My Grandmothers, Consistent Rituals and the Enduring Legacy of Self-Care that Inspired AYA Natural Skin
Growing up, I had two grandmothers, plus one. Today, I think that is more commonplace, but in my youth, divorce was still that “thing” that only happened to other people. Well, my family was the other people, and so I had two grandmothers plus one. It gets even more interesting when my grandparents got divorced. They went on to marry their close friends, who had also just got divorced. Essentially, they just swapped partners, so it was one scandal on top of another. But here's the thing: I have an extra grandmother, and I've always thought she's pretty fabulous. My paternal grandmother lived overseas, and we didnt see her regularly, so my plus one was a real bonus. And I want to add they were all huge lovers and supporters of our AYA Balm and always said I did them proud.
Contrasting Matriarchs, Shared Wisdom
Where my maternal grandmother was reserved and elegant, my plus one truly had a Marilyn Monroe vibe, especially with her real boudoir – it was a whole mood. And like having kids, you never say who your favourite is, but deep down you know you have a favourite, a secret you will carry to your grave. But what on earth does this have to do with AYA Natural Skin, and for me, it is so obvious, so here goes. Both of these gorgeous women lived well into their nineties, and they maintained a glorious complexion throughout.
The Unmistakable Connection to AYA Natural Skin
There is a moment one morning, when I was sitting quietly (a rare occurrence in Chez Pocock), and I realised I am the sum total of my grandmothers. This thought gave me a lovely warm feeling, and I felt this light shining on me as though we were all laughing together. If you know the history here, you know that was never an option; sometimes people never forgive or forget. And it was in that moment that I realised they both gave me something exceptionally special, and I was deeply grateful. They both inspired me to make my breakfast beauty brew, which I relish every morning. For both of them, their self-care beauty routines centred on consistency; they weren't hooked into the latest skincare trends but rather focused on the regularity of their daily skincare habits, not an overwhelming ten-step or more skincare routine.
For Zelda, three prunes every morning was the rule, and for Ruby, Apple day on Mondays, Detox day; she only ate apples the whole day. They were also both extremely conscious about their skincare routines, but I know that the concept of clean beauty never entered their head. One of their contemporaries, another very lovely matricah, Vicky, only used vaseline morning and night, and her skin was always gorgeous. What they did do was firmly entrench themselves in their separate routines, which centred on nourishing themselves and maintaining their health and wellbeing.
Sharpening Perspective: Lessons from Lifelong Radiance
For me, getting older isn't about losing your edge; it's about sharpening your perspective and seeing the world with clearer eyes. When I look back at these strong, vibrant matriarchs in my family, all I can do is be in awe and learn from them, one living to 91 and the other to 97. Neither had a perfect life nor an easy life. They were both born in the 1920s, the Roaring Twenties, a time of significant change for women. They lived through the realities of World War II, they travelled, they lived, they had families, and though they were born in the era considered to be the beginning of consumer culture, it was a mere whisper compared to today's roar. They both meticulously cared for their skin. While back then, there was hardly even a hint of the terms "clean or natural beauty", their steadfast dedication to nourishing themselves from within and maintaining consistent routines offers a profound lesson for me and helped to set my own course exploring natural, plant-based seed to skin holistic care.
Rooted Mornings: Cultivating Health with a Fusion of Wisdom
My morning routine is a combination of both my glorious grandmothers' beliefs, which is essentially that what you consume on your face or in your body matters equally. The first thing that happens when I wake is a sesame swirl, the traditional oil pulling, which I learnt about 13 years ago, after my son was born I had the most hideous tooth pain, what the dentist described sounded absolutely terrifying and a lovely friend suggested oil pulling, never looked back, never missed a day, never have painful teeth anymore. I loved this article by Colgate, the toothpaste brand, trying to work their way around the wonders of oil pulling, but I will say I still floss and brush my teeth twice a day.I start every morning with a cup of hot water. It instantly rehydrates, boosts my energy, kick-starts my metabolism, aids digestion, and can relieve congestion. To top it all, warm water supports my natural body detoxification process by stimulating sweating, all before I am “compos mentis,” Latin for “of sound mind.” I do love big words!. And I can assure you, being menopausal, I dont need any help sweating.
I am an absolute advocate for drinking warm water all the time, never cold, no matter how hot it is outside. A few years ago, I got really depleted and exhausted and couldn't shake it off. I went to see a Traditional Chinese Doctor for acupuncture, he told me to do this; it all worked so well, and I stuck with the hot water. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), drinking only warm or hot water is considered essential for maintaining health. Cold water is believed to extinguish the vital "stomach fire" needed for digestion, leading to poor nutrient absorption and fatigue. Warm water, conversely, maintains the balance of Yin and Yang, promotes the free flow of Qi and blood circulation, and helps expel harmful cold and dampness from the body, supporting overall organ function and vitality. And while I love an ice bath, ice shower, ice roll, literally anything ice and skin related, I never drink anything cold or with ice.
Then, as I ease into the morning just before breakfast, I have a cup with a big squeeze of lemon in it, it has to have that sour kick and be slightly uncomfortable for me to really enjoy it, and I am sure some part of me is a masochist. I know some suggest skipping the lemon to protect teeth, and I've read the advice about rinsing with plain water immediately afterwards to neutralise pH, or waiting 30-60 minutes to brush. While I've never felt the perceived harm outweighs the benefits I experience, I do brush my teeth straight after oil pulling anyway. I just want to reassure everyone that this whole process takes less than twenty minutes, and I am bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, rearing to go.
Next up is what I refer to as my beauty brew, a direct mix of concoctions from my two grandmothers. I've written it out in detail below for anyone who wants to give it a try. Essentially, I chop an apple and put it in a pot with three prunes, some cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, and a slice of ginger. I boil it and let it simmer. Then, enjoy three delicious prunes and an apple to start my day. Then starts the mad rush, getting kids to school and myself to the office, none of which happens smoothly or like clockwork, more like a deranged dash while trying to be calm, and it is not due to me and my morning routine; this happens way before even the first hint of a child rousing from their sleep.
Morning Beauty Brew: My Grandmother's Secret for Radiant Health
And because I don't live in an age of budding consumerism, but rather an age of hyper-consumerism and digital deluge, I can research and list all the benefits of my morning ‘Beauty Brew’, the soothing, spiced fruit is literally a powerhouse of benefits. My Gran, Zelda, was always conscious of being regular; it was never discussed, just always known, and she swore by her three prunes, which are known in the health food industry as the triple threat against constipation, as they contain fibre, sorbitol, and phenolic compounds. Another thing I absolutely love about prunes is that they are becoming more and more recognised for their potential benefits for bone health, containing vitamin K, potassium, and magnesium, brilliant for maintaining bone density. Apples, especially when cooked, as the cooking breaks down the apples' tough cell walls, making the pectin more bioavailable and easier to digest. Cooked apples are gentler on the stomach and act as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria for a healthy microbiome.
Then there are all the lovely spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg, which are traditionally used to stimulate digestion, alleviate indigestion, reduce bloating, and warm the digestive system, aligning perfectly with TCM principles of "stomach fire." They also help reduce inflammation throughout the body. Ginger is also a lovely digestive aid, helping to soothe the stomach, reduce bloating and gas and stimulate digestive enzymes. The ‘Beauty Brew’ is packed with polyphenols, flavonoids, and other antioxidants, which are great for combating oxidative stress and free radicals in the body.
To all my other wonderful family, who didnt stick around as long as my grandmothers, most of them had diabetes. This is another area where the prunes, apples, and cinnamon in my "Beauty Brew" play a significant role for me. Prunes and apples contribute to a slower release of natural sugars, helping to prevent blood sugar spikes. Cinnamon is known to improve insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood sugar levels.
But in truth, beyond these specific nutritional benefits, the ritual of preparing and consuming this warm, nourishing brew aligns perfectly with my own sense of a holistic approach to health that is within my reach. It's this mindful moment and act of self-care that supports both my physical and energetic balance. I truly believe that this internal harmony often reflects outwardly in a healthier complexion and overall vibrancy, truly embodying the "glorious complexion" I so admired in my grandmothers.
AYA Natural Skin: Rooted in Timeless Wisdom
I am absolutely sure my grandmothers surely never uttered the term "clean beauty," but their steadfast dedication to nourishing themselves from within and maintaining consistent health practices was a fundamental aspect of their skincare routine.
In today's context of hyper-consumerism and digital deluge, "clean beauty" isn't about being perfectly pristine; it's about making conscious choices that align with our well-being and the planet's health. This philosophy is at the very core of AYA Natural Skin. We believe in harnessing the gentle yet potent power of plant-based seed-to-skin ingredients while embracing a holistic approach where what you consume on your skin matters just as much as what you consume in your body.
This is why you'll find ingredients like raw fermented papaya at the heart of all our formulations, chosen for its gentle enzymatic exfoliation and revitalising properties – a testament to our belief that true radiance comes from supporting your skin's natural vitality, and this is so in tune with the lessons I learnt from my grandmothers. And it is through these seemingly small, daily habits that I bring into my life and AYA Natural skin that I often feel a magnificent connection to the woman in my life, who inspired and shaped me.
Your own Path to Lasting Radiance
My grandmothers, with their contrasting styles yet shared commitment to well-being, instilled in me a profound respect and appreciation for the absolute necessity of self-care and a healthy internal and external skincare routine. Their routines, born out of their own sense of selves rather than marketing trends, paved the way for my own journey with AYA Natural Skin. As we navigate today's "hyper-consumerism," perhaps we can all take a moment and embrace consistent, nourishing routines, listen to our bodies, and cherish the simple, powerful acts of self-care. Here's to finding your own "beauty brew" and discovering the lasting radiance that comes from living a life as full and vibrant as theirs
My Beauty Brew
Ingredients
1 medium apple - I always go for a red apple, chopped up
3 dried prunes - with pips, I love to chew on them
½ cup water
Small stick of cinnamon
1 cardamom
1 clove
Dash of ground nutmeg
Tiny slice of ginger
Method
Throw all into a pot, bring to a boil, and then let it simmer for twelve minutes.