Entertainment News3 min(s) read
Jennifer Lawrence has revealed the real reason she is so often seen wearing scarves over her head, and it has nothing to do with making a fashion statement.
The 36-year-old Hollywood star has regularly been photographed with a scarf wrapped around her head while out in public, often leaving fans wondering whether the unusual accessory was part of a carefully curated look or a conscious effort to conceal some of her face.
But Lawrence has come out and explained that there is a much more practical reason behind her clothing choices.
The actress has patches of melasma on her cheeks, and she has been using the prescription skincare treatment tretinoin, a vitamin A derivative that is more potent than over-the-counter retinol.
Because tretinoin can cause dryness and irritation, Lawrence has been covering her face and protecting her skin while undergoing treatment.
Speaking to Vogue, she explained: "I’ve been wearing a scarf over my melasma spots ever since I started tret, which of course I get photographed [doing] and people think I’m making some sort of fashion statement."
She added: "I’m literally just haggard and scaling and trying to survive ... [I wear scarves] because I get the melasma here. [on my cheeks] ... Yeah. There’s no amount of looking goofy that I’m going to care about more than my melasma."
Melasma is a common skin condition that typically affects facial pigmentation, causing brown, red, or blue patches to form on the skin.
While it isn’t serious, it can cause some temporary facial disfigurement, with areas frequently exposed to the sun more susceptible to it.
During the conversation, Lawrence was asked whether she had considered using SPF stickers that can be placed directly onto the face to protect areas of skin from the sun.
Her response suggested she wasn't exactly convinced by the idea.
"And you go out in that? So you just put on a handlebar mustache. Okay, I take back what I said. I do care a little bit more than you about what I look like. You are brave," she joked.
The actress also opened up about how she has adapted her skincare routine since beginning tretinoin. According to Lawrence, the key is layering heavily moisturizing products around the treatment.
"You have to sandwich. You have to use night cream, like something really moisturizing. Then tret. Then a spritz of water and oil, because what I didn’t realize for so long, and I’m really happy to tell you this: oil traps the water in, so you have to give oil some water that the oil sits on top of so that it seals it into your skin."
Lawrence also revealed that her skincare routine can become considerably more basic when she's short on time.
Rather than reaching for an expensive moisturizer, the actress said she will sometimes use olive oil on her face.
"Sometimes, if I don’t get to washing my face in the morning and I have to run down the stairs, then I put a little olive oil on my face."
However, one popular skincare ingredient has now fallen out of favor with the actress.
Lawrence said she has stopped using products containing vitamin C after becoming sceptical about whether they actually benefit her skin.
"I believe in my heart that vitamin C is going to help my skin, but I don’t know because I heard that it’s fake. So that’s over for me."
While her scarf-heavy appearances may have looked like another celebrity fashion trend, Lawrence has made it clear that she is far more concerned with protecting her skin than looking glamorous.
For the actress, apparently, avoiding melasma is worth looking a little "goofy" in public.
