Salma Hayek’s Secret to Aging Gracefully — What to Know

The "From Dusk Till Dawn" actress has captivated the world with her age-defying physique and appearance. However, as far as she has revealed, it truly hasn't taken much to maintain her beauty.

Salma Hayek burst onto the Hollywood scene in the '90s, going on to solidify herself as a household name in the entertainment industry. But beyond her talent, the longtime actress captivated her audience with her smoldering beauty.

At 59 years old, that beauty only continues to enthrall fans, particularly with her recent appearance on the Sports Illustrated this past May. Hayek had onlookers in awe, showcasing her toned figure while clad in flattering swimsuits.

"I remember when I was young, a long, long time ago, I was always excited to see the Swimsuit Issue of Sports Illustrated, and [thinking] 'Who's going to be in it?' Of course, I didn't look like a model, so it never crossed my mind that one day I would be in it," Hayek told the outlet.

"If somebody had told me I was gonna be in it at 58, I would have sent them to the madhouse, but the world has changed, and that's exciting," she continued. The "Desperado" star feels grateful to live in a generation where women are empowered to feel beautiful at any age.

"I don't know if the mindset [around aging] has changed that much or if it is that now women, when we are in our fifties, we're still hot," she told Good Housekeeping in May. "But what is indisputable is that our generation broke many walls, and we are an incredible workforce."

So, How Does the Film Star Age So Gracefully?

During a 2017 interview with the New York Times, she shared a few nuggets of advice. The main takeaway? Less is more. Although lengthy skincare routines are all the rage nowadays, Hayek takes a more conservative approach.

If you want to look just as refreshed as she does, here are a few of her tips:

1. Avoid Over-Cleansing

Hayek revealed to the New York Times that she only cleanses her face at night. "I never cleanse my skin in the morning," she shared. "My grandmother taught me that at night your skin replenishes all the things you lost during the day. Also, if I cleanse very well at night, why would it be dirty when I wake up?"

2. Easy on the Products

Hayek believes that the push to have multiple skincare products in your routine is a marketing tactic used by companies. She begins her own routine by spritzing rose water on her face before applying moisturizer.

"At night I take off my makeup with coconut oil," she continued. "Then I use rose water to take off the residuals. You can use a hot towel with the rose water — you put a wet towel in the microwave — to do a little steam."

She'll then follow with either the Chamomile Facial Cream Cleanser from her skincare line Nuance or the Watermelon Hybiscus Mask from her line with Juice Generation. "Or you can use a little bit of oatmeal and then some water or almond milk, and a little bit of honey, " she added. "You let it soak, and it's a great cleanser that makes your skin very soft."

3. Exfoliate, but in Moderation

Hayek advises against overexfoliating. "Exfoliating a lot may make you look good in the short term, but not I think in the long term," she said. "I see many women in L.A. who have exfoliated so much they look shiny. I'll use a mix of serums and oils depending on my skin that day."

4. Embrace Your Gray Hairs

Hayek is not in the business of looking younger. She embraces the parts of her that indicate she's growing older, and that includes her hair.

"It's my natural color, and it's my natural white hairs," she declared. "One of the reasons I don't dye my hair is because I don't have the patience to sit through it. I don't want to spend what's left of my youth pretending I'm younger and then not enjoying life."

As for staying in shape, Hayek doesn't follow any strict diets or exercise regimens. The businesswoman admitted she doesn't have the discipline for early morning workouts, but also shared that work takes up much of her time. "I've had some 20-hour days," she once told People.

Still, Hayek does stay active in ways that she enjoys. When she does have time for a workout, she incorporates dance into her routine. She also spends time outdoors with her dogs and engages in restorative yoga.