An Ode to Ruby and Zelda: Ageing Gracefully, and Occasionally Badly

Two grandmothers who lived to 91 and 97 with glorious complexions. What Ruby and Zelda taught me about ageing gracefully and living a full, rich life, the consistent rituals that inspired AYA Natural Skin, and my morning beauty brew recipe.

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 didn't see her regularly, so my plus one was a real bonus. And I want to add that 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? 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 was 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, Monday was Apple Day, her detox day, when she ate only 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 heads. One of their contemporaries, another very lovely matriarch, 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.

Ageing Gracefully? My Grandmothers Had Other Ideas

The word "gracefully" has always made me bristle a little. Gracefully according to whom? It is so often other people's expectations placed on us, designed to keep us small: don't make a fuss, don't take up space, don't be too much. My grandmothers certainly never got that memo. They were party to their own scandals. What they did do, quietly and consistently, was look after themselves. So if ageing gracefully means anything, I think it means ageing however we want, on our own terms, with a few rituals to keep us on our path.

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, I can only 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 combines my glorious grandmothers' beliefs, essentially that what you put 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. I never looked back, never missed a day, and 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. For me, it instantly rehydrates, boosts my energy, gets my metabolism going, aids digestion, and can help with congestion. To top it all, warm water supports my body's natural processes by encouraging 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 don't 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 Medicine doctor for acupuncture, and 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 cold and dampness from the body, supporting overall 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, raring 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, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves and a slice of ginger. I boil it and let it simmer. Then I 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. 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 goodness. 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 world as the triple threat for staying regular, 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. Apples are especially good when cooked, as 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, ease indigestion and bloating, and warm the digestive system, aligning perfectly with the TCM principle of "stomach fire". They are also valued for their anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger is a lovely digestive aid too, traditionally used to soothe the stomach and ease bloating. The ‘Beauty Brew’ is packed with polyphenols, flavonoids and other antioxidants, which help the body deal with oxidative stress and free radicals.

Many of my other wonderful family members, who didn't stick around as long as my grandmothers, had diabetes. This is another reason the prunes, apples and cinnamon in my "Beauty Brew" matter to me. Prunes and apples release their natural sugars more slowly, and cinnamon has been widely studied for its role in supporting healthy blood sugar levels.

But in truth, beyond these specific nutritional benefits, the ritual of preparing and enjoying 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 never uttered the term "clean beauty," but their steadfast dedication to nourishing themselves from within and maintaining consistent health practices was a fundamental part 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 wellbeing 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 put on your skin matters just as much as what you put in your body.

This is why you'll find ingredients like raw fermented pawpaw (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 women in my life who inspired and shaped me.

Your Own Path to Lasting Radiance

My grandmothers, with their contrasting styles yet shared commitment to wellbeing, 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 of their own sense of self rather than marketing trends, paved the way for my own journey with AYA Natural Skin – a journey I tell in greater detail in the founder story behind AYA Natural Skin. As we navigate today's hyper-consumerism, perhaps we can all take a moment to 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, chopped (I always go for a red apple)
• 3 dried prunes, with pips (I love to chew on them)
• ½ cup water
• Small stick of cinnamon
• 1 cardamom pod
• 1 clove
• Dash of ground nutmeg
• Tiny slice of ginger

Method

Throw everything into a pot, bring to the boil, then let it simmer for twelve minutes.