By Brazen Edwards

As someone who prefers to embrace ageing gracefully, my normal skincare routine is lacklustre and consists of using cleansing wipes, Cetaphil for hormonal acne (being peri-menopausal sucks) and rubbing coconut oil into my laugh lines. 

Don’t roll your eyes! It works for me as people are often shocked at how young I look in my mid-40s! Let’s be honest, though, I’ve been blessed with good genes, but time is ticking, and this latest TikTok and a K-Beauty trend for “Glass Skin” piqued my interest.  

As a female entrepreneur and travelling artist, I don’t really have the time or luggage space to embrace the entire 10-step regime by Soko Glam (grrrr to those pesky 100ml limits). So, I have put my own twist on this routine using natural home ingredients and products easily found on the road.

Beauty Comes From Within

Yeah, yeah, you have heard it all before, but it is very true. Your inner beauty and what you put into your body can make a massive difference. Here are my top tips for getting healthier-looking skin: 

  • Drink plenty of water: This one was always hard for me as I didn’t like the taste of plain water. To get around this, I started to freeze a water bottle, so it remained crisp and cold. Then I could also track how much hydration I was getting. You can infuse your water with fruit, cucumber or lemongrass to liven it up if you like!
  • Avoid Junk Food: Instead, try to satiate your cravings by adding more healthy fat to your diet, such as salmon, avocados and olive oil (embrace the Mediterranean diet). Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and try to avoid processed food. 
  • Get plenty of rest: I know this one is tough if, like me, you constantly work in different timezones or travel from one place to another. Establishing a consistent bedtime, avoiding caffeine and scrolling on social media before bed is something I need to enforce upon myself as I get older.   

Establish A Skincare Routine

Take some time daily to look after your skin. Protect it in the mornings and cleanse it at night. But you don’t need to spend lots of money on expensive products, no matter what influencers might try to tell you! 

Using natural ingredients in our skincare routine isn’t really a new phenomenon. For example, apple cider vinegar has a long history as a beauty cleanser. It was reportedly used by Cleopatra as part of her daily routine along with milk baths, rosewater toner and sea salt scrub. Some homemade skincare recipes are handed down by generations of women as their solution to ageing.  

If you’ve been out in the sun all day, as I often am, Aloe Vera as a gel serum can rejuvenate your skin and improve its natural elasticity. Another step in your routine that can help rehydrate your skin is rice water which is reported to be rich in minerals and anti-ageing properties. 

Moisturising with Tea Tree Oil can also help with itching and irritation; it has a soothing tingling effect and is anti-inflammatory. If you’re into embracing a calm, relaxing bath after a long day, creating and wearing a Green Tea mask mixed with natural honey while you unwind in the bubbles helps soothe skin irritated by environmental stressors. 

My last step before bed is to apply cold-pressed virgin Coconut oil to my under-eye circles and laugh lines. It reportedly reduces inflammation and improves circulation. It seems to work for me so far!

Always Wear Sunscreen  

If I could go back in time and warn my younger self, it would be to insist that I wear sunscreen more faithfully in my youth. One of the best ways to avoid ageing skin is prevention! The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been scientifically proven to significantly reduce skin cancer. A real no-brainer! 

The advice of seeking shade, wearing protective clothing and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen all help to provide safe sun protection. Scientific evidence shows that using sunscreen daily helps slow down the skin’s ageing process too. According to one groundbreaking study, people who use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily experience 24% less skin ageing damage than those who use it only intermittently. And, according to the TikTok advice, it helps give you that dewy glow. Winner winner!

Although I’m trying to age gracefully and not succumb to too many new fads, it just makes sense to take care of your skin and the rest of your body. Your lifestyle choices and establishing healthy habits will have long-term consequences. What you’re putting into your body is just as crucial as what you’re putting on your face. 

With the right routine, however, you can be well on your way to a luminous complexion and hopefully have fun concocting your own witchy homemade brews. 

Now, where did I leave my coconut oil!

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