Bet You Didn’t Know Gabrielle Union’s Little Secret for Great Skin!

"Hollywood needs to recognise all shades of African American beauty."

Gabrielle Union-Wade is well-known for her titular role in Being Mary Jane. Apart from being a talented actor, she is also a notable public figure who has been outspoken about social justice, specifically on issues of racial and gender equality. Even Oprah Winfrey has praised Union for being an activist for women. But if there is one thing that baffles her fans, it is how the actress manages to look so youthful in her 50s!

The 51-year-old Bad Boys II actress has revealed a couple of things that make her look younger than she is. One of them is a positive attitude. Another is oily skin! In an interview with Us Weekly, Union said, “I’ve had oily skin my whole life.” She added, “When you’re a teenager and it’s causing 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.” Most would consider oily, greasy skin a problem, looking for all kinds of solutions to make it go away. But not her. The actress said that she has come to appreciate the natural oil her skin produces. She’s not alone; research has suggested that oily skin can produce more melanin, which helps protect the skin against the aging effects of sun damage.

Union also believes in eating healthy. “I try to make my plate like a rainbow,” she told Us Weekly. She added, “So, if you can work in some sweet potatoes or some yams or some yellow peppers just to try to make your plate as colorful as possible.”

Greasy skin and healthy eating are not all the actor relies on. She also believes drinking enough water is essential to keep the body refreshed and skin elastic. There are also a few things she recommended ditching. In the same interview with Us Weekly, Union suggested, “Eliminating all sugary drinks, the sodas, the coffee drinks…” She goes on to say, “Replace all of those [drinks] with water…It keeps things moving.” Similarly, in another interview with Racked, Union said, “Lifestyle-wise, the biggest change, honestly, came in my early 30s when I started drinking a gallon of water a day. I know, it’s a lot… but it’s the best thing you can do for your skin, hair, nails—everything. It’s the easiest and cheapest anti-aging secret I can pass along.”

So, we think it is safe to say that Union follows a holistic approach to skin health, and it shows!