My 90-year-old grandma defies biology – she has no wrinkles & people think she’s 60 – it’s all thanks to a £7 beauty buy
A WOMAN has claimed that her 90-year-old grandmother legitimately defies biology.
Sarah Grande, a content creator from the US, recently went viral after sharing a short clip from her grandmother’s birthday celebrations.
In the short video, which was shared on social media with the caption ‘I cannot believe she’s 90. Happy Birthday Grandma!’, we saw Sarah’s youthful grandmother at her 90th birthday party.
Sarah filmed the stunning woman, who has no wrinkles, as she posed next to her birthday cake.
The young woman explained that her Italian nan was born in 1934, as she confessed: “My grandma defies biology.
“She legitimately turned 90 today.”
Sarah also added: “She has some difficulty walking but she definitely has an active family life! She’s social and we are always with her.”
The senior had her hair neatly styled and wore a stylish blouse with chunky gold jewellery.
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @buona_sarah_, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it was shared just three days ago, but has quickly racked up a whopping 712,700 views.
Social media users were left gobsmacked at the woman’s age and many claimed that she looks no older than 60.
One person said: “I don’t believe it.”
Another added: “If you said she was in her 60s I’d fully believe you.”
A third commented: “Wow! She looks 30 years younger.”
Someone else gushed: “No wrinkles!!”
We need her skincare routine
TikTok user
To this, Sarah replied: “She really has none. And she never had Botox!”
At the same time, many begged: “We need her skincare routine.”
In response, Sarah revealed the cheap beauty buy that her gorgeous grandmother couldn’t live without.
Sarah confessed: “RETINOL, honestly for the last 40+ years.”
Everything you need to know about retinol
What are the new retinol rules?
The EU has passed new legislation which limits the amount of retinol that can be used in off-the-shelf skincare.
Face and hand products can’t contain more than 0.3% retinol, while body products are restricted to just 0.05% (both down from 1%).
Anything stronger will be phased out from the end of this year, with a three-year grace period.
If you’re wondering why this affects us after Brexit, it’s because the UK chooses to follow lots of EU legislation.
Has retinol suddenly been outed as dangerous?
No, the new rules are designed to reduce the well-known risk of overexposure to vitamin A, of which retinol is a derivative.
“Vitamin A is vital for things like immunity, skin health and vision, but too much can lead to toxicity and issues like osteoporosis and liver damage,” says Dr Priya Verma, GP and aesthetic doctor at The Phi Clinic.
“It’s important to note that diet and supplements are by far the major sources of vitamin A, while the amount absorbed by skincare is much lower.
“The new rules are looking at a ‘worst case’ approach: the minority of people already consuming excess Vitamin A who add to their exposure via excessive overuse of topical retinol.
“If you’ve been using a 0.3%-plus retinol from a reputable brand, and following the directions, it’s extremely unlikely to be a cause for concern.”
Will my retinol products be less effective in future?
“Not at all,” says Dr Shotter.
““For many people, 0.3% is a good, effective concentration.” adds Dr Halliley.
“Even lower concentrations can be highly effective. Efficacy is not solely down to a retinol product’s strength, but how it’s formulated, the ingredients it’s paired with, and how it’s absorbed.”
Formulations above 0.3% will still be available on prescription. “
If you need these higher levels for skin conditions like acne, see a professional.
Alternatively, consider ‘dermatology to your door’ services like GetHarley.com and And Begin, which can prescribe appropriate retinoids via online consultation.
These six super vitamin A products already pass the new regs
No7 Pure Retinol, Vitamin C & SPF 30 Day Cream, £39.95
A slow-release 0.1% retinol: good for newbies, and ensures you’re wearing vital SPF.
The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane, £7.40
A very accessible way to try retinol.
Skinsense 0.3% Retinol Serum, £39
A double-encapsulated delivery system drip-feeds the new max strength into skin.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal, from £45
Fast-acting, in various strengths and, like all retinals, is unaffected by the new rules.
Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly Pro, £60
Granactive retinoid (aka HPR) plus niacinamide and bakuchiol for potency without irritation.
And Begin Serum In A Cream, £39.99
Offers prescription-only tretinoin at a level picked for you via an online derm consultation.
If you want to give retinol a try, you can buy it for as little as £7.40 on Amazon.
Retinol has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of the signs of ageing, making it a popular beauty product – but not all retinol serums measure up.
Top 40 beauty tips that have been handed down from generations
1. Never go to bed in make up
2. Moisturise daily
3. Don’t pick at your spots, to avoid scarring
4. Get enough sleep to prevent tired-looking skin
5. When it comes to make-up, less is more
6. Trim your hair regularly to prevent split ends
7. Don’t forget to moisturise your neck and décolletage
8. Drink a big glass of water each morning to cleanse and rehydrate
9. Gently pat your face dry with a towel instead of rubbing to avoid irritation
10. Avoid using too much heat on your hair to prevent damage
11. Remove makeup gently, especially around the eyes
12. Use a lip balm to keep your lips soft and prevent chapping
13. Put cucumbers on eyes to help reduce puffiness
14. Choose a foundation that matches your neck to avoid a mismatched face
15. Wash your face in cold water after cleansing to close pores.
16. Rinsing hair in cold water to increase the shine
17. Wear sunscreen/SPF protection every day, no matter the weather
18. Use a cold spoon to reduce under-eye puffiness
19. Use petroleum jelly to tame brows and moisturise lips
20. Test skincare products on a small patch of skin before using them all over your face
21. Never spend longer than 30 minutes in direct sunlight
22. Exfoliate your skin regularly to remove dead skin cells
23. Wear gloves on hands and socks on feet after putting cream on overnight
24. Wear brown mascara for a less harsh look
25. Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks for a natural glow
26. Wash hair in beer to make in shiny
27. Invest in a good quality eye cream
28. Keep your makeup brushes clean to avoid breakouts
29. Apply eye cream to reduce puffiness and dark circles
30. Apply a heat protectant before using styling tools on your hair
31. Brush your hair 100 strokes per day
32. Head massages for hair growth
33. Deep condition your hair weekly to keep it healthy and shiny
34. Wrap hair in a warm towel to enhance a hair treatment
35. Use a silk pillowcase to reduce hair frizz and skin wrinkles
36. Use a facial mask once a week for deep cleansing
37. Use a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser to prevent clogged pores
38. Exfoliate your lips using your toothbrush
39. Use mayonnaise as a hair conditioner
40. Use a primer before applying foundation for a smoother finish
Whilst there are many brands of retinol to choose from, luckily, The Ordinary’s anti-ageing serum visibly firms and plumps skin.
The cult product has been a hit with many shoppers, and is rated 4.5 stars by impressed beauty fans.
The lightweight but potent solution also improves skin texture and tone, while reducing visible dark spots.
Often retinol creams and serums come with a hefty price tag, which is why shoppers are so obsessed with this affordable alternative that they say ‘actually works’ and ‘reverses the signs of ageing’.