Olivia Wilde embodies the ideal of natural beauty — not just in a sense that the actress and activist is clearly genetically blessed, but the fact that paparazzi shots and low-key press appearances often show her fresh-faced and dewy, as if the word "foundation" isn't even in her vocabulary.
In an attempt to steal her secrets — and find out how we, too, can get cheekbones that seem to glow unassisted — we asked Wilde straight up: How many facials does it take? But shockingly, Wilde doesn't credit her poreless skin to celebrity estheticians or a dermatologist who knows their way around a laser — hell, she tells us she hasn't had a facial in over a year. Instead, she's fiercely loyal to a clean and simple skin-care routine, which she breaks down for us in full, ahead.
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A Struggle With Stress & Hormonal Acne
For Wilde, sculpted, glowy skin wasn't a genetic given, but a result of decades struggling to understand how to treat it. "I have combination skin, and I dealt with breakouts throughout my 20s, and even into my early 30s," Wilde says. "All those years, I was trying to fix the problem, basically by dousing my skin with harsh acne treatments and seeing a dermatologist regularly, trying to figure out why I was experiencing both stress and hormonal acne."
For Wilde, sculpted, glowy skin wasn't a genetic given, but a result of decades struggling to understand how to treat it. "I have combination skin, and I dealt with breakouts throughout my 20s, and even into my early 30s," Wilde says. "All those years, I was trying to fix the problem, basically by dousing my skin with harsh acne treatments and seeing a dermatologist regularly, trying to figure out why I was experiencing both stress and hormonal acne."
Due to the fact that her flare-ups were sporadic and unpredictable — popping up before, during, and after her pregnancies — it took a 360-degree lifestyle adjustment for Wilde to start seeing persistently clear skin. "When I hit 30, I made a decision that I would put my time and energy into finding a long-term skin solution," she says. "I needed something in the form of an at-home routine that would both cure my acne and nourish my skin. Health became the primary focus — no more shooting a pimple with a cortisone shot. I wanted stability."
The Glowy-Skin Solution
Serendipitously, it was at the point in her life where she was most desperate for a miracle solution that Wilde discovered True Botanicals, the clean, non-toxic skin-care line she now represents as the chief brand ambassador. "Immediately after I met Hillary [Peterson], the founder of True Botanicals, and tried the brand's Clear line, my skin completely transformed," she says. "Now — and I’m not bullshitting you — I'll only use True Botanicals products."
Serendipitously, it was at the point in her life where she was most desperate for a miracle solution that Wilde discovered True Botanicals, the clean, non-toxic skin-care line she now represents as the chief brand ambassador. "Immediately after I met Hillary [Peterson], the founder of True Botanicals, and tried the brand's Clear line, my skin completely transformed," she says. "Now — and I’m not bullshitting you — I'll only use True Botanicals products."
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Breaking it down for us, the actress explains that she uses the brand's Clear collection from start to finish. "In the morning, I use the cleanser, followed by the face oil — just those two steps," she says. "And at night, I’ll use the serum mixed with one of the boosters, either the antioxidant one or the vitamin C powder. I always use the nutrient mist before and after makeup, and any time I need it throughout the day. I use the shampoo, conditioner, and the body lotion. I kid you not, it's the only brand that touches my skin — anywhere."
Making Self-Care A Ritual
The process of partnering with True Botanicals not only made Wilde loyal to a fully branded skin-care routine, but also altered her whole approach to self-care. She now touts the benefits of showering with plants, and says she actually looks forward to washing her face at night.
The process of partnering with True Botanicals not only made Wilde loyal to a fully branded skin-care routine, but also altered her whole approach to self-care. She now touts the benefits of showering with plants, and says she actually looks forward to washing her face at night.
"It's kind of funky, but I keep a eucalyptus plant in my shower," Wilde says. "It's been a huge game-changer for me because it's natural, calming aromatherapy. It’s so important to see beauty and self-care through a ritualistic lens," she continues. "For way too long my routine was all about just getting through it — fixing the problems I already had. Now, I never forget to wash my face before I go to bed, because it’s one of the most enjoyable parts of my day."