Modeling isn't nearly as glamorous as it looks - it's full of jet lag, stressful shows, and pore-clogging make-up; all of which wear on the skin. Yet somehow, most models still have flawless, dewy, and enviably gorgeous skin, even when they are makeup-free. We did some digging and found out their secrets.
1. Wear Less Make-up, Less Often
Many models go make-up free outside of work and say they bring cleansing wipes with them and remove the makeup as soon as a show is over. Makeup clogs your pores, and most of it is loaded with chemicals that irritate or dry out your skin and are absorbed into your bloodstream. So take off your makeup as soon as you can after an outing, or better yet don't wear any at all.
2. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
One of the most important things you can do for your skin topically is to apply moisturizer morning and night. Even if your skin is oily, it will benefit because things like makeup, dry air, the sun, harsh cleansing products, hormone imbalances, caffeine and not enough essential fatty acids and water, zap essential moisture and nutrients from your skin.
3. Detoxify
The models with the most glowing, flawless skin and the ones who never seem to age are almost always the ones who eat healthily, avoid toxins and take care of their health. In fact, all the skin care tips and products in the world won’t do you much good if your body is overburdened with toxins. Your liver is your primary detoxification organ, and when it gets overwhelmed those toxins are removed via the skin. So if you suffer from acne, rashes or a dull complexion a liver cleanse is in order. Try eating a whole-food, plant-based diet for a month, while drinking lots of filtered water and taking Liv-D-Tox.
4. Use Natural Products
The chemicals found in many store-bought skincare products can trigger premature aging, acne, rashes, baggy eyes, and other unsightly skin problems. Plus your skin is a reflection of your internal health so it makes no sense to put something on your skin that will contribute to your internal toxic load. Choose products labeled organic, with ingredients derived from nature.
5. Use Tea Tree Oil
Use tea tree oil as an acne spot treatment on the face, or as a part of your body wash if you have acne on your chest or back. Tea tree oil works triple time when it comes to acne because it kills the bacteria and also reduces inflammation and irritation. Don't apply 100% tea tree oil to your skin though, it is too concentrated; dilute it with a carrier oil first.
6. Steam Your Skin
Steaming your skin has so many benefits: it promotes circulation, so more nutrients get to your skin; it reduces acne-causing bacteria and trapped sebum; it promotes collagen production and it opens up your pores so it can better absorb skincare products. It's also an excellent thing to do right before a big event because it produces an instant glow and a softening of fine lines. If you have a steam room at your gym you can use that, or boil water and put it in a bowl, add some mint tea (optional), drape a towel over your head and place your face into the bowl a few inches above the water for about 10 minutes.
7. Use Ice
Ice can be applied under the eyes or all over the face to help reduce puffiness. Just wrap a couple of cubes in a cloth and apply it gently to your skin (removing before any point of pain). Victoria Secret model Jasmine Tookes swears by ice, she applies it to her face every night to tighten her skin and boost the circulation of blood. If you don't have any ice, splashing cold water on your face for a couple of minutes can also help.
8. Use Natural Masks for Your Skin Type
Avoid store-bought masks that often have chemical additives and use a DIY one instead. If your skin is oily or prone to acne, try charcoal or bentonite clay. If it is lacking moisture try a mixture of avocado and honey. If you are looking for an instant glow and softening of fine lines, try cacao mixed with water or honey. You may also want to try ‘multi-masking;’ , any models do this to target different skin issues e.g. start with one to clean out the pores, then finish with one for moisture.
9. Balance Your Hormones
While this may not be a common topic among models, it is definitely worth mentioning because your hormones play a huge role in the appearance of your skin. An excess of estrogen can lead to stubborn acne that seems almost impossible to cure. The best solution for this is to eliminate animal products (they are loaded with estrogen and inflammatory compounds), to consume a high fiber diet, and to take DIM 259.
Too much DHT can also lead to acne and inflamed skin and the above diet in combination with DHT Block can help. DHT Block contains beta-sitosterol, which gives it the ability to calm down androgen activity in the skin, as well as DIM (to help eliminate excess DHT and estrogens). Plus antioxidants protect skin cells from free radical damage.
A few additional hormone imbalances that may be sabotaging your skin include low thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), which can lead to dry, saggy skin; high cortisol which can lead to oily skin; and low testosterone and growth hormones which can accelerate skin aging. If you are concerned about hormone imbalances you can purchase a hormone test kit here.
Finally, if you suffer from stubborn acne and want to discover the root cause, how to identify and reverse hormone imbalances that fuel it, how certain foods, stress, and other negative emotions worsen acne, and receive a fail-proof approach for lifelong flawless skin, get a copy of Acne Be Gone for Good.