Olympian Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Gives This $20 Moisturizer the Gold Medal

All skin is good skin, which is why good skincare is more of a journey than a destination. We all love a one-off tip—but, at Byrdie, we’re more interested in how our skin evolves over time. The product we’ve used for a decade, the ingredient cocktail that made us glow, the step we never skip, and all the advice in between. This is the stuff that makes a real difference. With What I Put on My Face, we’re bringing you the rituals, recommendations, and failed experiments (we’ve all had them) straight from celebrities, founders, and influencers who’ve gone through it themselves.

The journey to finding skincare that works can often feel more like a race than a walk in the park. Team USA Track & Field champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone can relate to that sentiment, as she’s been experimenting with her own skin almost as long as she’s been training to win gold medals.

“My sister is five years older than me, so my first encounter with skincare was a lot of her products that I found in the bathroom growing up,” she says, “Watching her go through some of the ebbs and flows of figuring out what worked for her skin, it became a passion.”

Since then, McLaughlin-Levrone has been busy preparing for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics (her event of choice is the Women’s 400-meter hurdles), entering her authorship era with Far Beyond Gold, and releasing a collaboration of apparel and shoes with New Balance. But the athlete, who fondly recalls Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Acne Face Wash ($12) as the very first product she used (stars really are just like us), never forgot her love of skincare. Now, she’s come full circle and joined team Neutrogena as a brand ambassador.

In honor of the partnership, we caught up with McLaughlin-Levrone to chat about her skincare essentials, her latest beauty discovery, and the best skincare advice she’s received.

About Her Skin

“I have pretty dry skin. There’s [often] a little bit of flaking. So, I have to be extra cautious about that, and then make sure [my skin] is properly hydrated.”

How Her Skincare Routine Has Evolved Over Time

“The more I’ve learned about skincare, the more I’ve learned about what works for my skin specifically, the more products I’ve learned to add in. I use to think you just cleanse and moisturize, but, for me, there’s more steps to keeping my skin at its healthiest.”

Her Most-Used Face Products

“Both the Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser ($12) and Hydro Boost Water Gel ($20) are my go-to favorites for cleansing and hydrating with hyaluronic acid. They keep my skin super plump, fresh, and hydrated all day. I also love the Makeup Remover Cleansing Wipes ($5) for on-the-go, even when I’m not wearing makeup just to wipe my face. As an athlete, I’m always sweating. There may be dirt and grime that gets on my skin, so I just love to refresh my face throughout the day.”

Her Most-Used Body Product

“I love Neutrogena’s Ultra-Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen ($10) because it’s not super greasy, there’s no white streaks, and it gives you this really nice glow that looks super natural and dewy. If I want a little highlight, it works beautifully for that too. And, obviously you’re getting protected from the UVA and UVB rays.”

The One Ingredient That’s Made the Biggest Difference

“I’m still learning about skincare, but hyaluronic acid has made the biggest difference in the quality of my skin.”

The Best Skincare Advice She’s Received

“Moisturize your neck! That’s a huge one I’ve heard from older women. Don’t neglect your neck; take care of the skin there as well, make sure it’s really hydrated, and getting the love your face gets, too.”

Her Latest Skincare Obsession

“For me, it’s acne dots: Neutrogena has the Stubborn Acne Ultra-Thin Blemish Patches ($8). I feel like I always have just a little acne, and for those pimples, I can kind of knock it out of the park early. You can barely see them on your face. It’s taking care of the pimple for you—I will never not love them.”