From drinking hot water with lemon in the morning to chugging a spoonful of olive oil each day, there is no shortage of easy ‘hacks’ that claim to make you look better and live longer – and even celebrities aren’t immune to their charm.
A-listers including Jennifer Lopez, Liz Hurley and Tom Jones have all boasted a myriad of seemingly cheap and simple tricks that tout health benefits, from ice water to hanging upside down – and some of them even credit them for their ageless looks.
Now, beauty experts have given their verdict on which habits are actually worth it and which ones won’t do much unless you’ve got a Hollywood star’s gym and skincare budget.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, dermatological and aesthetic doctor Dr Nora Jafaar and make-up artist William Grande examined the hacks of the rich and famous.
So, before you believe these simple tricks will help you drink from the fountain of youth, read on to see which tips hold up – and which ones have been debunked…
LIZ HURLEY, 60, DRINKS TWO MUGS OF WARM WATER IN THE MORNING
Liz Hurley recently shared that she likes to drink two mugs of warm water in the morning
‘I don’t personally guzzle weird green juices or take a load of supplements,’ supermodel Elizabeth shared on her Instagram. ‘But I’ve drunk two mugs of warm water first thing every morning for as long as I remember, and I swear by it… and it’s free.’
However, Dr Jafaar said that while staying hydrated won’t do any harm, it’s not enough to meaningfully change anything about your looks.
‘Hydration is essential for maintaining skin turgor and supporting normal cellular function, but the temperature of the water has no meaningful impact on skin ageing pathways,’ she shared.
‘There is no evidence that hot water influences collagen synthesis, elastin integrity, or dermal remodelling.’
Meanwhile, William added that ‘as much as this is a great way to stay hydrated, there isn’t really any evidence or science back up’ that it keeps you looking young.
‘If you’re doing this for hydration reasons, just use serums and toners with high collagen and hyaluronic acid.’
Verdict: A supportive wellness habit for hydration, but not directly linked to anti-ageing.
JENNIFER ANISTON, 57, SPLASHES HER FACE WITH ICE WATER 25 TIMES
She’s known for her ageless glamour – and recently, in an interview with Allure, Jennifer Aniston revealed that she splashes her face with cold water to keep her skin ‘tight’
She’s known for her ageless glamour – and recently, in an interview with Allure, Jennifer Aniston revealed that she splashes her face with cold water to keep her skin ‘tight’.
‘What I do is, I get a bowl and then fill it with ice. And then I splash my face 25 times,’ she explained.
‘It wakes you up [and] gives you a little burst of energy. I think it’s good for your pores – [it] tightens everything up. So, who doesn’t want everything tightened? Keep it tight!’
Dr Jafaar and William said there are visible differences that can be achieved with this hack – but they are largely short-term.
‘Cold exposure induces transient vasoconstriction, reducing superficial oedema and giving a temporary tightening effect,’ Dr Jafaar explained. ‘However, this does not influence fibroblast activity, collagen production, or long-term dermal architecture.’
‘This ice water trend has been around for ages,’ William added. ‘Kylie Jenner has done it, the belief behind this hack is that you close your pores and tighten your skin. This is good for people who have puffiness and want that snatched effect.
‘I love this hack. There’s many benefits such as boosting circulation, brighter complexion, reducing dark circles and tightening the skin. I will say however, 25 times a day is very excessive. And you probably only need to do it in the morning.’
Verdict: Useful for short-term de-puffing, but effects are temporary rather than structural.
JOANNA LUMLEY, 79, WASHING HER FACE WITH ‘ANY SOAP’
Joanna revealed that she uses Astral to take her make-up off and ‘if she hasn’t got a face scrub to hand, she’ll use an old toothbrush very gently and some soap’
Speaking to the Telegraph, British TV legend Joanna revealed that she uses Astral to take her make-up off and ‘if she hasn’t got a face scrub to hand, she’ll use an old toothbrush very gently and some soap’.
‘Otherwise, I wash my face with whatever soap’s lying on the side of the bath and hot water, and when my skin’s dry, I put on Lancôme,’ she added. ‘I’ve used them for years – sometimes eye pencils, sometimes night creams, and I’m faithful because you buy it and it works.’
However, the experts felt this hack could be doing more harm than good – and may possibly not be the reason Joanna still boasts such glamorous looks.
‘This gives me ANXIETY,’ William said. ‘A lot of people don’t realise the importance of cleansing, especially if you wear makeup. A lot of soaps that are just left around can build bacteria and dry out your skin.
‘Also the majority of hand soaps have a high pH and contain alkaline, which can strip hydration and damage your skin barrier. DO NOT USE SOAPS!’
‘Harsh or non-pH-balanced cleansers can disrupt the stratum corneum, increasing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and impairing barrier function,’ Dr Jafaar agreed. ‘Hot water further exacerbates lipid depletion and can trigger vasodilation, worsening erythema and sensitivity.’
Verdict: Simplicity can work, but this approach may compromise barrier health over time.
JENNIFER LOPEZ, 56, SWEARS BY OLIVE OIL FOR AGELESS SKIN
Jennifer Lopez is one of many stars who swears by olive oil – and has even included it as an ingredient in her skincare line, JLo Beauty
Jennifer Lopez is one of many stars who swears by olive oil – and has even included it as an ingredient in her skincare line, JLo Beauty.
‘My mom used to say that olive oil was the cure-all for everything,’ she told Vogue.
‘The short answer is you can do this,’ William explained. ‘Olive oil has many great ingredients like antioxidants that heal and protect the skin. There are also lots of hydration benefits which can delay the ageing process. Olive oil is also in many skin care and hair products. So this is definitely a great hack, just don’t overdo it.’
Dr Jafaar also said that ‘while olive oil provides emollient effects topically and antioxidant benefits systemically, it does not modulate key processes such as collagen degradation, glycation, or photoageing’.
‘Skin ageing outcomes are far more strongly influenced by UV exposure, genetics, and medical-grade interventions,’ she added.
Verdict: Can support skin as part of a wider routine, but not a defining factor in skin ageing.
SANDRA BULLOCK, 61, USING HAEMORRHOID CREAM UNDER HER EYES
Sandra Bullock famously played a detective turned glamour queen – forced to go undercover as a beauty queen – in the Miss Congeniality movies. However, at the premiere of the second film, she revealed that she had picked up some hacks from the world of pageantry
Sandra Bullock famously played a detective turned glamour queen – forced to go undercover as a beauty queen – in the Miss Congeniality movies.
However, at the premiere of the second film, she revealed that she had picked up some hacks from the world of pageantry.
‘My favorite beauty-pageant secret: I didn’t realise that putting hemorrhoid ointment on your face is acceptable in the beauty business,’ she explained. ‘But apparently butt cream does help lines around the eyes.’
Dr Jafaar advised however, to be cautious. Even though the hack sounds effective (and most formulas will likely set you back around £5 maximum), it’s not suitable in the long term.
‘Many haemorrhoid formulations contain vasoconstrictors and corticosteroids,’ she said. ‘While these may temporarily reduce periorbital swelling, chronic use can lead to dermal atrophy, collagen degradation, and increased risk of ocular complications due to percutaneous absorption in this thin skin area.’
‘As much as the ingredients inside hemorrhoid creams are good, at the end of the day it’s not made for your under eyes,’ William added.
‘And if you use this product and it ends up in your eyes it can be very dangerous and leave you with permanent problems.
‘I don’t understand why you would opt to do this when there are so many eye creams with ingredients that are made for the eye space. Such as L’Oréal Paris HA eye serum, the Inkey list caffeine eye cream. Both these eye creams reduce puffiness.’
Verdict: May offer short-term cosmetic improvement, but not suitable for ongoing use around the eyes.
TOM JONES, 85, HANGS UPSIDE DOWN ‘LIKE A BAT’
Tom Jones has shared that he is a fan of ‘inversion therapy’ in his older years
Tom Jones has shared that he is a fan of ‘inversion therapy’ in his older years, telling The Sun: ‘In 2030 I am going to be 90 years old. I hang upside down. You know on one of those frames.
‘It’s great. You put your feet in the thing and you flip and you hang.’
According to Web MD, ‘the theory is that being upside down eases the pressure of gravity on your nerves and the disks in your spine’.
It’s in theory cheap and simple (although some more advanced harnesses cost around £300, while cheaper options also include picks under £100) – and the experts say there are health benefits, but they likely won’t affect your outward appearance.
‘What a hack. Inversion therapy is great for posture and spinal relief. It’s definitely an underrated hack for people with chronic lower back pain, poor circulation, sciatica and scoliosis,’ William said. ‘At 85 Tom Jones looks great and you can tell this hack works for him.’
Meanwhile, Dr Jafaar added: ‘Inversion increases transient blood flow to the facial vasculature, which may create a temporary flushed appearance. However, there is no evidence this affects dermal matrix composition, collagen density, or cellular ageing pathways.’
Verdict: Likely to create a temporary glow, without influencing long-term skin ageing.
MAYA JAMA, 31, SWEARS BY BIO OIL
Maya Jama says she has taken her mother’s advice when it comes to maintaining the quality of her skin with one product recommendation that only costs about £13
She is still young and stunning – and model and presenter Maya Jama says she has taken her mother’s advice when it comes to maintaining the quality of her skin with one product recommendation that only costs about £13.
‘I’ve been using Bio-Oil for years. In my house, my mum always had it for stretch marks or scars and things like that,’ she told Vogue.
‘Straight after the shower, if you’re a little bit damp and you put it on, in my mind it locks in moisture more. But I don’t know if that’s a fact! So yeah, Bio-Oil, I douse myself in that.’
However, beauty experts aren’t convinced.
‘Topical oils function primarily as occlusives and emollients, improving skin hydration and reducing the appearance of fine lines secondary to dehydration,’ Dr Jafaar explained. ‘They do not stimulate collagen synthesis or alter underlying structural ageing.’
Meanwhile, William finds Bio-Oil ‘to be quite a controversial product and hack’.
‘Many swear by it and say it’s changed their lives, having transformed the appearance of their stretch marks and acne scars, as well as providing a noticeable glow and hydration,’ he said.
‘The bottle itself has many claims: dermatologists say avoid Bio-Oil as it’s overpriced and has irritating essential oils. There also isn’t any scientific evidence to prove that Bio-Oil works.
‘If it’s stretch marks/scars that you want to tackle, here are ingredients that ACTUALLY help. First one being Hyaluronic acid, to apply on damp skin. Secondly Centella asiatica (cica), to stimulate collagen & moisturise. Lastly, is Tretinoin (2-3x/week) which will help with cell turnover and stimulate collagen.’
Verdict: Beneficial for hydration and skin comfort, with more modest impact on deeper ageing changes.
KATE HUDSON, 46, STEAMS HER FACE WITH A FACIAL STEAMER
According to Marie Claire, she likes to do it ‘at night, but I don’t steam every day. I don’t think that’s good for your skin. I steam maybe two, three times a week’
In 2022, while sharing insights into her skincare routine, Kate Hudson revealed that she is a fan of face steaming – and used specifically the Vanity Planet Aira Ionic Facial Steamer, which is now retailing for around £100
In 2022, while sharing insights into her skincare routine, Kate Hudson revealed that she is a fan of face steaming – and used specifically the Vanity Planet Aira Ionic Facial Steamer, which is now retailing for around £100.
According to Marie Claire, she likes to do it ‘at night, but I don’t steam every day. I don’t think that’s good for your skin. I steam maybe two, three times a week.’
‘Steaming is such a popular skin care hack. What’s great about this hack is that it doesn’t include any chemicals, it’s completely natural and there are many benefits from doing this,’ William said. ‘Such as reducing pores, softening the skin which can help with dead skin cells. I will say though, overdoing this can irritate the skin, so don’t overdo it.’
And Dr Jafaar added: ‘Steam increases skin surface temperature and hydration transiently, which may soften keratin and loosen debris within follicles.
‘However, it does not alter pore size or sebum production long-term, and excessive heat exposure may impair barrier function and exacerbate inflammatory conditions.’
Verdict: Can be helpful occasionally, but best used cautiously to avoid barrier disruption.
BEVERLEY CALLARD, 69, HAS A TEASPOON OF OLIVE OIL DAILY
Coronation Street star Beverley Callard has shared that she takes a teaspoon of olive oil every day – even though she finds it ‘vile’
Coronation Street star Beverley Callard has shared that she takes a teaspoon of olive oil every day – even though she finds it ‘vile’.
‘I read the other day that if you take one tablespoon of virgin olive oil every single day, it’s meant to be miraculous and keep you looking young and be good for your skin and hair,’ she told social media followers. ‘God knows I need it.
‘Olive oil contains monounsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols with antioxidant properties, which may contribute to systemic reduction in oxidative stress,’ Dr Jafaar said. ‘However, its isolated effect on cutaneous ageing is minimal compared to overall dietary patterns and photoprotection.’
Verdict: A positive dietary addition, though its skin benefits are part of a broader lifestyle picture.
