Skincare Secrets: 4 Kiwi Models Share Their Must-Haves For Photo Ready Skin

I started using Avene Cicalfate this year and I love it! Whenever I have any irritation or dryness I use Cicalfate and it always calms the irritation down within a few days. I find it’s also really great to use as a moisturiser when the weather is drier, or as a protective layer before putting makeup on. I always mix in Cicalfate with my regular moisturiser after jobs to avoid irritation after having makeup on for long periods of time.

Sometimes my skin flares up and I get eczema and dry patches on my face. When that happens I really try to keep it simple and minimise the amount of products and chemicals I’m using on my skin. Lucas Pawpaw only has a few natural ingredients so I find it always works super well. The main active ingredient papaya (pawpaw) naturally has healing, relieving and cleansing properties which I find really soothing for my skin. 

I love doing sheet masks on Sunday night so my skin feels fresh and revitalised for the next week! The Mediheal Sheet Masks are my favourite, I started getting into them when I was modelling in Seoul.

Once a month I have a contrast therapy session at Sala. The infrared sauna helps clear my pores and reduce the appearance of sun damage and scarring, and the ice bath helps to improve circulation and reduces inflammation. My skin always feels great after the contrast session, it really helps to clear any build up. I find these sessions super relaxing and look forward to them every month. 

I also take fish oil, collagen and probiotic supplements daily. These vitamins really help with retaining moisturiser, improving skin elasticity and maintaining a healthy skin barrier – I’ve seen a huge difference in my skin after being consistent with taking these supplements.

Most importantly, though – sunscreen. It’s so important to use to avoid skin damage and prevent the signs of ageing. I use it every day and this La Roche Posay one is my go to! It’s really light weight and doesn’t leave that greasy oily feel that some other sunscreens do. The tint gives your skin a nice glow which is a bonus.

For me, proper cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturising is key to having photo-ready skin. I always double cleanse at night, and my current rotation includes HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice deep cleansing oil, followed by La-Roche Posay Mela B3 cleanser.  The Dermalogica daily microfoliant is unbeatable for a physical exfoliation. I will alternate that with a chemical exfoliant, and I am currently using the Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads.

In the morning on the day of a shoot I focus on de-puffing with an ice roller or ice cube, and facial massage with my serums and moisturisers. My go to moisturiser is the Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturiser. It’s very simple, and hydrates well without being greasy. It also lays nicely under makeup and doesn’t pull up when the artist is applying foundation.  On the way to a shoot I always wear under eye patches to hydrate and de-puff. My favourite ones are the reusable silicone eye masks.

In my 15 years of being a model and trying all of the diets and exercise programs, I have found that strength training with heavy weights and compound movements works the best for me. I try to eat 100g of protein a day and staying hydrated. I don’t know what kind of magic this does to the face, but I swear having more muscle tone everywhere helps your face look snatched and bouncy.

Feeling physically strong also helps your stamina on set and able to uncomfortable poses for longer which makes you easier to work with for the rest of the team.

Maya Silwood

Agency: 62Management 

Emma Lewisham Supernatural Cream – My go-to for deep hydration! The Emma Lewisham Supernatural cream always leaves my skin looking super glowy and feeling soft. I use it before arriving on set and sometimes even bring it with me! As someone with sensitive skin, it’s been a perfect fit.

Infrared Sauna at Sala – I’ve made a weekly 45-minute infrared sauna at Sala part of my wellness routine. It’s been great for deep relaxation, and I’ve noticed it’s helped me balance my hormones and improve my sleep quality. It’s like hitting reset each week.

Two Islands Skin Hydration Elixir – One of my biggest skin lessons has been keeping things simple and focusing on gut health. I recently started taking Two Islands’ Skin Hydration Elixir, and it’s been great for boosting hydration from the inside out—and it also tastes delicious!

Lash Lift and Brow Lamination at Honeyroom – I love getting a lash lift and brow lamination at Honeyroom. Not only are the team there amazing, but they really know how to elevate the brow and lash game. For a low-maintenance girl like me, having my brows and lashes looking polished gives me an extra confidence boost when I arrive on set.

Sans [ceuticals] Activator 7 Oil – This is a holy grail product! I apply it on my face, body, and hair—literally everywhere. People often compliment my skin’s glow, and it feels incredibly nourishing, especially in colder months.

Charlotte Moffat

Agency: Super

The night before a shoot I drink lots of water to hydrate my skin, reduce bloating and prep my body for a big day. Sometimes I use a Shakti mat to improve circulation so I can sleep well (I have got to the point where I fall asleep on it lol). I also use the following products:

Kawakawa and Mānuka balm. 

I have been making and using this balm for 3 years. I use it as an overnight mask or lip balm to have super hydrated and soft skin for shoot day!

Retinol

Sometimes I will use a small amount of retinol the night before a shoot to smooth out my skin. I make sure to use sunscreen the next day if I am shooting in the sun!

Rose hip oil 

I use this as carrier oil for retinol and general skin brightness. 

Day of the shoot:

I hydrate my skin in the morning with Weleda skin food, as my skin can get dry if I haven’t had enough sleep (early call time etc.) and I use 415AD by Curionoir. Because smelling good = feeling good 😉