Morning Glow Newsletter Vol. 20
- Team Yara - Writing
- Oct 5
- 6 min read
28 Sept 2025
Science Just Found a New Way to Tell Your Face to Act Its Age… But Younger
Experts are calling it a “game changer” in the anti-ageing world.
In a small study, participants aged 32 to 53 applied a topical formula with 0.1 per cent pterostilbene to one side of their face twice daily for 28 days. The results? Skin on the treated side showed firmer texture, fewer fine lines and a bounce that looked like younger days. Experts agree that the ingredient boosted collagen and elasticity compared to the untreated side.
What is pterostilbene exactly?
It’s a compound in the same family as resveratrol. It’s naturally present in blueberries and some other plants. But researchers say when applied topically, it may help skin repairs, fight free radicals and reduce visible signs of ageing more powerfully than many popular ingredients.
Before you rush for your nearest serum, here’s what to know:
It’s early days. The study was small and short-term. Experts warn we need larger, longer research to confirm claims.
Don’t dump your classics. Retinol, niacinamide and daily sunscreen remain proven tools. Consider pterostilbene as a possible companion, not a replacement.
Patch test everything. New actives can irritate sensitive skin. Introduce slowly if you try it.
I love spotting fresh breakthroughs, but the real glow comes from consistent habits. Eat well, sleep deeply, hydrate wisely and protect from sun damage. And when the science is solid, we’ll bring you that too.
Want to explore this more? I’m keeping an eye on brands that incorporate pterostilbene and will let you know which ones arrive in the UK. Meanwhile, your skin deserves respect… and a little curiosity.
Women over 50 have earned the right to be heard. With the right questions and tests, misdiagnosis can be avoided. You deserve answers, not assumptions.
Join the conversation here: www.yaraglow.com
Fracture? I Hardly Know Her: The Quiet Signs of Weak Bones
Although it’s often described as a quiet condition, your body may whisper early warnings if you know how to listen.
You’ve probably heard of osteoporosis as something that happens to “old bones,” but experts say it’s far sneakier than that. It’s often called a “silent” disease because it rarely gives warnings until a bone breaks. That means you might lose bone strength for years without knowing.
Here are key things every woman over 50 should know, and act on:
Bones weaken quietly. Osteoporosis makes your bones more porous and fragile. A minor fall or even a strong cough can lead to fractures. The hip, spine and wrist are among the most common sites.
Menopause accelerates risk. When your oestrogen levels drop, your bones lose density faster than before. That’s why the years around menopause are crucial for building protection.
Know your risk factors. If you had a thin frame, a family history of fractures, took steroids, smoked, or didn’t get enough calcium and vitamin D, your risk is higher.
Screening matters. Experts recommend discussing a bone density scan (DXA scan) with your doctor, especially if you have risk factors or signs like height loss, a stooped posture or back pain.
Lifestyle moves count. Weight-bearing exercise, strength training, enough protein, calcium and vitamin D all help preserve bone. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol also support healthier bones.
Medication is an option. When risks are high, doctors may suggest treatments that slow bone loss or even rebuild it. Hormone therapy (HRT) might be considered in certain cases, but be sure to talk benefits and risks.
The takeaway? Osteoporosis isn’t inevitable, but ignoring it can make fractures, pain and loss of mobility very real. Start with one small step this week, maybe a bone-friendly walk, a calcium-rich snack or a chat with your GP about bone health. Your future self will thank you.
7 Sneaky Midlife Habits Quietly Wrecking Your Mojo
Menopause brings plenty of obvious changes: hot flushes, restless nights, shifting moods. What catches many women off guard are the sneaky habits that quietly make things harder.
One big mistake is eating too little. Cutting calories too harshly sounds smart but backfires. Hormones wobble, metabolism slows, and energy levels crash. The body learns to hang on to every calorie instead of letting it go.
Then there’s doing endless cardio. A little running or cycling is healthy, but too much leaves you tired, hungry and stressed. Swap some of it for strength training, brisk walks or interval work that builds stamina without draining your reserves.
Skipping weights altogether is another trap. After 50, women naturally lose muscle, which means slower metabolism and weaker bones. Lifting even light weights helps preserve muscle tone, protect your joints and keep everyday strength alive.
Neglecting sleep also adds fuel to the fire. Skipping proper rest makes it harder to manage appetite, mood and recovery. Good sleep hygiene and a calming routine can make a real difference.
Ignoring hormones doesn’t help either. Menopause is, at its core, hormonal change. Talking to your GP about symptoms and options can make life far easier than waiting it out.
Letting stress take over quietly undermines everything. Chronic tension disrupts hormones, slows fat loss and worsens sleep. Learning to pause, breathe and build boundaries is part of midlife health, not an indulgence.
Finally, trying to handle it all alone can make the road feel longer. Support, knowledge and connection help you navigate with confidence.
These hidden saboteurs aren’t destiny. Notice them, tweak what you can, and give your body the care it deserves. Midlife isn’t about managing decline; it’s about managing change wisely.
Midlife and Out of Tune: When Food Becomes a Weapon
I first heard the term menorexia in a support group chat. It sounded dramatic, but the stories sent chills down my spine. Women in menopause sometimes turn food into an enemy, not out of vanity, but fear. Fear of weight gain. Fear of failing at the one thing they thought they could control.
Menopause isn’t just hot flushes or mood swings. It uproots your body’s balance. Metabolism slows, hormones shift, appetite signals scramble. Many women respond by cutting calories, over-exercising, or becoming rigid with “safe” foods. What starts as control becomes obsession. What begins with discipline becomes dangerous.
These behaviours don’t usually get spotted by doctors early. Weight loss is praised, sleeplessness is blamed on stress, and health checkups rarely scan for disordered eating past the teen years. That’s the problem… the culture treats it as a calorie issue, never a scream for balance.
The hardest part is the shame. Saying it out loud risks being dismissed as dramatic or hormonal. Confession meets clichés. But it’s not a moment of weakness. It’s a symptom.
For anyone reading this, your body deserves kindness, not punishment. Reach out to a therapist or dietitian familiar with menopause. Let’s talk about resilience, rebuilding, and reclaiming food as nourishment, not armour.
In midlife, your story doesn’t have to get uglier. It can get stronger, with listening, with help, and with hope.
 
Can’t Sleep? Menopause Might Have Something to Say
Insomnia during menopause is not just the occasional restless night. Many women find themselves caught in a cycle where falling asleep is a fight and staying asleep feels impossible. Hormonal changes, especially fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone, play a major role in this disruption to your sleep rhythm.
As oestrogen levels drop, the brain produces less serotonin and melatonin, both essential for calming the mind and regulating your sleep-wake cycle. Meanwhile, declining progesterone removes one of the body’s natural relaxants. Add hot flushes, night sweats, joint pain or anxiety into the mix, and even a well-meaning bedtime habit might crumble.
But mention “menopause insomnia” and a lot of people roll their eyes. This is not a mood swing. It is a medical shift that needs attention.
Here are a few strategies experts often suggest:
Change your sleep environment. Opt for breathable bedding, natural fibres and a cooler room temperature. Let the mattress and pillows support a restful night.
Wind down wisely. An hour before bed, dim lights, turn off screens, and ease the mind with gentle stretches, journaling or calming tea.
Try cognitive behavioural tools. CBT for Insomnia helps rewire unhelpful thoughts about sleep and reduces the anxiety that keeps you awake.
Supportive supplementation. Some women try magnesium, or check whether low iron or restless leg syndrome might be interfering with rest.
When to act. If sleep loss affects your mood, cognition or daily function, talk to your GP. Persistent insomnia may call for therapies, prescription support or hormone options.
Menopause is not about surrendering to sleepless nights. With knowledge, patience and the right strategies, you can reclaim your rest, even when hormones try to make you forget what quiet feels like.
Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment. It is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.
Comments