Shall we say anti-ageing or pro-ageing? Products for mature skin

 Picture this: I'm strolling through a cosmetic lab with my young and eager MSc Cosmetic Chemistry classmates. We're checking out all the latest gadgets, and then we are shown this equipment that claims to gauge the depth of your wrinkles. Of course, we couldn't resist giving it a spin, and to the shock of my youthful peers, my forehead came up wrinkle-free, despite being just a year shy of the big 5-0. Now, I'd love to attribute it all to my mum’s good genetics, but let's not forget the power of shea butter, faithfully slathered on my skin for the past two decades. However, there's still some work to be done – those sarcoid scars and hyperpigmentation around my eyes need some attention, just like any other dark-skinned person hitting this age milestone.

Ah, aging – the great equalizer. We all want to cheat it a little, right? Our skin shows our age faster than our driver's license. Enter the age-old quest for the fountain of youth – anti-aging products. They've promised to turn back the clock for years, swearing they'll make us look a decade younger. But hold on, folks, there's a new player in town – pro-aging. Now, why in the world would we want to be "pro" getting older? Well, Mother Nature herself is all about that positivity. Ageing is as natural as breathing, so instead of fighting it tooth and nail, why not cosy up to it with a smile? We're talking about nurturing our skin through every stage of life, loading it up with nutrient-rich skincare, shielding it from the sun's wrath, eating well, keeping our stress levels in check, and weaving wellness into our daily grind. And guess what? It's not just about what we slather on – it's about the vibe we show and feel every day.

Count me in for team pro-aging. To me, it's all about giving our skin some love while nurturing our whole selves – body, mind, and soul. After all, in many cultures, the elderly are revered for their wisdom, so why not strive to age like fine wine? The pro-aging playbook isn't rocket science – it's about simple rituals like starting the day with a hydrating gulp of water, using that sunscreen-infused moisturizer, exfoliating a few times a year, moving our bodies in ways that feel good, tending to our mental health, and getting all the sleep we need.

So, here's the million-dollar question: when it comes to those magic potions that fight off Father Time on our skin, should we call them anti-aging or pro-aging? Let's sit tight and see what the jury has to say.

Oh, and a little about me – I'm Ekua Sam-Pennie, a pharmacist with over two decades of experience (you can call me the pill guru). But my heart truly belongs to the world of Cosmetic Science. I'm on a mission to uncover all the plant-based wonders that can keep our skin and hair, healthy and in tip-top shape.