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

It may not seem like it every time we look in the mirror, despairing at the grey hairs and every wrinkle, but growing older is a privilege. The process brings with it many benefits: life experience, wisdom and resilience.

I’m about 40 years into Dempsey And Makepeace, the ITV crime drama in which I played Sergeant Harriet Makepeace and where I met my husband, my co-star Michael Brandon.

Back then I started taking care of myself, both inside and out, long before healthy living became fashionable.

Now, as I leave Hollyoaks after two years playing crime boss Norma Crow, I feel like I’m in the prime of my life – at 68. People often ask me what my secret is when it comes to getting older.

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

So here are my most valuable secrets to ageless aging.

1. Hair rinse with vinegar

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

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

Apple cider vinegar is a wonderful ingredient. You can also use it to rinse your hair after shampooing (to reduce frizz) or put a few teaspoons in your bath to moisturize your skin.

2. Hug your feet

I always take my shoes off, as being barefoot, whether at home, on the beach or in the garden, connects 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’ve been drinking green tea for years. I love the subtle flavor and the gentle caffeine boost never gives me the same jitters as coffee.

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

4. Indulge in guilty pleasures

We’re all juggling a lot of things, and it’s important to prioritize stress management, especially at the end of a long, busy day.

Self-care is always high on my agenda, even if that means sipping a glass of wine on the couch while watching my guilty pleasure: Married at First Sight Australia.

5. Accumulate an arsenal of vitamins

I have a pretty strong immune system and my arsenal of virus-killing supplements can kill most germs in less than 48 hours.

I take magnesium glycinate and vitamins D3 and K2 daily, all of which are available over the counter.

If you’re getting sick, try taking oregano oil, which has strong antiviral properties, as well as quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that’s also a natural antihistamine. I take it all winter long, along with vitamin C and zinc.

6. Try tea bags for puffy eyes

If you have dark circles or puffy eyes, try placing a cold tea bag on the area – it will relieve the pain in a matter of minutes.

This works because the tannic acids in tea stimulate blood vessels to constrict. Place them in the refrigerator before use for a more cooling effect.

7. Ditch the black eyeliner

As you age, say goodbye to dark, lined eyes that make them appear smaller and duller, and instead opt for a softer look with gray and brown tones.

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

8. Remove phones from the bedroom

Living in the modern age of smartphones and social media means fewer boundaries and less downtime. All this blue light affects our ability to get a good night’s sleep. I never keep my phone next to my bed unless I’m using a meditation app to de-stress, and I turn off my devices at least an hour before bed to help me relax.

9 Anti-wrinkle broth

Those lines that start to appear after age 40 are a sign of collagen depletion, as are thinning hair and joint pain.

Bone broth, a hearty soup made from meat bones simmered in water, is a good source of collagen.

I also take Rejuvenated Collagen Shots, a powder that forms a pleasant tasting drink, every day. They have a vegan version for inflamed skin.

10 How I get my beach vibe

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 tousled with a beachy wave. I have a slight natural wave, but it needs some help.

I’m not a hairstyling expert, but I have come up with a method of twisting and squeezing sections to create beachy waves and I’ve made a video on my YouTube channel on how to do it. Organic products, like Green People’s unscented shampoo, keep my hair shiny and healthy.

11 Lift weights

Some people, like Madonna for example, seem to have a ripped body just by looking at a weight. Not me. I have to work really hard to stay in shape. As we get older, we lose muscle.

But muscle mass is linked to longevity (the protein stores in our muscles are necessary to survive disease), so it’s important to include weight training in your exercise regimen.

Two or three 20-minute sessions per week will be sufficient. Yoga can also strengthen the arms, legs and core.

12 Some fats are fabulous

Staying healthy doesn’t mean maintaining that 24-inch waist from your 20s, but it does mean eating the right things.

When I do indulge (and I’m human, so I do), I always feel awful. I recommend cutting out all processed foods: they’re full of trans fats and vegetable oils, which inflame the body and cause it to age quickly. Healthy fats, on the other hand, such as olive oil, butter, avocados, and nuts, are vital for well-being and, contrary to popular belief, are not fattening if consumed in moderation.

Glynis Barber with her co-star Michael Brandon in Dempsey & Makepeace

13 Think young

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

They live in the past, remembering and talking about times gone by.

I strongly believe in embracing the present and finding new challenges to keep my 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 a cough or sore throat by adding it to a drink of freshly cut ginger and hot water.

15 and breathe…

Meditation can lower blood pressure, reduce the stress hormone cortisol, and is a wonderful way to process life’s hectic and challenging times.

Similarly, breathe deeply through your nose and into your abdomen to help reduce stress hormones that are released when we are anxious.

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

16 Youthful eyebrows

I may be interested in health, but I’m as vain as the next girl, especially when it comes to my eyebrows.

If you pluck too much, you’ll look ten years older, but if you pluck too much, your face will look more accentuated. Instead, you want to frame and enhance your features.

I used to tattoo my tadpole-thin brows on, but since the pandemic I’ve only been using a pencil: a grayish brown color that suits almost everyone.

17 A skin-friendly retinol substitute

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, as its side effects include dryness, peeling, and redness.

I use a completely natural alternative called Bakuchiol, which does the same thing without increasing sun sensitivity, making it ideal for summer.

18 Adjustments in research

I’m a baby when it comes to skin treatments – I don’t like the pain, the thought of post-surgical swelling, or the idea that I might not look like myself afterwards.

But I have had several non-surgical ‘touch-ups’, including a radiofrequency laser treatment to tighten facial skin and Profhilo, where hyaluronic acid is injected to hydrate and plump the skin. Shop around and talk to experts before choosing what’s right for you.

19 Brush your body

Using a soft-bristled body brush, made from natural fibres, all over your body just before taking a shower or bath is a brilliant way to exfoliate dead skin cells, improve circulation and stimulate the lymphatic system, which becomes sluggish as we age.

Start at the bottom of your body and work your way up in circular motions toward your heart.

20 Pets are a lifesaver

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

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