GLYNIS BARBER: The 20 reasons I look like this at 68, from the cream that’s better than retinol to my secret wrinkle-busting broth. Here’s how you can do it too…

It may not feel like it every time we look in the mirror, despairing over gray roots and every wrinkle, but growing older is a privilege. The process brings so many benefits: life experience, wisdom, and resilience.

I’ve now been collecting information for about 40 years since Dempsey And Makepeace, the ITV crime drama in which I starred as Sergeant Harriet Makepeace and in which I met my husband, my co-star Michael Brandon.

I started taking good care of myself back then, both inside and out, long before healthy living became a trend.

Now that I’m leaving Hollyoaks after two years playing crime boss Norma Crow, I believe I’m in the prime of my life – at 68. People often ask me what my secret to growing older is.

For me, it’s all about healthy living and eating, reducing stress, having a positive mindset, and knowing a few handy makeup cheats! I share lots of health and fitness tips on my website and YouTube channel, Ageless By Glynis Barber.

Here are my most valuable secrets for ageing gracefully.

1 The vinegar hair rinse

Before a big meal I drink two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar dissolved in a glass of water.

Why? Well, the vinegar slows the digestion of starches in food, which in turn lowers my blood sugar by preventing glucose spikes—an effect that can last for 12 hours.

Apple cider vinegar is a miracle cure. You can also use it as a rinse after shampooing (to reduce frizz) or add a few teaspoons to your bath to hydrate your skin.

2 Embrace your feet

I always take my shoes off because walking barefoot – at home, on the beach or in the garden – grounds us to the earth, physically and mentally. It is also said to reduce inflammation throughout the body and soothe muscles after exercise.

3 Drink matcha tea

I have been drinking green tea for years. I love the subtle flavor and the slight caffeine kick never makes me jittery like coffee.

Matcha, a powdered, unfermented tea, is like green tea on steroids. It’s a powerhouse of nutrients and antioxidants that fight inflammation, boost your metabolism, and help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

4 Indulge in guilty pleasures

We all have so many balls in the air and it’s important to prioritize stress management, especially at the end of a long, busy day.

I always take good care of myself – even if that means having a glass of wine on the couch while watching my guilty pleasure: Married at First Sight Australia.

5 Collect an arsenal of vitamins

I have a fairly strong immune system and my arsenal of virus-killing supplements can kill most bacteria within 48 hours.

I take magnesium glycinate and vitamin D3 and K2 daily. These are all available without a prescription.

If you’re struggling, try oregano oil, which has strong antiviral properties, and quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that’s also a natural antihistamine. I take this throughout the winter, as well as vitamin C and zinc.

6 Try Tea Bags for Puffy Eyes

If you suffer from dark circles or puffy eyes, try placing a cold tea bag on the area. It will soothe sore eyes within minutes.

This works because the tannic acids in tea shrink blood vessels. Refrigerate before use for a more refreshing effect.

7. Ditch black eyeliner

As you age, you can say goodbye to harsh, black-lined eyes — which make them appear smaller and duller — and instead opt for a softer look with grays and browns.

I really like the Perfect Lash Mascara from Studio10, the I-Lift Longwear Eyeliner Pencils and Brow Lift Perfecting Pencil and the Eyeshadow Palette from Charlotte Tilbury.

8 Ban phones from the bedroom

Living in the modern age of smartphones and social media means fewer boundaries and less downtime. All that blue light affects our ability to sleep well. I never leave my phone by my bed unless I’m using a meditation app to de-stress, and I turn my devices off at least an hour before bed to wind down.

9 Wrinkle Reducing Broth

The wrinkles that appear around the age of 40 are a sign of decreasing collagen. The same goes for thinning hair and painful joints.

Broth is a hearty soup made by boiling meat bones in water. It is a good source of collagen.

I also take Collagen Shots from Rejuvenated daily, a powder that makes a pleasant tasting drink. They have a vegan version for inflamed skin.

10 How I Get My Beach Wave

I’m lucky to have naturally thick hair, which I wear in a bob. It became quite famous in its own right when I did Dempsey And Makepeace. I prefer it messy and loose with a beachy wave. I have a light natural wave, but it needs some help.

I’m no hair genius, but I’ve figured out a method – twisting and scrunching sections to get beachy waves – and made a video on my YouTube channel about how to do it. Organic products, like Green People Scent-Free Shampoo, keep my hair shiny and healthy.

11 Weightlifting

Some people, Madonna for example, just look at a weight and get muscular. Not me. I have to work really hard to stay in shape. As we get older, we lose muscle.

But muscle mass is associated with longevity (the protein reserves in our muscles are needed to survive disease), so it is important to include strength training in your fitness regimen.

Two to three 20-minute sessions a week can do wonders. Yoga can also strengthen your arms, legs and core.

12 Some Fats Are Fantastic

Staying healthy doesn’t mean maintaining the 24-inch waist size you had in your twenties, but it does mean eating the right foods.

Whenever I indulge (and I’m human, so I do), I always feel terrible. I recommend cutting out all processed foods: they’re full of trans fats and vegetable oils, which will irritate your body and age it quickly. Healthy fats, like olive oil, butter, avocados, and nuts, on the other hand, are essential for your well-being and, contrary to popular belief, won’t make you fat if eaten in moderation.

13 Think young

Some people think they are old at a certain age, and they start acting that way.

They live in the past, reminisce and talk about times gone by.

I strongly believe in embracing the present and finding new challenges to keep your mind and body young.

14 Honey health

Manuka honey is magical: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and great for the gut. It can be especially helpful for menopausal women who suffer from bloating or constipation.

I use it to relieve coughs and sore throats by adding it to a drink of freshly sliced ​​ginger and hot water.

15 and breathe…

Meditation can lower blood pressure, reduce the stress hormone cortisol, and is a great way to process life’s turmoil and challenges.

In the same way, take deep breaths through your nose and into your belly. This helps to reduce the stress hormones that are released when you are anxious.

Try doing this a few times before you go to bed, or when you wake up in the morning. I have a special video on breathing to reduce anxiety, which is on the Ageless YouTube channel.

16 Youthful Eyebrows

I may be concerned about my health, but I’m just as vain as any other girl, especially when it comes to my eyebrows.

Overplucking them can make you look ten years older, but thick brows overwhelm your face. Instead, you want to frame and lift your features.

I used to tattoo my thin, tadpole-like eyebrows, but since the pandemic I’ve only used a pencil for that—a brownish-gray color that suits almost everyone.

17 A Skin-Friendly Substitute FOR Retinol

Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is one of the most effective anti-aging treatments. It increases cell turnover and collagen production, while reducing fine lines and wrinkles. But many people – myself included – find it difficult to tolerate, with side effects including dryness, flaking and redness.

I use an all natural alternative called Bakuchiol which does the same thing without increasing sun sensitivity so it is ideal for summer.

18 Research Adjustments

I’m a baby when it comes to skin treatments: I don’t like pain, the thought of swelling after surgery and the idea that I won’t look the same as myself after surgery.

But I have had several non-surgical tweaks, including radiofrequency laser treatment to tighten the skin on my face and Profhilo, which injects hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the skin. Shop around and speak to experts before choosing what’s best for you.

19 Brush your body

Using a soft body brush, made from natural fibers, all over your body just before showering or bathing is an excellent way to remove dead skin cells, improve circulation, and stimulate the lymphatic system, which slows down as we age.

Start at the lower part of your body and work your way up using circular, upward motions towards your heart.

20 Pets Are a Lifeline

My dog ​​Gigi, a maltipoo, is the love of my life. She gives me a spring in my step and helps me stay young. Caring for pets can lower blood pressure, improve prognosis after a heart attack, and increase production of the hormone oxytocin, which is linked to happiness.

• Discover more Glynis secrets at: agelessbyglynisbarber.com and youtube.com/@agelessbyglynisbarber