Turns out, even celebrities aren’t immune to the classic skincare slip-ups many of us regret in hindsight. Actress Lucy Hale, now 35, is opening up about her beauty evolution—and how a few too many sun-soaked days in her twenties have led her to rethink everything about her skincare routine.
Best known for her roles in Pretty Little Liars and the upcoming F** Marry Kill*, Hale has grown up under the glare of the spotlight. But behind the camera-ready complexion and red carpet glam, she admits she’s made her fair share of skincare missteps. Chief among them? Not taking sunscreen seriously in her early years.
“I was careless with sunscreen in my twenties,” Hale candidly shared in a recent interview with InStyle. “And now I’m paying for that.” It’s a sentiment that’s all too familiar—and a reminder that even stars aren’t born with skincare wisdom. It takes time, experience, and, as Hale puts it, “a lot of trial and error.”
Now, in her mid-thirties, Hale says her approach to skincare has transformed. “I’ve evolved so much with my routine since I first started out in acting,” she explained. “At this point in my life, when my skin feels good, I feel good.”
That shift in mindset is what led Hale to team up with Eucerin, the trusted drugstore skincare brand, as an ambassador for its Radiant Tone collection—a line specifically designed to tackle dullness, uneven tone, and stubborn dark spots. The affordable collection, which starts at just $19, targets the kind of sun damage and hyperpigmentation that Hale now calls her “main concern.”
“Dark spots that seemingly appeared out of nowhere,” she said, are the current skincare battle she’s fighting. And she’s not alone. Hyperpigmentation, especially from prolonged sun exposure without adequate protection, is one of the most common skin concerns for women in their 30s and beyond. It’s often tricky to treat—but not impossible.
Enter the Radiant Tone collection, which Hale says has been a game changer in her updated regimen. The line includes products infused with vitamin C, licorice root extract, and other tone-evening ingredients that help brighten and refine the complexion over time. For Hale, this partnership isn’t just a brand deal—it’s personal.
“I’m really passionate about skincare that’s accessible and actually works,” she said. “Not everything has to cost hundreds of dollars to be effective.”
That perspective is refreshing in an industry often saturated with luxury serums and celebrity brands promising miracles in a bottle. Hale’s approach is more realistic—focused on consistency, education, and products that deliver results without breaking the bank.
And yes, she still swears by sunscreen these days.
“It’s non-negotiable now,” she laughed. “I never leave the house without it.”
But Hale’s skincare journey is also reflective of something deeper: self-awareness and self-care evolving over time. As she’s grown more comfortable in her skin—literally and figuratively—she’s learned to approach beauty not as perfection, but as a reflection of how she feels.
“For me, skincare is self-care,” she said. “It’s the part of my day where I can slow down, check in with myself, and do something that makes me feel confident.”
That growing sense of confidence shows in Hale’s recent appearances and candid conversations about her mental health, boundaries, and the importance of routines. While her twenties were filled with experimentation and—like many of us—some beauty regrets, her thirties are shaping up to be more intentional.
It’s a relatable message, especially for anyone who’s looked back on old habits with a mix of nostalgia and regret. The takeaway? It’s never too late to make a change. Whether it’s committing to daily SPF, seeking out brightening products to address past damage, or simply taking a moment to care for your skin, the road to healthy skin is always evolving.
And if Lucy Hale is any indication, you don’t need a drawer full of luxury products to see results. Sometimes, all it takes is learning from your mistakes—and a little help from a $19 drugstore gem.
