Olivia Munn’s dry skin hack is free and will leave you feeling like a dewy goddess
After moving to Green Bay, Wisconsin, the actress says she started to suffer from dry skin. But she quickly found a solution that not only keeps her dermis hydrated, but helps her feel better head to toe.
Olivia Munn’s dry skin hack is free and will leave you feeling like a dewy goddess
After moving to Green Bay, Wisconsin, the actress says she started to suffer from dry skin. But she quickly found a solution that not only keeps her dermis hydrated, but helps her feel better head to toe.
You’ve got your skin-care routine down with serum, milky cleanser, and toner, but then without warning, your skin starts revolting: It’s dry, flaky, and irritated, and you have no idea why. This is not a problem that spares the famous folks of Tinseltown, either. Even dewy-skinned goddess Olivia Munn suffers from dry skin.
She told Byrdie that after moving to Green Bay, Wisconsin, a few years ago, she found a solution. No, not fancy products, but rather the most simple (and free) essential out there: H2O. Yep, plain old (non-lemon-infused) water.
“I think the biggest thing is I upped my water intake. You need water to look young and to lubricate your joints and your face.” —Olivia Munn
“I think the biggest thing is I upped my water intake. You need water to look young and to lubricate your joints and your face,” she says. “I do three liters a day, which is hard.” (And to minimize the daunting physical stature of giant one-liter bottles, Munn said she instead opts to drink from six smaller containers.)
Everyone knows about the basic keeps-you-alive properties of drinking water, but Munn claims imbibing so. much. water. did much more for her body. “Water helps kick up your metabolism [and] helps you keep weight off,” she said, adding that you can even take things a step further with a strategic selection of vitamins and hyaluronic acid, which she said is vital “to help carry that water to your skin.”
But as a general rule of thumb, according to some nutritionists, the amount of water you drink every day should be based on your body weight: Divide your weight in half, and that’s how much you should aim to down in ounces.
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I recently attended QVC's Master Beauty Class, and one thing immediately caught my attention: Nearly every skincare brand was spotlighting a cleansing balm. From luxe, spa-like formulas to minimalist, skin-first options, these oil-based cleansers are clearly having a moment. As someone who’s tested my fair share of face washes (gel, foam, cream, et al), I wanted to understand why cleansing balms, in particular, are surging in popularity right now.
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Naturally, I turned to board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, FAAD, for the scoop. According to Dr. King, cleansing balms aren’t just a trendy alternative to your standard face wash—they’re an effective, skin-loving way to cleanse, especially for those dealing with skin concerns (read: me, especially this winter).
While some traditional cleansers contain ingredients that can strip the skin, cleansing balms take a gentler approach, dissolving makeup and impurities, she says. Rooted in the principle of "like dissolves like," their oil-based formulas bind to excess sebum, sunscreen, and long-wear makeup, melting everything away without compromising hydration.
Opening a cleansing balm jar for the first time can feel a little intimidating—I know I was confused by the solid texture at first, but they’re surprisingly easy to use. "Apply a small amount of balm to dry skin," Dr. King says. "Massage gently in circular motions all over the face, then add warm water to emulsify and continue to massage. Rinse with cool water and pat dry."
And while cleansing balms have long been a staple in double-cleansing skincare routines (hello, Korean beauty enthusiasts), they’re now earning their place as standalone cleansers, thanks to innovative formulas that rinse clean without any greasy residue left behind. Whether you have sensitive skin, love a good makeup melt moment, or simply want a more nourishing way to cleanse, there’s a balm with your name on it. If you’re ready to hop on the cleansing balm bandwagon, these three standout picks from QVC belong in your cart ASAP.
If your skin throws a fit every time the weather changes (or, you know, seemingly just to annoy you), this soothing cleansing balm is the one to reach for, according to Dr. King. Packed with antioxidant powerhouses like ginger and turmeric, it can help temporarily reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while melting away makeup and excess oil. Plus, it’s spiked with nourishing avocado and jojoba oils to leave skin feeling soft and balanced—not tight or stripped—and smells *amazing*. “I also like that this formulation contains lactic acid and azelaic acid to gently exfoliate the skin,” Dr. King says. Consider this your new skin-soothing security blanket.
For those whose skin has, ahem, seen things (think: stress, over-exfoliation, winter winds), this non-irritating balm is here to save the day. Formulated with Japanese indigo extract, which Dr. King says is known for its calming properties, it works to soothe redness and improve the skin barrier while effortlessly washing away whatever your skin faced that day. Bonus: The silky texture melts in like butter but rinses off clean—no greasy residue left behind, just happy, hydrated skin.
A spa day in a jar (and a travel-friendly mini to match), this fan-favorite balm is beloved for a reason. Infused with a blend of nine essential oils—including lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus—it transforms your nightly cleanse into a full-on aromatherapy experience. ”The formulation contains multiple humectants like glycerin and hydrolyzed collagen to hydrate the skin, as well as emollients like sweet almond oil, triglycerides, shea butter, and jojoba seed oil to [help] support the skin barrier, and occlusives like beeswax and coconut oil to lock in moisture,” Dr. King says. It starts as a rich balm, melts into an oil, then emulsifies into a milky cleanse that lifts away impurities like a dream. Whether you’re at home or on the go, this duo keeps your skin feeling fresh, plump, and oh-so-glowy.
Note: Prices taken at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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