“Skincare isn’t an obligation, it’s a gift we give ourselves,” says Alessandra Ambrosio. Vanity Fair visits the Brazilian beauty on the set of a photoshoot at her Los Angeles home, where the sun is shining almost as brightly as the model herself. Bright-eyed, fresh-faced, and clad in white linen from head to toe, Ambrosio looks to be the very personification of wellness—which, after all, she is.
“It is essential to set time aside every day for self-care,” says Ambrosio, who includes her skincare routine, eating healthy, meditating, practicing yoga, and journaling as her favorite daily wellness practices. All of which, she says, “have been so important to me in managing a hectic lifestyle and learning to enjoy every moment.”
The first and the latter items in that list—a commitment to skincare and striving to enjoy every moment of the day—comprise a philosophy Ambrosio shares with Barcelona-born skincare brand ISDIN, which paved the way for an organic partnership between the two. “I love that ISDIN inspires people to live healthy, happy, beautiful lives,” says Ambrosio, who was first turned on to the brand by her dermatologist in Brazil after sharing her concerns about melasma (or sun spots). “Ever since, ISDIN’s products have become a part of my routine, keeping my skin healthy and glowing.”
Read on for more from Ambrosio herself on the regimen that keeps her skin bright, dewy, and ready for anything.
On skincare as self-care…
Calling it an essential part of her daily self-care routine, skincare is something Ambrosio takes very seriously—and it certainly shows. At 42 years old, the model, actress, and all-around fashion icon looks as radiant as ever. “For me, healthy skin is beautiful skin, so that’s my priority,” she says. “It’s not about fixing, it’s about giving my skin what it needs to thrive.”
It’s also about consistency. For most of us, a hectic schedule inclusive of prolonged periods of travel would be grounds for self-granted permission to fall slightly off the skincare wagon—time differences, jet lag, and all. Not so for Ambrosio, however, who credits her years-long dedication to following a consistent skincare regimen as the primary factor in maintaining her healthy visage.
“I make a conscious effort to wake up early to give myself enough time, and no matter where I go, I always do the same routine in the morning as well as at night,” she says. “I never skip a day.”
On her daily skincare staples…
“As soon as I wake up, the first thing I do is wash my face, brush my teeth, and start my skincare routine,” Ambrosio says. After the aforementioned cleansing of her complexion (Ambrosio favors an oil-based cleanser), she swipes on ISDIN’s K-Ox Eyes—a long-time staple in her routine, especially when traveling. The best-selling eye cream’s potent formula includes vitamin K oxide and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, which work in tandem to noticeably lessen puffiness, firm skin, and minimize the appearance of dark circles and discoloration around the eye area. This, plus its cooling ceramic applicator, which “feels so refreshing on the skin,” warrants it an all-time favorite of the model.
Next, she reaches for a serum—either ISDIN’s Hyaluronic Concentrate or a vitamin C serum, depending on what her skin needs that day—followed by a hydrating moisturizer. If it’s morning, the final step before heading out for the day is always sun protection. In the evening, it’s ISDIN’s Retinal Advanced, a dual-phase nighttime serum that combines retinaldehyde, melatonin, bakuchiol (a plant-based retinol alternative), plus a soothing complex to potently renew the skin overnight. The result, after four weeks of continual use, is a complexion that’s noticeably smoothed and rejuvenated.
On the importance of sun protection…
“Sunscreen is the most important part of my routine because it’s the base for everything,” she says. “When you protect your skin, you spend less time trying to repair and correct it; and if you don’t use sunscreen, none of your other products will work as they should.”
That’s why it’s always the final step in Ambrosio’s morning routine, whether the day calls for rain or shine, a full face of makeup or completely au naturale. A favorite of Ambrosio’s because it’s both lightweight and fast-absorbing—attributes that, we must point out, are not commonly applied to sunscreen—is ISDIN’s Eryfotona Ageless, which delivers SPF 50 protection in 100% mineral format. The ultralight tinted mineral sunscreen, according to Ambrosio, absorbs into skin quickly without leaving any residue behind (again here, a true feat in the world of sun protectants).
“I never leave my house without applying it, and I carry one in my purse to reapply on the go,” Ambrosio says of the product, which not only protects skin, but also helps repair existing sun damage. “It’s also tinted, which gives me a natural, unified tone.”
On her partnership with ISDIN…
The aforementioned striving to find joy in each moment of the day? This, for both Ambrosio and Spain’s top sun care brand, is something that’s almost always achieved with a two-pronged approach: spending time outdoors in the sun (safely), and finding a daily skincare regimen that’s, well, enjoyable to do.
Part of that is efficacy—“ISDIN has been partnering with dermatologists for 50 years and they have clinical studies for their products, so I know I am in good hands,” Ambrosio says—and the other part is a pleasant, easy experience. Both facets are the very ethos of the research-backed brand—and of Ambrosio’s approach to skincare itself. And thus, ISDIN’s partnership with the model is a natural one.
“I like products that are effective and are also an enjoyable experience,” Ambrosio says. “ISDIN’s formulas blend cutting-edge science with luxurious textures, making every moment of my skincare routine enjoyable.”
Learn more at isdin.com.
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