Sarah Jessica Parker Uses This $30 Anti-Aging Moisturizer Every Day (And Night)

It goes without saying Sarah Jessica Parker has inspired the girls—and the gays—for decades. Everyone wants to replicate that certain je ne sais quoi embedded in her simple-chic, trendy-but-timeless ensembles she wears on and off screen—that, and her consistent radiant-skin glow.

Parker's skincare routine is not reminiscent of the 10-step regimens on TikTok. Instead, Parker swears by "efficient and economical" formulas that don't take more than ten minutes to apply. As luck and the entertainment industry would have it, Parker partnered with RoC Skincare because the products offer both the aforementioned efficiency and accessible price point—and they really, really work. Her collection with the brand just expanded, adding three new vitamin C-infused products meant to seamlessly work their way into your (and Parker's) routine.

Ahead, Sarah Jessica Parker breaks down every last thing she puts on her face.

Her Skin Focuses

"I probably don't focus a huge amount on it. I, in my own life, don't wear a base or foundation—ever. I wouldn't even feel like myself if I walked out the door in it. [I] wear very little makeup, and I wear the same makeup I have for a couple decades. I like my skin to be exposed, even if that means exposing an imperfection. So I would rather have a zit, or a blemish, or an imperfection showing than try to cover it up. 

"I care a lot about moisturizing. I have a pretty efficient and economical nighttime routine, and an equally efficient one in the morning. I'm not someone that would understand more than three steps. I don't want to spend more than 10 minutes. I like to get stuff done while I'm washing my face, so I try to catch up on global news. I can brush my teeth and maybe learn lines at the same time."

What She Likes in Her Skincare

"I like [skincare] to be understandable, affordable, and for it to be clear what its intentions are (and to be able to see whether that's happening or not). I like things that don't feel too heavy. I like things that feel like they're working with the moisture that I've intentionally left on my face, and I like things that work well for the professional makeup artists I'm working with. It has to be pretty hospitable and not too complex.

"I'm not interested in a huge amount of experiments and I'm not interested in things that cost a fortune. I think we have to do better than that and I think that RoC found the perfect sweet spot."

Her Changing Skincare Habits

"Many years ago, before I had kids, I didn't use sunscreen as much—if at all. I grew up not really using sunscreen. We were all running around swimming all summer long; I don't recall ever using sunscreen. But as I got older, I understood that it was no longer funny to not. Especially once you're slathering kids with sunscreen, it seems foolish to not do it yourself.

"In terms of other changes, I think I understand more of the science. I'm more inclined to actually read things, [to] care. The way science works is that you kind of don't need it until you need it; I wasn't paying too much attention, and now I just simply pay more attention. I still wouldn't want to spend 30 minutes doing something morning or night. I don't have time, and I'd rather spend it doing something else."

The Skincare Step She Never Skips

"Moisturizer. Never skip it. I think it just makes me feel better. I mean, even my daughters will say, "Oh wow, my skin is so dry. Can I have some moisturizer?" If I left the house every day and didn't use moisturizer, it just doesn't feel great. That's it, and of course, lip balm."

Her Morning vs. Nighttime Skincare Routine

For On-Set Mornings

"If I'm shooting, I get up really early, and I shower, and I wash my face with whatever shampoo or soap is in the shower—body soap—it doesn't matter. I use it on my face, and I get out and, while my skin is still wet, one thing I've always had forever and ever, [a] jade roller. I use it, you know, just like a jade roller. Then I put moisturizer on, and I put some eye cream on, and I don't put a lot on if I'm headed to set because I know that they're about to get their hands on me."

For Days Off

"If I'm not heading to a set or work or a photoshoot, I will put my moisturizer on, and I'll put my hair back in a bun and I might do a smoky eye and leave. I use whatever I'm using [on my face] on my hands, and that's it for my morning routine."

For Nighttime

"For my night routine, there's a serum involved. There might even be three layers and something with more viscosity. I use RoC Skincare's Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Cream ($30) all the time. If I something lighter in the summer, I put some water in my palms and mix it together."

On Skincare Mistakes She Won't Make Again

"I can't think of a mistake because a lot of skincare is trying to figure out what suits humans, right? So things can be not good, but I wouldn't call them a mistake because they're on the road to discovering what works.

"I've not ever done something with skincare that's been radically bad. I've had things that have definitely left me with, you know, an allergic reaction. But then I was like, okay, I won't use that again. I've gotten really bad red hives, but I can't even remember what or where or when—so that couldn't have been that bad. I occasionally bought something that someone told me was good, that was really costly, and it was not for me. But then, you know, you give it to somebody else, and it suits them."

On the Products that Actually Make a Difference

"Of these new three, to me, [RoC's Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Moisturizer ($35)] is very valuable because it does a lot. It's the gift that keeps on giving. But, [the Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Cream] is actually also quite [important] to me. I think it's the one that could travel anywhere with me. It could be day or night. It's very adaptable for my life and my skin. [The formula] acts like the quilting you want at night, but it can be sliced in half for the day, so I wouldn't want to be without it." 

On Products That Don't Leave Her Purse

"Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Shadow ($32). I don't think I have ever left without it, even if I'm not using it; I just don't want to be without it. I would say a lip gloss, now—that can change—but a basic translucent, pink-y, tiny-bit-of-sparkle lip gloss is pretty important to me."

On Her "Everything Shower"

"I do an everything shower a few times a week, at least. I take a shower every single day of my life—unless I'm in circumstances where there is none. But, I shave my legs every two or three days. You know good old-fashioned Buff Puff? You can still buy it, with the blue on one side and white on the other. One side's a little rougher, and one side is a bit [softer]. I always have that. I've had that for as long as I could afford to live on my own. Fingernail brush for the toes and the hands, always, and from a beauty supply shop in Southern California called Andre Beauty Supply, a very specific pumice [stone] for my feet. In the summer, instead, I do it in the sand three or four times a week, and that covers my toenails and my feet so they look like newborns."