The concept of self-care, now central across helping professions, has deep roots in ancient Greek philosophy, where thinkers, such as Socrates and Seneca during the Roman Empire, considered it fundamental to ethical and spiritual life. Michel Foucault traces its evolution as a continuous, transformative philosophical practice, while Hannah Arendt situates it within the realm of political responsibility and civic engagement, even if she does not explicitly use the term. The myth of divine care’s withdrawal metaphorically illustrates humanity’s existential condition: Freed from divine protection, individuals must embrace self-care as an ongoing process of becoming. Crucially, this care is not solitary but relational, inseparable from ethical concern for others and the world. Building on insights from Plato, Epicurus, Aristotle and Heidegger, the text highlights that authentic existence emerges through intentional self-formation, emotional attunement and the pursuit of ethical and cognitive growth. This journey is further nuanced by the distinction between “caring about”, a more abstract concern and “caring for”, which implies direct, responsive engagement with specific needs, reflecting underlying gender and structural dynamics. Autobiographical writing exemplifies reflective self-care, enabling individuals to explore affective experiences and construct a coherent narrative identity. Drawing from classical and contemporary philosophy, from Aristotle to Ricœur, this practice serves both therapeutic and pedagogical purposes, fostering meaning-making and emotional integration. Erikson’s psychosocial theory complements this perspective by outlining eight developmental stages, each marked by identity-related challenges that build cumulatively. Secure early attachment, which supports emotional and relational health throughout life, is foundational to this process. Adolescence and emerging adulthood are characterized by intense identity formation amid significant neurodevelopmental changes and social instability. Later in life, achieving ego integrity becomes paramount for well-being, with social support, holistic healthcare and progressive aging policies, such as those implemented in Nordic countries, playing key roles in combating isolation and preserving dignity in old age. Parallel to these psychosocial dimensions, beauty emerges as more than aesthetic: It is a subjective experience deeply connected to well-being and identity. Rooted historically in ancient civilizations, cosmetic practices carried cultural and symbolic meanings that extended beyond mere decoration. Today, cosmetic care continues to bolster self-esteem and psychological balance, particularly in clinical contexts where illness disrupts body image, thereby highlighting the pharmacist’s essential role in providing empathetic and holistic care. Beauty care, thus, intertwines with health and social life, embodying both personal pleasure and collective cultural expression from antiquity to the present. Amid these themes, the pervasive issue of psychoactive substance use represents a major global public health challenge. Substance use, with nearly 292 million users worldwide and distinct gender and age disparities, has evolved beyond recreation into a tool for mood regulation and social adaptation within an increasingly performance-driven, globalized society. This dynamic reflects a form of pharmacological biopolitics that reshapes subjectivity, demanding that healthcare professionals, particularly pharmacists, adopt empathetic, non-judgemental approaches that recognize the ethical and social dimensions of care. Concurrently, the growing prevalence of burnout among healthcare workers, including pharmacists, underscores the human cost of chronic workplace stress exacerbated by demanding roles and the COVID-19 pandemic. Burnout threatens both provider well-being and patient safety, calling for urgent systemic interventions focused on organizational support, resilience training and the creation of sustainable, humane work environments.