Trinny Woodall: My 60s are a freeing decade – I’m more confident

At 60 years old, Trinny Woodall has not embraced her grey hair.

“Everyone has the right to age in the way they choose – some may suggest, ‘Trinny, why do you continue to color your hair? Embrace your natural grey.’ But that’s not for me. I don’t want to have dull grey hair, so I will continue to dye it. I don’t feel confident with grey hair on myself.”

Woodall, who rose to fame as one half of presenting duo Trinny and Susannah (Constantine) on the Noughties makeover show, What Not To Wear, and founded beauty empire Trinny London in her 50s, says she’s “more confident” as she enters this new decade – in her skin and herself.

“I am confident in my sense of self and identity, which comes with age. I no longer worry about others’ opinions. In my 20s, I lacked that self-assurance.”

I found my 50s to be a liberating time, and I believe my current decade is even more freeing.

Even though she struggled with acne for many years and didn’t feel confident in her skin until she was 30, this experience sparked a lifelong passion for finding effective skincare solutions. She tried countless remedies but nothing seemed to work, making it a difficult and discouraging time. However, this ultimately led her on a journey to discover what works best for her skin.

In 2017, Woodall created her own brand focusing on women above 35 years old. Initially, she offered make-up products and expanded to skincare in 2022. She regularly shares her routines on her Instagram account, with over 1.2 million followers, and has gained a devoted following.

She avoids using the term “anti-ageing” and instead focuses on finding what works for our skin as we age, even embracing her own eye wrinkles. However, she does openly discuss getting Botox twice a year and following a complete skincare regimen.

I have always made sure to remove my make-up before going to bed. Since my 20s, I have had a routine that involves three or four steps,” says the 60-year-old. However, the current range of active ingredients far surpasses the three-step routine from Clinique that she used in 1979.

“As much as I do Botox, you know, I’ve had CO2 laser for my acne scarring, the consistency of my skin is down to ingredients I continually put on my face every day.

“I am acquainted with one or two individuals in the field of acting, and I am aware that they do not prioritize a proper skincare routine. Instead, they rely on procedures like Botox. Although they may appear flawless on screen, upon closer inspection, their skin appears congested. It is important to take care of our skin as it is our largest organ.”

However, with the plethora of various active ingredients available in the current market, it can be quite daunting. So, what is most important to her?

“Having a very good mixture of exfoliating acids is crucial. I don’t particularly love glycolic acid because I find it’s a very abrasive acid. I love other AHAs [alpha hydroxy acids] like mandelic and malic. Many women come and say, ‘Oh my skin is dry’ and I feel their face and I think, no, you’ve got too many dead skin cells on your skin, there’s a difference.”

According to the expert, do not trust the effectiveness of topical collagen. She states that it is a false belief to apply collagen on your face, as the molecule size is too large to penetrate the skin. Therefore, using collagen creams is a waste as they will not provide any benefits.

“I am very interested in the process of lymphatic drainage in the body, so as part of my morning routine, I gently tap my clavicle, ear, thigh, and underarm while rubbing them ten times.”

Following cleansing, I apply skincare, tap to clear my lymph, and then use PHA, vitamin C, peptide, and SPF, spacing out each product by two to three minutes to allow the ingredients to properly absorb.

Woodall typically takes her time to finish her nighttime skincare routine. After arriving home, she begins with the initial steps and then takes breaks to complete other tasks around the house. This allows her to unwind from the day and transition between different modes of energy.

“I will first apply my acid and allow it to penetrate my skin before using a peptide. After that, I will brush my teeth, take my supplements, and check my emails. Every four nights, I gently perform micro-needling.”

It’s a long way from the “dirty old sponge” she used to put on her face in the Nineties, “bacteria washing around my face, and I would have a bath and there would be that ring of fake tan around the bath – it was indelible”.

One of the most important measures she has taken for her skin and overall health is reducing her sugar intake. According to Woodall, she believes that sugar is even worse for the body than smoking. As she has gotten older, she has become more aware of what causes inflammation in the body and makes sure to avoid it, as it can lead to unpleasant health issues. She strives to maintain an alkaline state in her body for optimal well-being.

Over the weekend, I gave in to my sugar cravings and indulged in treats at a patisserie in the mountains.

Trinny Woodall is hosting an “Elevator Pitch” series on Instagram, offering aspiring female entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their business in 60 seconds and receive personalized feedback. Follow @trinnylondon for more information.

Source: independent.co.uk