, I’ve got your back, let’s keep you soft and happy.”
Pro-Age Serum says, “Let’s keep everything strong, lifted, and radiant, shall we?”
And your skin? It just says, “Thank you.”
The Bottom Line
There are thousands of moisturizers and serums out there, but very few that tick all these boxes:
- 100% natural, ethically sourced ingredients
- Handcrafted in small batches
- No toxins, no animal testing, no greenwashing
- Proven results without irritation
- Woman-owned and community-focused
Blue Dew and Pro-Age Serum don’t just work—they work with your skin, not against it. They let you ditch the harsh, overly complicated routines and replace them with a couple of power players that actually make a difference.
So the next time your skin’s feeling parched, tired, or just plain meh, remember: sometimes the simplest solutions are the most powerful. And in this case, they also happen to come in the prettiest little jars.
