Gracefully Glowing: Natural Ways to Support Healthy Aging

There’s a moment that seems to slap you in the face when it comes to ageing. For me, it was somewhere around 40, when those seemingly desperate wrinkle cream ads I used to see in my mum’s NZ Woman’s Weekly magazines started to feel alarmingly relevant. A moment of desperation when I wanted all of the magic potions and lotions to keep me in my comparative glow-years. But aging well doesn’t mean reversing time. There’s something quietly beautiful about aging gracefully. Not in the anti-wrinkle-cream, “turn back the clock” kind of way, but in the sense of feeling grounded in your skin, energised in your body, and at peace with the changes that come over time.

Striving for a graceful glow as we age means supporting our skin, energy, hormones and mood in a way that feels sustainable, nourishing, and real. In naturopathy, we look at aging not as something to fight, but as something to support. Nature’s gentle systems can help us stay vibrant, strong, and yes, even glowing, no matter the candles on the cake.

Here are a few of my favourite natural ways to nourish graceful, healthy aging…

1. Feed Your Collagen from Within

Rather than relying on topical solutions alone, consider supporting your skin’s structure from the inside. Collagen is a natural protein that keeps skin firm and joints supple, but our production declines with age. Bone broth, vitamin C-rich fruits (like kiwifruit and citrus), and nutrients like zinc and silica help the body build and maintain collagen naturally. For extra support, a quality marine collagen powder can be something to consider adding into your morning smoothie/routine.

2. Embrace Antioxidant-Rich Foods

Oxidative stress is one of the key drivers of aging, but nature gives us plenty of help here. Think of colourful fruit and veg (ie. berries, beetroot, leafy greens, turmeric) as your daily armour. These foods are rich in antioxidants that help protect cells, reduce inflammation, and keep your skin and organs in better shape over time.

3. Balance Hormones, Support Vitality

As we age, our hormone levels shift,  and with that can come changes in sleep, mood, skin, and energy. Supporting your adrenals and liver is key here. Herbs like ashwagandha, rhodiola, and schisandra can be helpful adaptogens (think of them as nature’s stress buffers), while magnesium, B vitamins, and good-quality sleep support hormone balance gently and effectively.

4. Move Your Body

Gentle movement isn’t just about staying fit — it’s about circulation, lymphatic flow, mood, and longevity. Walking in nature, yoga, swimming, or dancing in your bestie’s living room all count. Movement is medicine, but opt for the kind that should feel good. Think sustainable, not punishing.

5. Skin Rituals Rooted in Nature

While a good diet is foundational, topical skincare does still plays a role. Look for products containing nourishing botanicals such as rosehip oil, jojoba oil, and frankincense, which support hydration, repair, and gentle anti-inflammatory benefits. Avoid ingredients like alcohol, synthetic fragrances, and harsh exfoliants (like high-percentage AHAs or harsh physical scrubs) that can strip or irritate the skin barrier. Instead, opt for gentle cleansers, hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid, and creams rich in antioxidants like vitamin E or green tea extract to protect and strengthen your skin naturally.

6. Stay Connected

Loneliness is one of the most underestimated factors in aging poorly. Staying socially connected, sharing meals and being part of a group, all of this nourishes us more than any supplement ever could. Embrace your book club era!  Whether it’s family, friends, or furry companions, connection keeps us emotionally and physically well. When I look at girlfriends who are living their best lives (ie. looking after themselves, striking the balance between work and play or just not taking everything so seriously), I can literally see the glow. It’s so beautiful.

7. Rest and Replenish

Rest is deeply underrated in our go-go culture. But it’s during sleep that the body heals, regenerates, and resets. Aim for quality over quantity. Make sure your room is really dark, consider a wind-down routine, and perhaps some herbal support like passionflower or magnesium bisglycinate if you need a little extra help. And remember, scrolling right before sleep isn’t generally conducive to a good night’s slumber!

Aging well isn’t about defying nature, it’s about working with it. Supporting your body’s own systems, tuning into its changing needs, and allowing space for rest, joy, and connection. Because the beauty of aging well isn’t just about how we look, it’s about how we feel. Strong, supported, and softly glowing… from the inside out. At the end of the day, aging is a privilege and a process. And yes, sometimes it’s a process that may include tailored herbal tonics, an antioxidant-rich diet, a really good concealer… and amazing friends who toast to real beauty over a glass of red wine (because, #antioxidants and all). It’s about balance and realistic expectations.

So be kind to yourself. Tune into what your body truly needs, not just what magazines or social media are trying to sell you. And don’t feel bad if your approach to aging well includes a mix of clean skincare, nourishing food…and the occasional not-so-natural indulgence.

For sure, I wish crepey necks weren’t a thing! Yes, the skin changes as we age… a lot. But so does our sense of who we are. And that part? Honestly, I wouldn’t trade for anything.