When “ask your derm” becomes “ask Maya”

I can’t get through a single study session, coffee date, or even a meme exchange without someone sliding in a skincare emergency. “Is niacinamide safe with retinol?” “Which sunscreen won’t make me look greasy?” My phone is less iMessage, more customer service hotline.

Skincare by vibes

The irony? Half the time I don’t even follow my own advice. I tell my friends to double cleanse, then pass out in mascara. I recommend barrier repair creams while mine is crying out for therapy. But I say it with confidence, and honestly, that’s half of skincare anyway.

The secret in my own bag

Eventually, even Glow Mom has to face the mirror. My personal hack? A cream that keeps my skin from revolting when I’ve been up too late giving advice I don’t follow. It’s got hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid (the plumping kind) and Ceramide Prism™ to keep my barrier from filing for divorce (+Glycerin, of course!). Nothing flashy — just the quiet kind of product that saves me from my own chaos.

When skin calms, so do I

And here’s the thing: the second my skin feels less tight, less dull, less angry, I feel better too. My glow isn’t perfect, but it’s enough to remind me that I’m still in control. Which, let’s be real, is more than I can say for my group chat.

The lesson from Glow Mom

Being the skincare mom of the group is chaotic, hilarious, and sometimes exhausting. But maybe that’s the point — we’re all just figuring it out, one cream, one text, one crisis at a time. And if I’ve learned anything, it’s that sometimes helping your friends glow reminds you to protect your own.