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Skincare Isn’t Just Skin-Deep
- Laura Kinnaman-Spears
- Aug 6
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 11
Skincare isn’t just a routine, a regimen, or a brand that promises a miracle fix. Much like clothes, it’s never one-size-fits-all. After nearly 16 years as a skincare consultant—and having used skincare for more than half my life—I’ve learned that finding products that truly work for you is essential.
What worked for my teenage skin is worlds apart from what I need now. My routine has evolved alongside me. But beyond formulas or steps, skincare has become a powerful piece of my self-care ritual—anchoring my mornings and grounding my evenings.
Skincare Is Self-Care in Disguise
Don’t get me wrong—some days, my skincare routine is just that: a routine. Morning looks like: cleanse, rinse, boosters or serums, moisturize, SPF, and out the door. Nighttime is: eye makeup remover (shoutout to my go-to, Mary Kay’s Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover), micellar water, cleanser, moisturizer, then collapsing into bed.
But over the years, I’ve learned these “routine” moments hold potential for so much more. Skincare has become a sacred space—a few quiet minutes where I see me. Beyond the roles, expectations, and noise.
Skincare has become a sacred space—a few quiet minutes where I see me. Beyond the roles, expectations, and noise.
If you’ve ever held eye contact with yourself in the mirror, you know how hard—and healing—it can be. On my best days, I turn that mirror time into something powerful. I look myself in the eyes and say:
“You’re a badass boss babe—you’ve got this.”
“You’re a loving, capable mother doing the best you can today.”
“You can do hard things. I believe in you.”
When I say those words, I feel an energy shift. It’s not just skin-deep—it’s soul-deep. Some mornings the music is blasting, turning it into a full-on confidence ritual. Other days, it's a quiet reflection. Both are equally nourishing.
Mirror Work: The Power (and Discomfort) of Affirmations
The first time I tried saying affirmations in the mirror, it felt awkward—almost painful. Looking yourself in the eye is hard, especially when you’re unsure you like what you see. But we all have to start somewhere.
For me, it began with simply holding my own gaze—no words, just presence. Over time, I added quiet affirmations:
“I am worthy.”
“I am beautiful.”
“I am strong.”
Eventually, as my confidence grew, my affirmations expanded:
“I am a courageous woman meant to do great things.”
“I am a woman first, a mama second, and a wife third—and when I honor that order, I show up better for everyone I love.”
I am a courageous woman meant to do great things.
Even now, there are days I struggle to believe what I’m saying. But that’s the truth about affirmations: you might not feel them at first. Start small with a single powerful sentence, then build. Because each time you say it, you’re building belief—in yourself and in the vision others already see in you.
Your Takeaway
Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated to be transformative. Here are three simple ways to turn your routine into a ritual:
Start small with affirmations. Even if it feels awkward at first, pick one phrase that resonates. Speak it while looking yourself in the eyes. Repeat daily.
Elevate the moment. Light a candle, put on a playlist that makes you feel radiant, or keep a short affirmation card by your mirror.
Notice how you feel afterward. Do you stand taller? Breathe deeper? Feel more connected to yourself? That’s the power of ritual.
Of course, I don’t always get the bathroom to myself. I have two kids—one toddler, one in grade school—who believe the bathroom is just as much theirs as mine. And honestly? I love that. They often join me at the sink, mimicking my steps, asking questions, wanting to “do skincare” too. It brings to life the saying: “More is caught than taught.”
These shared moments are powerful. I get to model what self-care looks like—not just for women, but for humans. I get to show them that taking a few intentional minutes for yourself can shift your whole day, your week, even your life.
Your Skin: A Built-In Warning System
If you take a moment to reflect on each month and what’s happening in your life, you’ll see it: your skin is like a built-in warning system, telling you that changes are happening inside—good or bad. What’s going on internally shows up externally, and nowhere is that clearer than with hormonal shifts.
When I first started cycling as a teen, I noticed my skin felt oilier a few days before my period. Then, inevitably, one or two pimples would appear as my pores clogged up. As my period ended, my skin would clear and return to its “normal.” This hasn’t changed much into adulthood—except now I have the bonus of random chin hairs sprouting out of nowhere (anyone else? They drive me nuts!).
Over the years, I’ve learned to adjust my skincare in small ways to support these shifts. Nothing drastic—just little tweaks to keep my skin feeling its best. For example, when my face feels oilier and I sense that stubborn under-the-skin pimple brewing, I reach for my Deep Cleansing Charcoal Mask. Twenty minutes later, it’s pulled out impurities, unclogged pores, and helped calm that hormonal rebellion before it fully erupts.
Noticing these patterns has done more than help my skin—it’s helped me understand myself better. I can tell when I’m entering different phases of my cycle, when I might be moodier or more short-tempered, or when I’ll feel more go-with-the-flow. It’s given me the ability to communicate with my family and honor my body’s rhythms instead of fighting them.
Because your skin isn’t just your largest organ. It’s your body’s loudest messenger—if only you listen.
Your skin isn’t just your largest organ. It’s your body’s loudest messenger—if only you listen.
Building a Legacy of Self-Care
When I think about skincare and my kids, it’s more than them just watching me wash my face or put on makeup. It’s about them learning that caring for yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.
My son is only two, but he’ll toddle into the bathroom while I’m cleansing or layering my serums and boosters. He’ll look up at me with his big eyes and ask, “Me too?” Of course I indulge him. Boys and men need skincare too. I give him a little dab of Extra Emollient Night Cream to put on his face, hands, or feet—wherever he wants. He mimics my movements, swirling tiny circles onto his cheeks. It’s not exact, but he’s two. These are moments of connection that break stigmas and build bonds at the same time.
My daughter, at eight, used to do skincare videos with me all the time. She’d demo the kids’ skincare set while I’d demo TimeWise. Now, even if we’re not filming, she still loves to mask with me or wash her face alongside me. One day she said, “I want to wear makeup to be beautiful like you, Mama. I’m not beautiful without it.”
My heart broke a little hearing those words. It opened space for a conversation I know we’ll have many times in her life. I told her, “You are beautiful inside and out, with or without makeup. I feel the same way sometimes, but makeup isn’t about hiding blemishes. I wear it because I love being an artist on my own face, playing with colors and styles. But my favorite looks aren’t the flashy ones—they’re the ones that simply enhance the beauty I already have.”
Sometimes, she just wants to be like me—and that’s okay too. We’ll spend time together, masking and giggling, reminding ourselves that skincare is about caring for ourselves, not just looking good. It’s not always perfect, but it’s always exactly what we
need.
My Skincare Origin Story
I didn’t grow up seeing skincare modeled. It entered our lives when I was fifteen, thanks to a friend inviting us to her mom’s Mary Kay Mother-Daughter Pampering Party. I went to see my friend, but left hooked by the entire experience. At fifteen, I wasn’t thinking about younger-looking skin when I was older. I saw a woman leading the session who was confident, successful, and driving a shiny red Pontiac Grand Am. I turned to my mom and said, “You need to join.”
Here’s my little secret: I knew deep down that Mary Kay was exactly what my mom needed to gain back her confidence. At fifteen, I understood that when a woman feels cared for, when she feels beautiful, it changes how she shows up for herself—and for everyone around her. I knew we needed to see her find herself again, not just for her, but for us too.
Growth isn’t perfect. It’s not a straight climb to the mountain top. It’s a journey of deep valleys and breathtaking peaks that make the view worth it.
I hope one day, when my kids are grown, they’ll look back and remember these small moments. Moments that taught them self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Moments that showed them what it looks like to build confidence, one small ritual at a time.
Closing thoughts
At the end of the day, skincare isn’t just about products, steps, or flawless photos. It’s about connection—to yourself, your body, and the moments that remind you who you really are beyond the roles you carry. It’s about taking time, even if it’s just two minutes, to look yourself in the eye and say, “You matter, too.”
If you’re ready to turn your skincare routine into a ritual that feels made just for you, I’d love to help you get started. Because you’re worth showing up for—every single day. You matter. You count. You deserve this.
Meet the expert:
Laura Kinnaman-Spears is a skincare consultant, mama, and self-care advocate who helps women ditch the drawer full of skincare mistakes and discover products they’ll love—and love using. With a focus on education and personalized solutions, she empowers clients to build simple, effective routines using Mary Kay’s dermatologist-backed products. When she’s not sharing skincare tips, Laura enjoys creating engaging content, hosting virtual pampering events, and helping women embrace self-care with confidence.
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