A WOMAN has spilled the beans on how her 88-year-old nan keeps her skin looking youthful and glowing.
Although the high street is full of what seems like thousands of anti-ageing products and different gadgets to keep the wrinkles at bay, our diet plays a huge role too – and this grandma is living proof of it.
The Belgium-born nan, who’s been living in Italy for the last three decades, has become somewhat of an internet sensation after her granddaughter, Alex Koekies, started sharing videos about her beauty routine on TikTok.
While the grandmother does indulge in the odd skincare buy here and there, such as Cleansing Foam by Avène (£15), the stunner also eats nutrient-dense foods.
The best part? They’re nothing fancy and unaffordable – and one antioxidant bomb retails for a purse-friendly 89p at Aldi.
For breakfast, the Italian nan will have a cup of black coffee, which she will enjoy with Skyr natural yoghurt, as well as some blueberries.
Rich and packed with antioxidants, blueberries can help fight free radicals that are responsible for premature ageing, wrinkles, as well as tackle any other skin concerns.
Sweet and juicy, blueberries – which shoppers can find at most supermarkets for around £1 (89p at Aldi) – are also said to improve skin texture, minimise dark circles, give a hydration boost to the skin, increase collagen production, and enhance skin radiance.
Meanwhile, for her second breakfast, the 88-year-old fashionista will head to a café where she will treat herself to a cappuccino and an Italian croissant.
Around lunchtime, the nan likes to enjoy a ”lil [little] glass of white wine” paired with chicken and potatoes.
Available all year round, the humble spuds ”can have anti-aging benefits for the skin due to their vitamin C and B-complex vitamins, antioxidants”, reported Times of India.
Previously, another beauty buff, @skyesfskin, who claims to be a licensed skin consultant, revealed how she uses the root veggie to banish dark under-eyes.
The skin guru claimed this was due to potatoes having rich compounds such as Azelaic acid which “lighten dark spots.”
The Sunday roast essential can also help to hydrate skin and tackle hyper pigmentation.
The whizz demonstrated that the best way to achieve the ultimate results is to wipe raw potato gently over make-up-free face, and leave it on for around 25 minutes.
Later, when it’s time for dinner, the 88-year-old beauty likes to eat pasta alla vongole which is packed with fresh clams.
Loaded with Vitamin C and iron, clams can contribute to collagen synthesis – which, in turn, improves the overall skin complexion, said the experts at Salt & Barrel.
But while the stylish grandmother seems to eat a relatively clean and healthy diet, she certainly hasn’t forgotten that life is all about the balance, having a dessert at the end of the day too.
In the now-viral video, which has been viewed more than 1.7million times, the Italian goddess could be seen tucking into Baba Au Rhum – or Rum Baba.
Originated in France, this dessert is a scrumptious yeast cake covered syrup made with hard liquor, typically rum, and sometimes filled with whipped cream or pastry cream.
The wholesome clip has indeed taken the internet by storm, with hundreds racing to comments.
One kind-hearted viewer said: ”Now I know why they say that the Mediterranean diet is so healthy! She’s glowing!! Her skin.”
Another chimed in: ”She is gorgeous and glowing like she’s had a marvelous joyful life.”
”She looks amazing!! Goals,” a third penned.