Hilary Duff’s Skincare Routine on ‘Lucky Me’ Tour—EXCLUSIVE

I was ~lucky~ enough to have the chance to chat with Duff’s makeup artist Taylor Healey ahead of her July 8-9 Los Angeles shows at the Kia Forum: She broke down how she prepped Duff’s skin, what the singer is hoping to communicate through makeup during this tour, and what products she can’t go without.

Luck…or Something is a raw album that closely examines married life and, well, existential dread? That’s what I got out of it, at least. As a fellow millennial who recently became a mom, this album was everything I could hope for as someone who is also navigating motherhood and the next stage of my relationship (“Roommates” is just so…real). To capture that vulnerability as well as her personal growth, Healey said she “incorporated a fun, sparkly eye that’s perfect for the stage and gives a subtle nod to that Y2K nostalgia, while keeping the skin fresh, modern, and radiant,” adding, “The show is such a fun blend of Hilary’s early hits and her new album, Luck…or Something, which offers a much more vulnerable look at where she is in her life today. I think we’re able to reflect that evolution through her makeup as well.”

Stage makeup can look really intense up close, since it can be tricky to create a bold look when performing in such a massive venue—but Duff and Healey wanted her glowy skin to stand out and do the talking. Which is challenging to pull off. “It’s all about finding the right balance. I want the skin to look healthy, fresh, and like real skin—not overly matte or overly dewy—but it also has to hold up under stage lights and through an entire performance,” Healey tells me.

“I prep based on the environment of whatever city we’re in that night and also how the skin is behaving that day. I focus on hydration where it’s needed while keeping excess shine under control. I also let each skincare product absorb fully before moving on to makeup. When the skin is properly prepped, you don’t have to rely on heavy makeup to achieve a flawless finish.”

The tricks Healey swears by for Duff’s lit-from-within look? “One thing I always prioritize with Hilary is keeping her skin looking like skin. She has such a naturally beautiful complexion, so my goal is to enhance it rather than cover it up,” Healey says. “I focus on strategic hydration, thin layers of complexion products, and building coverage only where it’s needed. For stage, I also think it’s important to add dimension back into the skin with cream and powder formulas so it still looks fresh and luminous under the lights.” So, it’s not exactly less is more. It’s more is strategically more.

Obviously, I wanted to know what products were used on Duff’s skin to give it that “strategic hydration,” since, even though the singer was technically wearing a decent amount of makeup, it didn’t look like it, thanks to her skincare.

“Non-negotiable skin prep steps are moisturizer and eye cream! Specifically Dermalogica’s new Smart Eye Density and Pro-Collagen Banking Water Cream. We both can’t stand a cakey looking under eye, so hydrating the delicate under eye area is key before applying concealer on long performance days,” Healey says.

Here’s the full skincare breakdown below:

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator

“I started with Daily Microfoliant to gently refine the skin and create the smoothest possible canvas. I love using this before makeup because it gently buffs away dull surface cells and dry buildup without stripping the skin. It leaves everything feeling incredibly soft so foundation applies evenly instead of catching on texture, and the overall finish looks brighter and more radiant,” Healey says.

For what it’s worth, I too use this exfoliator 2-3 times a week—it’s gentle, yet leaves me with glowing skin that makes makeup application so much more seamless. (And bonus: It’s an Oprah favorite, too!)

Dermalogica Phyto Nature Regenerating Exosome Leave-On Treatment

“This has such a beautiful lightweight texture that layers effortlessly under makeup. Powered by next-generation plant-based exosomes and Pumpkin Enzyme, it helps accelerate the skin’s natural renewal process while gently resurfacing to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. I love that it adds luminosity without feeling heavy, creating the perfect canvas so foundation applies more evenly and looks naturally radiant.”

Dermalogica Pro-Collagen Water Cream

“This is the step that gives skin that healthy, bouncy glow before any complexion products go on. It delivers deep, long-lasting hydration while helping preserve collagen and elastin and strengthen the skin barrier, so the skin stays comfortable and balanced through hours under stage lights. Foundation glides on beautifully over it, creating a plump, cushiony canvas that helps makeup continue to look fresh and radiant throughout the night.”

Healey also uses the brand’s yet-to-be-released Smart Eye Density Serum on Duff’s under-eye area to infuse it with hydration and avoid cakeyness. “The skin around the eyes needs hydration and support before concealer, especially for long performance days. It helps visibly improve the look of thinning skin and loss of density while hydrating and smoothing the delicate undereye area. It also visibly smooths and plumps the undereye, helping improve the appearance of fine lines. It creates a refreshed look and gives concealer the perfect surface to blend evenly without settling or creasing,” Healey tells me.

She says, “The most surprising thing about Hilary’s skin prep routine is that it’s not overly complicated. You don’t need a million steps, you just need quality, effective products.”