As Sophia Loren Turns 88, Here Are the Icon’s Beauty and Life Rules That Make Her Imperfectly Stunning

At 88, Sophia Loren continues to keep us in awe of her. Even though, for decades, she impressed the world with her beauty, she is showing everyone that how we feel is so much more important than how we look. After all, it’s our confidence, state of mind, and love of life that radiate on our faces and make us genuinely appealing. And the good news is that even if youth don’t last forever, these inner qualities can always stay with us. This is why Loren continues to be an icon whose magnetic aura will never fade.

Bright Side admires this Hollywood star’s views on life and the way she’s always stayed true to her own beliefs. We want to share the story of an icon who is showing the world that aging is not something to be feared.

Don’t chase perfection.

It’s hard to imagine that Loren, one of the most gorgeous women Hollywood has ever seen, was at one point criticized for her looks and even asked to fix what was deemed as imperfections on her face. She revealed, “They were saying that my nose was too long and my mouth was too big.”

In fact, the then-young actress remained utterly unbothered by the pressures to have plastic surgery and put her foot down, insisting on keeping her natural features intact. She explained, “And I said: ’Listen, I don’t want to touch nothing on my face because I like my face.’” She added, “If I have to change my nose, I am going back to Pozzuoli,” — which is her hometown in Italy.

How you feel is what truly matters.

Sophia strongly believes that beauty is not about looking absolutely perfect; in fact, it’s not really about looks at all. She once said, “Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.”

And it seems that she continues to apply this rule to this day. The octogenarian has noted, "When I look in the mirror, I cheer for myself. I don’t ask, ’Are you great?’ or ’Are you beautiful?’ No!’’ She added, “It’s how I feel inside, how secure I am, how happy I am. That’s what matters.”

It’s as simple as olive oil.

The Italian star is a big fan of olive oil. Loren follows a Mediterranean diet, and she makes sure to include 2 tablespoons of it in her food every single day. However, her love for olive oil doesn’t stop here. She also credits her skin’s moisturized and glossy appearance to rubbing a small amount on a regular basis. She even admitted to taking olive oil baths by pouring a few capfuls of the good stuff in while running the hot water.

Accept the aging process.

Instead of pursuing different methods and procedures that will slow down the aging process, the icon has decided to adopt a completely different approach. She noted, “If you accept the aging process and live in the present, then you age gracefully.” She believes that aging naturally is a sign of inner peace. She even questioned, “Why change your body and be somebody else if you are happy inside?”

But stay young in the head.

At 88, the stunning actress radiates youthfulness, and her love of life is still very much intact. As a matter of fact, she is the greatest proof that it’s our state of mind — rather than our years — that defines who we are. A couple of years ago, she admitted, “Sometimes, when I say I’m 86, I don’t believe it. I feel 20.”

And when we look at how she’s led her life, we understand that age is nothing but a number. She’s still thriving, being featured as a cover girl in magazines, and even returned to the big screen at the age of 86 in the 2020 movie The Life Ahead.

And Loren knows that feeling so energized and young in the head starts with keeping her body active on a daily basis. She said, “A little exercise is good. But I walk, walk, walk, walk! I walk an hour every day,” and then added, "Physical exercise makes you more graceful. Walk as if the whole street is yours.’’

What do you think of Sophia Loren’s life and beauty rules? Do you agree that accepting the aging process is the best way to look our best?