'Be Kind To Yourself': Gemma Chan Wants Women To Remember That Prioritizing Your Own Needs Is 'Incredibly Important'

When it comes to choosing projects outside of acting, Gemma Chan makes sure it's something she can truly stand by.

The star recently partnered with A-Major Media, a production company that's launching a podcast about Asian American civil rights, and on top of that, the actress became a spokeswoman for L'Oréal Paris last year.

One of the reasons the Captain Marvel star teamed up with the beauty brand is because of their iconic slogan, "Because You're Worth It."

"I think many women, and particularly women of color, will often find themselves in situations where no one else may look like them or have their background," she told PEOPLE. "You do have to remind yourself that you have a voice and you have the right to be there."

Those words of encouragement were taught to Chan while growing up.

"One of my first inspirations is my mom. She's an incredibly strong woman, very brave and also very loving. She instilled a very strong work ethic in me, and she's still who I would call up if I need advice," she shared. "And, both of my grandmothers were my first examples of women who really knew what it meant to sacrifice, but also to uplift others."

It was the older generations of her family that also taught her about self-care.

"I think over the past year, with the upheaval in the world and the anxiety that so many people have been feeling, having time in your day that's for you to slow down and really prioritize what your needs might be is incredibly important," she noted. "Be kind to yourself, and others."

When it comes to taking time for herself, the Crazy Rich Asians star loves to sit in an epsom salt bath or spend some time putting on makeup.

"I find it can be quite meditative to go through that routine and really just look after your skin and your hair," she told Vogue. "There’s so many things we can’t control, but we can do those things [for ourselves]."

While the brunette beauty stopped putting on makeup during the earlier months of the pandemic, she grew to realized how important that bathroom time was.

"It really confirmed to me that a beauty routine is the period of the day – even when you have so little control over what’s going on in the world – that is time just for yourself. It’s calming and meditative," she explained. "It can really lift your mood to put on a bright lip color or a bit of eyeliner, and even if you’re not going to see anyone during the day, it cheers you up. It was nice realizing that doing those things is more about how it makes you feel than trying to hide anything, or doing it for other people."