Actress Elle Fanning on being steadfast with sun protection and the benefits of a nightly bath. Plus, how she has learnt to manage her eczema-prone skin
Ever wondered what an A-list actress carries in her handbag? “You’re not going to find much,” says Elle Fanning, as she pulls out her Invisalign and shades. “I like options for sunglasses, so I’ll put in maybe two. Gum, I love chewing gum. My wallet and keys, although sometimes I forget my keys. My concealer is in there for sure and headphones.” Alicia Keys, Stevie Nicks, Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash all make it on to her playlists.
Acting since the age of two, Elle has starred in family favourites like We Bought a Zoo and Disney’s Maleficent, as well as the quirky historical satire series, The Great.
At the time of writing, the soon-to-be 26-year-old, who is dating Gus Wenner, CEO of Rolling Stone magazine, is preparing to make her Broadway debut, starring opposite Sarah Paulson in comedic drama, Appropriate. In between a busy rehearsal schedule, we sat down with Elle to discuss what products she relies on to keep her eczema-prone skin in check.
“I’ve experimented with a lot of different things to get it just right,” she says of her carefully-curated skincare routine. “I have extremely bad eczema and honestly, at the end of the day, having simple products that you love is the way to go.”
An advocate for less-is-more, Elle favours a stripped-back routine, daily SPF and regular facials from Lancer Skincare esthetician Louise Deschamps, based in Beverly Hills.
“My skin is fair, I don’t tan at all and I have to wear a hat and put on lots of sunscreen – I think this will benefit me in the long run. You don’t need tonnes of product though, just a few simple ones that really work for you – like a good cleanser and moisturiser. The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Vitamin C Serum is really good. I like formulas that are a little more oil-based because my skin gets so dry. I try to see Louise once a month – she is the master of glow. I get red light treatments and oxygen, which my skin seems to like.”
Having previously shared a Los Angeles home with older sister and fellow actress Dakota, Elle has been living by herself for four years now. Taking up temporary residence in New York while she treads the boards, Elle says a typical day for her is structured, and mostly very productive: “When I am not working, my day starts
