Ariana DeBose Is a Skincare Devotee. These Are the Essentials in Her Beauty Routine (Exclusive)

When it comes to her beauty routine, award-winning actress Ariana DeBose takes inspiration from her family.

“My grandmother and my aunt have always been like, ‘You have to take care of your skin,'” DeBose, 33, tells PEOPLE exclusively. Though she didn’t always heed their advice, now, she’s leaning into the tip more than ever before, while putting her own spin on her overall approach.

“My outlook on beauty is ‘whatever makes you feel confident’ is what you should do. Other people’s perception of beauty doesn’t interest me anymore. I am interested in feeling beautiful for myself.”  

That means the West Side Story star uses products that she says, first and foremost, “help me feel my best,” leading her to a partnership with Optase Life, which just launched an innovation — a Sensitive Eye Makeup Remover — that DeBose uses daily.

On partnering with the brand for its new launch DeBose says: “We’re talking about a team of people who came together to create a great product. They specialize in the science,” she says, adding: “They’re providing a solution.”

These days, self-care is as important to DeBose as skincare. “Right now, I’m in [my] ‘I do whatever the f–k I want to do’ era. Because I think women of color are very good at saying ‘yes,’ and showing up for everybody. Then we get tired, and we forget to show up for ourselves. I’m showing up for me right now.”

DeBose prioritizes sleep (“eight hours, babes”), journaling, and an occasional cold plunge.

Read on for the products that amplify her natural glow.