Molly Sims Embraces Aging Gracefully: Shifting Perspectives on Beauty and Skincare (Interview)

Molly Sims believes that age shouldn't determine how good someone looks. She shared, "I think it’s just a mindset. I hate when people are like, ‘Oh, my God. She looks good for 50.’ Listen, I’m not trying to look 30. I’m definitely not trying to look 20. I am trying to look the best that I can,” Sims exclusively told We while promoting her skincare brand, YSE Beauty, at our New York City studio on Wednesday, May 15.

Sims founded YSE in April 2023, hoping to promote the idea that looking good and feeling good can be timeless. The brand offers a range of products, including a brightening spot treatment, a cleanser, a vitamin C serum, exfoliating pads, and a moisturizer. One of the company's most popular products is the exfoliating pads, known for their amusing name, Your Favorite Ex.

Sims shared that with YSE Beauty, customers can expect to learn something new each time they use the products. The name YSE is a clever play on the word wise, and also pays tribute to her mother, Dottie, who she described as very wise.

YSE focuses on education and wellness to help you live your best life. All our products are versatile, offering multiple benefits. YSE was created out of a personal struggle with skin issues like hyperpigmentation and unevenness. Previous products lacked effectiveness, so I prioritized creating products that work without harming the skin barrier.

One of our popular products, The Problem Solver, uses tranexamic acid and niacinamide to fade dark spots. Meanwhile, Your Favorite Ex (exfoliating pads) retexturize, brighten, and refresh the skin with glycolic acid. These pads can be used daily, setting them apart from other exfoliating treatments on the market.

“I’m 50, and I’ve been using [my line] now for almost four years,” Sims told Us.

Molly Sims Shares Her Approach to Beauty After Turning 50 I Don’t Want to Look 20

Gotham/FilmMagic

In addition to creating products that work, Sims wanted YSE to actually look “beautiful.”

"We want women to feel proud when they see it on their vanity," she mentioned, noting that some skincare brands targeting older women made her feel old.

She expressed her desire to not be addressed as a grandmother or reminded of her age. Instead, she wanted products that didn't reflect aging, emphasizing the importance of simplicity. As a busy mom with limited downtime, she needed effective skincare that was quick and easy to use. This led to the creation of YSE, a brand focused on providing efficient solutions for women on-the-go.

Sims has always wanted to promote self-love and strive to be the best version of herself, especially after spending years in the public eye. She has worked in an industry that sometimes made her feel insecure about her appearance. Recently, she opened up about feeling pressured to be ashamed of her body during her modeling career, which negatively impacted her self-image. Sims had a chance to revisit those challenging emotions while shooting for the cover of the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.

Molly Sims was honored as a "Legend" in the issue, joining other renowned women like Tyra Banks, Martha Stewart, and Christie Brinkley. They all looked stunning in sparkling gold gowns on the cover.

"The Legends symbolize the power of representing all of us together. Over the past 10 years, each Legend has played a significant role in holding important conversations that have shifted societal perceptions and brought about incredible change for women," expressed SI Swimsuit editor-in-chief MJ Day.

"In your 20s, your mind is fragile and full of questions," Sims shared with Us. "For me, being featured in Sports Illustrated was a big deal. Transitioning from the runway to Sports Illustrated was a positive experience because I didn't have to be extremely thin. I felt more accepted for who I was. Handling the pressure in my 20s was tough, but by the time the 60th issue came around, I felt confident and ready." (Sims has been a part of Sports Illustrated since the early 2000s and appeared in six issues between 2000 and 2006.)

Sims focuses on building confidence in her children by promoting a healthy mindset. She emphasizes the importance of not discussing weight, but instead using positive terms like "healthy" and focusing on nourishing the body. Sims, who has kids Grey, Scarlett, and Brooks with husband Scott Stuber, believes in maintaining a balanced approach to food and prioritizing feeling good.

Editor's P/S:

Molly Sims's perspective on aging and beauty is refreshing and empowering. She challenges societal norms that dictate that women should strive to look younger at all costs. Instead, she believes in embracing the natural aging process and focusing on feeling and looking the best one can at any age. Her skincare brand, YSE Beauty, reflects this philosophy, offering products designed to nourish and revitalize the skin without hiding or reversing the signs of aging.

Sims's journey in the modeling industry has given her unique insights into the pressures women face to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. She has experienced firsthand the negative impact that these pressures can have on self-esteem. Through her work with YSE Beauty and her involvement with the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, Sims aims to promote self-love and acceptance. She encourages women to embrace their own unique beauty and to strive for a healthy and balanced lifestyle that supports their overall well-being.