Jackie Kennedy’s Simple Nightly Routine for Flawless Skin and Hair

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis would have been 92 this week, and she’ll forever go down in history as a timeless beauty icon. And while she may have lived a lavish life in the spotlight, Jackie Kennedy’s nightly beauty routine was rather simple. Here’s how she ended each day to achieve her signature look.

Jackie Kennedy’s Nightly Routine

Speaking to People after the release of her book Jackie Style (Buy on Amazon, $40), author Pamela Keogh gave us a sneak peak into Jackie’s nightly beauty routine. According to Keogh, Jackie’s two-step ritual was the self-care she awarded herself each day. “Seventy-five brush strokes a night for her hair. And she never went to bed with her makeup on,” Keogh told the publication. “Back then, she used Pond’s cold cream. You rub it in for two minutes and then rub the excess off so it didn’t end up on the pillow.” Word also has it that Jackie slept on a silk pillowcase to keep her tresses silky soft.

It makes sense that to keep her skin glowing, Jackie prioritized keeping a clean face, especially before hitting the sheets. We love that she used a product as affordable and easy to use as Ponds Cold Cream cleanser, which you can buy on Amazon for $5.29. As Keogh said, all you have to do is apply the cream gently all over the face, wipe clean with a wet washcloth, and rinse if desired. And we’re not sure exactly how long 75 brush strokes through that bouffant actually took, but we estimate this routine probably took less than 10 minutes from start to finish — a truly simple method with stunning results.

Keogh says that on top of this little protocol, Jackie boosted her beauty in a few other ways. “She designated one night a week, Thursday night, to take care of her nails and her hair, her version of self-care,” Keogh explained. We admire Jackie’s dedication to looking as fresh and fab as she always did. She is proof that a little effort definitely goes a long way.

As for some of Jackie’s other favorite beauty products, she was an avid follower of Dr. Erno Laszlo, a Hungarian dermatologist who also treated Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. Jackie frequently returned to his products, including his Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar (Buy on Amazon, $40), his Light Controlling Lotion, and his Phelityl Oil to prevent clogged pores and keep her skin hydrated.

So take it from Jackie O — great skin and hair doesn’t have to mean you’re spending an hour (or more!) at night on some elaborate beauty regimen. Simple practices that you can commit to daily (with a little extra TLC sprinkled in on occasion) are your best bet for keeping your beauty routine effective and doable. We think we’ll give her process a try!