Let’s Talk Tweakments – And Why You Don’t Owe Anyone Youth

The pressure to stay looking young is relentless. A recent report finds that 86% of UK women say celebrities set unrealistic expectations for ageing.

We’re bombarded daily with “miracle” serums, skin-smoothing filters, and ads for tweakments that promise to “turn back time.” Even if we’re confident, grounded, and in a good place with our skin — there’s still that whisper in the back of our minds: Should I be doing more? Should I look younger?

And if you’ve ever felt that — I want you to know you’re not alone. I’ve been there too.

As someone who lives and breathes skincare, I’ve had my moments in the mirror where I pulled my skin back, imagining what it might look like if I just… did a little tweak here, a little filler there. The temptation is there — not because we’re vain, but because the world tells us that youth is the standard.

But listen to this: you don’t owe anyone youth.

Not your partner, not your boss, not the woman at the school gates, and not the beauty industry.

Let’s unpack this.

First, What Even Are Tweakments?

In case you’re new to the term, “tweakments” is the softer, friendlier name for non-surgical cosmetic procedures — think Botox, fillers, microneedling, skin boosters, radiofrequency, and everything in between. They’re usually marketed as “subtle” fixes, a way to “freshen up” or “look less tired.”

There’s nothing inherently wrong with them, and this blog isn’t about judging anyone who chooses to have them. It’s about permitting ourselves to explore our own choices, free from shame or pressure.

Because let’s be honest: even if we don’t want them, we’re still being sold them constantly. And that can make it hard to trust our own instincts.

Why the Pressure to Look Younger Feels So Personal

A lot of us grew up seeing ageing as something to fight, not something to embrace. Wrinkles, grey hair, sagging skin... all framed as “problems” to solve. Never mind that they’re completely natural, and even beautiful.

And let’s not forget that this pressure hits hardest when we’re going through big transitions — perimenopause, empty-nesting, career changes, divorce, grief. At the exact moment when we might be feeling a little lost or vulnerable, the world tells us that looking older will make us invisible.

The beauty industry knows this. And unfortunately, it thrives on that insecurity.

So… To Tweak or Not to Tweak?

That’s up to you. Truly.

If you decide to have a tweakment, I support you. If you decide to never go near a needle, I support you just as much. And if you’re somewhere in the middle, exploring and questioning and unsure — I see you too.

The important thing is that your decision comes from a place of empowerment, not shame.

Because tweakments won’t change your worth. And they won’t make you more valuable, more lovable, or more “worthy” of taking up space in the world.

Ageing Isn’t a Flaw — It’s a Privilege

Let’s pause here for a moment and really take that in: Ageing is a privilege.

We get to live long enough to see laugh lines form from years of joy. To watch our faces soften with wisdom. To carry our stories in every freckle, line, and shift of skin.

Yes, it can be hard. Yes, there are days when we miss the bounce in our cheeks or the glow we used to have after one night of good sleep. But there’s a quiet beauty that comes with ageing — one that has nothing to do with perfection.

We need to normalise that.

We need to see more faces that look like ours in the media, not just filtered 22-year-olds or 50-year-olds who’ve been airbrushed within an inch of their lives.

You Can Love Your Skin Now — And Still Take Care of It

Loving your skin doesn’t mean doing nothing. It doesn’t mean ignoring pigmentation, dryness, sensitivity, or hormonal flare-ups. It means choosing skincare and rituals that support you — rather than punish you for not looking younger.

That’s why I created a skincare brand that works with your skin, not against it. That honours changes instead of hiding them. My approach is about giving your skin what it needs — hydration, nourishment, protection — and letting your natural radiance shine through.

No shame. No pressure. Just real support for real skin.

Let’s be honest about insecurities

I’m not immune to them. I notice the lines forming around my mouth. I sometimes miss the brightness I used to have without trying. And yes, I sometimes wonder what I’d look like with a tiny tweak here or there.

But I also know this: those insecurities don’t define me. And they don’t define you, either.

What if we could meet those feelings with compassion instead of criticism? What if we could look in the mirror and see ourselves — not as a project, but as a person?

Your Beauty Is Not Up for Debate

It’s not conditional on looking younger. It doesn’t need validation from others. And it certainly doesn’t have to conform to the unrealistic standards that flood our feeds.

You are allowed to grow older and still feel beautiful.

You are allowed to wear your age proudly — or quietly — in whatever way feels right for you.

You are allowed to change your mind, explore your options, and create your own version of beauty that actually reflects who you are — not who the world says you should be.

A New Kind of Beauty Conversation

We need more spaces where we can talk openly about these things. Where we can share our fears about ageing without being told to “fix” ourselves. Where we can laugh, cry, reflect, and come out stronger.

This is your reminder that you’re doing so well. Navigating your skin changes, balancing hormones, facing pressures from every direction, and still showing up.

I’m right there with you.

Let’s keep talking. Let’s keep challenging the status quo. And let’s remind each other that we don’t owe anyone youth — but we do owe ourselves grace, choice, and radical self-respect.

You’re not “less” because you look your age.

You’re just you — radiant, wise, evolving. And that’s more than enough.

Sending love,

Jenny, the founder of Jenny Nordic Skincare

PS. For daily skincare tips and inspiration, follow us on Instagram!

P.P.S. Want skincare that celebrates your skin at every stage? My minimal, high-performance routines are made for women like us — the ones rewriting the rules of ageing. Come take a look, or drop me a message if you ever want to talk about what’s right for your skin. I’m here for you.

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