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Yesterday I was reading an article that said aging begins as early as 25. Just two years back wasn't it 30 and a few years before that, 35 ? Are we aging faster or are we being told so...

Another reason the whole 25 thing came as a big blow to me was - I'm 25. Has my "aging" begun ? How am I to tell ? Yes, exactly one day before my 25th birthday I found my first gray hair. Eight months since I've seen three more. Is this aging ? I see my best friend who is almost my age, now has the two distinct parallel lines between her brows - apparently they are frown lines. I don't remember her having them five years back. Some of my other friends who are all in the same age group 25 to 27 seem to be experiencing endless hair fall, dry skin and lines around eyes. Is this aging ? And there are some others who to me look the same they did 10 or so years back when we first met.

Friends apart there is my mom. I have seen her age suddenly in the past four years. She is in her fifties and not one conversation of ours goes without her mentioning about not being as fast as she used to be or how she misses her cheeks, or how much she hates having diabetes. She developed diabetes in her late forties. She has not stopped and pushes herself to her maximum capability and not being able to do more makes her feel defeated by age. It is tough to suddenly slow down, you know.

And then there is BOTOX and the likes of it. Do they really make one expressionless ? I am a terribly expressive person. I move my hands, my eyes, my forehead, cheeks everything. I cant not do that. But even if the technology improves will I trust it enough ? Will I be able to afford it ? Does this count as aging gracefully ?

Is It My Time Yet ?

How much of aging is environmental ? How much of it is genetic ? How much have we brought on ourselves ? Is it the unnecessary stress ? Is it the regular pain life brings ? How does one age gracefully ? What is aging gracefully ? And when does that begin ? How am I to know ? Yes, its different for each one of us. But how do you know your time and how do I know mine ? Is there a "begin combat " window ? Have I missed my window ? Will I ?

Reasons apart, how am I going to handle my own aging ? I don't want to not try and let go. I don't want to say let nature take its course. Who knows what nature has planned for me. Its not that I don't want to age. I am in no quest for eternal youth. I just want to look my age at my age. One thing I know for sure is that I am not going to rely entirely on anti aging creams and serums. Its not just an outside thing. I need to boost myself from the inside and take care of my skin from the outside. I need to have the strength from the inside which will definitely translate into something good on the outside. What I apply on the outside will take it a step further. Doing just one of these is not going to be enough.

Sustainable Youth

A few months back when I was online searching for anti aging stuff for my mom, I came across this company called Sustainable Youth. They make three organic, natural and green products, all of which help - sustain youth. Their core philosophy got me all the more interested in them - “Youth is a sustainable resource that can be renewed indefinitely over time without a negative impact on the environment,”

Two birds with one stone ! Sounds great to know my youth is a sustainable resource. Good to know I can renew it indefinitely and not harm my environment further.

The Key Ingredient

Every anti - aging product has its own key ingredient. In the case of Sustainable Youth it is Alasta™ - an immune-stimulating extract discovered inside the rind of the aloe plant. According to Sustainable Youth, Alasta™ helps to improve the skin’s elasticity and firmness through its ability to boost the body’s overall immune system. A stronger, more efficient immune system is better able to resist inflammation and combat free radical damage, collagen fiber degradation, and elastin cross-linking, all major contributors to skin aging.

In a world full of harmful chemicals, I find some solace in trusting my youth with a organic sustainable and renewable technology. Here are a few compelling things about Sustainable Youth that make me want to trust them with my aging process.

  • All active ingredients are organic
  • All ingredients are organic, natural and green
  • Formulated with patent-pending natural preservative
  • No petrochemicals or parabens
  • All natural and organic essential oils
  • No genetically modified ingredients
  • No animal derived ingredients or animal testing
  • Packaged and manufactured using sustainable materials and practices
The three products made by Sustainable Youth are

* Immune Performance™ Elastifirm™ Supplement; $65 for a one-month supply of 60 capsules
* Immune Performance™ Revitalizing Serum; $80 for a 30 ml (1 fl. oz.) bottle
* Immune Performance™ Elasticity Cream; $80 for a 30 ml (1 fl. oz.) bottle

Sounds expensive ? Yes. I sent my mom the serum and the supplement. I did ask her to check with her doctor before taking the supplement. Though its green and organic, I wasn't sure if it would interfere with her regular meds. Better be safe than sorry. My mom, like many Indians from her generation trusts anything plant derived and organic way more than any man-made chemical. According to her its like Ayurveda.

As far as I go, the question still remains - When do I have to start my anti - aging routine ?

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON AGING ? ARE YOU IN THE SAME BOAT AS I AM ?



Love,
Indian Girl

9 comments

*~mad munky~* said... @ August 17, 2009 at 12:07 AM

I think it varies from person to person...the one thing I'm definitely sure about - using an eye-cream from my early 20s really helped me. I'm in my early 30s now and whilst my eyes aren't line free, they're still not that far off what they were many many years ago! Good sleep also helps ;o)

Some things like expression lines you just can't help - I started getting smile lines when I was 20/21 because I just happen to smile lots (!) Nothing much I can do apart from put on some more cream, and keep on smiling.

Water is key - lots of water!! :o)

josie said... @ August 17, 2009 at 5:43 AM

i worry about aging and im only 18!!LOL do u nw what we eat plays a huge roll on our overall apearence?so im trying to eat healthy..nd try my best not eat too many cheeseburgers nomatter how much i love them.:)

Rima Kaur said... @ August 17, 2009 at 9:21 PM

relaaaaax. the more youll worry in your head, the more it will show on it. i learnt in biology that ageing actually begins from the age of 21. should i start worrying too? i will turn 20 in december. i have extremely dry skin and always wonder if ill have a hard time ageing. but i guess i will have to do my best and leave the rest!

An Indian's Makeup Blog said... @ August 18, 2009 at 12:39 AM

Hi mad-Munky !

I got into eye creams early around 22 I guess.. Hope it helps me too !

An Indian's Makeup Blog said... @ August 18, 2009 at 12:40 AM

Hi Josie !

You're right ! I try and eat healthy as much as I can. Always looking for grams of protein and fiber in everything I eat and less sugar. My issue is I dont know what moderation is. LOL !

An Indian's Makeup Blog said... @ August 18, 2009 at 12:41 AM

HI Rima !

LOL !
Yeah dry skin is a Bitch. I have it too...just gotto keep rubbin the moisturizer in....

Jasmin said... @ August 18, 2009 at 12:42 AM

I don't take a hyperactive approach to anti-aging, but I've been super careful since 25. Always wear sunblock, always hydrate at night. That goes for face/neck and eyes too. Especially because my skin is so dry, I feel like I show signs more quickly than others.

I've added other things to my regimen too, ie., the Estee Lauder ANR serum. Seriously, my skin has been the most amazing it's ever been because of the serum. For my friends as well. So, even if you can't really "anti-age", at least the products make my skin look phenom now. :) Way more effective now than the regular moisturizers.

Jamilla Camel said... @ August 20, 2009 at 9:02 PM

I'm 51 and have rheumatoid arthritis and hypo-pituitarism (andrenals and thyroid, but over all I am rather satisfied with how I'm aging. I look younger than my mother at the same age.

I have never smoked, don't drink, don't consume caffiene, avoid sugar, and eat a semi-vegetarian diet.

I also use creams and serums with DMAE, Vitamin C Ester, Peptides, and other anti-agers. I use two whitening treatments and SPF 90+ sunscreen.

Anonymous said... @ September 2, 2009 at 9:07 AM

this is by far, in my opinion the best post you have ever written! rima is right actually aging begins at 20. ESPECIALLY if you've got dry skin. (me!:( )
i'm 19 and i guess because of my dry skin have already seen aging signs. i don't have wrinkles per say but very fine dehydration lines under the eyes and on the forehead. my friends have them too. i have a friend whos european and is 21, drinks just occasionally and she already has wrinkles under the eyes. it really is very worrying:( as your skin ages pores become more visible too as the cell wall becomes less supple. as for the eye creams, according to many derms, experts and paula begoun eye creams are just a money making gimmick from companies. and i've used eye creams for about two years and i stopped after i did a little more research into the matter. you'll notice that eye creams have very similar if not the same ingredients as their counterpart moisturizer or antiaging formulas. moisturizing around the eye area regularly is really the best you can do.

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