There are some things a mother teaches you without even trying. Among the life lessons, warm hugs, and shared laughs, my mom passed down one of her quietest but most meaningful habits: taking care of her skin.

Her bathroom shelf wasn’t overflowing with the latest beauty launches, but there was a certain elegance in the way she gently patted moisturiser onto her face, or how she never skipped sunscreen before heading out. Watching her made skincare feel less like vanity and more like a daily ritual, an act of self-respect.

This Mother’s Day, I’m celebrating the skincare rituals I learnt from my mom – the ones that stuck with me through teenage breakouts, early adulthood stress, and the everyday moments in between.

1. Clean Skin is Happy Skin

No matter how long the day was, my mom always made time to wash her face before bed. “Even when you’re tired, your skin still deserves a little love,” she’d say. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but now that habit is non-negotiable. A gentle cleanse every morning and evening has been the foundation of my routine – and my peace of mind.

2. Moisturise with Intention

I can still picture the way she’d massage her moisturiser in slow, upward strokes – never rushing, always present. “It’s not just about the cream,” she’d remind me, “it’s about the way you apply it.” That small act of mindfulness turned skincare into a moment of calm, and I find myself doing the same, even on the busiest days.

3. Sunscreen, Every Single Day

Rain or shine, winter or summer, my mom never left the house without sunscreen. At the time, I thought she was being overly cautious. Now, I thank her for every sunspot I’ve likely avoided. Her rule? Apply it every morning, reapply if you’re outside, and treat it like brushing your teeth – non-negotiable.

4. Don’t Chase Trends – Listen to Your Skin

While friends were trying every new product under the sun, my mom stuck to what worked for her. She taught me to pay attention to how my skin felt, rather than what was popular. That wisdom saved me from many impulsive beauty buys and breakouts. Her routine was built on intuition and consistency – two things I now swear by.

5. Your Skin Reflects How You Treat Yourself

Perhaps the most important lesson she taught me was that skincare is more than just topical – it reflects how you care for yourself overall. Drinking water, getting rest, managing stress, eating well – she viewed it all as part of the picture. Her glow wasn’t just from products, it came from balance, inside and out.

This Mother’s Day, I’m reflecting on the small rituals that made a lasting impact. Whether it was a warm towel after a long day, the soft scent of her night cream, or the way she made skincare feel like self-love, those memories now shape how I care for myself.

To the moms who taught us more than they’ll ever know – thank you.