Writing for Bustle, Olivia Rose Rushing tried out Marilyn’s personal skincare regime for two weeks, as prescribed back in 1959 – and using products still available today.
“At the height of her career, Monroe was living in New York City and attending the Actor’s Studio to hone her craft. She also happened to be a regular at the Erno Laszlo Institute, where Laszlo himself was her dermatologist (he also worked with the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Gloria Vanderbilt, and the Kennedys).
Patricia Schuffenhauer, chief product officer at the brand, tells me that Monroe’s skin-care routine was mainly focused on retaining deep moisture.
‘Marilyn’s skin was on the dryer side, which is reflected in the products she used, and each prescription was customised,’ she tells Bustle.
Monroe’s routine featured a ‘double cleansing’ method long before the beauty technique took off on TikTok — something Laszlo prescribed to ‘pull grime from her pores without stripping the skin,’ says Schuffenhauer. She was also told to splash her skin 30 times with lukewarm water before splashing at the end with cold water — a meditative practice that boosted blood circulation for a more refreshed glow.
Beyond that, Laszlo instructed her to use an eye serum and a tinted toner treatment plus a moisturiser, so it was a relatively streamlined regimen.
While Erno Laszlo’s current offerings aren’t quite as customisable as they once were, Monroe’s routine is available today.
As someone who has sensitive skin, I was wary of how I would react to these formulations. Being that it’s winter, my skin could use the extra hydration, so I was hoping it would deliver on that front … I found the Eye Repair to be cooling and silky-smooth, though it’s not my favorite eye cream on the market.
There are bits of Monroe’s beauty routine that I’d tweak. The Cleansing Oil is a standout, though, and holds up to some of my favorite makeup removers. The Cleansing Bar is also a solid choice for those who want to add a bit of a vintage-inspired flair to their regimen.
While I did like the heavier cream, the scent does linger (even beneath makeup) which is a turnoff for me. The Shake-It was interesting — and definitely shortened my makeup routine — but I’d still reach for other products instead for coverage.
Overall, as a long-time Monroe fan, I appreciate the novelty of trying her exact regimen … though I’ll be going back to my usual routine, save for the inclusion of the Cleansing Oil.”
The Marilyn Report 