“I Would Never Consider Plastic Surgery” Gabrielle Union Shares the Secrets Behind Her Youthful Look

Gabrielle Union turned 50 years old last year, but many fans have noted that she seems to have stopped aging long ago. Afraid of needles, Union never turned to plastic surgery or Botox. Instead, she focuses on taking care of herself both physically and mentally. Over the years, she’s found a routine that works wonders for her, and she decided to share some foolproof tips.

She’s too scared of needles to try plastic surgery or Botox.

Like many other celebs, Gabrielle Union isn’t an advocate of plastic surgery." I have flaws, but I would never consider plastic surgery," the actress revealed in an interview more than a decade ago. And several years later, she still hasn’t changed her mind. But her fear of needles is really preventing her from going under the knife or trying Botox. “I don’t like needles. I’m not going to rule out Botox, but the idea of putting a needle in my face — I’m not there yet.”

She doesn’t follow a strict diet.

Union prioritizes a healthy diet, but she doesn’t like to restrict herself too much when it comes to food that she enjoys. She likes to indulge from time to time, eating her favorites like French fries, chicken wings, or cookies. But when she’s busy with shootings, she turns to healthier alternatives. One such favorite is a juice made of beets, carrots, and kale, which she drinks almost daily.

She gets regular exercise in order to stay healthy.

The famous actress revealed a history of illness in her family, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol. To decrease her likelihood of developing these illnesses, Union has a regular workout routine. “I want to be a vital and energetic part of my family for a long time. I work out not because I get off on it but because I want to live!” she confessed.

Even though she only works out for around 20 minutes daily, she mixes various exercises into her routine. She likes Pilates, cardio (like interval training), and strength training, which helps her feel more energized.

She has always struggled with oily skin, but this has now become an advantage.

“I’ve had oily skin my whole life,” Gabrielle Union explained. “When you’re a teenager, and it’s wreaking havoc on your skin, it feels like the worst thing in the world. But as you get older, that oil is sort of like embalming fluid, if you will. It keeps you youthful-looking.” According to scientists, people with oily rather than dry skin develop wrinkles later in life. On the other hand, it’s a myth that people with oily skin shouldn’t use a moisturizer, as they still need hydration.

When it comes to skincare, she sticks to the essentials.

Although relatively simple, Union has a foolproof routine that keeps her skin youthful and glowing. In the morning, she starts with a cream-based cleanser or an oil-free acne wash, moving on to scrub, then a toner and facial oil. She finishes with sunscreen that she makes sure to use every single day.

In the evening, she stresses the importance of always removing your makeup before bed. Again, this step is followed by a cleanser and a toner. She also likes to use specific serums in the evening, like retinol and a color-correcting serum. Despite having oily skin, Gabrielle Union knows well that she still needs to use a moisturizer and an eye cream, which are a part of her routine, while she uses a sleeping mask occasionally for extra hydration.

“My best anti-aging tip is the ability to say no.”

Besides caring for her physical health, the most crucial thing for looking and feeling youthful is eliminating stress. “My best anti-aging tip is the ability to say no, no, and hell no,” she said. “We run ourselves ragged saying yes to every freaking thing, whether it’s to our family, spouses, or careers. I sleep 8 hours a day and don’t let myself stress out. A lot of people call it selfish, but I don’t have any wrinkles,” the gorgeous actress jokingly explained.

Want to learn more about what other beloved celebs do to preserve their youthful looks? Check out other tips from Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, and Jennifer Aniston!