Today in Hollywood (and everywhere, really) there is more pressure to look perfect than ever before. You can blame crazy beauty standards, 4K television and photos, competition - the list goes on. But the point is, it's there and it's something that people have to contend with on a regular basis.
While this has led to some majorly unrealistic beauty standards, it's also given rise to some interesting tips, tricks, and go-tos from our favorite singers and pop stars.
Here are some of our favorites and why we think they really work:
Jennifer Lopez: No Alcohol, No Smoking, No Caffeine
A few years ago, Jennifer Lopez told Hollywood Life, “I don't drink, or smoke or have caffeine. That really wrecks your skin as you get older.”
Listen - I think it's safe to say that whatever JLo does for her skin is working and that we should always take note. But there's science to back up her exclusions, too.
Everyone knows that smoking can speed up free radical damage and cause premature aging (that one's obvious) but you may not have known that the other two can be nearly as bad.
Alcohol, for one, dehydrates your skin and organs, leading to increased wrinkles and skin damage. It also causes major inflammation, damages cells, and reduces immunity over time. Not great.
Similarly, caffeine has been shown to increase cortisol levels, which can trigger excess oil production and increase your body's inflammation.
We're not saying that you have to cut all three cold-turkey like the queen herself, but at least consider moderation and make sure that you're drinking plenty of water to offset any negative effects.
Shakira: Baby Sunscreen
When you ask any celebrity what their skincare secret is, chances are they're going to say, “I drink a lot of water and I wear sunscreen every day.” This admission has become the go-to response at this point, and it can be a major eyeroll when it's said by celebrities that are clearly doing much more (looking at you, lasers and botox).
But Shakira's confession rang a little more true when she said that she uses baby sunscreen on her skin (BabyGanics Cover-Up Baby Sun Care, to be exact). And the trick makes sense.
While all sunblocks are truly great and necessary for the skin, traditional formulations can feel a little oily, smelly, and comedogenic (plus they can be made with ingredients like oxybenzone, which are bad for both environment and skin). Baby sunscreen, on the other hand, is generally:
- Better for sensitive skin
- Highly protective against harmful rays
- Cheaper than many made-for-face options
- Created with more gentle ingredients
So this might be an option that you should consider giving a try.
Beyonce: Aquaphor to Remove Eye Makeup
Using harsh ingredients around the eyes or pulling on your delicate eye area skin can lead to skin irritation and wrinkles, among other things. That's why Beyonce uses Aquaphor as an eye makeup remover and lip moisturizer.
The multipurpose drugstore ointment is made to soothe burns, heal cracked heels, and quench dry skin. Overall, its major draw is in its ability to protect the skin's barrier and moisturize.
For bonus effects, you can use it over your nightly face serums to lock them in and help them work their magic on your skin.
Camila Cabello: Exfoliation and Honey
The “Senorita” singer told Vogue UK that she incorporates exfoliation and honey products into her daily routine. "Every day I exfoliate because from the shows there's a lot of make-up, sweat, and dirt on my skin and just from being in a lot of different places - a lot of different airports - you have to really deeply clean your skin. So I exfoliate every day, and I use this honey moisturizer that I got. Then sometimes I'll do face masks and clay masks and honey masks."
Again, she's onto something here. For one thing, daily exfoliation can help reduce wrinkles and maintain skin radiance by sloughing off dead skin cells and accelerating cell turnover. And if you use an antioxidant-rich exfoliant like Zen Out of Ten, it can deliver skin-nourishing actives and reduce free radical damage.
Similarly, honey is known to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. In fact, the enzymes in honey actually release acne-busting ingredients like flavonoids, hydrogen peroxide, and phenolic acid, all of which makes it a super skincare ingredient.
Alicia Keys: No Makeup
Alicia Keys has famously skipped the war paint and gone au naturale for years - and with enviable, “I woke up like this” results.
Not surprisingly, though, there's a lot of prep that goes into nailing the makeup-free look. The woman behind Alicia's fresh face, Dotti, shared a few tips and tricks that she uses to create Keys' flawless complexion:
First, she dips a jade roller in ice until it's freezing before rolling it over Alicia's skin to tighten pores. This cooling effect brings blood to the face and enhances the skin's natural glow. She then grates a fresh cucumber and applies it over any areas that need brightening, including the eyes.
Finally, she loads up on nourishing oils and face masks to keep Keys' skin moisturized and blemish-free.
What kind of oil? Look for nourishing oils like High Society that contain:
- Antioxidants to fight free radical damage
- Small molecules, like camellia or jojoba oil. These soak easily into the skin without clogging pores or leaving a greasy finish
- Omega-3 fatty acids. These rebuild the skin's natural barrier and strengthen cell walls, leading to healthier skin and fewer wrinkles overall.
Ariana Grande: Coconut Oil
This one isn't exactly groundbreaking, but it's a worthy inclusion to the list. The singer revealed to Byrdie, “You know what I actually use on my face as well as my body? I feel like people would think it would make you break out, but it doesn't make you break out: coconut oil! Like, cooking oil. I put it everywhere—in my hair, on my body. It's the answer.”
Here's what we know:
- Coconut oil is really rich in medium-chain fatty acids that help retain moisture and exfoliate the skin.
- It has high quantities of vitamin E, a super ingredient known to repair skin and help prevent premature aging.
- It's rich in linoleic acid and lauric acid, both of which can help with acne and inflammation.
That said, if your skin is super sensitive or you're prone to breakouts, we suggest skipping this one for now since it can be comedogenic.
Also, remember that oils are always more effective at sealing in moisturizing products, rather than moisturizing themselves. Translation? Apply coconut oil on top of your other moisturizers and serums for optimal results.