'I try not to be critical of myself around them': Jessica Alba on teaching her daughters to have a positive body image

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: 15:56 EST, 19 June 2014 | Updated: 16:03 EST, 25 June 2014

Jessica Alba may be one of the most beautiful women in the world, but when it comes to teaching her daughters about having a positive body image, the 33-year-old actress is careful to to teach them that having a healthy attitude is most important.

The 33-year-old actress, who attributes her youthful glow to keeping hydrated with coconut water, said that she watches what she says around Honor, six, and Haven, two, while getting ready at home.

'I try not to be critical of myself and watch what I say arund them, knowing that they're little sponges,' she told MailOnline. 'I'm not talking about not fitting into this or that, or worrying about why this zipper won't go up today.'

Jessica Alba, who attributes her youthful glow to keeping hydrated with coconut water, says she is careful to teach her daughters that beauty comes from within

She added that she tries to instill the idea that beauty is about being kind to people, and about being mindful of your everyday actions.

'I emphasize that more than anything else,' she said. 'Beauty is so subjective - and it doesn't matter!'

However she said that she often comes up against hurdles thanks to popular culture.

'It's hard because they're obsessed with Disney. For Haven, it's her favorite book and she talks about Prince Charming and Sleeping Beauty's Aurora. It's hard to try and explain - you don't want them to have prepuces about beauty that society sometimes can put on them.'

The 33-year-old actress said that she watches what she says around Honor, six, and Haven, two, while getting ready at home

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Ms Alba, pictured with her husband Cash Warren and their children Honor and Haven, says that she tries to instill the idea that beauty is about being kind to people, and about being mindful of your everyday actions

Ms Alba, who is the brand ambassador for Zico coconut water, says that being healthy is the most important component of her life.

Showing how coconut water can be used as a healthy substitute for oil and butter, the Sin City star hosted a cooking class at the Institute of Culinary Education this afternoon.

Coconut water was used to massage kale, in a chicken marinade, and in a flour-less chocolate cake.

'It's a great alternative to milk,' she added. 'Both my kids tried to put the new Zico chocolate coconut water in their cereal last week.'

She also touts its beauty benefits, saying that staying hydrated and replacing electrolytes after working out 'is important'.

Showing how coconut water can be used as a healthy substitute for oil and butter, the Sin City star hosted a cooking class at the Institute of Culinary Education this afternoon

'You can see it clear as night and day when you have dehydrated skin versus hydrated skin. I travel all the time so I know the effect of having dehydrated skin: waking up with creases on my face and fine lines that won't go away.'

Ms Alba also owns her own e-commerce business promoting eco-friendly, and non-toxic baby products called The Honest Company, says that finding all-natural beauty products is 'an ongoing battle', adding that he often turns to the kitchen for beauty solutions.

'I'll use a fine sugar and an essential oil to make a sugar scrub, it's easy and it works!'

She also revealed that she would like to do a 'vertical' of The Honest Company that would include
a clean line of color cosmetics, hair care products and skin care products - stay tuned!