Exclusive: Model Denise Bidot on Skincare, Body Positivity and Confidence

But this advocacy hasn’t always been easy. Bidot expresses her disappointment at the days of stick-thin models in every commercial, on the runways and in magazines. “Women want to see more women that look like themselves—they don’t want to see something completely unattainable. As a model, it’s been really freeing to embrace my individuality and celebrate what makes us all different.”

While she started her own movement back in 2016, she knew she wanted to do more. That’s when Olay, whose products she was already drawn to for their powerful ingredients that packed a punch, reached out.

“When they first approached me about getting involved in the ‘Face Anything’ campaign, it was a no-brainer. Their mission—to empower women to face anything and be the best versions of themselves—really resonated with me,” Bidot confided.

But even before the partnership, Bidot says her skincare routine centered around “less is more,” noting that she had tried luxury skincare products in the past, but felt it was all smoke screens.

“I would go to the store, and I would buy all these things,” she said. “I felt like the more that I added to my skin, the more magic it had on me. But then I was trying to balance all of these different things, and so I’ve learned that at my age, keeping it simple is really essential.”

Every morning, she starts her day with an Olay Sensitive Calming Liquid Cleanser, which is dermatologist tested and helps calm dry, stressed skin. She follows the face wash with Olay’s new Regenerist Ultra Rich Moisturizer, packed with vitamin B3+ and peptides for visibly firmer and more hydrated skin. “I love how it feels on my skin because it’s creamy and hydrating without ever feeling greasy.”

At night, Bidot has two simple steps: She uses the liquid cleanser once more, then swaps the moisturizer for the Retinol24 MAX Night Moisturizer—a night cream with Retinoid Complex and vitamin B3 (niacinamide) that hydrates to visibly smooth fine lines and wrinkles. “Boom! My skin glows all year round. It’s perfect for me.”

Her self-care routine is in the same vein as her work around body positivity and acceptance.

“For me, self care is all about loving myself and feeling good in my own skin,” Bidot said.

“I feel the most confident when I’m by the ocean with the salt in my hair and zero makeup on,” the Miami-born turned California-native asserts. And it’s not hard to see why. Her makeup-free selfies, littered all over her Instagram, are the stuff of envy: no dark spots, wrinkles or pores in sight.

“The products have empowered me to feel confident in my own skin and face anything, especially when I am makeup-free,” Bidot claims. It’s hard to argue with those selfies, let alone the fact that Bidot—in an industry where the median age for runway models is 23—shows no signs of slowing down.

First walking a Chromat show in 2014, Bidot has since starred in global campaigns for Levi’s, Cacique, Forever21, Nordstrom and Express, as well as Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty summer campaign of this year.

But her message hasn’t wavered, even while staying in the spotlight.

“Working with Olay has allowed me to use that platform to reach a larger audience and spread the message that women should be unapologetically themselves,” Bidot said.

“For me, there's nothing more special than being able to look at yourself in the mirror and feel beautiful and feel powerful. I want to help other people get to that place.”