Help - I look old

[OhTheHugeManatee]

I need some miracle products - but preferably without the miracle product price tag. Prepared to pay about £30 for a decent product.

I'm 38, have a 1 year old who doesn't sleep through and a demanding job. I'm not getting enough sleep. I look ancient.

Please help me look like her mother and not her granny!

[Shadow1986]

I was told my skin was ageing as it was so dehydrated. I bought an elemis rehydrating face wash which seems to have helped a bit. I also love no7 protect and perfect day and night creams, they do different ranges for different age groups.
Try and go to bed a little earlier too so you feel more refreshed. I feel your pain though, ageing is shite. Don't even talk to me about grey hair!!

[OhTheHugeManatee]

I've been going grey since I was 19 so am very used to spending a fortune at the hairdresser!

I think I'm definitely dehydrated, will try that face mask, thanks.

I'd love to go to bed earlier but by the time I cook dinner, prepare lunches for next day, log into work for a bit...

[mowglik]

This isn't within budget but maybe you can get a discount over Xmas or something..I last bought a bottle of this over a year ago so lasts ages..guerlain midnight secret. It's the only product that I put on the night before and I def look more well rested the next day so I save it for the day after a particularly late night

I'm in my mid 30s and would love to find another product that does similar for cheaper!

[Shadow1986]

I started going grey at 19 too. I have to colour my hair every 5 weeks at least and have discovered that box colours are just too harsh on my hair so have to go salon now so very expensive! I know what you mean about trying to get an early night...I also always have the intention to drink more water but never happens.
Usually gets to bedtime and I realise I haven't drunk hardly anything so I try and drink two glasses of water before bed!
I also tried a home remedy of egg white face mask! You whisk the egg whites and it goes all tight on your face like a face mask. Supposed to get rid of fine lines but can't say it did much for me but might be worth a try. Also cucumber on your eyes helps refresh and hydrate them.

[OhTheHugeManatee]

The budget is flexible. I'm trying to save money but am a bit shit at it! Will have a look at the Guerlain potion.

I also do the drinking of water at bedtime after realising I've had none all day - and then need to get up to pee.

[gonegrey56]

I recommend Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil at night . Be generous with it . That combined with a diet high in fish oil/ omega 3s, keep hydrated etc - all will make a difference . Extra sleep too but I appreciate that is not easy for you .
In the day a lip gloss and bit of rose or peachy blusher ( I adore the Liz Earle powder blushers which have lots of pigment ) and you will look lovely and rested even if you aren't !

[motleymop]

Don't go on the search for a miracle product! It does not exist - believe me- I have tried...and then some! What works is a stable routine of products that hydrate your skin and don't irritate it, plus perhaps a little gentle exfoliation.

[dorasee]

I hear you. I have a 6 month old. I average 4-5 hours a night if that. I am in my 40s. But I swear by Sanctuary warming microbrasion once a week and Khiels Ultra Facial moisturiser (no SPF) daily. I always go back to the Khiels. In the sunnier months I use Decleor Aroma Sun Face SPF15. Try an oil; Una Brennan at Boots does a great neroli oil serum... it's affordable and fantastic. I use it sometimes at night. I just use a cleansing water (I don't wear make-up). And if I do wear make-up, I use Nivea cleansing milk. Sometimes over my moisturiser I use Maybelline's baby skin instant fatige blur.
Try a BB cream or CC cream rather than a foundation. I stick with Garnier's BB cream. It has a lovely texture and gives me a bit of a glow when I need it. And wear a sweep of colour on the lips and a tiny brush of mascara. If your eyebrows are sparse, try filling them in ever so gently with a good eyebrow pencil (soft, not too hard) and always go for a light shade. If your brows are brown get a blonde or light brown pencil, otherwise the look can go too heavy.
Maybelline does a great pore filler as well under the Baby Skin range. I use it on my nose which is quite porous, once I've put on my moisturiser.

[purpleapple1234]

I use rosehip oil as a serum and indeed retinol resurface. I think that it is working. I am in exactly the same situation as you. Same age, same age of child. Same bleeding sleeping pattern.

I have a plan of things that I want to get done/buy: teeth whitening, secret botox on my 11 wrinkles, microbrasion, a peeling toner. I am going to look less haggard god damn it!!!

[soaccidentprone]

Try balance me face wash.

It really brightens the skin.

Origins face scrub is excellent. You need to apply it to dry skin, then work round in small circles till it starts to dry and rub off. It makes skin look really pink, but this soon calms down.

Take starflower and evening primrose oils, try and drink a couple of mugs of green day every day (don't make with boiling water, it needs to be at around 85 degrees, otherwise it can taste bitter), and go easy on the alcohol.

Also eat plenty of veg, and a portion of fruit every day, plus some nuts - either Brazil or hazelnuts.

And get some fresh air.

[peasandlove]

you could try a glycolic cream, start with 5%. Its a great exfoliant. Just use at night and don't use in summer or use with a sunscreen.
also try and up your water intake and cut down your alcohol intake if you drink
it'll pass, as your little one gets older you'll start to feel more yourself again

[Ledkr]

I've found the hot cloth washes have helped brighten my skin and also the Olay regenerist cream (i think it's called 3 point or something) helped a lot with "bag face"
Im 47 with a non sleeping 3 yr old

[twoandahalftimesthree]

If your skin needs rehydrating try coconut oil, eating and using on your skin- apparently supermodels swear by it. Almond oil is cheap and very good for your skin too. Try making masks out of oats, banana, honey and avocado.
I would spend the money on a good omega 3 supplement. High in EPA, I use vegepa. Also, very cheap and probably the most effective thing to do is to cut right down on sugar, very, very ageing.
I don't use any expensive beauty products but this week someone thought I was in my mid twenties. I am 40 next month- result! :)

[twoandahalftimesthree]

I also drink loads of herbal tea.

[Eliza22]

I'm thinking of going organic. It's something I've not considered before in terms of expense but when you read the percentages of harmful substances in so call "natural" products or high end creams, lotions and potions you realise that some ingredients do nothing (high water content) and some do harm (parabens/fossil fuel derivatives/alcohol etc). So, the actively good incredients are so minis cult that it's no wonder they don't "work". Thing is, I can't afford to go "all organic" and wonder whether just my facial stuff will make a difference. Check out Green People. I used their products on my highly sensitive son's skin and it's the only stuff that doesn't irritate him. So, there must be something in it!

I will need to finish all other stuff I've got first because I'm not binning it!

OP, on a more basic note....oranges. My Nan ate loads of them and had exquisite skin. I too used to eat 2 or 3 a day and am thinking of returning to them (not sure why I don't do it now). Vit C is so good for skin health. Drink plenty of bottled or filtered water too.

[bonhomme]

Have to agree that there are no 'miracle' beauty products as such. Lots of moisturiser , drink water, eat healthily, exercise and try to get a good night's sleep. Good haircut and highlights help too.

Almond oil and coconut oil are staples for me too, Almond oil for nails and coconut oil for skin.

[bonhomme]

I've also read several times about using a little facial fake tan (but don't do that myself - may give it a try!)

[dorasee]

I second the oranges. I eat about 3-4 clementines a day and salmon twice a week...lots if olive oil and sesame oil in my diet. I really believe this enhances the quality of my skin, despite fatigue.

[VenusRising]

Drinking filtered tap water seems to have put a stop to my skin ageing. Also NO sugar. I'd go easy on the acidic oranges and try more veg.

Lack of sleep is the killer though, and getting a power nap even for 15 mins a day can make the difference. If you can't nap, just lie flat and breathe deeply for 10mins. If 10 is too long, lie flat but put your feet up the wall and breathe deeply and slowly for 5 mins with ocean sounds on your headphones!

I use dr organic royal jelly moisturiser for 10£ and it's excellent. I got it in holland and Barrett. There's a lovely range there.

This phase won't last forever.

[RojaGato]

Organic jojoba oil as a serum. Fushi do a nice one. Not dear and it's the oil that is closest to the skin's own natural oils. 2 or 3 drops should do it. Two drops rubbed into palms and smoothed through the ends of wet hair are great before a blow dry and it is a fab oil for cuticles too. Mix 50/50 with organic rosehip oil if you want a glow as well.

[Petal02]

Definitely a little facial fake tanner.

[Sonotkylie]

Laughing. Good friend + silly film - or 2 separately. Gives you lines, but good ones!

Oh and everything everyone else had said (but mine's more fun!).

[BlairBass]

Absolutely second all the lovely ladies who recommend using a facial oil!
I use Love Organics range & Estelle & Thild. But hear Trilogy great and I've sampled the Loreal oil and that felt lovely.
I think biggest difference for my skin comes from diet though - sorry, but no sugar and upping oily fish, veg and water... Tough with the sleep deprivation but really works!

[Notonaschoolnight]

Alpha h your could get a tester set with your £30 but deffo some salycylic or alpha hydroxy acid product