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There’s a reason Molly Sims always seems to glow from the inside out, and it’s not just great lighting. The model, actress, entrepreneur, and founder of YSE Beauty has spent years refining what it really means to care for your skin and yourself from a place of balance rather than burnout. After decades in the beauty industry, Molly’s perspective has shifted from chasing instant results to championing what she calls “efficacy without messing up the barrier.”

In our conversation, Molly opens up about the “aha” moment that changed her entire approach to skincare, the importance of exfoliation in your thirties and forties, and the gentle science behind her cult-favorite Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads. Beyond beauty, she shares her daily supplement rituals, her “Dria Water” morning mix, and the boundaries that keep her grounded as a mom, founder, and host of Lipstick on the Rim.

Living Well with Molly Sims

YSE Beauty was born out of years of research and experimentation. Can you walk us through one “aha” moment in product development, a discovery that changed how you think about what skin really needs? I used to think that if my skin was red and angry at least it was a sign that a product’s working… 

Now, I’m all about figuring out how to deliver powerhouse ingredients in a gentle way. It helped me break the cycle of OVER treating skin, which would lead to dryness and irritation. Which then would counteract any progress I’d thought I’d made. It finally hit me that you should have skincare that works smarter not harsher. Gentle formulas that can be used everyday but still strong enough to make a difference.  Also I realized skin needs consistent care—that it can’t always be thrown out of whack or into extremes.

Many women in their thirties and forties feel like their skin suddenly stops responding to what used to work. What’s really happening beneath the surface at that age and how do your products help reset it? It’s tough, I’ve been there. But honestly, it all comes down to exfoliation. So many women skip it, and then wonder why their skincare routine isn’t really working. Buildup is the sneaky culprit here. It blocks your products from absorbing and leaves your skin looking dull and uneven.

Once you hit your 30s, your skin starts to hold onto more buildup, which is why exfoliating becomes the magic step. That’s actually why I created Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads. They’re designed to get you back to even, literally creating that clean, smooth canvas your skin needs so everything else can do its job.

I always tell people: just swipe in the morning before your vitamin C, and you’ll notice such a difference. Your makeup goes on smoother, your products absorb better. It’s like your whole routine suddenly starts working the way it’s supposed to. Shop Your Favorite Ex Exofoliating Pads Here.

In multiple interviews you’ve emphasized “efficacy without messing up the barrier.” Could you walk us through how you define “skin barrier health” in your own words and how YSE Beauty addresses it? A healthy skin barrier is all about balance — strong, protected, but not overworked. Think of it like armor against harmful radicals in the air, but it’s only as effective as the care you give it. You want to nurture it without overdoing it, because that’s when it starts to break down.

At YSE, we like to say the skin barrier is the gatekeeper of glow. It shields and protects your skin while letting your skincare products actually do their job. When your barrier is healthy, your products absorb better, your skin stays radiant, and everything just works in harmony.

What’s one thing most people don’t understand about what it actually takes to build a beauty line from scratch? I feel like so many people think it’s as simple as, “Oh, I want to create a vitamin C serum, or let’s add in some lip tints,” but it’s so much more than that. It’s endless meetings with product development and marketing, figuring out the why behind each product, how it adds value, how the ingredients work together, and how to make it feel fresh and unique in the market. You’re constantly navigating challenges… “this is too expensive” or “this component won’t work.” Most people don’t realize how thoughtful and time-consuming the process is. For example, we worked on Skin Glow for two years to get it just right. Good things take time and it’s usually a lot of obstacles to go through to get it perfect.

Which product do you personally reach for the most, and what makes it a staple in your own routine? Whenever I get asked this, it always feels like being asked, “Who’s my favorite child?” I genuinely use all my products and love each one, but if I had to pick the one I reach for most, it would be Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads. They’ve become part of my regular routine, especially before a premiere, event, or award show. I always use them pre-makeup because I notice a real difference when I take a moment to prep my skin. They create such an even, smooth base that my foundation goes on so much better. Not to mention, I love that they are gentle enough to use every day. 

Which ingredients have become your personal non-negotiables, the ones you’ll never skip in your own routine? Exfoliating glycolic acid to help with texture, vitamin C or niacinamide are my brightening warriors, squalane and hyaluronic acid for hydration (think: having a tall glass of water), peptides for fine lines and wrinkles, and ceramides to support your skin barrier. A non-negotiable, no question.

Is there a product in your line that hasn’t gotten enough attention yet but deserves the spotlight? I think people often underestimate the power of The Problem Solver Brightening Treatment. It’s actually one of our most powerful products, but it’s soooo gentle. Its key ingredient, tranexamic acid, helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and UV-induced discoloration. Aka made for women like me who stayed out in the sun way too often with no sun protection. Used consistently, you’ll see the benefits — because good skincare is all about committing to a routine. Results might not be instant, but the payoff is worth it.

Running a business, being a mother, and maintaining a visible life, how do you protect your “off-screen” time? Protecting my off-screen time is something I’ve learned to take really seriously. When you wear a lot of hats it’s easy to feel like you have to be “on” all the time. But I’ve realized that the moments I’m most present with my kids, my husband, or even just myself are the ones that refuel me and actually make me better in every other area. I try to be intentional about boundaries, whether it’s putting my phone down during dinner, blocking off certain weekends where we do absolutely nothing (which is rare when your kids are in sports every single weekend—shoutout to my lacrosse moms), or scheduling time that isn’t content-driven. I’ve learned to see rest and privacy not as luxuries, but as part of the job — because when I protect that space, I show up more grounded, more creative, and more joyful in everything else I do.

Besides your own skincare, what supplements are part of your daily routine right now? I’ve been using the Perelel Perimenopause Support Pack and recently added a new supplement ritual that my friend Dria Murphy, who helps me with health and wellness, introduced me to. She calls it Dria Water, but I like to think of it as my “get-it-all-in” morning cocktail. It’s my trick for combining all my supplements into one easy drink: muscle recovery, de-bloating, and immunity support all in one. I mix 1 scoop of Momentous Creatine, 2 scoops of Armra Colostrum, and 1 scoop of Superieur Electrolytes, then add a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt. It tastes fresh, helps alkalize, and soothes my throat — especially when I’m fighting something off.

You host Lipstick on the Rim, but what podcasts do you personally listen to for inspiration or downtime? I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love true crime podcasts. Crime Junkie, Dateline NBC… all of them. Part of me just loves playing detective! I also really enjoy Giggly Squad. Hannah and Paige are so quick-witted, and their take on topics is always fresh and fun.

For inspiration, I listen to Emma Grede’s podcast, Aspire with Emma Grede. She’s a self-made powerhouse, incredibly insightful, and brings on amazing guests and visionaries that make you want to rethink your strategies and approach to business.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to another working mom who’s dreaming of launching her own brand? For me, this is a two-part answer. First, it’s not advice — it’s motivation. I find it incredibly inspiring when a woman, especially a mom, has big dreams and is creating a future for herself in the industry. That alone deserves recognition.

Then comes the reality check: it’s going to be hard. You’ll disappoint people, want to tear your hair out, and linger in your car a little longer some days just to grab a moment of silence. It’s a huge commitment, but if you push through and build a supportive village around you, it’s absolutely worth it. Don’t give up. Have a point of view, and always come back to your why! Why you wanted to launch your brand in the first place.