Gym Tan has spent the last 30 years making her mark in the fashion industry, holding prominent roles as a C-suite executive for brands like Esprit and DKNY in Asia. Now residing in the San Francisco area, the Singaporean fashion maven shares her love for style with a TikTok audience of over 150,000 followers.
Her fashion philosophy is simple yet impactful: dress well. Tan often wears a lot of expensive pieces yet she does not shy away from retailers like H&M. It is her youthful approach to dressing that resonates with her audience.
Most of her followers are in their twenties, as they are the ones that dominate the user demographic on TikTok. Gym is often surprised by their support, with many expressing admiration and aspirations to emulate her style. Comments like “I want to be like you when I grow up” or “I want my mom to see how you dress because I want my mom to look like you” are common.
Additionally, Gym’s content also attracts women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, as she advocates for embracing ageing with confidence, embodying her mantra that style has no age.
Apart from her fashion prowess, Gym has also showcased her physical endurance by running four marathons at 63, with no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
Tan has often talked about and documented her skincare routine and healthy lifestyle to her 270,000 followers on Instagram. There is one hot drink she swears by.
Gym Tan on her Instagram/ @californiaistoocasual
While multiple biological processes are essential for healthy skin, the journey to a glowing appearance begins with our diet. Although no single food can eliminate wrinkles or signs of ageing, certain nutrients are vital for skin health and protection against oxidative stress. Antioxidants are particularly powerful in this regard, reducing inflammation and neutralising free radicals.
Gym Tan swears by her daily dose of antioxidants from a steaming cup of green tea. “I start my mornings with a moment of calm, and a cup of green tea,” Gym shared. “I embrace my rich Asian heritage of drinking green tea for health. This simple routine is my way of centering myself and practising self-care.”
Green tea is packed with potent antioxidants, specifically EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which combat DNA damage caused by UV rays. Research published in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine in 2020 highlighted green tea’s potential as a natural remedy for skin ageing. The study concluded, “Green tea may be a functional processed plant which could be used as an anti-skin aging agent in natural remedies, including food, health, and cosmetic products.”
Consuming three to five cups of green tea daily is considered optimal for harnessing its benefits. However, it’s important not to exceed this limit due to the caffeine content, which can lead to adverse effects.
To further enhance skin appearance, Gym emphasises the importance of managing stress, as anxiety can deteriorate skin quality over time. In another video, she discussed additional routines that contribute to her youthful glow in her 60s. “Get plenty of sleep – I aim for seven hours each night. Next, you’ve got to stay active; exercise boosts energy and oxygen levels, which are fantastic for the skin.”
Image: Instagram/ @californiaistoocasual
Gym also highlighted the importance of a balanced diet, rich in colourful fruits and vegetables, carbohydrates, and protein at every meal. “And mostly, maintain a positive attitude towards life. I wake up every day feeling grateful, ready to learn something new, and I believe that positivity shines through my skin.”
Dermatologists agree that sleep is crucial for glowing skin. It not only aids recovery from UV exposure but also facilitates skin repair through increased cell proliferation and hormone regulation.
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