One would think the details of Martha Stewart’s skincare routine would be classified information. The mogul, who has just turned 83, has always awed fans with just how smooth, glowing and — most importantly — healthy her skin is as she ages. While nothing is perfect, you could argue that Stewart’s skin may be the closest thing to it.
And something that good can’t solely be attained through a simple skincare routine and a few aesthetic treatments, can it? But alas, Stewart’s approach to her skin isn’t the result of some magic potion or a deal with the Illuminati. What she does is pretty straightforward, and there even some aspects of her regimen (such as sticking to a consistent routine and being pro-team sunscreen) that the rest of us can easily integrate into our lives as well. She works with two New York City-based dermatologists for all her skin needs.
, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery, is who she turns to to curate a daily skincare regimen and more regular upkeep. , MD, board-certified dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group, is who she turns to for cosmetic work. Below, both speak with about what it takes to look like Martha Stewart.
Her skincare regime Stewart’s daily routine is surprisingly simple. It consists of a daily morning sheet mask (some of which are custom-made and formulated specifically for her by Bhanusali), Cle de Peau’s Intensive Eye Contour Cream, the Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 (mixed with a moisturiser on her face, neck, decolleté and body), and a Mario Badescu Facial Spray throughout the day to calm the skin. But what really sets Stewart’s regimen apart is a bespoke serum.
Bhanusali uses VISIA-CR Skin Analysis imaging to measure things like photodamage and wrinkle progression before deciding which ingredients to mix together. “She has to know what every ingredient does, how it works; she loves seeing studies of skincare products – we actually talk through them a lot,” he says. “We look at a host of ingredients — most of which are hydrating and nourishing — and continue to work with her to find the right balances.
” Stewart is not a fan of exfoliants, so chances are low that you’ll find an alpha- or beta-hydroxy acid in any of these formulations. She and Bhanusali often text about skincare ingredients she’s curious about. Saffron, for example, is something she grows on her farm, and has asked Bhanusali if it’s something that she should be incorporating.
Because sun protection is Stewart’s main concern, the custom serum contains an antioxidant complex that neutralises free radicals from the harmful UV rays. “She has more sun exposure than probably 99.9% of people out there because she’s out farming every day,” he says.
“She’s literally on the farm near daily when she’s not at an event.” She practices — and preaches — diligent sunscreen use on top of everything, making sure she always applies SPF protection on her face, chest, backs of hands, and anywhere else her skin might be exposed to the sun. “She’s done a great job of educating the world on the importance of protecting yourself,” he adds.
“It’s great for all of us to see.” She also loves her facials. She opts for Laser Genesis to help tone the skin and his bespoke before big events.
But none of this would matter if she wasn’t consistent in her home care. “She embodies living well and being healthy,” he says. “I think you can see it and feel it around her.
” Her aesthetic treatments Unlike many celebrities who deny getting work done on their face, Stewart has been very open. Maintenance is the main goal with her, as Belkin says her skin is still in very great shape. “She doesn’t have a lot of lines at all,” he says.
“She really does have very nice, relatively elastic and firm skin.” He uses neuromodulators on her neck and jaw to lift and tighten and will opt for biostimulatory fillers over hyaluronic acid ones to give her cheeks and jaw needed volume. Biostimulatory fillers, he says, stimulate the fibroblasts to prompt more collagen production and are better suited if you’re looking to add a little volume all over.
“It depends on who you are, but for the most part, as people reach their fifties, sixties and seventies, I will usually lean more on biostimulatory fillers,” he says. He only does a small bit of Botox around her eyes, steering clear of her brows; after a failed attempt that resulted in giving her too high an arch, they have yet to recover from that incident. (“We joke about how I did that to her and she hated it,” he says).
Then he’ll go in with a hyaluronic acid filler to plump her lips. When it comes to these cosmetic procedures, she likes to take more of a hands-off approach. Belkin says she lets him take the reins on what he sees fit when it comes to these treatments.
“Martha’s really good at recognising others’ expertise,” he says. “She knows what her expertise is, obviously, and it’s in a wide range of subjects. But she’s also good at recognising when somebody else is at the top of [theirs].
Hopefully, I’ve convinced her that I’m there, so she trusts me to direct her how I feel would be best.” He’ll clean up any accumulated sun damage with non-ablative fractionated lasers, which are laser peels that stimulate skin cell turnover and reduce pre-cancerous cells and other signs of sun damage. She has also had energy-based therapies such as and for more lifting, firming and tightening all-round.
But these treatments are less frequent, with lasers being done about twice or three times a year. Any energy-based treatments are even more infrequent; Belkin says the last time they did one was about four years ago. Her elixir of youth Beauty is a holistic process and really does start from within.
And a big part of Stewart’s regimen includes supplying her body with nutrients and vitamins. One easy way to achieve this is through one drink: her daily green juice, which she drinks in the morning. “[It’s] loaded with antioxidants,” Bhanusali says.
“It’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever had in my life.” The not-so-secret recipe includes the following ingredients: celery, cucumber, parsley, spinach, mint, a touch of ginger, green pear, orange wedges with the rind left on, and either a papaya, mango, or pineapple to sweeten. And if it’s good enough for Stewart, then it’s definitely good enough for us.
.
