Learn the star’s secrets to having youthful skin.
Not only is Jennifer Lopez a successful actress, singer, and dancer—her skin is flawless. In fact, her ageless beauty earned her the nickname J. Glow.
So just how does the star manage to have a flawless complexion? The A-lister has a fountain of youth skincare secrets. Here are some anti-aging tips that Jennifer Lopez uses that you can implement into your own routine.
Get Enough SleepJennifer Lopez’s self-care journey began when she realized she was sleep deprived in her late 20s.
“There was a time in my life where I used to sleep 3 to 5 hours a night. I’d be on set all day and in the studio all night and doing junkets and filming videos on the weekends,” Lopez told People. “I was in my late 20s and I thought I was invincible.”
But eventually it caught up to her and she had a panic attack. “I asked the doctor if I was going crazy. He said, ‘No, you’re not crazy. You need sleep…get 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, don’t drink caffeine, and make sure you get your workouts in if you’re going to do this much work.'” Since then, Lopez has made a point to get enough sleep every night, despite her busy schedule.
People who are sleep deprived are at an increased risk of developing signs of aging on their skin including
Fine linesUneven pigmentationReduced elasticityNot only is quantity of sleep important—quality is too. One study found that poor sleep quality is associated with increased signs of aging as well
Eat Foods With Anti-aging IngredientsLopez believes that beauty starts from within. “Sorry, it’s true! I think drinking lots of water and fresh foods with lots of fruits and vegetables (I keep [them] with me at all times) all play into the quality of skin’s appearance,” she shared with People in 2016.
Eating foods rich in anti-aging ingredients (such as essential fatty acids and protein peptides) can help improve aging skin.
Avoid smoking and Limit Alcohol Intake
J.Lo may occasionally be spotted out and about, but you’ll never see her downing drinks or smoking cigarettes. She does not consume alcohol or smoke. In 2018, Lopez’s ex-fiancé Alex Rodriguez affirmed to Harper’s Bazaar that Lopez “lives a very clean life.”
Skin is just one of the numerous aspects of smoking’s harmful effects on the body. The skin might age prematurely as a result of cigarette smoking. According to one study, smokers’ skin was less elastic than that of non-smokers.
Heavy alcohol consumption has been found to increase skin aging as well.5 To prevent the aging effects that alcohol can have on your skin, limit your alcohol intake to moderate levels:6
- One drink per day for women
- Two drinks per day for men
Stick To a Skincare Routine
Washing your face can help with the overall appearance of your skin—just make sure you’re doing it the right way. Only wash your face in the morning, at night, and after exercising (or anytime you are sweating heavily).
Lopez works out—a lot! After every sweat session, she makes sure to refresh. “I always, always wash my face after a workout,” she told Hello! in 2016. “That helps keep my pores clean and my skin feeling healthy.”
Here are a few other tips for cleansing your face:7
- Use a gentle cleanser
- Use lukewarm water
- Apply moisturizer after
- Avoid scrubbing your skin (don’t use a washcloth, sponge, or anything other than your fingertips)
No matter how tired J.Lo is, she never neglects her skincare routine. “I never go to bed without taking my makeup off, [and I use] night creams to keep my skin hydrated,” Lopez revealed to People in 2016.
Protect Your Skin From the Sun
Exposing your skin to the sun repeatedly can lead to premature wrinkling, skin aging, age spots, and an increased risk of skin cancer.8
Lopez revealed in an interview with People in 2016 that she relies on sunscreen every single day to protect her skin. Just like Jennifer Lopez, you should use sunscreen whenever you are outside. Here are some tips for using sunscreen:9
- Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
- Reapply your sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
- Make sure your sunscreen isn’t expired.
Use Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is easily able to penetrate your skin, remove dead skin cells, and reveal a layer of new and smooth skin. Because of these properties, glycolic acid can
- Reduce wrinkles
- Reduce acne scarring
- Reduce hyperpigmentation
- Improve certain skin conditions
Lopez revealed to People that she regularly uses glycolic acid to “get that healthy glow and clear skin.”
A Quick Review
Jennifer Lopez has smooth, glowing skin, and that’s because she takes care of her skin and protects it.
To achieve a J.Lo-level complexion, eat foods with anti-aging ingredients, avoid smoking and alcohol, cleanse your face, protect your skin from the sun, and add glycolic acid to your skincare routine.
Don’t forget—beauty comes from within. Lopez revealed in Harper’s Bazaar in 2018 that she is a fan of mantras and daily affirmations: “I am youthful and timeless. I tell myself that every day, a few times a day. It sounds like clichéd bullshit, but it’s not: Age is all in your mind. Look at Jane Fonda.”
