Growing up as the daughter of an esthetician, beauty has never been about just makeup. It was part of my everyday life. I have spent years surrounded by conversations about skincare, ingredients, and treatments. But for the longest time, skincare was the last thing I wanted to think about. Throughout my teenage years, I struggled with intense hormonal acne. My mom, the skin care guru, constantly encouraged me to take better care of my skin and even suggested regular facials, but like many teenagers, I resisted. I was convinced I knew better. I didn’t.
Looking back, I think the reason my skin never got ‘worse’ is because of my mom. But somewhere along the way in college, something in me changed. Perhaps it was because I no longer had the time to do a proper, well-thought-out makeup routine; maybe it was that I stopped seeing skincare as a constant chore. I like to think it is a combination of both.
Midway through college, I began to see skincare as an investment in myself. I started paying attention to myself, to the ingredients in my products, started investing in monthly facials and hefty skincare treatments (e.g., microdermabrasion), and learned to build a routine that worked for my skincare. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I began to appreciate the skincare routine my mother had preached for years. Looking back, I wish I had listened to her sooner rather than later. But, I eventually learned my lesson.
Now, beauty has become one of my favorite things to explore. I take a lot of pride in caring for my skin. I genuinely love exploring new products that are both beautiful and effective, and I love sharing the ones that have a permanent place on my shelf. Consider this a collection of those finds.
Note from the Editor:
None of the links in this article are affiliate links. These are simply my personal favorite finds for the season that I wanted to share with you. I don’t earn a commission if you purchase anything through these links, and this post is not sponsored, gifted, or paid for by any of the brands featured. Every item included is here because I genuinely love it.
Mama’s Favorites
If there’s one person I trust when it comes to skincare, it’s my mom. She’s been an esthetician for over a decade, and some of my earliest memories are of watching her care for clients and hearing conversations about ingredients, treatments, and the importance of healthy skin. While I didn’t always appreciate her advice growing up, I certainly do now.
These are the products that have earned her approval over the years. The ones she has recommended time and time again, both to me and to the people who have sat in her treatment room. When my mom says a product is worth buying, I tend to listen.
All affiliate links below you can buy through The Skin Lounge
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That is nuts, in a great way. I love how you'd framed skincare as an investment rather than a chore. That shift in mindset is everything. The Elta MD SPF has been on my radar for years, so I'm chuffed to see it validated here. Your mum sounds like an absolute legend: I'll trust a Mum-Approved list way more than any influencer's. Unless they're a Mum too. Thanks for writing this!