We’ve learned that looking after our mental and physical health takes a bit more hard work than a manicure. For some women, it’s cancelling plans, quitting a job or ditching toxic friends.
Nope, it’s not just you: We live in extra-stressful times.
Self-care is a decades-old concept, but it was only years ago that it really started getting attention online. In 2017, Google searches for self-care doubled, and you couldn’t scroll through Instagram without landing on experts sharing tips about the practice that, at the time, was often focused on bubble baths and spa appointments.
Since then, we’ve faced a pandemic in which we learned that looking after our mental and physical health takes a bit more hard work than a manicure. Some people found it involved cancelling all plans, quitting their job or ditching toxic friends.
With self-care searches still on the rise, it’s clear we haven’t nailed exactly how to do it. We need more nuance, especially as treading the line between doing enough and doing too much is crucial to ensuring your new habits aren’t doing more harm than good.
A solid self-care routine is critical to keeping your you-know-what together—at least most of the time. Self-care doesn’t have to mean an elaborate spa getaway, although it can be if you want to splurge. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or training either.
Practicing mindfulness is a great form of self-care and it can involve going to a yoga class, downloading a meditation app, or just taking a few deep, slow breaths in the middle of a stressful day. Self-care can be as simple and easy as you want it to be.
In time for Women’s Month, we polled some beauty and wellness experts to share their self-care routines and tips for those who could use some help. As you read, just remember that it’s up to you to seek joy, wellness, and guidance. It’s up to you to remain in touch with your body. It’s up to you to give yourself space to ponder, to make art, to have faith. And if that sounds like a responsibility, it is. But practicing self-care isn’t a chore—it’s an opportunity.
Related story: Lawyer Simonette Sibal-Pulido on why successful women shouldn’t have to be ‘super women’
Related story: Women on top: Why female leadership matters
Related story: How Kate Spade the brand continues to champion women’s mental health 6 years after founder’s death
Chella Po, dietitian and nutrition coach
Learn to enjoy the process of taking care of yourself.
For me “self care” is not copying someone else’s routine exactly or stressing out if you can’t have a social-media-post worthy routine, but knowing what YOU need and feels good, and also what doesn’t serve you through the different seasons of your life. I’m in my 30s now, there’s naturally very busy seasons where self-care might be smaller things like just making sure I get enough sleep, staying off my phone, and saying no to things I really can’t do.
In less busy times where I can do more of the typical “self-care” things, I like to make sure I prep my meals, go to the gym or move five days a week, spend time on my hobbies or with friends, have a nice skin care routine, go outside and get some sun, etc.
My non-negotiables are sleep and as best as I can, eating nourishing meals because I really don’t feel good without those as part of my foundation.
My biggest tip is to start small, especially if you already have a lot on your plate, and learn to enjoy the process of taking care of yourself. Women especially tend to take on a lot of the burdens of caring for others, so it is not selfish to put your needs first sometimes, especially if you feel like you are already running on empty.
Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez, CEO and co-founder of Happy Skin, Blk Cosmetics, and Seoul White
Practice small acts of love.
I start my day by snuggling with my family, it fills me with love and sets the tone for everything ahead. After that, I do my daily Pilates. It’s become a non-negotiable for me—it clears my mind, strengthens my body, and gives me the energy I need.
I also make sure to care for my skin—using skincare and tools that feel like small acts of love for myself. These little rituals help me feel refreshed and recharged.
And whenever we can, my husband and I take time out for the spa. A massage to unwind, followed by a date night to reconnect—it’s one of our favorite ways to slow down and be present together.
All these moments, big and small, help me feel balanced, cared for, and deeply grateful.
Related story: 10 books by Filipino female authors to read this Women’s Month
Related story: Stories of her art: Women artists and their art that changed the world
Related story: The single girl’s guide to starting your jewelry collection
Dr. Irene Gail Robredo, dermatologist
Healthy lifestyle choices matter.
As a dermatologist, I always emphasize that skincare is not just about looking good—it’s about maintaining your skin’s health over time. Prevention is always better than correction, and a well-thought-out skincare routine plays a crucial role in keeping the skin healthy and youthful.
My skincare routine is built on three key principles: protection/prevention, repair, and rejuvenation. My morning routine focuses on protecting my skin from external aggressors by using a gentle cleanser, an antioxidant serum (like vitamin C), a hydrating moisturizer, and broad-spectrum sunscreen—which is the most important step in preventing premature aging. At night, I prioritize repair and renewal with ingredients like retinoids, peptides, and growth factors that help boost collagen production and improve skin elasticity. Occasionally, I use exfoliants in toner form such as glycolic acid 5% after washing my face.
To maintain healthy skin and delay the signs of aging, here are some essential tips:
• Proper sun protection by putting on sunscreen, using protective clothing and sun avoidance is a non-negotiable as UV radiation exposure accelerates skin aging.
• Identify your skin care issues and choose the right active ingredients to address them.
• Don’t overdo your skincare steps. Over-exfoliation and excessive product layering can compromise the skin barrier and can lead to skin irritation.
• Healthy lifestyle choices matter. A balanced diet, sufficient sleep, regular exercise, and stress management contribute to glowing, youthful skin.
Tanya Maria Aguila, founder of Onelife Studio
Find joy in movement.
To lead with clarity, courage, and creativity, I constantly remind myself that self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. As women, we naturally hold space for our families and communities, but it’s just as important to allow ourselves to receive support, too. It’s more than okay to lean on the circles we serve and draw strength from them.
For me, movement has always been my go-to form of self-care. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone—my body gets the exercise it needs, and my mind gets a break from the daily noise. When I move, I’m fully present, reconnecting with my breath and, ultimately, with myself.
As a working mom, I know how tricky it can be to prioritize wellness, but here are four simple strategies that have helped me:
• Shift your mindset from “finding time” to “making time.” Self-care won’t just happen—you have to carve out time for it intentionally. Choose a schedule that works for you and commit to it daily.
• Find joy in movement. Exercise shouldn’t feel like a chore. Choose an activity that leaves you feeling energized rather than drained. When you enjoy it, it’s easier to stick with it.
• Build your support system. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but I believe it also takes a village to support a mom—especially a working mom. Surround yourself with people who encourage your self-care goals and celebrate your progress. Get experts to help you on your journey—you don’t have to go at it alone.
• Embrace the slow and steady approach. Sustainable habits take time to build. When it comes to your health, patience is key. Focus on consistency, not intensity and speed.
Prioritizing yourself doesn’t mean neglecting others—it means showing up as your best self for the people who matter most. So take that first step, move with intention, and remember: you deserve this.
