Honestly, if you’ve spent any time watching morning TV over the last twenty years, you know Kelly Ripa is basically the queen of the high-glam, "perfectly polished" look. Every single day, she’s there on Live with Kelly and Mark, looking like she just stepped out of a high-end salon—because, well, she did. But lately, people are losing it over something completely different: Kelly Ripa without makeup.
It’s kind of a thing now.
Whether she’s posting a sweaty post-workout selfie on Instagram or getting caught by a stray camera while vacationing in Mexico, the 55-year-old star (yeah, she turned 55 in October 2025, which is wild) has been showing off her bare skin more than ever. And here’s the kicker—she actually looks human. Not like the filtered, airbrushed version we see on magazine covers, but like a real person who takes really, really good care of herself.
The Reality of Kelly Ripa Without Makeup
You’ve probably seen the photos. There was that one from August 2024 where she’s hanging out with her daughter, Lola, and her trainer, Anna Kaiser. No foundation. No lash extensions. Just a little sweat and some serious "gym glow." Then there are the beach shots with Mark Consuelos where she’s just... out there. No concealer to be found.
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It’s refreshing.
Look, we live in a world where everyone uses filters. Even Kelly has joked about it, once telling Parade that she and Mark are just "better with filters now." But when the filters come off, she’s still got that luminosity. It makes you wonder: is it just good genes, or is she doing something the rest of us aren't?
Most people assume she’s spending thousands on some secret fountain of youth. But if you actually listen to her talk on her podcast, Let’s Talk Off Camera, or watch the show, she’s surprisingly transparent. She doesn't pretend she just "woke up like this" without a lot of help.
Her Honest Approach to Aging
Kelly is one of the few celebs who won't lie to your face about Botox. She’s been getting it for years—not just to smooth out the "elevens" between her eyebrows, but originally to stop her underarms from sweating on camera.
"I'm not saying you should let people bully you into cosmetic procedures," she told New Beauty. "These are my choices for me."
That honesty is why the Kelly Ripa without makeup look resonates so much. It’s not about being "natural" in the sense of doing nothing; it’s about being real about the maintenance. She admits that as she gets older, she feels like she needs more makeup for her nose because it’s "growing," but she’s also the first person to post a selfie from the hair salon with a towel on her head and zero product on her face.
The Skincare Routine Behind the Glow
So, what’s actually in her cabinet? If you’re trying to get that bare-faced look, you don't necessarily need a Hollywood budget. Kelly has actually shouted out some pretty affordable stuff lately.
The "Magic" Moisturizer
In 2025, she revealed that she’s a huge fan of the L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer. She calls it "magic" because it’s got the big three: pro-retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. It’s the kind of stuff you can grab at a drugstore for under $30, which is kind of shocking for someone with her net worth.
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The Tanning Secret
If you see her looking bronzed but she hasn't been to the beach, it’s probably Tan-Luxe The Face drops. She told Ryan Seacrest she just "slaps it on and goes to bed." It helps even out her skin tone so that when she does go without makeup, she doesn’t feel washed out.
A Breakdown of Her Daily Maintenance
- Cleansing: She’s been known to use a simple Dove Beauty Bar. Simple, old school, works.
- Hydration: She layers her moisturizer with the matching Revitalift Serum to keep things plump.
- The "Caveman" Contrast: Interestingly, her husband Mark has almost no routine. Kelly finds it "fascinating" that he does nothing while her routine gets longer every year.
- Facial Massage: She uses a small handheld massager (like those T-shaped gold ones) to de-puff in the mornings.
Why "No Makeup" is a Power Move
When a woman who has been in the public eye for three decades decides to show her real skin, it sends a message. For Kelly, it seems to be about confidence. She’s mentioned that she’s "not afraid to take my makeup off in public anymore."
That’s a big shift from the early days of her career.
There’s a lot of pressure on women in daytime TV to never age. But by leaning into the Kelly Ripa without makeup moments, she’s kind of taking the power back. She’s saying, "Yeah, I have wrinkles when I laugh. That’s because I’ve spent 30 years laughing."
The Role of Lifestyle
It’s not just the creams. Kelly is famously disciplined.
- She doesn't drink. She and Mark quit alcohol years ago, and anyone who has given up booze knows what that does for your skin. No more puffiness. No more "wine face."
- The Workout: She does cardio ballet and power yoga almost every day. That blood flow is basically a natural facial.
- Nutrition: She describes herself as a "vegetarian who eats sushi." She’s big on the "clean living" thing, though she’ll still eat a PB&J before bed if she’s in the mood.
What We Can Learn from Kelly’s Real Face
The obsession with Kelly Ripa's bare face isn't really about the lack of foundation. It’s about the fact that she looks healthy. At 55, she’s proving that you can have a high-stress, high-glamour job and still maintain skin that looks great when the cameras are off.
If you want to replicate that "Kelly Ripa glow" without a glam squad, the takeaways are pretty straightforward. Focus on hydration, don't be afraid of a little (safe) sunless tanner to even things out, and maybe consider that the best thing you can do for your skin is actually what you put inside your body.
Actionable Steps for Your Own Routine
- Prioritize Retinol and Vitamin C: These are the gold standards for keeping skin texture smooth as you age.
- Sun Protection is Non-Negotiable: Kelly is rarely seen without a hat or SPF when she's out of the studio.
- Own Your Choices: Whether you love Botox or hate it, be consistent with whatever path you choose.
- Don't Overcomplicate It: Sometimes a $20 moisturizer and a good night's sleep do more than a $500 facial.
You don't need to be a TV host to feel comfortable in your own skin. The next time you see a photo of Kelly Ripa without makeup, remember it's the result of decades of consistency, not just a lucky Sunday.