When we look in the mirror, many of us see traces of our mothers. Sometimes it is the shape of our eyes, the curve of a smile, or the way our skin changes as the years pass.
But beyond the obvious family resemblance, there is a deeper question worth asking. How much of our skin is truly inherited, and how do genetics affect our skin type and skincare routine?
For generations women have shared beauty advice between mothers and daughters. These small rituals often begin long before we realise their significance. A particular moisturiser always kept in the bathroom cabinet. The reminder to wash your face before bed. The quiet understanding that caring for your skin is not vanity, but a simple act of self respect.
It is easy to assume these habits are simply tradition. Yet science tells us there is a genuine link between our skin and our family history.
The Role Genetics Play in Our Skin
Our skin is shaped in part by genetics. Many of the characteristics we notice most are influenced by the genes we inherit from our parents. Collagen production, for example, is partly genetic and affects how quickly our skin shows signs of ageing. Melanin levels influence how easily we tan or develop pigmentation. Even the activity of our sebaceous glands, which determines whether our skin leans towards oily or dry, can be influenced by inherited traits.
And who do we inherit our skin from?
The truth is that both parents contribute to the genes that shape our skin. Many aspects such as collagen structure, pigmentation and sensitivity come from a combination of both sides of the family. However, scientists have found that mitochondrial DNA is inherited solely from our mothers, which is why maternal lineage is often discussed when talking about inherited biological traits.
This may explain why so many of us instinctively compare our skin to our mother’s as the years go by. We notice similarities in how our skin reacts to the sun, how it ages, or whether it tends towards dryness or sensitivity.
Why Lifestyle Matters Just As Much
Yet genetics are only part of the story.
Lifestyle, environment and daily habits shape our skin just as much as inheritance does. Sun exposure, stress, sleep, diet and the products we choose all play a role in how our skin behaves over time. Even if we share similar genetic tendencies with our mothers, the life we live will influence how those traits appear.
This is why skincare should never be about fighting against your skin. Instead it should be about understanding it.
When we know that our skin may naturally lean towards dryness, we can focus on nourishment. When we recognise a tendency towards pigmentation, we can be more mindful about sun protection. Genetics do not determine our fate, but they can offer helpful clues about what our skin might need.
Understanding how genetics influence our skin helps us choose skincare that works with our skin rather than against it.
The Skincare Wisdom We Inherit
Perhaps this is why so many beauty rituals are passed down through generations. Mothers and daughters learn from each other, sharing small discoveries about what works and what does not.
My own relationship with skincare began in a similar way.
I grew up surrounded by a family of herbalists and aromatherapists. Natural remedies were never unusual in our home. Oils, botanicals and plant based ingredients were simply part of everyday life. Looking back, I realise that many of the ingredients we now use at Olive & Joyce were familiar long before I ever considered starting a skincare brand.
When I began making skincare in my kitchen, it felt less like inventing something new and more like continuing something that had always been there. The idea that skincare should support the skin rather than overwhelm it was something I had quietly absorbed from the women around me.
Perhaps that is the real inheritance we receive from our mothers. Not just the skin we live in, but the understanding that caring for it can be simple, gentle and consistent.
And maybe that is why skincare advice from our mothers often stays with us. Not because they are experts in dermatology, but because they have spent a lifetime learning what works for their own skin.
So why do we listen to other women instead?
Magazines, social media and the beauty industry are full of advice telling us to chase flawless skin, erase wrinkles or completely transform the way we look. But the truth is that healthy skin rarely comes from chasing perfection. It comes from understanding the skin you already have.
Conversations about genetics and skin often raise a few common questions, so it is worth looking briefly at some of the things people ask most often.
Genetics and Skincare: Common Questions
Do you inherit your skin type from your mother?
Skin type can be influenced by genetics from both parents. Traits such as oil production, collagen structure and sensitivity can run in families, which is why many people notice similarities between their skin and their parents' skin as they age.
Can skincare change genetically inherited skin traits?
Skincare cannot change your genetic blueprint, but it can support your skin and improve how it behaves. Ingredients that nourish the skin barrier, protect against environmental stress and support hydration can help maintain healthier skin over time.
Does genetics affect how our skin ages?
Genetics play a role in how quickly collagen breaks down and how skin responds to environmental stress. However lifestyle factors such as sun exposure, sleep, stress and skincare habits also influence how skin ages.
Your skin does not need to look like someone else's.
It simply needs the care that suits it best.
And if you are looking for a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift, you can explore our collection of skincare gifts designed to nurture and support the skin at every age.