Emilie Cocquerel admits she isn't a "skincare wiz". Instead, her beauty routine is more about rising early and making time for meditation. The Australian-French actor likes to keep her routine minimal, and sometimes prefers simply a slick of lip balm before tackling the day ahead.

As a Virgo, she turns to exercise to soothe her soul and to stop her from overthinking the day. But when she's rundown, reminds herself that it's okay to be tired. Of course, her beauty icon is Sophie Marceau among others and the best advice she's ever received is on the benefit of a cold ocean swim.

Below, we connect with Emilie on her wellness routine and her beauty non-negotiables.

What is your morning beauty routine?

I’m a morning person. And a ritual morning person, at that. The day starts before the sun comes up with meditation or a run. Right now, nothing makes me feel more beautiful than these two things. And then a skin routine sets me up for the day.

Cleanse, hydrate, protect. I like to keep it simple. A fresh cleanser in the morning or micellar water, with maybe a light serum to hydrate and some sun protection. Mother SPF is eco-friendly and skin friendly and I’m a little hooked. I’ve also recently been introduced to Furtuna Skin, which uses organic, wild foraged botanicals from Italy that are packed with nutrients. The face and eye serum wears well under any makeup, evens skin tone and protects the skin.

What is your night beauty routine?

My days can be pretty action packed. Big days on set with loads of make-up and fight sequences, or travelling in my camper-van, out exploring the elements. Regardless of where I am in my life, the ritual of a nightly cleanse can be really powerful.

A deep double cleanse has been a game changer for me. Especially if I want to keep my skin balanced for the long, chaotic months of shooting a television series. With all those close ups, you want to feel confident your skin isn’t breaking out or getting dehydrated. Double cleansing ensures my skin is clean, but also helps prevent any buildup of oil and acne-causing bacteria. Tata Harper’s nourishing oil cleanser dissolves makeup without stripping the skin of its natural oils. I love it. And then Tata Harper’s refreshing cleanser removes any dry or parched skin. It also just feels good.

Describe what you do for a living? What does a typical day look like for you?

I’m an actor. Which basically means I breathe as much life into a character, a story, a set as humanly possible. No two days are the same. No two characters are the same. There are never enough words to describe this. But the story-teller gene runs deep and I feel very grateful for the experiences acting has brought to my life.

I’m also about to start my Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy. A long-held dream to create more spaces that seek to understand and support mental health systems for creatives. It’s time.

And if my day isn’t filled with one of these two passions - you’ll find me cuttin’ loose in my van, improvising a trip across our beautiful country. In March, I travelled to Far North Queensland soaking up good vitamins by the Great Barrier Reef and going for night walks spotting near extinct species. The rewards are endless for getting outdoors.

What's your sign and why does it suit you?

I’m a virgo. It suits me, because trying to explain something in a sentence is kind of our thing.

What is the supermarket/ drug store/ chemist beauty product that you use and love?

Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm. I have done so many days on sets where this was the only makeup I was allowed. And now I think, it might be the only make up I need.

What is your main form of beauty body maintenance? What products do you use on your body?

My biggest beauty trick - listen to your body. Give her a bit of quiet and check in a couple times a day. Our bodies are so supremely intelligent and in constant conversations with us. Tune in. She’ll tell you what she needs.

How do you keep fit/ healthy? Does exercise form a large part of your routine?

It’s recently become clear to me that exercise is the fastest way in. The days with big emotions, or times when I’m feeling off and I just don’t know why - exercise stops me from intellectualising it. I get on my matt, go for a run, a hike, a surf, a swim… anything. The mind goes quiet, the body is fuelled with happy chemicals, and the answers are put into perspective shortly afterwards. So I’ve made an effort to really carve out time for moving my body in a scheduled and accountable way. Exercise is a gift for the good and the bad days. And it feels like my whole life has opened up to it.

What procedures or professional treatments do you have as part of your beauty routine?

In truth - I’m not a skincare wiz. But I’m really lucky to have come across people that are deeply impassioned by the importance of skincare and it’s infectious. It’s recently had a really simple, but profound impact on my life. ONDA Beauty, especially. Their facials are a wonderful reset for me. And their attitude really couples beauty with a deeper healing and balance. Next up, I’m heading in to try their new Energy Medicine Healing Session.

What do you do when your body needs to recover?

I can do a lot with 15 minutes. Plug into a sound bath on ‘Insight Timer’, and find a place to go into deep repose. I’ve done this in parks, on sets, in studios, and yes.. once upon a time - in airports. You don’t need a full day to plug into some goodness. Catch it where you can.

You’re tired or rundown: what is your beauty hack?

I usually remind myself that it’s ok to be tired. Days when you’re run down and have a lot to do, you tend to over-compensate. I start by acknowledging the fact that today might just feel a little different. And then, if I’m being good - I reach for the water. Not the coffee, or the sugar hit or even my phone. Hydration and the permission slip to feel what I’m feeling goes a long way.

What is the one non-negotiable in your beauty routine?

I’m big on good sleep. You’ve probably picked up on that already.

Do you have a beauty icon? Who are they and why?

Sophie Marceau. Kristin Scott-Thomas. Juliette Binoche. Something about the French. I’ve grown up admiring these women for the ease and strength they imbue.

What is the best advice on beauty you’ve received?

Cold swims in the ocean. I can thank my brother, Thomas Cocquerel for this addiction. The salt, the cold, the rebirth that comes from being enveloped by a big body of water.

What is the best advice on health you’ve received?

Trust yourself. If something does’t feel right - speak to a professional. And then speak to a few more if it’s anything to do with women’s health.

What is the one product you can’t live without?

There’s no one thing really. Every day is different.