Skip to content

Exactly How Sofia Vergara Stays Ageless

She has the success, talent, and looks every woman dreams of—so, what's her secret?

Having originally moved to the U.S. from Colombia to model, Sofia Vergara is now known as the sexy Latina on Modern Family. Since the show's premiere in 2009, she's become a beauty icon. As a spokesperson for CoverGirl and Head & Shoulders, Vergara has remained glamorous into her mid-40's.

Without a visible wrinkle on her face, we're wondering how she does it. Was she blessed with good genes? Well, that's probably part of it. But it also turns out she does a lot to keep her appearance in top shape. Sofia admits she's been taking care of her skin since her early 20's—and it certainly shows! We uncovered the radiant actress' exclusive beauty routine so you can snag her secrets. After reading these tips, don't miss the 20 Foods That Age You 20 Years.

She Wears Sunscreen

Courtesy of Instagram, @sofiavergara

When Latina Magazine asked what her #1 beauty secret is, Vergara dished that she wears "SPF of at least 50 every day." She even told PEOPLE that she regrets not spreading the sunscreen to her chest until now. Staying ahead of wrinkles is the first step to smooth, young skin. By applying sunscreen everyday, Vergara protects herself from harmful rays that expedite all signs of aging, as well as skin cancer. Instead, to get her glow, she uses Vita Liberata self-tanner. If you're looking to turn back your metabolic clock, don't miss these 20 Foods That Slow The Aging Process.

She Eats Sweets on the Weekend

Courtesy of Instagram, @sofiavergara

You might assume from her tiny waist that she doesn't touch sweets – but you'd be surprised! "I do have a lot of fruits and vegetables, and we cook fresh meats. But I also have ice cream and dessert and we do that during the weekend. I try to control myself during the week," she told SELF about her and hubby Joe Manganiello's eating habits. It turns out that allowing yourself a weekly cheat is actually proven to boost metabolism and help you stick to your diet later in the week. Both help you to lose more weight overall. For more tips on how to successfully cheat, check out Cheat Meal Strategies for Weight Loss.

She Stays Away from Salt

Courtesy of Instagram, @sofiavergara

When talking to SELF about her red carpet regimen, Vergara stresses how important it is to avoid sodium. "I try not to eat salty things the night before because I'm very sensitive to salty things and get really puffy eyes." Since salt causes water retention, this swelling can affect you all over, making those skinny jeans feel even tighter than they did yesterday. While salt is crucial in your diet, you probably need a lot less than you're currently consuming – the daily average intake is upwards of 4,000 mg when you only need around 500 mg! Look up nutritional information before ordering to steer clear of dishes with hidden sodium, especially The #1 Worst Menu Option at 40 Popular Restaurants.

She Gets Gold Facials

Courtesy of Instagram, @sofiavergara

If diamonds are a girl's best friend, gold is definitely the runner-up. With anti-aging properties, gold is no longer just for jewelry. The $299 Mimi Luzon 24K Pure Gold Mask is meant to renew cells, improve skin elasticity, reduce dryness, slow the decline of collagen production, and treat acne and skin infections. It makes sense that gold is Sofia's secret to radiance.

And Photo Facials

Courtesy of Instagram, @sofiavergara

Gold on your face is one thing, but a facial using light? Before her wedding, Sofia's dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman told PEOPLE that Vergara was preparing with a wide array of light-based facials. The first, Intense Pulse Light, targets red and brown spots, helping to accelerate cell turnover, build collagen, and even out skin tone.

The next was the OxyLight facial, including oxygen infusion, diamond microdermabrasion, microcurrent stimulation to tighten facial muscles, ultrasonic massage to reduce puffiness, and LED exposure to key areas. "People will go in for a session and literally 45 minutes later, when they come out, they'll look like a different person," Engelman adds. If you're thinking about laser therapy or something more permanent, ask your dermatologist about less-invasive, light-based facials first.

She's Motivated by Co-Stars

Courtesy of Instagram, @sofiavergara

Sofia admits that she hates working out, but knows that it's important. "I'm aging, and I know that it does make a difference and you can see it in the women and men that work out," she told SELF. "Things start to change, and I'm like the only thing to do is go and take care of it." Luckily, she has her co-star Ed O'Neill to motivate her. Being a black belt in jiu-jitsu and working out every day, Sofia says, "He's 70 years old and moves like a 40-year-old man. It's impressive to see what exercise has done to him." It doesn't have to be a co-star, but working out with a friend allows you to keep each other on-track and you'll have more fun while you exercise, too.

She Tries New Trends

Courtesy of Instagram, @sofiavergara

It's obvious from the out-of-the-ordinary facials that Sofia likes trying new things when it comes to her beauty regimen. "…when I hear anybody commenting that a product is good or beneficial, I buy it. I love trying everything: I love products, I love makeup, and I try to take care of myself as much as I can," she told Byrdie. Since everyone's skin is different, it's important to try different products to see what works best for you. This works with your diet, too! Check out 30 Skinny Secrets from the World's Sexiest Women and start experimenting to see which tips give you the best results.

She Sticks With Makeup That Works

Courtesy of Instagram, @kayleenmcadams

Even though she's adventurous with her skincare, she advocates sticking with makeup that works for you—especially if you're older. "Find things that are good for you that go with your skin color, your lips, and the type of eye that you have—and stick to it. I don't think makeup is something you do just for fashion—you just have to look good, glowy, and fresh," she told Byrdie.

She Walks, Not Runs

Courtesy of Instagram, @sofiavergara

In an interview with Marie Claire, Vergara's personal trainer Jennifer Yates dished that Sofia doesn't like running. Instead, she walks on the treadmill at a high incline, building muscle in her butt and legs. "Sofia wants to build muscle and have that look—she likes curves," Yates says. "She'll spin to get cardio in, but walking is effective for her." If you're looking to build muscle at the gym, don't forget to start with these 23 Best Protein Shake Recipes!

She Takes Breaks

Courtesy of Instagram, @sofiavergara

Yates told Marie Claire that Sofia's workout schedule depends on her filming schedule. "Typically, if we have a good filming schedule where she has availability, we'll work out between 5-7 days, which is a lot. But she takes a lot of time off when she's busy." According to Yates, this rest time is important and actually allows your body to come back stronger. But, the good news is that if you've been building muscle, you're burning more calories even at rest, since your "resting metabolic rate" is much higher. To build muscle even more, try one of these Best Protein Powders for Muscle Building after your workout.

Lead images courtesy of Instagram, @sofiavergara, @sofiavergara