When she’s not helping people find closure from past relationships on MTV’s binge-worthy Ghosted, media personality and lawyer Rachel Lindsay is holding reality TV accountable when it comes to diverse representation and denouncing the rampant racism that still lies within the industry. Being an advocate for racial justice and an entertainer is tough work, yet Lindsay gets it done with the natural grace and glowing skin that she’s become recognized for.
“I used to be a minimalist when it came to skin care, and then I stepped into my 30s and my skin completely changed,” says Lindsay. Growing up, she tells Glamour, her approach to skin care was very much touch and go. “When I tell people this they usually cringe, but when I was in my 20s I would definitely wash my face in the morning, maybe at night, with a bar soap. And if I saw any type of blemish I would use rubbing alcohol.”
That all changed when she moved from humid Miami to Los Angeles, which is known for being incredibly dry. Not long after relocating, Lindsay had to find a new skin-care routine quickly that would help treat the adult acne she was suddenly experiencing. “I was in Miami for a long time, where you step outside and it’s like you’re getting a facial,” she says. “And then I moved to L.A. The dry climate was a complete shock to my system, so I had to focus on tackling my skin because I had breakouts like I never did before. I had dryness, and I was left with scarring and hyperpigmentation, which I had never dealt with before.”
Lindsay credits her skin bounce-back to facialist Sonya Dakar. She goes in for a facial about once a month (a mix of extractions, undereye cupping, infrared light, and sitting under an oxygen mask) and, for the most part, exclusively uses Dakar’s line to cleanse, hydrate, and protect her combination skin. “I follow every rule that she gives me, from going to her monthly and using the right products, to changing my face towel and pillowcases in the morning and at night, every single day. I’ve seen such a drastic improvement.”
Helping people come to terms with past heartbreak isn’t for the faint of heart, yet that’s exactly what Lindsay and cohost Travis Mills have set out to do on season two of Ghosted. Read on to find out how Lindsay keeps her skin calm and collected while navigating whirlwind relationships for the latest segment of Glamour’s Drop the Routine.
My Cleanser
I get my makeup done five days out of the week, so that’s something I have to tackle well. I start off with Sonya Dakar’s Sensi Wash, which is a pretty gentle face wash. I used to use my hands but switched to a face towel because of what’s going on my face every day. I realized I wasn’t getting down deep enough to remove all my makeup. I also sweat really easily, and I think that buildup was also affecting my skin.
My Toner
After cleansing, I use a toner on my face to help brighten my skin, and this one is amazing. Consistency is important for me when it comes to my skin-care routine now—that and treating dark spots and wrinkle lines.
My Moisturizers
I’m a longtime fan of Mary Kay, and my favorite product is the antiaging moisturizer. My mom uses it, and I followed in her footsteps of using it on my face and neck twice a day. It’s light and effective. I also really like Sonya Dakar’s Omega Oil, which I’ll follow with her Blue Butterfly Balm. It’s this creamy moisturizer that makes your skin feel like silk.
My Dark-Spot Treatments
To help with some of the dark spots and scarring that I have, I’ll put a brightening cream directly on the spots I want to treat. I was also recently introduced to Good Genes by Sunday Riley. It plumps any fine lines and brightens the appearance of dark spots while exfoliating my skin to help prevent clogged pores.
Catch Rachel Lindsay in the latest season of Ghosted online now. This interview has been edited and condensed.
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