I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that when it comes to the so-called “genetic lottery,” Angelina Jolie is a clear winner. From her piercing green eyes to her sharp jawline and portrait-worthy cheekbones, Jolie is one of those people we can’t help but stare at and admire any time she makes an appearance on or off screen.
While Jolie’s genes play a part in her timeless good looks, the now 49-year-old has been taking care of herself and her skin for years, contributing to her radiant complexion. To celebrate Jolie’s last year in the fabulous 40s, we rounded up some of the best beauty advice she’s shared over the years.
When it comes to skin care, start early
The past year has been filled with varying opinions on the idea of tween skin care, and while it’s agreed upon that doing too much too early can cause harm, Jolie knows better than anyone that taking care of your skin from a young age can work wonders. “I’ve had the same dermatologist since I was 11; her name is Rhonda Rand,” Angelina told InStyle back in 2018. “It’s who my mother brought me to when I was little with my first scar. To have somebody who is very encouraging of being as natural as possible has really helped me, I think.”
She doesn’t overdo it with actives
With as much natural beauty as Jolie has, she knows the value in keeping things simple. Back in 2018, the actress’ dermatologist, Dr. Rand, told Refinery29 that, “She’s always been such a natural beauty, so she didn’t ever have to do much. It was really just sunscreen, proper cleansing with a mild, gentle cleanser, antioxidants, sometimes glycolic [acids], and natural products. Some alpha hydroxy [acids] are good too, and they’re very natural. She doesn’t need major scrubs or products with lots of chemicals.“
In terms of makeup, Jolie also takes a skin-forward approach, Dr. Rand told Refinery29. “The thing about [Jolie] is she never wears makeup unless she’s working—it’s probably another reason her skin looks good. She’s also good about removing makeup. I know her makeup artist is super careful about what she puts on her skin and takes good care of it when she’s working.”
She prioritizes sun protection
As we all know, sun protection is key not only in preventing dangerous skin cancers, but also in encouraging healthy aging, and as Dr. Rand told Refinery29 back in 2018, Jolie takes the concept seriously. “She’s olive-skinned like her mom, but it’s not like she lets herself get dark. She’s been so good about using sunscreen from such an early age to protect her skin. She knew that the sun is not good for skin in general—in terms of pigmentation problems and that sort of thing. She’s also good about wearing hats, which is so important. She hydrates a lot and does a lot of good moisturizing, but again, it’s the sun protection that’s going to stop you from aging more than anything.”
She doesn’t give in to beauty standards
Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to give in to unrealistic beauty standards, but as Jolie disclosed in a 2010 interview with the Daily Mail, she doesn’t plan on conforming to beauty standards when it comes to plastic surgery. “I haven’t had anything done and I don’t think I will,” she told the outlet. “But if it makes somebody happy then that’s up to them. I’m not in somebody else’s skin to know what makes them feel better about themselves. But I don’t plan to do it myself.”
Continuing on her prerogative of not giving in to stereotypical ideas of beauty, Jolie told InStyle in 2018 that, “The people I see as beautiful are those who don’t bend to somebody else’s opinion of what is appropriate or beautiful. I’ve always been drawn to people who are unique, different, and just simply themselves. It makes me a bit sad when I see somebody unable to live in their own skin and not feeling comfortable in it. There are a lot of things in society that make people feel that way.”
She believes beauty starts on the inside
Jolie has long been a proponent for women’s rights and countless other social justice causes, partnering with brands like Guerlain to promote environmental advocacy and educating the masses on issues like sexual abuse of women in countries experiencing civil war. Her activism has impacted her beauty philosophy, too, as she revealed in her cover interview with Elle back in 2019.
“I often tell my daughters that the most important thing they can do is to develop their minds,” she told the outlet. “You can always put on a pretty dress, but it doesn’t matter what you wear on the outside if your mind isn’t strong. There is nothing more attractive—you might even say enchanting—than a woman with an independent will and her own opinions.”
