Drew Barrymore Is 50 Today—The Best Beauty Lessons We’ve Learned from the ‘Scream’ Queen

If I could chose one celebrity to sit down with (hand-in-hand and very close together in true The Drew Barrymore Show fashion) and ask all my pressing questions about life, love and finding yourself, Drew Barrymore would easily top my list and doubtlessly many, many others’ too. Throughout her decades-long career as an actress, talk show host, entrepreneur and mother, Barrymore has served as a consistent light in the sometimes negative pop culture world, always making time for heart-felt chats, candid advice and, of course, a good laugh.

Today marks Barrymore’s 50th birthday, if you can believe, and to celebrate, we’re looking back at all the valuable tips and tricks she’s taught us throughout her career, namely her beauty advice for aging gracefully and loving yourself through every phase of life. Ahead, some of the Scream queen’s best beauty thoughts throughout the years.

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Take Care of Your Skin

Our Spring 2019 NewBeauty cover star, Barrymore was used to slathering her face in fake blood and sweat before she even tried her hand at makeup or skin care, so she knows a thing or two about what leaving your skin by the wayside can do. “When I was a teen, I washed my face with a bar of clear vitamin E soap,” she told NewBeauty. “Nothing. Moisturizers always broke me out. They still do on my chin. My chin is like a completely different neighborhood on my face, and you don’t go there after dark. Any product that goes on my chin will screw it up. In my late 30s, I started taking my skin seriously. I like scrubs and all of that stuff, and acids and tingling, but I’m still a firm believer in the most gentle face washes.”

In terms of her favorite products, Barrymore told NewBeauty, “I’m obsessed with Augustinus Bader’s Rich Cream ($265) and Shani Darden’s Retinol Reform ($95)—it has a little tingle when you put it on. Dr. Dan’s CortiBalm ($7) is really good for hydrating dry lips. And my Clinique acne gel ($27). I just spot it on any arriving friend from out of town in the form of a zit and say, ‘Go back to where you came from!’”

Less Is More: Noninvasive Treatments for the Win

Never one to hide the truth, Barrymore has been honest about her perspective on cosmetic treatments on several occasions. At Dove’s 20 year celebration of itsr Real Beauty initiative last year, Barrymore got real about the reason why she hasn’t had any invasive cosmetic treatments or plastic surgery done despite the weight of societal beauty standards. “I have a highly addictive personality,” she began. “If I tried anything, I would look like I don’t even know what within a month. I am proud to say that I have never altered myself—I’ve never put a needle in my face, I’ve never screwed with anything, I haven’t messed with a thing. It’s largely a reaction to the toxicity and the pressure, the invitation to self loathe all of my youth that I just said, ‘I am never going to be a part of that.’”

What she is a fan of though, is a good noninvasive skin treatment or in-office facial. “I love the Clear + Brilliant laser,” the actress told NewBeauty. “I do it once a year to slough away my sunspots. I also try to get a facial once a year, but I just don’t have the time to go more frequently.”

Appreciate Your Body and Treat it Well

Even celebrities as radiant and positive as Barrymore have struggled with self-image issues, and the talk show host is not one to shy away from talking about her experiences with confidence ebbs and flows. “I go up and I go down,” Barrymore wrote in the caption for an Instagram post promoting The Santa Clarita Diet. “The rollercoaster of my body is a challenging, but beautiful ride. I made two kids. The single most important purpose for me being on this planet is for them! It is a true miracle I was able to have these two girls. So whatever the aftermath on my body, well bring it on!”

Despite her now positive outlook, Barrymore has had her moments like us all. “That said, there have been times I have stood in my closet and just cried,” she continued in the caption. “Hated getting dressed. Didn’t feel good! It takes so much for me to look decent. I have to eat just right and Work my ass off! I cannot fight the fact that I have the propensity to be the Pillsbury dough boy! (Now all I can think about is crescent rolls) So DON’T Be fooled by what you see when people are thin right after baby. Don’t compare yourself to the magazines and the red carpets. If I looked decent on anything I have done since I had my two kids, I have clawed my way there. You can too!”

Don’t Take Yourself too Seriously—Beauty Is Inside-Out

At the end of the day—while eating well, taking care of our skin and investing in high-quality products can make a big difference in our beauty routines—Barrymore’s best beauty advice is to not take yourself too seriously and to be kind. When we asked our Spring 2019 cover star if she had any healthy habits for feeling good, she said “Just behaving. Being as nice as I can. Not being a total A-hole. Just being in a good mood at work, not losing my cool when my kids lose their cool. Not sweating the small stuff. I’ve realized that even when the little things aggravate you and seem really big and monumental, or even very public within your own circle and you just wish you could hide your problems, you just can’t lose your cool. Be nice through all of it. That’s always when I feel the best, no matter what.”