For Catriona Gray, self-love isn’t limited to occasional pampering days or wellness activities that are trending online.
As she journeys through her 30s, the Miss Universe 2018 titleholder has come to realize that it can take many forms.
And that what truly matters is making it part of everyday life.
“Self-love, I think, building routines in your day that fit in your schedule,” Catriona said.
The beauty queen-actress shared this realization in an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on March 7, 2026, during Cetaphil’s Be a Girl’s Girl pop-up held in celebration of International Women’s Month at Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City.
Catriona Gray and Kaila Estrada at Cetaphil’s Be a Girl’s Girl pop-up on March 7, 2026, at Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City.
Photo/s: PR Photo
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Catriona acknowledged how social media often presents self-care as something complicated and time-consuming.
But for her, it doesn’t have to look the same for everyone—and it should always be flexible.
“Malaking bagay talaga siya kasi minsan nakikita natin sa social media na sobrang elaborate ang mga self-care routines, pero minsan, hindi talaga feasible.
“Whatever works for you and if that’s able to adjust.”
For her, it can be as simple as spending quality time with the people she loves.
“I love to spend time with my loved ones when I can… be able to decompress.”
Travel also plays a key role in her wellness, especially as a creative.
“I also love to travel, to be inspired as a creative. And just have routines that really prioritize my health and wellness, which, of course, includes great skin-care to make me look and feel my best.”
CATRIONA GRAY: SKINCARE HOLY GRAILS
Skin care plays an essential role in Catriona’s self-love routine, and she has discovered a routine that works for her.
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Since entering her 30s, she has embraced a more minimalist approach with one non-negotiable step: using sunscreen.
“Skin care that I’m prioritizing in my 30s, SPF for days. I love being in the sun and I also want to make iwas sa mga wrinkles.”
Believing that prevention is key, Catriona emphasizes sun protection as her top priority.
“Prevention is the best cure, no? Which is why I love the Bright Healthy Radiance line. The day moisturizer has SPF 20 in it.
“And also just making sure that I’m able to enjoy the things that I love which is going to the beach, being out in the sun… but also just using the right skin care that allows me to do those things.”
Another lesson Catriona learned over the years is staying loyal to products she had tried and tested.
For her, a product only earns “holy grail” status after consistent use and proven results.
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“Siguro for me, it has to be a product that I know works.
“When I’m able to use it consistently and see the results in my skin with my own eyes, that’s when it becomes a holy grail.”
With her busy lifestyle—frequent travel, changing climates, and constant make-up for shoots—Catriona’s skin goes through a lot.
Living in the Philippines presents its own challenges, too.
Catriona said: “I travel a lot to different climates, and then doing shoots, I wear make-up a lot. So my skin can go through a few stressors.
“And then… living dito sa Pinas, humid din ang weather natin, medyo harsh ang light. So, just having skin care that’s able to cater to my skin’s needs [is important].
“I’m a combination skin type, more on the oily side and Cetaphil just really works for me. So it’s a holy grail talaga.”
CATRIONA GRAY: WOMEN’S MONTH MESSAGE
In celebration of International Women’s Month, Catriona offered a heartfelt reminder to young women—especially about the realities of social media.
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“I think it’s important to remind young women that what we see and consume in the media is usually heavily filtered, has beautiful make-up, beautiful lighting,” she said.
She admitted that even she sometimes falls into the trap of comparison. But curated content, she said, doesn’t always reflect real life.
“Even when I’m scrolling and I see beautiful complexions and high cheekbones and defined eyes, it’s really easy to be like, ‘Grabe naman, favorite ni Lord ito.’
“Remember, what you’re seeing has been intentionally curated.
“And it’s not necessarily what reality looks like ’cause that can really diminish what we feel inside.”
For Catriona, true radiance comes naturally when you allow yourself to build self-care routines that fit your life.
“To allow yourself to be radiant, I mean, have routines that cater to you and, fit into your self-care routines.”
She understands that this can be challenging, especially for people juggling responsibilities, work, and finances—but she encourages starting with gratitude.
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“Try to align yourself with things and people that genuinely give you joy.
“Ang dali to say that and sometimes I can understand the challenge it is ’cause maybe we don’t like the job that we’re in or we’re making ends meet or we have so many responsibilities.
“But a place that I like to start is gratitude.”
According to Catriona, gratitude helps shift one’s energy.
“If you can find things to be grateful for, our positive energy will rise up within you.
“And I feel that’s a natural radiance that will really allow other people to experience that through you.”
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