Many moms today have experience with the beauty products that have come and gone over the last couple of decades. Even grandmas have some great advice that we can learn from, since they’ve seen all the trends and know what’s important. Many of their words of wisdom aren’t about products, either. Much of Mom’s best advice is about good habits that will keep your hair, skin and nails healthy and strong without breaking the bank.

Mom’s first tip is always to eat right and to eat your vegetables. Vitamins and minerals are essential for looking great, so your cells have all the materials they need to be vibrant-looking. Plus, you need plenty of protein for your tissues to keep growing. Many people skip out on the higher protein foods, thinking they are unhealthy, but that’s just the opposite of what they need. Hair, skin and nails are primarily made of proteins, so when Mom says you need some chicken or steak, she’s on to something.

Even when you do eat right, it’s hard to get enough of the vitamins that help your hair and nails to grow, as well as keep your skin looking soft and bright. Aim for a multivitamin that contains biotin, since that’s one of the most important ones we often miss. Biotin helps to keep hair growing fast and thick, and can protect against premature graying. Also look for vitamins A and E when choosing your supplements, since they work together to improve the health of our skin and hair.

Mom also always said to quit picking. Touching our face often can lead to transferring dirt and excess oils onto our skin, which can create the perfect conditions for acne. Picking at acne and blackheads can lead to infections, inflammation, and scarring, and that’s something we’d all like to avoid. Constantly twirling hair can cause breakage too, and the same is true with keeping our hair tied too tight. Brushing hair only when it’s dry is a key piece of mom advice, since hair breaks more easily when it’s wet.

Some of the other great tips Mom wishes we’d listen to are to use moderation in our routines, like not using too much makeup, and to choose a natural moisturizer every time we get out of the shower. Grandma also teaches us to save money where we can, but sometimes, when we want to splurge, to do it right.

There’s really no substitute for great health and an amazing appearance, which begins with stunning hair. Try biotin and the other tips above and see for yourself if Mom was right.