Hailey Bieber Without Makeup: Why Her Real Skin Actually Matters

You’ve seen the photos. The ones where Hailey Bieber is caught by a long lens in West Hollywood, clutching a green juice, wearing an oversized leather jacket, and looking... well, remarkably normal. No heavy contour. No winged liner. Just a face that looks like it actually belongs to a human being.

It’s easy to dismiss a celebrity’s "no-makeup" look as just another curated PR move, especially when they own a billion-dollar skincare empire like Rhode. But there’s something different about the way Hailey handles being barefaced. While most of Hollywood treats a blemish like a national emergency, she’s been weirdly honest about the fact that her skin isn't always cooperating.

The Truth About Perioral Dermatitis

Honestly, it’s kinda refreshing. We’re so used to "glass skin" and "glazed donuts" that we forget the person behind the brand deals with the same annoying stuff we do. Hailey has been vocal about her struggle with perioral dermatitis. If you aren’t familiar, it’s this stubborn, rash-like condition that usually pops up around the mouth and nose. It’s not just "acne"; it’s an inflammatory mess that gets triggered by everything from stress to new laundry detergents or even the wrong SPF.

Earlier in 2025, she shared a raw look at a flare-up on her Instagram stories. No filters, no blurring. Just red, angry patches. She noted that traveling and lack of sleep are her biggest triggers. For someone whose entire brand is built on the premise of "perfect" skin, showing the "imperfect" side is a bold move. It humanizes the "it-girl" aesthetic.

📖 Related: Paris Hilton Sex Tape: What Most People Get Wrong

What's Actually in the Routine?

When she isn't dealing with a flare-up, the goal is always that high-shine, reflective finish. But how much of that is genetics and how much is the $400 face oil? It’s a mix.

Basically, her philosophy is "more hydration, less stripping." She’s mentioned countless times that if she doesn't go to bed looking like a glazed donut, she hasn't done her job. This usually involves a double cleanse—starting with something like the MARA Beauty Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil to melt away the day, followed by a milky wash. She’s famously a fan of the HoliFrog Tashmoo Water Lily Milky Wash because it doesn't leave that tight, "I-just-scrubbed-my-soul-away" feeling.

The "Glazed" Essentials

• Rhode Glazing Milk: This is her base layer. It’s a nutrient-rich essence that she uses to prep her skin before anything else.
• Prescription Actives: She doesn't just rely on her own brand. For her dermatitis, she uses prescription Azelaic Acid and Clindamycin. She’s mentioned using these specifically during flare-ups to calm the inflammation.
• The "Sandwich" Technique: She learned this from Charlotte Palermino. It involves layering hydration, then a tiny bit of Tretinoin (she started using a low percentage after turning 25), and then more hydration on top to prevent the "Tretinoin uglies."
• Avène Cicalfate+: A French pharmacy classic. She slathers this on at night when her skin is feeling sensitive.

Why the "No-Makeup" Look is a Power Move

Seeing Hailey Bieber without makeup isn't just about catching a celebrity off-guard. In 2026, the trend has shifted away from the "clean girl" aesthetic—which was often criticized for being exclusionary—toward "skin realism."

👉 See also: P Diddy and Son: What Really Happened with the Combs Family Legal Storm

By showing her real texture, she’s effectively selling her products better than a high-glam ad ever could. When she posts a selfie featuring her natural freckles and a slight bit of redness, she’s saying, "My skin has bad days too, and that’s why I made these products to protect the barrier." It’s smart business, sure, but it’s also a relief for the rest of us.

She often mixes her Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid with a tiny bit of concealer or even her pocket blush just to "sheer things out." It’s less about hiding and more about enhancing. She’s even been known to use a fake freckle stamp (like the one from Tarte) to highlight the freckles she already has, rather than covering them with foundation.

Actionable Tips for Your Own Glow

If you’re trying to channel that barefaced confidence, you don't necessarily need a celebrity budget, but you do need a strategy.

✨ Don't miss: Ozzy Osbourne Younger Years: The Brutal Truth About Growing Up in Aston

1. Stop Over-Exfoliating: Most people are doing too much. If your skin feels stinging or looks shiny but tight, your barrier is probably compromised. Stick to a gentle cleanser and skip the harsh scrubs for a week.
2. Damp Skin is Key: Apply your serums and moisturizers while your skin is still slightly damp. This traps the moisture in. Hailey swears by this, and dermatologists like Dr. Joyce Park agree it’s one of the simplest ways to boost hydration.
3. Identify Your Triggers: If you get rashes or bumps around your mouth like Hailey, look at your toothpaste. Fluoride and heavy SLS can sometimes trigger perioral dermatitis. Switching to a fluoride-free version is a common "hack" for this specific issue.
4. The "One-In, One-Out" Rule: Don't dump five new products onto your face at once. Introduce one thing at a time so if you have a reaction, you actually know what caused it.

The biggest takeaway from the "Hailey Bieber without makeup" phenomenon isn't just that she's pretty—it's that great skin is a long game. It’s about maintenance, knowing when to use prescription help, and being okay with the days when a flare-up happens anyway.

Focus on repairing your skin barrier first. Once that's healthy, the glow usually follows naturally.