Jessica Simpson discusses confidence, home laser treatments, and how her role as Daisy Duke influenced her perspective on skincare.

      Introducing Unfiltered, a new beauty series that offers an exclusive look at the more relaxed beauty routines of our favorite celebrities and content creators. They'll share their guilty-pleasure beauty habits, the essential products in their quick five-minute routines, the one skin-care tip they swear by, and much more. To complete each conversation, we ask each celebrity to send us a collection of unfiltered, self-shot photos that embody their Unfiltered beauty philosophy. Next, we meet pop star, actress, and fashion designer Jessica Simpson, who is collaborating with Kiehl's on its Better Screen Miner-all UV Serum. Below, she answers our rapid-fire questions, discusses motherhood, reflects on Y2K beauty trends, and more. Enjoy!

      First, let’s discuss Kiehl's "sun sinner" campaign, which humorously critiques the sun-worship culture of the early 2000s. When did you start to focus on sun protection and think, "Maybe I should be more cautious about this"? Coming from Texas, where it was scorching hot, I was almost always by the pool. I frequently used Sun In in my hair, poured lemon juice on it to lighten my color, or found any product that would help me get the darkest tan as a cheerleader. I definitely sun worshipped. My mom was a young aerobics instructor, and since there's only a 20-year age difference between us, we'd often swim and sunbathe together. I grew up not knowing much about sunscreen. It wasn’t until my 20s, during the filming of The Dukes of Hazzard, that I started taking it seriously. We were filming in subzero temperatures, yet I had to wear almost nothing. I ended up using tanning beds, spray tanning, and body makeup just to look like Daisy Duke every day. Maintaining that continuity was crucial, but also tough to keep up with. That’s when I became aware that frequent tanning bed visits probably weren't the best for my health. I thought, "This can't be good." Everyone has that one sunburn that makes you wonder how you have so many layers of skin peeling off, and eventually, you realize, "I need to take care of myself." So, I would say it really clicked for me in my early 20s.

      As a fellow Texan, I completely resonate with your experiences of those hot summers. Right? You grab your Big Gulp filled with ice… Laying out sounds delightful!

      It truly is! Taking care of my face has always been a priority, as our hands are also often neglected. Whether we're driving or doing anything else, they are constantly exposed to the sun and can reveal our age.

      Do you apply the Kiehl's sunscreen serum on your hands too? Absolutely! I put it on my hands while applying it to my face. It’s an easy habit to form. I know many people just wipe off the excess product, but you may as well apply it to your hands too.

      Dermatologists often recommend not wasting any product. You've mentioned in previous interviews that you feel younger in your 40s than you did in your 30s. Could you elaborate on how your views on beauty have evolved over the years? I'm really into journaling. It helps me understand myself better daily, so I'm not swayed by external judgments. As long as I am checking in with myself regularly, feeling aligned and spiritually connected, I feel beautiful. There’s immense pressure to attain perfection, but the concept of "perfect" is vastly overrated. Honestly, I don’t even get it. The filters and edits people use are challenging, especially since I'm raising kids in this digital world. However, I know myself, and I encourage my oldest daughter, Maxwell, to do the same. She's brilliant and often offers me advice. Just recently, when I asked her how school was going since she's about to turn 14—an age that changes everything—she said, "Mom, I wish you were my age so we could go to school together." I found that incredibly sweet! She believes we would be best friends. To me, that’s beautiful! I know I may have veered off your question, but it highlights how beauty isn't just about physical care; it’s also about nurturing ourselves, being aware of what truly matters, and possessing the right perspective.

      I hate to follow that beautiful response with a product-specific question, but… No worries! I love discussing products!

      You are undoubtedly a Y2K style icon, but can you share any beauty products from that era that remain staples for you today? I still adore Epicuren. I use their kukui-nut body lotion, which is slightly fragranced and oil-based. I've been using it since I was 22, and it's my go-to. I even carry a small bottle in my purse. I also enjoy the over-the-counter Palmer's coconut lotion. When I need to exfoliate, I'll mix