Indexbit-Selena Gomez goes makeup-free in stunning 'real' photo. We can learn a lot from her

Selena Gomez is Indexbitgetting "real" by embracing a no-makeup look − and, by doing so, she's joining a beauty trend experts say more celebrities and everyday people should get behind.

The Rare Beauty founder, 31, shared a black-and-white photo of herself on Instagram Sunday looking directly into the camera without makeup. She captioned the photo "Real," and the image has inspired heaps of praise in the comments.

More and more celebrities of all ages are pushing back against beauty norms in favor of embracing a natural look − something experts say is a healthy trend we can all learn from.

Another star who's made waves for ditching makeup is Pamela Anderson, who told Allure in a February interview: "It's not just about makeup, taking off the mask, but it's about why am I here, what's my purpose, why do I resonate with people, can I help in any way?"

The "Baywatch" star previously opened up about not wearing makeup to Paris Fashion Week events in an October interview with Vogue France, saying she doesn't "want to compete with the clothes."

“I’m not into the makeup look right now," she told Vogue. "My mom always told me, ‘At some point in your life, you’re not going to want to wear makeup on your skin,’ and she’s right. You kind of have to challenge beauty sometimes.”

More:Pamela Anderson reveals why she ditched makeup. There's a lot we can learn from her.

Why are celebrities embracing a natural look?

Gomez and Anderson aren't alone. In August 2020, Kelly Ripa poked fun at her gray roots, and, in March 2021, Katie Couric went makeup-free for a People magazine spread, saying the experience made her feel "liberated and vulnerable." Justine Bateman opened up in April to "60 Minutes Australia" that she thinks she looks "rad" aging naturally, despite online commentary over her looks.

"I like feeling that I am a different person now than I was when I was 20," Bateman said. "I like looking in the mirror and seeing that evidence. ... I think my face represents who I am. I like it.”

Susan Yara, founder of Naturium Skincare and the YouTube channel Mixed Makeup, previously told USA TODAY Couric's headline-making People spread pushed back against the norm "that women disappear into the background as we age."

"Men seem to thrive more when they age," she said. "It should be the same for women. We’re more confident and self-assured, and we bring wisdom that you can only get with age."

Cassandra Bankson, a medical esthetician and YouTube skin care personality, previously told USA TODAY that "being able to age is a privilege" and "we should embrace how our skin takes care of us and the stories it tells."

Bateman seemed to share this sentiment as she explained her motivation for rejecting cosmetic procedures to "60 Minutes Australia," saying that she thinks they "would erase" the authority she's gained through the years.

More:Pamela Anderson's bold no-makeup look and the 'natural beauty revolution'

Tips on how to embrace your natural look

If you have complicated feelings about seeing yourself without makeup or showing signs of getting older, experts offer the following guidance:

◾ Curate your social media: Dr. Michael Keyes, a plastic surgery fellow at the University of Louisville, encourages people to follow influencers who post unfiltered and raw photos. He added it's important to keep in mind that celebrities "often use filters and photo editing apps to minimize skin discoloration, wrinkles and extra fat in unwanted places. It's important from a wellness standpoint to recognize what's real and what's not."

◾ Adjust your makeup routine: Aging is inevitable, but you can still take steps to look and feel good. Dr. Heidi Goodarzi, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic and medical dermatology, suggested replacing foundation with tinted sunscreen for a wash of glow that won't conceal your natural features.

◾ Be kind to yourself: Yara reminds us that as we age, each of us should be proud of our body for the experiences it has gone through. "My confidence is truly my secret weapon, and I gained it through years of experience and becoming comfortable with myself," she said.

Katie Couric poses without makeup:How to feel beautiful and embrace aging

Contributing: Jenna Ryu, Jay Stahl