Sofia Vergara Is Aging Confidently and Embracing Hers 50s

If there's one celebrity who has become the epitome of proper aging, it's Sofia Vergara. That's why all the memes about how “Latinos will be like I'm 104” still look younger than ever. But at 53, Vergara doesn't chase or cling to youth. She's comfortable in her own skin, confident in herself, and truly confident about getting older. She's also committed to aging gracefully by openly sharing the little changes she's investing in. from lasers and microneedling to Botox. And while she is categorically against fillers after a certain age (she believes they can weigh down the face), she is equally open about not ruling out plastic surgery. The only thing stopping her was the lack of recovery time in her schedule. Like many Latinos, Vergara proudly embraces her vanity while also embracing her age—and this balance is why so many Latinas like me look up to her.

“My relationship with aging has really changed over time,” Vergara tells POPSUGAR. “Like most women, there was a time when I was nervous about aging, but over time I realized that it is not something to be afraid of, it is a privilege – it is new to me. I've learned to take better care of myself, to prioritize how I feel rather than how I look. For me, embracing aging means celebrating taking care of my skin, my body and my spirit.”

As Latinos, we often feel pressure to not age—pressure rooted in long-standing cultural expectations of beauty and youth. For many of us, this begins in adolescence. A Pew Research Center 2024 Report. found that 71 percent of Latinos ages 18 to 29 feel the need to “be beautiful.” The desire to preserve youth and beauty is a common concern of all our communities.

Colombians, Dominicans, Venezuelans and Brazilians in particular are often perceived as the most “vain” within the larger Latin diaspora, where the appearance and appearance of “arreglada” or “bien puesta” have historically been associated with social mobility, respectability and cultural pride. These countries not only have deeply ingrained grooming rituals, but also strict cultural norms regarding appearance.

“Latin women love beauty and take pride in making an effort to look and feel their best,” says the Colombian actress. “While all women are pressured to meet certain beauty standards, I think it's important to remind women that they should define beauty on their own terms and celebrate what makes them feel confident, strong and authentically themselves.”

There is also a global double standard regarding aging that extends beyond Latino culture. Women are expected not to age, but they are also condemned for pursuing cosmetic enhancements because supposedly “good genetics” should be enough for them to age naturally. All it does is create an impossible bond: either show visible signs of aging and face harsh criticism, or engage in cosmetic work and risk being labeled “vain,” “fake,” or “insecure.” This unfair expectation is deeply rooted in patriarchy, and is especially difficult for women in the spotlight to navigate, which is why Vergara values ​​transparency.

“I think honesty is empowering. It's very difficult to look effortless, but the truth is that most of us pay attention and care to how we take care of our skin,” she says. “Being transparent about what I do helps take the mystery out of it and shows that looking good and feeling good takes effort and that's okay. I prefer to be honest about what suits me rather than setting unrealistic beauty standards.”

It's only in recent years that we've seen celebrities like Kris Jenner openly embrace procedures like facelifts. Vergara agrees it's time to end the taboo.

“Beauty has changed a lot over time and it is no longer about conforming to a mold or standard; it's about feeling confident, empowered and authentic—whatever that means to you,” she says. “When we remove this stigma, we will have the freedom to make our own choices and celebrate the idea that beauty is not universal, it is individual.”

Vergara's own beauty rituals and dedication to skincare ultimately inspired her to launch her skincare brand. Parrot.

“I grew up in Barranquilla, Colombia, which has a very tropical climate, and going to the beach and sunbathing on weekends and during free time was part of our culture and society,” she says. “I don’t remember anyone saying, ‘Don’t tan’ or ‘Keep reapplying,’ so I never knew anything about how to protect myself.”

However, her view changed in the 1990s when she began reading in magazines about the dangers of the sun and the importance of SPF, she says. “Something inside me clicked and I immediately stopped tanning. I wish I could have given as much attention to other parts of my body that I haven't been as dedicated to. Now I have to pay for it.”

Toty's range includes everything from serums to sunscreens, but is best known for its sunscreen products, including Solarium Mineral SPF 50+, Ilumina Mineral Shine SPF 50+, Body solarium SPF 50, Ilumina CC cream SPF 50+, and his award-winning Ilumina Cream compact foundation SPF 50+, which is Vergara's favorite. But aside from SPF, Vergara has a few must-have products from the line that she includes in her own skincare regimen.

“I love Toty's Reverse Retinol Serumbecause it really works! This is a powerful formula that helps correct the signs of solar aging. Even though I'm very careful when it comes to sun protection, we all have some level of sun damage on our skin,” she says. “My goal with Toti has always been to create products that not only protect, but also repair skin and reverse signs of sun damage over time. This serum is incredible – it helps smooth out wrinkles, improve texture and firmness and gives you a brighter, more radiant look in just a few days.”

Besides retinol, Vergara also swears by it. Toty Transform Serum with AHA. “It really changes the tone and texture of my skin. It helps reduce dark spots and unevenness, but what I love most is that it gives a gorgeous glow at night,” she says.

Toti's inclusion of SPF makeup was a conscious and intentional choice by Vergara. Makeup has long been a part of her world, both as an actress and as a Latina who grew up with a love of beauty.

“I've been doing makeup since I was young. Beauty has always been a big part of my life. My mom and the other women in my life took this very seriously. It was a form of self-expression,” she says. “No matter what I do, even in the morning I never skip eyeliner, lashes and lipstick – and, of course, makeup with SPF. I don't go out without the Toty Compact in my purse. And in the evening I always wash my face and take off my makeup, no matter how tired I am.”

At 53, Vergara not only prioritizes looking and feeling good, but she also hasn't given up on finding love. This is refreshing and inspiring, especially for Latinos who grew up hearing such rumors. if we don't find love by 35 or 40the window will somehow close.

“I don't believe there is ever a window that closes on love. Love can find you at any age, in any chapter of your life,” she says. “I think the key is to focus first on self-love, feeling fulfilled, confident and secure in who you are. There is so much beauty in growth, openness and knowledge that it is never too late to experience something new.”

And while much progress has been made regarding women and aging, Vergara believes something is still missing.

“I think what's missing is an honest and unapologetic celebration,” she says. “Aging can be scary. When I look in the mirror, I sometimes have to remind myself that this is a new version of me. And yet, aging is beautiful and powerful; it is not something to be fought against, but something to be fully embraced.”

Despite the changes she sees in the mirror and the changes she feels in her body, Vergara is very happy with where she is today. Society – or rather patriarchy – benefits from women believing their worth peaks in their 20s or 30s. It leaves us no room to grow, to settle into our skin and develop into the powerful beings we are destined to become. Just imagine a world in which Sofia Vergara became irrelevant after turning 40—we'd be missing out on so much. She knows it too.

“I feel more comfortable in my skin than ever before; there is a sense of confidence and peace that comes from knowing who I am,” she says. “You start to appreciate yourself and everything that brought you here. It’s a great place to be strong, grounded and still excited about what lies ahead.”

Johanna Ferreira is the content director of PS Juntos. With over 10 years of experience, Joanna focuses on how intersectional identities are a central part of Latinx culture. She previously spent nearly three years as deputy editor of HipLatina and has freelanced for numerous publications, including Refinery29, The Oprah Magazine, Allure, InStyle and Well+Good. She has also moderated and spoken on numerous panels on issues of Latina identity.