Marilyn Monroe’s bizarre secret to glowing skin revealed by classmate

We're a bit scared to try this one, to be honest.

marilyn monroe beauty secret vaseline glowing skin
(Image credit: Getty)

Marilyn Monroe was an iconic beauty.

Since she passed away back in 1962, the legendary Hollywood actress has gone down in history for her signature short curly blonde locks, red lipstick and flawless skin.

Until this day, the star’s beauty tips are still followed the world over, with her iconic usage of Chanel No.5 to bed still quoted by fragrance fanatics.

And while we love every aspect of the actress’s Hollywood look, one thing that we can just never get over is her amazing glow.

MORE: How To Master Red Lipstick Like Marilyn

In every clip and every photo we see her in, Marilyn gives off the most incredible glowing complexion.

And now one of her close acquaintances has revealed the star’s top skincare secret.

But it’s a bit of a weird one we have to admit.

Oscar-nominated actress Renée Taylor, who attended classes with Marilyn, spoke out about the star earlier this week.

marilyn monroe beauty secret vaseline glowing skin

The actress was making a speech at an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute.

When speaking at the event, she spoke about Marilyn’s radiant beauty, saying, “Marilyn Monroe had the most luminous skin I ever saw”.

Renée continued, “She came into class with Lee Strasberg one day and I just had to ask what she did.

“Marilyn told me, ‘I rub my entire body down with Vaseline and then get into a three-hour hot bath every morning. It gives my skin a shiny glow.’”

marilyn monroe beauty secret vaseline glowing skin

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The actress then joked, “So I tried that. I almost drowned”.

The star also reportedly used a cohort of other hero skincare products, with Vogue claiming that she relied on Pond’s cold cream cleanser, Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Cream and olive oil for maintaining a healthy glow to her skin.

Marilyn also reportedly kept her skin out of the sun because she preferred her glow without suntan.

Aleesha Badkar
Digital Beauty Editor, woman&home

Aleesha is Digital Beauty Editor at woman&home, where she gets to share her expertise into all the best techniques, sharpest tools and newest products—with a particular savvy in skincare and fragrance.

Previously, she was Deputy Editor and Beauty & Fashion Editor for My Imperfect Life, where she headed up the beauty, fashion and eCommerce pages. In the past, she has worked as Shopping Writer at woman&home, gained an AOP awards nomination after working on their news team, contributed to Women's Health, Stylist and Goodto and earned an MA in Magazine Journalism from City, University of London.