In conversation with actor Aditi Rao Hydari on the one thing that everyone wants to know—her skin care routine

When it comes to which actor from Bollywood aces the two words ‘skin goals’, few match up to Aditi Rao Hydari and her glowing peach-and-cream skin. One look at her and you can’t help wonder about the secret behind her beautiful, radiant complexion. Be it glam or her de-glam/natural look, Rao’s beauty is classic.
 
These days, she goes on about her love for hyaluronic acid, a beauty ingredient that’s taking over the world. Pronounced as hi-ah-lew-ron-ic acid, and also known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate, hyaluronic is a jelly-like slippery natural substance that your body produces anyway. The largest amounts of it are found in your skin, connective tissue, and eyes. Seen in a host of products that cater to one’s skin, face, and nails, there’s a host of benefits to its use. Take for example, it helps your skin look healthier and more supple, as it reduces wrinkles and lines, plays an instrumental role in wound healing, and is useful in treating dry eyes too. In conversation with Bazaar India, Rao shares her love for beauty products infused with hyaluronic acid, how its usage has improved her skin, how to make the most of it, her regular skincare routine, and at-home hacks to ensure a face that always glows.

Harper's Bazaar: What are some skincare practices you do today but wish you’d started earlier?
Aditi Rao Hydari: Using SPF (Sun Protection Factor) even on cloudy days is something I wish I knew earlier. Another practice is something I have been doing for a long time now, but there are a lot of people who do not realise how important it is to have a proper skincare routine. Even if it is basic three-step-routine, it can go a long way in keeping your skin healthier and younger.

HB: Hyaluronic acid is now a trending ingredient in a lot of skincare products, how has it helped your skin?
ARH: Hyaluronic acid has taken skincare to the next level. For me, ever since I got introduced to the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Serum for my skincare routine, it has worked like magic. It is light weight and non-greasy and makes my skin feel super-soft, plump, and radiant.

HB: What is the right way to use hyaluronic acid to maximize its benefits?
ARH: For skincare, I would suggest using a product enriched with hyaluronic acid like the Revitalift I mentioned earlier. Use it on damp skin after cleansing to hydrate the skin. Follow up the serum with a moisturizer to seal in the hydration. Similarly, for haircare, I use the L'Oréal Paris' Moisture Range. One should follow the three-step routine by first washing their hair with the moisture filling shampoo, followed by the moisture sealing conditioner. Then, before going to bed, use the night cream for your hair. 

HB: What does your daily morning skincare routine look like? Do you have a separate nighttime skincare routine?
ARH: In the morning I wash my face with a mixture of raw milk and oats. I follow it up with a toner and an hyaluronic acid serum. I am now very particular about sunscreen. I apply a sunscreen whether I am at home or heading out. Before going to bed, I cleanse my face with a gentle cleanser and a make-up remover post shoot. I then apply eye cream and moisturize my face with the night cream.

HB: What are some home skincare hacks you’ve picked up over the course of time?
ARH: It’s important to stay hydrated and eat healthy fruits and veggies. I make sure to always carry a bottle of water with me, no matter how hectic my schedule is. Moreover, whenever I feel like snacking, I pick up a fruit—it is filling as well as healthy. So, it is a win-win for me.

HB: Your job entails you applying layers of makeup every day, what are the additional steps you take to ensure radiant skin?
ARH: I ensure to take off my makeup before going to bed to let my skin breathe, followed by my skincare routine, which I follow religiously. I believe proper exercise and diet not only keeps my overall health in check but also keeps my glow intact.

HB: Is there any skincare practice that you have had to unlearn when taking care of your skin?
ARH: Using the same products throughout the year was something I had to unlearn in my early years of skincare. With time, I got to know how necessary it was to use different skincare products in different seasons depending on how the weather will impact my skin.

All images: Harper's Bazaar India April-May 2020 issue