Beauty industry's Santa aims to age gracefully

Mushrooms play an important part in Andrew Weil's anti-ageing products.

Andrew Weil is not unlike Santa. He has the beard. Even better, he's helping bring the latest gift of anti-ageing products to grown-ups. The Harvard-trained medical doctor - included in Time magazine's list of 100 most influential people for his contribution to integrative medicine - and frequent Oprah guest has teamed up with American beauty company Origins to create the Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote range. His mission is to age gracefully. In his book Healthy Aging he describes this as letting "nature take its course while doing everything in our power to delay the onset of age-related disease. Or, in other words, to live as long and as well as possible, then have a rapid decline at the end of life."

He advocates meditation, diet, exercise and taking supplements to live better for longer. With this in mind, he set out to make something that would help with what he calls "the fire within", using a concoction that includes mushrooms, ginger, tumeric and basil to help skin stay calm, strong and healthy.

What exactly is integrative medicine?

It's the intelligent combination of conventional and alternative medicine. It emphasises the body's natural potential for healing, looks at the whole person (body, mind, and spirit), considers all aspects of lifestyle, and places great importance on the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient. It's a strong movement in the United States, where one in five medical colleges participate.

Your book Healthy Aging is all about the potential to do just that - and gracefully. How can we do this?

Learn how to reduce the risk and delay the onset of age-related diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disease) by following a healthy lifestyle from as early an age as possible.

What will Plantidote do for us?

Improve the health and appearance of skin by reducing and protecting against inflammation.

Mushrooms are a key ingredient. What's so great about them and how do you get the benefit by rubbing them into your face instead of eating them?

The mushrooms in Plantidote products are widely used in the traditional medical systems of China, Korea, and Japan. They have significant anti-inflammatory effects, which are active both topically and systemically.

What makes it so different from all the other skincare products about?

No other skincare products contain these novel ingredients, or address inflammation in the same way.

Do you use it?

Yes, on my face and bald head.

Is it working?

It has a pleasant aroma, feels good, and has reduced sun-related damage on my scalp.

What's the single most important thing we can do to slow the effects of ageing?

Accept it's inevitability, enjoy its benefits, and learn how to maintain good health at any age.

Do you ever eat junk food?

I like good pizza, dark chocolate, fruit sorbets, but I do not consider these junk.

Any vices?

Sure. But not in food and diet.

* Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Serum ($148) and Face Cream ($128) is available now.