Eva Longoria Talks Not Growing Up with the 'Pressures of Social Media' and Finding Her Self-Worth (Exclusive)

Eva Longoria's relationship with beauty is more than skin deep.

Ahead of L'Oréal Paris's Women of Worth event, the director-producer opened up about growing up without the pressures of social media, and finding find self-worth from within.

"For me, I was lucky not to grow up in a time of social media. I never had that relationship with beauty that I think a lot of young girls grow up with, especially today, with the pressures of it and comparison and trying to keep up with these oftentimes unattainable images," Longoria, 48, tells PEOPLE.

Growing up with sisters, the actress and director also felt empowered by the women around her.

"I come from a family of independent, strong women. I didn't have to look far for those role models," she says.

"My mom raised four girls, one child with special needs, had a full-time job, had dinner on the table every day at six, was at every band practice, cheerleading practice, everything," Longoria adds. "And so for me, it's like, 'Wow.' I always think, 'I'm not doing enough in my life!'"

Now, after nearly 20 years with L'Oréal Paris, Longoria has loved watching the evolution of makeup and skincare products. But most importantly, the brand's iconic slogan "Because You're Worth It" has become something Longoria lives by.

"It's been a mantra and a call to women to look at your life and take an inventory of everything in your life where you add value. [It's also] recognizing your self-worth and your relationships and your job and your marriage, and your society and your community," she says.

She continues, "That's what I've always loved about this brand. It's been always been less about selling a lipstick and more about finding your self-worth personally within yourself."

So it's only fitting that she's "blown away" by this year's Women of Worth honorees, who join 170 previously recognized women throughout the brand's 18-year initiative.

"They truly are the women of worth in the world and these awards put a spotlight on the work that they're doing."

At the event, Longoria presented awards to two honorees: Shrusti Amula of Rise N Shine Foundation and Sophia Kianni of Climate Cardinals.

The rest of the class includes Judaline Cassidy of Tools & Tiaras, Cass Forkin of Twilight Wish Foundation, Estefanía Rebellón of Yes We Can World Foundation, Tonya Sandis of Free2Luv, Sonia Su of Kits to Heart, Mariya Taher of Sahiyo U.S., Samantha Wettje of 16 Strong Project, and Stephanie Woodward of Disability EmpowHer Network.

Longotia lauds both one for being major change-makers.

"Shruti planned and implemented a composting program that was actually adopted by her state for use in schools. Her effort that she started has diverted a hundred thousand pounds of food waste from incinerators, and instead it just redistributes this food to homeless shelters, food banks. That's an insane difference."

And then Sophia founded Climate Cardinals, which is the largest youth-led climate nonprofit that makes climate resources more available to people who don't speak English. And she's gotten international acclaim. She's been named the youngest United Nations advisor, and she's accomplished so much."

Longoria shares her valuable takeaway: "You don't have to be rich and famous to make a difference."

"I think that's a big misconception and a myth is like, "I can't be a philanthropist because I'm not famous. I don't have enough money." All of these women that we recognize tonight are a woman that saw an injustice. They're extraordinary women doing extraordinary things.

"They wanted to make a difference in their community, in their world, and they became the change that they wanted to see."