While she faces the reality of eczema, Filipina model Marga Cortez stays grounded and confident. Here’s how she does it
In the high-stakes world of modeling, the pressure to present a polished image is constant. While beauty standards have grown inclusive to more shapes, sizes, styles, and skin types, there’s still an unspoken expectation to look good for the camera regardless. But what happens when eczema, with all its unpredictability, comes into the picture? For Filipina model Marga Cortez, it’s a reality she knows all too well. She opens up to MEGA on navigating the modeling scene with her skin condition, managing flare-ups, and sage advice for those facing similar skin struggles.
RELATED: Beauty Confessions: Burn Survivor Larra Lasam is Done Covering Up Her Scars
Her Skin Saga
Eczema goes beyond skin deep—it pays to start there. It’s a daily balancing act, and the physical, mental, and emotional toll is all too real for those who face it. For Marga, her first signs of eczema appeared when she was just 12. “I had summer volleyball training and realized my right palm was getting itchy with all the dust and dirt I was exposed to,” she recalled.
Fast forward 13 years and Marga’s eczema is still a part of her life, flaring up on her neck, underarms, and occasionally her face, especially after indulging in trigger foods. “But it’s not as bad as you think,” she insisted. It was a tone of defiance and easy confidence—a refusal to let it define her. “It’s bad that it’s spreading, but I think I’m ‘good’ at managing my flare-ups.”
Modeling, as we know, is a career that demands constant care for the skin. Closeups are ruthless and every detail matters, so managing eczema takes careful attention. Fortunately for Marga, her flare-ups recently tend to stay localized. “My eczema is mostly on my right palm, which makes me lucky that I can easily hide it during a shoot,” she explained. But out of sight doesn’t mean out of mind—she still has to work hard to keep in check.
Managing Eczema on Set
Marga knows that the battle starts on her plate. “The most important way I manage eczema as a model is by avoiding my trigger foods—mainly gluten and dairy,” shared the model. She recently discovered that gluten and dairy are triggers to her flare-ups, so she’s learned to avoid them, albeit difficult. “Staying away from food like cheeses and fresh pasta requires a lot of self-discipline.” But for her, it’s a small price to pay for calm, flare-up-free skin.
However, when irritations do spike, the model is equipped with the right products to keep them at bay. “My most effective treatment during a flare-up, especially during a shoot, is Claritin or any antihistamine, as well as Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream to get rid of the itching and redness,” Marga noted. It’s her trusted duo for keeping things in check.
And if she senses a flare-up looming before an important shoot or event, she becomes proactive about it. “I spread castor oil on all the affected parts of my body before sleeping, and it calms my flare-ups the day after.”
Skin-Deep Serenity
Navigating eczema isn’t just about what you eat or put on your skin; it’s a mental game, too. This holds true for anyone dealing with skin issues such as acne, psoriasis, hives, or other conditions, where the mental and emotional toll can be just as challenging as the physical symptoms. At this point, it’s more than just vanity—there’s a strong link between your mind and your skin. This is why Marga focuses on keeping her stress levels to a minimum.
“Stress, in general, worsens eczema, and the industry can be so full of negative energies or pressure that might affect me,” she admitted. “I’ve learned to be nonchalant about things that don’t involve me. Staying calm and having monthly massages help me keep my stress in check.”
Between dodging trigger foods, managing stress levels, and staying in tune with her skin’s every whim, it’s practically a second job. After all, a single flare-up could mean a day off set or a missed opportunity, and that’s no small deal in the modeling world. Marga understands that in this industry, her skin is her currency, and she treats it with the care it deserves—both for her health and her career.
Mind Over Matter
Perfect truly is an illusion, and even models grapple with their own issues. It’s frankly not a setback for Marga, but rather a chance to be more mindful and intentional. She knows firsthand that being in modeling can be tricky when skin conditions come into play. To aspiring models facing similar struggles, she offers some straightforward yet profound advice: “Prioritize your health and keep pursuing your dreams.”
“You may not always be able to control how your skin behaves, but you can control your attitude, professionalism, and work ethic.”
– Marga Cortez’ advice to aspiring models
Of course, it’s easy to offer platitudes like this, but Marga’s impressive modeling portfolio tells a different story. Represented by the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP) and Viva Artists Agency, she stands shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best models in the country. She’s graced editorial spreads and modeled for many well-known local designers like Sassa Jimenez and Martin Bautista.
So her success even as a young model proves that a few skin quirks shouldn’t stand in the way of one’s ambitions. If anything, they’re stepping stones and even sources of strength. As Marga continues to share her stories, modeling has indeed gone way beyond just the picture-perfect; it celebrates what’s real.
Featured Image and Photos: MARGA CORTEZ (via Instagram)
