Skincare Tips to Get You Ready for the Camera

October 17, 2024 | Rachel Frawley
Photo credit: Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com

The great and terrible thing about the film is it will pick up every tiny detail of your face. And while there are many times on film where we want to look purposefully grungy, it never hurts to start with the best version of our canvas we can muster. 

For everyone who appears on camera, skincare is something within your control that can make a big difference in how you appear on film. Here are some basic things you can do to make sure you’re looking your best when you book!


Insights: Quick Skincare Advice

  • Begin a routine of drinking plenty of water well in advance of filming to ensure your skin looks healthy and glowing. Hydrated skin also allows makeup to sit better.
  • Use a daily moisturizer with at least SPF 30 to maintain healthy skin and apply it to your face, neck, and upper chest. Consider reapplying sunscreen throughout the day for added protection.
  • Use hydrating face masks earlier in the week of filming, not the night before, to avoid any adverse reactions. Steam your face mid-week to clear pores, but be cautious if you have sensitive skin.
  • On the morning of filming, use under-eye masks to reduce dark circles and a cold jade roller to apply moisturizer and combat puffiness. Start the day with a full glass of water to hydrate.
  • Experiment to find what techniques and products work best for your skin type. A regular, simple, and cost-effective skincare routine can enhance your appearance significantly on camera.

Important Skincare Routines

Hydration. It’s true what they say, if you stay ready you don’t have to get ready. Consistently drinking a lot of water is going to be one of the best things you can do to keep your skin looking healthy and glowy on camera. It will also be a huge help for your makeup artist–everything sits better on hydrated skin.

This isn’t something you can fix the night before the call, so the minute you know you’re going to be filming something, start hydrating. Better yet, just build the habit into your daily life. It’s good for your health, and it’ll do wonders for keeping you looking youthful and fresh on film.

Sun protection. Just like hydration, sun protection is something you can do every day that will make sure your skin is healthy and looking its freshest. If nothing else, get a daily moisturizer with at least 30 SPF, and make sure you use it. Bonus points for re-application of sunscreen throughout the day, and don’t forget your neck and upper chest!

Skincare Tips for the Week of Filming

In addition to staying hydrated, the week you’re filming is when you’ll want to do your face masks. Doing one the night before is risking bringing things to the surface of your skin right before filming, or possibly throwing off your skin with new elements. Do something simple like a hydrating sheet mask earlier in the week. 

Steaming your face is another tried and true method to open up those pores and get your skin clear. Just boil a clean pot of water (some folks like to add dried herbs or a drop of essential oil here and there) and hover your face over the pot with a towel draped over your head for five to ten minutes. (Extra tips: Cleanse and gently exfoliate before steaming. Use distilled water, and be careful, especially if you have sensitive skin. A little oil on your eyelids can help protect extra sensitive skin there).

Skincare Regimen for the Morning of Filming

This is when you want to apply your under-eye masks to brighten up any dark circles. Under-eye creams with coffee in them can also help accelerate the process.

If you’re prone to puffiness, keep a jade roller or similar tool in the freezer, and apply your moisturizer with that in the morning. Just make sure it’s clean. 

Don’t forget to drink a full glass of water first thing upon waking up to start things off! 

The more time you put in, the quicker you’ll figure out what works best for your skin. Simple, affordable tricks like these can make a surprising difference once you get in the makeup chair, and investing in a basic skincare routine can have a big payoff on screen. 

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