How interesting it is to have dialogues that ignite a new vista: ones that tell you about navigating beauty, and even life—much like the 11th World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer said—like chess. It trains you to look ahead, create decisions and sacrifices. And at the forefront is Janelle Mae Frayna, the Philippines’ first Woman Grandmaster recognized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

At Good Molecules Philippines’ Checkmate: Acne event in Makati City, held last October 8, Frayna spoke about her journey toward becoming the first Filipina grandmaster, the challenges of pursuing chess professionally, and the importance of seeing women succeed in fields they may not have initially imagined themselves entering.

In an exclusive interview with Allure Philippines, she speaks about her wellness routines, skin care non-negotiables, and the patience needed in achieving these results.

On patience, and on skin care

Frayna has made irrefutable history in a sport where female players have not always had the same visibility as their male counterparts. A first-place title holder, she has spent  “almost half her life” playing a sport that demands an unusual degree of concentration and composure—to the point that when asked what keeps her grounded outside of it, she replies with a laugh, “Halos lahat connected to chess [in my life], eh.” 

The longest time controls can stretch a single game for hours, with players having to anticipate their opponents’ moves while weighing the consequences of their own. It’s a commitment that has taught her a thing or two about patience—something she finds equally relevant to skin care, she tells Allure Philippines.

“In chess, there are three time controls. One game can last until four to six hours. So I think I have a lot of patience.” On the topic of skin care (and cleanliness, as she mentions taking baths twice a day), she says, “It’s something we also have to do religiously, or do at least every day. I know the benefits of [skin care]—so I do [mine] everyday to [also] look presentable and fresh. That’s my end goal for now.”

In the rare instance she’s away from the chessboard, Frayna’s approach to beauty is straightforward. While she believes in maintaining a consistent skin care routine, she isn’t particularly drawn to elaborate regimens. When asked about a 10-step glass-skin regimen, Frayna replies: “It’s too much.” Her priority is to keep her skin clean, fresh, and presentable, and a five-step skin care routine—consisting of cleanser, moisturizer, , serum, and retinol at night—will suffice. Her non-negotiable, however, is sunscreen. “Because we don’t want to have wrinkles. Although hindi ‘ko na mapipigilan ‘yon, pero at least mababawasan.”

She is also practical about acne. When stress brings breakouts, she reaches for Good Molecules’ Maximum Strength Acne Gel Cream and pimple patches. Wearing them in public, even during a chess match, doesn’t bother her. She isn’t particularly concerned about whether people notice, either.

Frequently Asked Questions

Janelle Mae Frayna is the Philippines’ first Woman Grandmaster recognized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). She has played chess for almost half her life and discussed her skin care routine with Allure Philippines after speaking at Good Molecules Philippines’ Checkmate: Acne event in Makati City.

Frayna follows a five-step routine of cleanser, moisturizer, toner, serum, and retinol at night. She avoids elaborate regimens, calling a 10-step glass-skin routine too much, and keeps her goal simple: skin that looks clean, fresh, and presentable, which she says requires doing it religiously, every day.

Janelle Mae Frayna says chess games can last four to six hours under certain time controls, which built her patience. She applies the same discipline to skin care, treating it as a daily, consistent habit whose results take time to show.

Yes. Sunscreen is Frayna’s skin care non-negotiable, which she uses to limit wrinkles. She acknowledges she cannot stop skin aging entirely, but says sun protection at least lessens it, making it the one step she keeps constant within an otherwise minimal routine.

When stress triggers breakouts, Frayna reaches for Good Molecules’ Maximum Strength serum and pimple patches. She says wearing patches in public, including during a chess match, does not bother her, and she is not particularly concerned about whether others notice them.