ALISON BOSHOFF The secret behind Simon Cowells striking new look

ALISON BOSHOFF: The secret behind Simon Cowell’s striking new look is a £25 Korean face mask

Simon Cowell’s beauty regimen, which already includes botox, fillers and meticulous hair care and coloring, has been expanded to include regular use of an Instagram-famous face mask from South Korea for $30 a time (£25).

The iconic Hanacure face masks promise instant firming and brightening, as well as “reversing” numerous signs of aging such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity.

A gel and serum are applied to the skin and the reaction between them causes the mask to dry into a rigid crust that makes speaking, eating and drinking impossible for about 30 minutes before washing it off.

A friend from Cowell camp says he recently started using them and swears by the results. The recommendation is to use once a week for a month. A pal said: “He’s a huge fan and has also brought them to the attention of his friends and colleagues.” This should explain its current glow.

THEN: Simon in 2002 NOW: Simon looks timeless in 2022

Simon, pictured left in 2002, compared to his new look in 2022, right

And the secret?  This all-in-one facial from South Korea.  Available for £25, Hanacure has become a phenomenon on Instagram for its impressive results

And the secret? This all-in-one facial from South Korea. Available for £25, Hanacure has become a phenomenon on Instagram for its impressive results

Other prominent fans of Hanacure, which launched in 2017, include Kim Kardashian and actress Drew Barrymore, who have shared pictures of themselves in the “crust” phase on Instagram. One beauty writer said it made her look like one of the cairns in Game of Thrones.

Cowell, 63, has long been open about his beauty regimen. He happily admitted to botox 15 years ago when it was considered unusual. He said: “I’ve had botox, but then again, pretty much everyone I know has botox. For me, Botox is no more unusual than toothpaste. It works out. You do it once a year – who cares?’

And when asked what he did when, he often joked, “Maintenance is a bitch!”

He has gone through several health challenges in recent years. He was hospitalized in October 2017 after passing out and falling down the stairs at home in London. He said: “Sometimes we are reminded that we are not invincible and that was certainly mine.

“It was a huge shock. They think I passed out because I had low blood pressure, so I have to take good care of myself to fix this.’

He went on a diet and lost three stones. He denied having a gastric band after America’s Got Talent viewers were shocked at how different he looked.

Check out our ever-changing faces of Simon Cowell from 1985 to 2022 here.

Who?  It comes after Simon's

Who? Simon Cowell’s “unrecognizable” performance sent fans into shock after he took the stage at this week’s Royal Variety Performance

Holy Moly!  He had previously sparked concern among fans in a new video shared to social media earlier this month

Holy Moly! He had previously sparked concern among fans in a new video shared to social media earlier this month

Other celebs, including Drew Barrymore (pictured), also use the Hanacure face mask

Other celebs, including Drew Barrymore (pictured), also use the Hanacure face mask

He said: “People have been like, ‘Oh, he’s had a gastric band fitted’ – but I haven’t. If I had, I would admit it. This diet is all about what you put into your body.’

He continued, “I met this doctor in LA and he told me my diet was appalling and I needed to cut out fatty foods and certain drinks. I could see the difference. Giving up sugar has made a huge difference.”

Some viewers of X Factor: Celebrity in 2019 were concerned that he appeared to be slurring his words, but he simply had new veneers on his teeth.

There were also reports of a neck lift or thread lift at the time, but he didn’t confirm them. He said: “There are many things you can do now. You don’t have to just stuff your face with fillers and botox. But you have to be very careful with some things.’

In August 2020, he broke his back after falling off his electric bike in Malibu. He underwent six hours of surgery and had metal bars inserted in his back. As part of his recovery, he took up hiking as a hobby.

2022: The music mogul raised eyebrows during his performance at the Variety Club Show Business Awards in November, where he was joined by glamorous partner Lauren Silverman

2022: The music mogul raised eyebrows during his performance at the Variety Club Show Business Awards in November, where he was joined by glamorous partner Lauren Silverman

The many faces of Simon Cowell were documented by MailOnline this month

The many faces of Simon Cowell were documented by Web this month

Cowell is currently vacationing in Barbados with fiancée Lauren Silverman and their son Eric. Last year on Christmas Eve he proposed to her on a beach in the same country in front of Eric and Cowell’s stepson Adam.

But despite rumors that they’ll be tying the knot in the Caribbean this year, I’ve been told, ‘Don’t worry, there won’t be a wedding this Christmas.’

Very slowly, plans are emerging for a tiny wedding sometime next year, most likely in the UK.

Comedian Frank Skinner said: “I remember Simon Cowell when he had his first face. I’ve known him for a long time. The current one is a bit Slipknot. It’s actually pretty frightening.

“It looks like his nose is juggling with his eyes. They are on different levels. You’d think a man with his money could get the best plastic surgeon in the world.”