Skincare, Self-Tanner, and Sun-In: A Millennial Mom’s Guide to Controlled Chaos
Skincare Lessons I Learned From Growing Up in the 2000s (And How I’m Fixing Them Now)
If you grew up in the early 2000s, your skincare education probably looked something like this:
Step 1: Slather on any product that claims “miracle” results. My go to was a self tanner, Rave hair spray, Noxzema, coco butter lotion and a hefty amount of that LA Looks gel. I can still smell it thinking about it.
Step 2: Scrub your face with whatever exfoliant smells like cherries, sugar, or regret.
Step 3: Watch your pores scream silently while thinking toner is supposed to burn to be effective. Beauty is pain I preached it to my girls so many times not realizing how untrue those words are.
Step 4: Cover it all up with a heavy layer of foundation, some random self-tanner, and Sun-In for the hair because blonde highlights > life experience.
Sound familiar? Yeah… me too.
Fast forward twenty years, a small business, Three kids, and a wife who occasionally eats the last piece of chocolate without remorse, as she should and I can confidently say: I have learned from my mistakes.
Lesson 1: Scrubbing ≠ Skincare
Back then, I believed the harder I scrubbed, the cleaner my skin would be. Reality check: my skin wasn’t thanking me. It was plotting its revenge in the form of redness, irritation, and mysterious bumps that seemed to appear only during prom season… and now, 30-ish life.
Now? Gentle is my mantra. Soft botanical cleansers, a carefully blended toner, and a moisturizer that actually nourishes — not just hydrates like a fancy glass of water that leaves your skin still thirsty.
Lesson 2: Oil Isn’t the Enemy
Remember the “oil-free everything” craze? That one traumatized an entire generation of teenage faces. I spent years avoiding moisturizers because “oil = bad” and ended up with dry, sad skin that looked more exhausted than a toddler on a sugar binge.
Fast forward to today: my small-batch oils and serums are gentle, nutrient-packed, and exactly what my skin is screaming for. Bonus: they smell like calm, not desperation. I lather thick layers on my face and it has hydrated and rejuvenated my face like I have never seen it.
Lesson 3: Self-Tanner & Sun-In ≠ Magic
Ah, the early 2000s glow. Spray tan mistakes. Self-tanner streaks. Sun-In turning your hair… orange-ish. We thought that was glamour. Reality? Sometimes it looked like we’d survived a solar flare.
Now? I’ve learned that a soft, subtle glow is better than a streaked one. And healthy, nourished hair will catch the light naturally — no Sun-In required. Your skin and hair actually thank you when you treat them gently.
Lesson 4: The Trend Will Always Change
I once had a cabinet filled with everything from glittery face masks to DIY lemon juice remedies I saw on TV. By the next week, it was all irrelevant. Trends came and went faster than I could say “Y2K eyeliner revival.”
Owning my own beauty line has really taught me the value of timeless, intentional skincare. I’m making products I would use, that my daughters would love… though yes, I let them indulge in a trend or two because, let’s be real, they’re young and we all like a little dopamine rush now and then. That’s why I’m such a big believer in balance. A little 80/20 goes a long way.
Most of the time, they’re not even as impressed as they thought they’d be, and I love that it’s starting to create a ripple effect — they pause, think before spending, and start looking for things that really hold value for them. It’s been a learning curve for all of us, honestly, but I feel so grateful to give them experiences that are teaching them responsibility, thoughtfulness, and a sense of what really matters as they grow into adults.
Lesson 5: Patience is a Superpower
Back then, I wanted instant results. Acne? Fix it in a week. Dark circles? Vanish overnight. Wrinkles? Pretend they don’t exist, because my skin was literally ruining my life. My eyes were darker and red pigmented when I was younger more than they are now and I use way less product on my face now than I did then.
Running a small business and raising a family? Patience isn’t optional. It’s survival. Formulas take time to perfect, ingredients need testing, and growth happens slowly — in skincare, in business, and yes, even in motherhood.
Lesson 6: Fun Skincare is Self-Care
While I may have gone overboard in the past, I’ve learned that skincare is one of the easiest ways to carve out a tiny, joyful moment in a chaotic day. For me, it’s a candle, a chamomile serum, maybe a touch of self-tanner for glow, and a soft brush through hair — no Sun-In mistakes required. For you? Maybe it’s your favorite moisturizer that smells like vanilla and calm, or a little ritual that reminds you you matter.
What I’ve Learned for You
Millennial moms, small-business owners, wives, and anyone just trying to survive adulthood:
Your skin doesn’t need chaos. It needs care, intention, and a little nostalgia — but the good kind. That’s what I aim to give with my beauty line: a little love for your skin, a little calm for your day, and a gentle reminder that self-care isn’t selfish — it’s survival.
Because let’s face it: growing up in the 2000s taught me many things, but the best lesson I’ve learned as an adult is this: your skin (and your hair) will forgive you if you finally treat them like they matter.
If you’re feeling inspired to slow down, simplify, or just treat your skin a little kinder, you’re always welcome to peek into my little corner of the internet. Whether you want to explore the products I hand-craft with intention or browse through my cozy collection of DIY recipes, there’s something there to help you build your own feel-good ritual. Take a look, wander around, and see what speaks to you — your skin (and your nervous system) will thank you.
