Behind many of our earliest beauty habits is someone who taught them to us first. For some it was a mother insisting on sunscreen before leaving the house; for others, a reminder not to pick at spots or the quiet ritual of removing make-up before bed. But as time passes, those lessons often start to flow in both directions.
In the world of aesthetics and skincare, many experts say their first inspiration came from watching the women closest to them care for themselves – and now, with years of professional expertise behind them, they’re returning the favour. To celebrate Mother’s Day, WH speaks to five mothers and daughters about the beauty wisdom they’ve shared across generations, from lifelong skincare habits to evolving ideas of confidence, self-care and what it really means to feel comfortable in your own skin.
1 / Cheryl Cain & Julia Cain
Cheryl is a GetHarley practitioner and master’s-trained ANP with a Level 7 qualification in aesthetics and a special interest in health optimisation and skin health. She is the owner of The Good Skin Guru Medical Aesthetics Clinics in Cumbria and Manchester, as well as Sōma Sana, a health optimisation clinic opening soon in the Lake District. Julia, her mum, is 65 years old, a nana and married with three adult children. She works in a local school kitchen and spends her spare time sewing and creating fancy dress costumes.
Biggest beauty lesson you have learnt from each other
‘Mam always told me from a young age never to pop spots because of the scarring and marks they could leave. It was a good habit to learn as a teenager, as I know so many patients struggle to break this habit as they get older. The older your skin is, the slower healing can be, leading to worsened scarring.’ Cheryl
‘I didn’t really have a skincare routine before Cheryl started giving me tips. I just washed with warm water and used a basic moisturiser. My skin is so much better since I started taking more care of it – it’s so much smoother and the lines around my eyes are nowhere near as noticeable.’ Julia
What does beauty mean to you?
‘Beauty is feeling happy and confident – in who you are, in how you present yourself to the world, and in how you treat those around you, including yourself.’ Cheryl
‘When a person is selfless and caring and will go out of their way to help others. That’s beauty to me.’ Julia
Favourite beauty products & treatments
‘I’m a fan of the Tinted SPF Cliniccare Dermo Corrective Creamfor broad-spectrum protection with an added glow. Skinthings Night Shift, a liposomal retinol and peptide night treatment that’s barrier-restorative rather than irritating like many retinoids. I also love Alumier’s Vitamin C with peptides, which you mix on arrival to keep it fresh and potent. For treatments, SkinPen Precision Microneedling with exosomes is a firm favourite. It stimulates collagen with minimal downtime and always leaves my skin glowing.’ Cheryl
‘Skinceuticals vitamin CE Feruelic is my favourite serum because it doesn’t feel heavy on my skin. I also like Obagi tinted SPF because it gives a hint of colour and I don’t have to wear any makeup. My go-to treatment is the BBL laser treatment because I see fast visible results, especially with my redness, from just one session with no downtime.’ Julia
2 / Dr Anjuli Patel & Bina Patel
Dr Anjuli Patel runs a medical aesthetics clinic in Fitzrovia where she specialises in non-surgical facial balancing. Her mother Bina is a 63-year-old retired teacher.
Biggest beauty lesson you have learnt from each other
‘The biggest beauty lesson I’ve learnt from my mum is the importance of a consistent nighttime skincare routine. Growing up, I watched her take off her makeup every evening and go through her full routine without fail. It was never rushed and it always felt like a small ritual of self-care and a way to unwind at the end of the day. Seeing that consistency really shaped the way I approach skincare now. I see those few minutes in the evening as a moment to reset, take care of myself and maintain healthy skin over the long term.’ Anjuli
‘One of the biggest beauty lessons I’ve learnt from my daughter is the importance of wearing SPF every single day. I grew up in Kenya where we had lots of sunshine year-round, and at the time sun protection simply wasn’t something people spoke about as much as they do today. Through her work, she has taught me just how important daily SPF is for protecting the skin and preventing pigmentation and premature ageing.’ Bina
What does beauty mean to you?
‘For me, beauty is about taking the time to prioritise yourself in the same way that so many of us naturally care for others. It’s about those small daily moments of self-care that help you feel confident and feminine, whether that’s a skincare routine, a treatment, or simply giving yourself a bit of time and grace.’ Anjuli
‘As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realised that our skin and beauty needs naturally evolve, and it’s important to adapt your routine as those changes happen. I feel very fortunate to have a daughter whose expertise helps guide me with that. She has taught me so much about skincare and treatments, and it’s been lovely to share that journey together. For me, beauty is really about self-care, confidence and feeling comfortable in your own skin at every stage of life.’ Bina
Favourite beauty products & treatments
‘My CurrentBody LED Mask is one of my favourites. I use it every evening while reading, so it’s become part of a habit-stacking routine that keeps me consistent. I also love the Wonderskin Lip Stain Masque in Whimsical paired with AlumierMD LipBoost peptide treatment for a hydrated, subtly overlined lip. ZO Skin Health Retinol Skin Brightener 0.5% is another staple for improving brightness and texture and maintaining a healthy glow. My favourite treatment is Sofwave. It’s completely non-invasive, requires no needles or downtime, yet stimulates collagen beautifully. With results lasting up to 18 months, it’s a great low-maintenance option for keeping the face firm and defined.’ Anjuli
‘Retinol has become a staple in my routine as I’ve gotten older. It’s made a real difference to my skin texture and helps keep my complexion looking smooth and refreshed. I also love ZO Skin Health Growth Factor Serum as it makes my skin feel stronger and more resilient. My CurrentBody LED hair growth helmet has been another favourite as it’s easy to use at home and supports healthy hair growth. My favourite treatment has been Pico Laser. It makes a huge difference to sunspots and uneven pigmentation, leaving my skin tone clearer and brighter. I also love that there’s no downtime, which makes it easy to fit into everyday life.’ Bina
3/ Dr Fiona McCarthy & Izzy McCarthy
Dr Fiona McCarthy is a Consultant Medical Oncologist with a specialist interest in skin toxicities associated with cancer treatments. As well as her NHS practice, she is also the founder and Medical Director of The Bronte Clinic, a specialist dermatology and aesthetic clinic with locations in London and Surrey, where she and her team focus on skin health and natural, regenerative aesthetic treatments. Her daughter Izzy is 11 years old and loves playing cricket and hockey.
Biggest beauty lesson you have learnt from each other
Izzy has reminded me that the best skincare habits are often the simplest ones. Her routine is very simple (just washing her face and wearing sunscreen) and it is a very good reminder that healthy skin often comes from keeping things simple rather than using lots of products.’ Fiona
Use SPF every day! Mummy always says it’s the most important thing you can do to keep your skin healthy. Izzy
What does beauty mean to you?
‘Beauty, to me, is about feeling comfortable in your own skin – something that often only comes with age. I love the Roald Dahl line that good thoughts shine out of your face like sunbeams — a lovely reminder that kindness is often the most beautiful thing about someone.’ Fiona
‘I think beauty is being kind and just being yourself.’ Izzy
Favourite beauty products & treatments
‘My go-to products are La Roche Posay UV Air SPF 50, Medik8 Lipid Cleansing Oil, I use this religiously every night as it manages to remove all makeup and make my skin feel incredibly clean, and SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF. This works as an antioxidant, helps target pigmentation, stimulates collagen. It is difficult to choose just one treatment, but if I had to choose, it would be BroadBand Light (BBL) and it evens skin tone, stimulates collagen and leaves the skin looking healthy and luminous with very little downtime.’ Fiona
My go-to products are Laneige lip mask, Byoma creamy Jelly Cleanser and Cerave Facial moisturiser SPF50.’ Izzy
4/ Dr Alaa Ati & Semira Ati
Dr Alaa Ati is a GetHarley practitioner, medical aesthetic practitioner and the founder of The Clinic By Dr Alaa, based in Harley Street, London. Outside the clinic, she believes strongly in the connection between wellbeing and skin health, and enjoys staying active through reformer pilates and strength training. Semira Ati is a mother and grandmother, she has dedicated her life to her family, nurturing them with warmth, generosity, and love. She also has a passion for cooking.
Biggest beauty lesson you have learnt from each other
‘The biggest beauty lesson I learned from my mum is that the most powerful kind of beauty comes from within. It’s not just about how you look on the outside, but about your heart, your kindness and the way you treat people. Growing up, I always noticed how warm and generous she was with everyone around her, and that left a much deeper impression on me than anything purely superficial. It taught me that the most beautiful people are the ones whose inner qualities shine through.’ Alaa
‘The biggest beauty lesson I have learned from my daughter is how much science has evolved when it comes to skincare and aesthetic medicine. I’ve being introduced to treatments that support healthy skin and help you age confidently, rather than trying to change how you look.’ Semira
What does beauty mean to you?
‘Beauty is about confidence and authenticity. It’s about feeling comfortable in your own skin and embracing who you are, rather than following trends or trying to meet anyone else’s expectations. To me, true beauty comes from caring for yourself in a way that nurtures both your skin and your spirit.’ Alaa
‘The most meaningful kind of beauty is the kind that comes from your values. It’s not just about products or treatments, it’s about kindness, warmth, and living with generosity.’ Semira
Favourite beauty products & treatments
‘I never start the day without a broad spectrum sunscreen. My go to is the Intradermology Synergy 6 NX-Gen SPF 50 because it gives excellent protection while still feeling light and wearable every day. Next up is Revision C+ Correcting Complex. It’s fantastic for brightening the skin and protecting against environmental damage whilst giving a really healthy glow. This also has prebiotic technology which helps nurture my skin’s microbiome. I’m also a big believer in the importance of retinoids and one of my favourites is Cellderma RetinAce. ‘ Alaa
‘I love the Meder Quatre Peptide Mask which has a blend of four potent peptides to help support collagen signalling while delivering deep hydration, leaving the skin looking plumper and more rejuvenated. Revision DEJ Eye Cream is another staple, alongside Obagi Elastiderm Lift & Sculpt Facial Moisturiser, which focuses on improving skin elasticity while providing deep hydration to support a firmer, smoother complexion.’ Semira
5/ Dr Priya Verma & Neelam Rallon
Priya Verma is a GetHarley Practitioner and Founder and Medical Director of ART Clinic in Belgravia. Neelam Rallon is a 64-year-old entrepreneur who has successfully run her own property and convenience store businesses in Greater London for more than 35 years.
Biggest beauty lesson you have learnt from each other
‘The biggest beauty lesson I’ve learnt from my mum is that true skin health starts from within. She has always prioritised eating well, sleeping well and taking care of her overall wellbeing through yoga, meditation and staying active. Growing up, I saw how those habits translated into healthy, glowing skin. It taught me that skincare isn’t just about products – it’s about nurturing your body and mind as well.’ Priya
‘The biggest beauty lesson I’ve learnt from Priya is that helping the skin age well comes down to small, consistent habits. She has taught me that gentle treatments, good medical-grade skincare at home and simple preventative steps can make a big difference over time. It’s not about doing anything drastic, it’s about maintaining healthy skin in small, easy and sustainable ways.’ Neelam
What does beauty mean to you?
‘To me, beauty is about respecting our own individuality, our unique features, expressions and identity. The goal isn’t to change how we look, but to feel confident and comfortable in our own skin.’ Priya
‘For me, beauty is about feeling happy and confident. When you take good care of yourself through healthy habits, balance and consistency, that confidence naturally shines through.’ Neelam
Favourite beauty products & treatments
My favourite treatment is the LaseMD Ultra laser facial. It’s a fantastic treatment for overall skin rejuvenation, improving skin tone, texture and luminosity while stimulating collagen production. It delivers noticeable skin quality improvement while still looking completely natural.
My favourite treatment is the LaseMD Ultra laser facial. It’s a fantastic treatment for overall skin rejuvenation, improving skin tone, texture and luminosity while stimulating collagen production. It delivers noticeable skin quality improvement while still looking completely natural. As for products, my go-tos are Intradermology Synergy 6 NX-Gen SPF, Revision Skincare Derm-Protect Barrier Defence, and Alastin Aluminate Brightening Serum.’ Priya
‘My favourite treatment is the Belgravia Signature Facial at ART Clinic, which incorporates the iS Clinical Fire & Ice facial protocol. It leaves the skin feeling incredibly refreshed, smooth and glowing. Product wise, I like iS Clinical Hydra-Intensive Cooling Masque, Obagi Hydrate Luxe Moisturiser and Alastin Restorative Neck Complex. ‘ Neelam
Perdita Nouril is the Beauty Editor for Women’s Health UK. She has worked in the beauty industry for 15 years since graduating from the University of Nottingham. Adept at exploring the colossal world of beauty, she loves to scratch beneath the surface to debunk the myths, decode the science and challenge traditional notions of beauty. You can always find her preaching sermons on the power of a red lip, extolling the virtues of a decent serum and championing the very best female beauty founders.
You can find Perdita on Instagram on @perditanouril
