This 56-Year-Old Model Looks a Decade Younger—Here Are All Her Skincare Secrets

We all know that one person who looks as if they've stopped time. They might be in their thirties or forties but they easily look like they're a twenty-something. Maybe they still even get ID'd. Of course, we all know that ageing is inevitable (and nothing can ever truly reverse it), but no matter what age you are - or whether you're even at all concerned with "ageing" - it's near impossible not to be curious about how these people have managed to maintain plump, radiant skin right through from their twenties. 

One such example is Caroline Labouchere, a grey hair ambassador and model whose glowy, flawless complexion has stopped me in my scrolling tracks on more than one occasion. Labouchere, who began a modelling career just three years ago at 54, now regularly shares her outfits, haircare tips, and of course, skincare treatments with her 508,000 Instagram followers. I don't think I'm alone in feeling that she somehow defies age - just one look at her feed confirms this, so naturally, I did what any skincare-obsessed writer would: I went straight to the source to find out Labouchere's best skin tips.

Ahead, read up on her top tips and the nuggets of wisdom that she credits for maintaining good skin in her fifties - or at any age for that matter.

1. Stay Out of the Sun

I know you've heard it over and over again, but Labouchere confirms the golden rule of skincare: sun protection. Whether you're opting for a massive sun hat or are slathering on the SPF (or both), we can't overstate how important it is. "I have been a sun worshipper all of my life," Labouchere admitted. "I finally stopped turning my face to the sun last year. Now, I wear a hat whenever I leave the house and wear an SPF 50."

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2. Quit Picking at Your Skin

"Don’t pick your spots ever," she said. It may sound obvious, but as a former skin picker myself, I know that this one is easier said than done. Labouchere insists that it's one of the skincare rules she lives by, and I know I personally could have avoided so many dark spots had I heeded her advice sooner. "If you have a whitehead, use two cotton buds to get rid of it," she advised. To quell acne in the first place, below are several products you can incorporate into your daily and weekly routines.

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3. Maintain Moisture Levels

I once heard that the main focus of any skincare regimen hinges on keeping your face hydrated, and Labouchere seems to agree with this. She told me that she uses a thick moisturiser at night (French pharmacy staple brand, Avène, is a favourite of hers) and will sometimes apply the same one for daytime if her skin can handle it. "Trapping moisture in your skin will make for happy skin," she noted.

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4. Pick a Retinol Carefully

The conversation around skincare over fifty wouldn't be complete without a mention of retinol. After all, dermatologists and skin experts so frequently call out this multipurpose ingredient for its anti-ageing benefits - it helps to stimulate collagen production which in turn reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Of course, Labouchere's tip is only one of many out there, but according to her, a prescribed retinoid (the umbrella term for retinol and Retin-A) will always work better than store-bought retinoids.

Of course, it's not always easy to get face-time with a clinical dermatologist, so if you're looking to get on the retinol train ASAP, the below editor-approved products will be a good starting point.

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5. Don't Over-Exfoliate Your Face

Exfoliating is an essential step in any skincare routine, as it sloughs away dead skin and promotes skin cell turnover, a process that tends to naturally slow down as we age. If you don't exfoliate enough, the rest of your serums, oils, and moisturisers might not live up to their full potential because you could have dead skin cell buildup. But on the other hand, exfoliating too much could strip the skin of its natural moisture barrier and cause irritation. Labouchere suggests using an exfoliant once every other week.

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6. Keep Makeup Minimal

If applying makeup starts to feel more like a chore, and less of an enjoyable experience, why not embrace a 'less is more' approach? Labouchere told me, "I don't wear makeup every day. I believe it is a good habit to get into. Once you are in a daily makeup rut, it is hard to get out." Instead, she wears a CC or BB cream only once or twice a week. 

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This story originally appeared on Who What Wear US and has since been updated.

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