Thandie Newton On Fake Tans, Her Mother's Skincare Advice

Did you know that a cup of fresh juice made from vegetables like carrots and yellow squash can actually give you the same glow as fake tanner? According to actress Thandie Newton it does. The London-born actress (and Olay Total Effects brand ambassador) has loads to say about getting luminous skin the natural way. "I've found with my skin, that if I just keep it simple, do less to it, it does a world of good," says Newton. We sat down with the the mother of two to discuss her makeup bag essentials, beauty icons and the best skincare advice she's ever received.

What does your skincare routine involve?
Very recently, I found that my skin was kind of getting red and I had these little bumps. I was like, “What is going on?” Through trial and error, I realized I was just messing around with it too much. When I’m in the ocean, my skin just is glowing. Within days, any bumps or tired lines or dryness just disappears. I think there’s something about that wonderful freshness of the ocean air, or fresh air in general. You’re out and about, it’s so good for you. We spend so much time indoors with central heating and so on, it really dries the skin out. So I try to get out as much as possible, and not to fuss around with my skin too much.

What products do you always have in your makeup bag? 
My lips get dry, might be because I’ve been applying lip balm forever. It was about a few years ago that that I thought, ‘Oh my God, if I added up how much lip balm goes into my system everyday,’ because you eat it with food and it gets in your mouth, I’m practically spreading it on a piece of bread. I mean, everything we put on our skin should be edible, it really should. Because it’s an organ, it’s like a big mouth that we’re putting stuff on. The one that I always have in my bag is by Neal’s Yard Remedy, and a little rouge, I always have a pot of rouge. Julie Hewitt does great colors. Oh, and under eye concealer by Becca.

What skincare advice did you learn from your mother? 
You know, ever since I was little, my mom has used Olay, and I kind of love it because it’s that affordable brand which was a little bit classy when I was a kid. Back then it was called Oil of Olay. It was the product, I look back and think, “One day, when I grow up, I’m going to have my own bottled moisturizer." So it’s just a nostalgic thing.

Who are your personal beauty icons? 
My mom.

Are there any foods you rely on for glowy skin? 
I’m a revolutionary juicer now. It changes every single day, it’s partly what’s at the farmer’s market because it needs to be organic. If you want to have a slightly tanned look, you don’t need to use self-tanners or sun bathe. Literally if you eat more yellow and orange vegetables, your skin will have a slightly tanned look.

What's the one skincare tip you would tell all women? 
To think about what’s going inside your body. Your skin is this incredible map that’s telling you what’s going on. And it can look extraordinary if you feed yourself well. It’s not about not eating sugar or not eating wheat, it’s about moderation.