The Beauty Disruptor is shy of its second birthday, and I thought it was time to pen this much needed blog post. For the past two years, I have had intense interactions with women in the 40 plus category. Surprisingly I’ve also had the opportunity to interact with women in their thirties and on the verge of turning forty. The discourse is pretty much the same across the board. But the number one question that I keep getting asked is, “what do you do that keeps you so young?”
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There are a number variables that go into maintaining a youthful appearance, especially when you factor in the physical aspects. Everyone ages it different rates, so maintaining a youthful appearance is relative.  You can eat clean, workout, and have healthy lifestyle habits. But if you’re genetically wired to age quickly, then there’s nothing you can do to stop that. It’s science.  I’ve heard many women complain that they’re still aging even on Botox and  feel old. While one woman expressed that Botox has stopped working for her.

With more and more people becoming obsessed with the idea of immortality, scientists are actively trying to find ways to slow down the aging process and increase longevity.  One thing is certain, you can’t stop Father Time. Everyone is bound to experience aging once the cycle of life and death has been set in motion. 

It’s sad to see that the vast majority of people are really missing the point.  There isn’t some magical fountain of youth.  Youth cannot be found in a cream, or at your aesthetic surgeon’s office.  Youth is a feeling, an energy, and a mindset. Without an understanding of this, one is bound to grow old no matter how many cosmetic procedures they’ve had.

​As much as I try to explain this to people, it seems like they just don’t grasp what I’m saying.  So I decided to share a few ways that can help you tap into the energy of youth and maintain a youthful mindset with this little guide.

Stay abreast of the times: This doesn’t mean that you have to follow every trend, but it’s good to know what’s out there.  Being abreast of the times means not only are you in the know,  but  you’re open to new thoughts and ideas.  Being aware in an ever-changing world opens the mind up for growth, and helps maintain a youthful attitude.

Learn something new: Discover new things that fascinate you and give you a renewed  purpose in life.  Always remain curious, as learning  helps enhance cognitive function. As we age, our cognitive health starts to decline. Keeping the mind sharp by learning something new or even just reading will not only keep you young, but keep you sharp-witted.  

A study performed by Dr. Sarah Schäfer and Prof. Susanne Wurm at Greifswald University Medicine concluded that our views on aging can lead to a thirteen year difference in life expectancy.  Another research study  by B.R Levy found that people with positive views on aging live 7.5 years longer than those with less positive self perceptions on aging.  

Adopt a carefree attitude/ stress free lifestyle: One thing about children, is that they have not a care in the world. If you want to remain youthful, then you need to adopt a carefree attitude.  Life can be complicated and even stressful at times.  Adulting isn’t for the faint hearted. Finding ways to minimise stress, worrying less, and having a positive mindset can greatly affect the way you age both mentally and physically.

Love yourself exactly as you are: Women put an enormous amount of pressure on themselves to look good and maintain a youthful appearance. This mainly comes from societal pressures and negative views on aging perpetrated by the media. Modern women  in today's world are now starting to realise that aging is a beautiful thing, and that there is life after forty. 

Cultivating a loving attitude towards oneself isn’t hard to do, but takes much practice to become ingrained. Look in the mirror and start to speak loving words to yourself everyday until you believe them. Examine every part of your body (even your perceived flaws), embrace them and see the beauty within you as you. Most importantly, stop criticising yourself. 

Stop taking life so seriously: It’s true that life isn’t all fun and games.  But embracing a playful attitude towards life can make the journey fun plus a lot less stressful. Be playful and learn how to laugh. Research studies show that laughter boosts the immune system, improves cardiovascular health, regulates blood sugar levels, improves sleep and possibly memory retention.

Don’t get caught up in the numbers: Recognise the beauty of maturity and what you’ve learned over the years, both good and bad. Confidence comes with age. All the youth in the world can never replace decades of experience. 

There’s this big debate on whether tretinoin is better than retinol and vice versa.  Both come from the family of retinoids, but what’s the difference? I’ve personally always been a fan of tretinoin, as I began my journey into the world of retinoids at the tender age of 41.  Today, most people start using retinoids as early as their twenties.  I, on the other hand come from a different generation where retinoids were used from age 30 upwards (depending on your skin type). 

Tretinoin belongs to the family of retinoids, and is a synthetic form of vitamin A  commonly used to treat various skin conditions.  It is often sold under the brand name Retin-A. It is available in different strengths (0,025%-0,1%) and can found in lotion, cream or gel form. 

In most countries, tretinoin is prescribed under doctor’s supervision.  But it can also be procured without prescription in a number of places. Either way, I advise that you use this product with caution, follow the instructions and seek counsel from a dermatologist.

Around 2016 I started hearing a lot about tretinoin, its anti-aging benefits, and how it was good for clogged pores. At the time I was experiencing an increase of clogged pores due to slow cell turnover. So I thought it would be a good idea to add it to my skincare routine.  I did my research, and was able to secure my first tube of tretinoin  gel without a prescription.  I started  with a low dose of  0,025% (the least potent) to reduce the risk of irritation and minimise peeling. It worked like a charm! My clogged pores had disappeared and the texture of my skin had drastically improved. Who knew that a little tube of tretinoin could deliver such results?

Tretinoin gel has always been my favourite. Although it's getting  harder and harder to find these days. Most people  prefer the cream. But I personally prefer the gel, as it absorbs quickly and glides easily over serums.  

Tretinoin is prescribed for  the treatment of various skin conditions.  It is primarily known for its effectiveness in treating acne.  But is also used in the treatment of hyperpigmention, melasma and for anti-aging concerns.

• Acne Treatment: Tretinoin is used to treat acne both mild to moderate. Long known for its ability to increase cell turnover,  tretinoin prevents clogged pores which lead to the formation of white heads, and black heads.  It helps diminish inflammation, and  decreases the severity and  frequency of breakouts over time. 
• Anti-aging: Well known for its anti-aging properties, tretinoin is widely used in the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles.  It helps improve skin texture and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by boosting collagen production, and increasing the cell turnover rate. 
• Hyperpigmentation: Tretinoin can also  be used to treat hyperpigmentation, and is an excellent option for darker skin tones.  It stimulates cell turnover, which in turn encourages the shedding of old skin cells revealing fresh skin cells underneath.   

How do I use it?

As I mentioned before,  it’s best to see a dermatologist before jumping into the world of tretinoin. Always start off with the lowest strength available, then slowly and gradually introduce tretinoin into your skincare routine. Start with once a week applications, then onto twice a week and so forth. It’s important to monitor your progress during the beginning stages. Tretinoin is known to cause irritation, redness and peeling. So go slowly.  If you experience any of these side effects, stop using it for a couple of nights. Apply soothing and gentle skincare products to help calm irritation and lower the risk of PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation).

Tretinoin should be applied at night after your serum and before your night cream.  If you’re using other over the counter retinoids, it’s advisable to stop to reduce the likelihood of irritation. Applying retinoid on top of retinoid makes no sense, and is completely redundant. Also try to steer away from using other actives with tretinoin, as it can irritate the skin and cause PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation). Most importantly, remember to wear sunscreen during daytime hours, as tretinoin  increases sun sensitivity.

Retinol is a form of vitamin A, and is classed as a retinoid.  It is less potent than tretinoin and is sold over the counter without a prescription. Retinol is most commonly found in serums and creams.   It is used to treat the same skin concerns as tretinoin, but is regarded  as a much gentler option.  

How does Retinol Work?

​Retinol benefits the skin in a number of ways, and works much in the same way as tretinoin. It is used to treat acne, diminish hyperpigmentation, improve skin texture, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

When it comes down to it, no product is better than the other.  It all boils down  to the severity of your skin concerns and personal choice.  Many people prefer retinol  because it is gentler, causes less irritation and is easy to purchase. Retinol works much slower, and it takes time to see visible results.  Whereas with tretinoin, the results are seen in a shorter period of time.  Tretinoin can be highly irritating to the skin, which can also deter novices.

Having used both, I personally prefer tretinoin for its efficacy. It targets my skin concerns almost instantaneously, plus the formulation is simple.  I've yet to find a retinol serum that gives me the same results.