In Honor of My Mother, Anita Peña

This May, I’m remembering my mother and raising awareness for melanoma.

Mother’s Day just passed, and while it is a beautiful time to celebrate the women who raise us, love us, and shape us, it can also be a tender one for those of us who have lost them.

My mother, Anita Kathleen McRee Peña, passed away in January 2021 after two brave battles with melanoma. She was a strong and proud mother of six, a grandmother, and one of the most giving people I have ever known. She raised us with little to no help from our father, and she taught me resilience and how to make a dollar out of fifteen cents.

We didn’t have much, but we had love. Even when the water or electricity were turned off, she found a way to get them back on. She would go without so we could live a somewhat normal life. I miss her deeply. I miss being able to pick up the phone and call her when something exciting happened in my life.

What began as what she thought was just a mole on her scalp led to a melanoma diagnosis. Years later, the melanoma returned, more aggressively, and eventually took her from us.

One of my biggest regrets is that I got too caught up in work and missed being there for her when she needed me most. Part of that came from denial. The first time, I wanted to remember her as she was before cancer. The second time, it was during COVID, and everything felt uncertain.

I remember flying from LA to see her. During my visit, she ended up in the hospital. I sat in the parking lot at St. Anthony’s in downtown Oklahoma City, crying. I wasn’t able to say goodbye.

May is Melanoma Awareness Month, so this year I am not only thinking of her. I am also sharing her story. Skin health is deeply personal to me. Not just as a makeup artist and skincare founder, but as a son who lost someone too soon.

Please take care of your skin. Wear sunscreen. Wear a hat. Schedule your annual skin checks. And if you notice anything unusual, go see your doctor. It is better to be overly cautious than to wait too long.

I often pick up sunscreens when I travel, since the U.S. standards are still far behind much of the world. Here are a few of my favorites:

My Favorite Sunscreens

For Face:
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin SPF 60
• Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Mineral SPF 50+
• Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
• Innisfree Daily UV Defense SPF 36

Tinted SPF Options:
• Tower 28 SunnyDays Tinted SPF
• Saie Slip Tint SPF 35

For Body:
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Spray SPF 60
• Sun Bum SPF 30 Body Spray
• Supergoop! PLAY SPF 50

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you are remembering someone you have lost, I see you.

With love,
Dillon Peña
Founder, Leland Francis