- I'm a model in my 30s who often books jobs playing teenagers.
- I believe having a consistent skincare routine is key to maintaining youthful, radiant skin.
- I always protect my skin from the sun and make sure to get seven to eight hours of sleep per night.
As a kid, I vividly remember my mother applying sunscreen to every inch of my body before letting me go outside to play. A few decades later, I'm glad she did.
I'd even say I inherited my mom's fastidious approach to skincare.
As a model in my 30s, my agent still regularly submits me for jobs playing teenagers. In fact, I've portrayed a college student more often than a young mom.
Having a consistent skincare routine is key, and while there are some great products on the market, there are also things I do for free to help maintain youthful, radiant skin.
Here are five skincare secrets I swear by.
I always protect my skin from the sun
Thanks to my mother's influence, sunscreen has become a daily habit for me.
I like to use mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide since this type of product forms a barrier on the skin to block the sun. It doesn't absorb into my skin like a chemical sunscreen would, and I find it's less irritating and doesn't cause me to break out.
Personally, I love Dr. Dennis Gross' lightweight wrinkle-defense broad-spectrum sunscreen for a light, sheer finish that doesn't clog my pores.
When I know I'll be outside for more than a few hours, I also wear a wide-brimmed hat as often as possible. This protects my face and neck when it's not convenient to reapply sunscreen throughout the day.
An added bonus is that sunscreen and hats are a lot less expensive than Botox.
I make sure to get plenty of sleep
Getting a good night's sleep is easier said than done — I've experienced plenty of jet-lagged sleepless nights. But I've found that my skin always looks better in the morning when I get enough sleep.
In fact, research suggests that poor sleep can have various effects on the skin, including fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles.
I aim to get seven to eight hours per night and often joke that I'll turn into a pumpkin if I stay up past midnight.
I always keep my skin hydrated — especially while traveling
If I didn't travel so much, my bathroom counter would be overflowing with skincare products. But because I'm relegated to what will get through a TSA checkpoint, I'm super discerning of what I buy.
Vie de Mer, Agent Nateur, and Botnia are some of the tried-and-true brands I swear by.
Because flying can be dehydrating, I like to do a quick cleanse with a facial wipe and use FactorFive's soothing sheet mask or Dr. Dennis Gross' vitamin C brightening treatment mask to keep my skin hydrated on long international flights.
When I don't want to scare my in-flight neighbors with a full face mask, I reach for Grace & Stella's under-eye masks, which are an affordable way to keep my tired under-eye areas from becoming puffy.
Monthly facials are a must for keeping my skin looking young and hydrated
I try to get a facial every four to six weeks to keep my skin looking great. In addition to keeping my skin hydrated and healthy, regular facials are thought to have a number of skin benefits, including increased cell turnover and improved blood circulation.
As an Asian American, my melanated skin often struggles with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots that can appear after acne or trauma to the skin).
This means if I have a blemish, it can take a frustratingly long time to heal. However, I've found that regular facials have helped speed up the healing process.
Because I travel full-time, it's admittedly hard to maintain a consistent routine — and a bad facial with overzealous exfoliation or extractions can do more harm than good.
However, I've found lots of great estheticians in the cities I frequent, including master esthetician Patty Huang in Seattle and the professionals at Shop Good in San Diego.
I take collagen supplements to support my skin health
Collagen is a type of protein that helps support skin, hair, and bone health.
Our bodies produce collagen naturally, but as we age, less of the protein is made, which can lead to decreased skin elasticity.
Although there hasn't been a ton of research on whether supplements can help boost collagen levels, I like to eat traditional Chinese delicacies that are high in collagen.
I also add Agent Nateur's holi (mane) supplement to my coffee, smoothies, and yogurt bowls.