Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Shares Her K-Beauty-Inspired Skincare Routine
When freshman New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez isn’t debating problems facing the American working class she can be found on Twitter and Instagram connecting with her followers. In the past, she’s used social media to share everything from what self-care actually means to women to a video of herself dancing. Most recently, however, Ocasio-Cortez posted a little something out of the ordinary for a politician — her skincare secrets.
On Sunday, January 27, the 29-year-old Bronx native responded to a follower who asked how she keeps her skin so clear in the presence of what’s sure to be a stressful job. “People want me to post my skincare routine — I don’t want it to seem too product-placementy so I’m not gonna go crazy w/ brands but here’s the gist,” she wrote. (Photo via Pacific Press/ Getty)
“STEP 1: DOUBLE CLEANSING. Look it up. If you wear makeup — esp foundation — you should double cleanse. Cleanse w/ a balm or oil to melt off the makeup and then use a usual soapy cleanser to wash your skin.” In addition to picking the right products, she mentioned that she favors face brushes and makeup towels when she’s feeling particularly good about her routine. “But also sometimes I just use a nice facewipe before bed,” she admits, noting to look for options made without alcohol. “GET IT OFF your face. We’ve all slept in makeup. The wipes are a really good place to start if this is a bad habit.”
Next, she relies on toners and actives. “[Toner] should feel like water but more nourishing (a lot of people use plain witch hazel. I’ve tried a lot of different kinds, they’re all good so long as there’s no alcohol),” she advised.
After her skin is prepped with lightweight beauty buys, she moves on to heavier lotions and creams. “Use a moisturizer that works with your skin. I find moisturizer to be one of the most personal steps bc everyone’s skin is different and it’s like finding jeans that fit,” the newly sworn-in representative explains. To top things off, she finishes with sunscreen. “The most important thing,” she emphasizes. “I’ve been using daily sunscreen since I was 19. I’ve been bad about it lately & can tell the difference.”
Ocasio-Cortez explains that she regularly experiments with skincare and tools. “I try to do a face mask or eye patch or something extra like that every once in a while,” she wrote. “I consider my approach a blend between K-beauty and scientific consensus. My mom used to break out a lot in her 20s so she taught me since I was a kid to not touch my face much or rest my face on my open hand a lot. Random but 🤷.” (Photo via Ira L. Black – Corbis/ Getty)
Last but not least, she commented on her diet and its impact on her skin. “A few years ago I kept breaking out and I tried cutting out dairy & my skin issues went away. I’ll still have dairy today but much less of it.” This isn’t the first time Ocasio-Cortez has spoken out about her beauty routine. In June 2018 the youngest woman elected to Congress tweeted that she had been getting a lot of inquiries about her debate lip color. “I GOT YOU,” she wrote. “It’s Stila “Stay All Day” Liquid in Beso.”
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