Essential Skincare For Models

Models are known for their glowing, flawless skin despite having heavy makeup on for photo shoots. They have learned the key to having beautiful skin is by keeping it hydrated.

Moisturize on a daily basis with a product that contains natural oils or butters. Also, drink green tea to even out skin tone and reduce blotchiness.

1. Moisturize

When you want to look like a model, it starts with having flawless skin. The secret to perfect skin is a good skincare routine. Models use the best makeup artists, hairstylists and dermatologists in the business, but they also have some very simple habits that they all follow.

They moisturise their skin at least twice a day, morning and night. Moisturizing helps to reduce inflammation and is a key part of any skincare routine. It also provides essential support for your skin’s natural lipid barrier which helps your face to retain moisture and repel external irritants. Moisturizers contain humectants which help to attract and hold on to moisture. They also contain emollients and occlusives which fill intercorneocyte cluster gaps, providing softness, smoothness and flexibility to your skin.

If you have oily skin, look for a light cream with a non-comedogenic formula. Avoid creams with pore-clogging ingredients, such as talc and mineral oil. Instead, try a gel or matte-textured moisturizer with hyaluronic acid. If you have dry skin, an ointment will provide a more intense hydrating effect. It will also be less irritating than a lotion.

If you’re prone to acne, use a cleanser that contains AHAs such as glycolic acid and lactic acid or BHAs such as salicylic acid to prevent breakouts and improve discolouration and age spots. Look for cleansers that are gentle on the skin and don’t contain any alcohol, as this can dehydrate your skin. Don’t forget to wash your hands with a mild soap before you touch your face. Your hands can pick up bacteria throughout the day, and touching your face without washing it introduces that to your skin and increases the likelihood of a breakout.

2. Sunscreen

If there’s one thing every model should know, it’s that sunscreen is a must. Not only does it help protect against aging and cancer-causing UVA and UVB rays, but it also helps prevent discoloration, dark spots and wrinkles. When choosing a sunscreen, it’s important to find a formula that works best with your skin tone, makeup and lifestyle. For example, if you have oily skin, consider one that’s non-comedogenic and doesn’t contain parabens or pore-clogging fragrances, Hysem Eldik, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City, tells SELF. If you swim often, look for water- and sweat-resistant formulas that can hold up to 80 minutes without reapplying.

Aside from finding a sunscreen that fits your skin type, you should consider whether or not you want a physical or chemical SPF. A physical SPF works by reflecting and scattering UV rays, while a chemical SPF penetrates the skin and absorbs it. Both have their pros and cons, but a physical SPF might be better for those with sensitive skin or who dislike the feel of a chemical formula on their face.

For melanated skin, our Beauty Lab experts recommend Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30, which is formulated specifically with melanated complexions in mind. It has a clear, silky texture that blends easily and doesn’t leave a white cast. Plus, it’s water-resistant and contains a special ingredient—niacinamide—that helps calm redness over time. The only downside to this particular product is that the mouth of the tube is loose, making it easy to waste sunscreen if you have a heavy hand. Still, its under-$20 price tag and easily accessible formula make it a solid choice.

3. Bronzer

A key component of flawless model skin is bronzer, which mimics the warmth and glow that a tan would provide without exposure to harmful UV rays. The trick is to choose a shade that matches your skin tone perfectly. Fair complexions should avoid anything too orange, while medium skin tones can go for warm, golden bronzers. If you’re unsure about what shade to get, try using our bronzer quiz to find the perfect match for your skin tone.

Aside from enhancing the natural beauty of your skin, bronzers can also be used to subtly contour the face. If you’re going for a more sculpted look, use a darker bronzer to darken the areas of your face that you want to slim and define, like along the jawline or under the cheekbones. It’s important to test out different shades to see how they work for your face shape as some bronzers are more dramatic than others.

In order to achieve a natural-looking glow, make sure to apply your bronzer with a soft brush and dust it over the entire face. Then, add a little more on the high points of your cheeks for a sun-kissed finish. If you prefer a more matte look, opt for a matte-finish bronzer, rather than one with shimmer, as shimmer tends to cling to wrinkles and fine lines, accentuating them instead of camouflaging them.

Lastly, don’t forget to moisturize! A good facial moisturizer will prevent dryness and help your makeup last all day long.

4. Foundation

If you want to look like a model, your skin needs to have a natural, even tone and texture. You also need to mask any blemishes or dark spots on your face. Makeup can help with this, but you need to take care of your skin before makeup will even work its magic. Moisturizing and sunscreen are essential, but if you want to really get that model look, you need to have a solid foundation that will mask your imperfections without looking caked on. Try to use a foundation that is slightly lighter than your skin tone. Apply a small amount of foundation (about six dime-sized dots) to the center of your face and blend it thoroughly.

5. Facemask

The right face mask can be the difference between dry, flaky skin and radiant glowy skin. There are a wide range of face masks available, for all skin types and concerns. From clay masks to eye creams, there is something for everyone. Before applying a face mask, make sure your skin is clean and free from toxins, sweat, dirt and bacteria. Use a cleanser that is designed for your skin type and has exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid to remove impurities.

Modeling rubber masks have been making a splash on social media and in beauty blogs lately, but these luscious gel-like treatments are actually longtime esthetician favourites that were previously only sold in bulk tubs for beauticians. These hydrating rubber masks are richly infused with skincare ingredients such as niacinamide 10% for hyper-pigmentation and barrier repair, artemisia capillaris extract to calm and soothe sensitive skin, galactomyces ferment filtrate for brightening and anti-aging, and Houttuynia cordata extract to protect and firm.

To apply, simply mix a small amount of modeling powder with water until it turns into a thick paste, then apply over your skin and leave it to dry for 15 minutes. Rinse off and follow with toner, serum and moisturiser for an at-home spa experience.