Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu Drops Her Skin-Care Routine

“It was fun to play because of that and to realize that no, we need to own our age and just love it for what it is,” Leroy-Beaulieu says. “A world where people cannot age is a dangerous world. I had a talk with my daughter who’s 30 about this recently. She said, ‘Mom, I don’t want to live in a world where women cannot age.’ I think it’s important to really own this aging thing and not make it a problem, not make it something we can’t talk about. There’s no guilt or shame around aging. This is something that happens to everybody, you know?”

She continues, “I understand the insecurity, the pressure that we get, especially in our business. But if somebody doesn’t start saying, ‘This is my age, and this is who I am, my wrinkles are my wrinkles, I own my wrinkles, this is my whole life…’ it’s kind of sad. Aging gracefully is being a kinder person than you were when you were younger, because life kind of polishes you. And having a better understanding of how people feel, who people are, and having more compassion and less competition with everybody else.”

But when I tell Leroy-Beaulieu I need to know exactly what she does to look so effervescent, the answer surprises me. “The more I put on my skin, the more it feels like it’s not breathing, so I keep it super simple,” she says. “It is also what you put inside your body, which everybody knows.” She says she juices occasionally and does intermittent fasting as well; she’s also adopted a routine each September. “I do what we do a lot in Europe, ever since the Romans or even the Greeks, which is only eating green and red grapes with seeds. I did it during the shooting of season one because it was September and grapes were in season. I just did two weeks because I’d start to smell all the food on set and it would make me want something else. I got bored of the taste after a while, but generally it’s great. I don’t really lose a lot of weight—but what happens to my skin and my eyes and all my organs and my hair and everything is incredible. I don’t get tired. In fact, I get so much energy after four or five days. So that’s the kind of thing I do every year. It’s one of my secrets.” [Editor’s note: While Leroy-Beaulieu has tried this routine, diets are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Speak to your doctor before trying a new diet regimen of any kind.]

Okay, so what does Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu do when grapes aren’t in season? She drops her skin-care routine to tell us what she swears by for that Sylvie glow. 

My cleanser

It’s called ZQ-11 Moisturizing Amino Acid Cleanser, and it’s a Korean brand, I believe. It was given to me by a friend, and I love it so much.

My toner 

For my tonic, I just use a flower water you can get anywhere. It can be rose water, it can be orange water. Just anything really natural. I can spray it; when I feel like I need more, I just dampen a cotton pad and apply. 

My serum

I use the X3M EGF Refresh Serum from Clinicare, which is a repair and protective moisturizer. It’s a very light serum, almost transparent , and it’s really hydrating. My skin type is normal, but then it gets drier in winter, obviously, so I love this product.

My essence

Clinicare’s X3M EGF Refresh Essence. This is really hydrating. It penetrates the skin, and it feels plump and fresh after you apply. If the weather isn’t too cold or too hot, I only wear this. When it’s a bit colder, I might put something else on top at night. 

My moisturizing cream

I use La Fervance Éclat Extraordinaire when it’s cold and I need something else on top of my serum and essence. This is a cream that I learned about from an Australian woman who lived in Paris and is now back in Australia. It’s an incredible cream that I’ve been using for almost a year now, and I’m just crazy about it. I apply a super-thick layer at night when I feel that I’m really needing some moisture, or as a very thin mask during the day. Just make sure you really rub it in. At night you can leave it on and when you wake up, you’ll still find some under your eyes, and it’s nice knowing it hasn’t dried up during the night. It’s just a really nice cream. 

My sun protection

I was raised in Italy where we’re taught since we were kids never to be in the sun at certain hours. At 12 o’clock, you get out of the sun until 4, and never stay in the sun during those hours. But I’ve never treated the sun as my enemy. It’s good. It’s your vitamin D. It’s joyful; it’s happy. While I don’t wear sunscreen, I do wear a hat and sunglasses. Or I’m in the shade. 

My lip balm

I use a French brand called Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm. It’s so good for dry lips.

My device

Yeah, I use a gua sha stone a little bit. I also use a derma roller that has little spikes—not needles, just little spikes. You turn red for like five minutes—and it’s great to really get the blood flowing—but then it goes away. I use it every morning. 

My supplements

I also take D+ for Care Collagen & Spirulina food supplement, which is something I discovered recently. It’s really good, and I take it every morning when I wake up. You just eat it. I think it’s good for my hair and everything. 

Jessica Radloff is the Glamour West Coast editor. You can follow her on Instagram at @jessicaradloff14.