Suddenly looking older.. Can I get my skin looking more youthful?

[HangingInAGruffaloStance]

I am 37. I've never bothered about ageing and think I tend to look younger than my years, possibly in part as I don't drink or smoke.

But... All of a sudden I feel my skin is starting to age. The skin on my face has just lost tone and has started to sag a bit not many wrinkles to speak of - yet.

Is there anything I can do to wipe ten years off ? Or at least improve the tone a bit? I don't have a regular skin care routine or moisturiser brand loyalty. I have dry, sensitive skin and am very pale, though don't burn easily.

[FoamyOne]

Your skin sounds a bit like mine. I like my clarosonic a lot, it leaves skin really smooth and clean, so that you can get that slightly dewy look with foundation easily.

[ProjectGainsborough]

Have you heard of the Lancer Method?

Basically, it is exfoliate once a day, THEN cleanse (which removes all of the 'rubble' left by exfoliating, then moisturise. Sunscreen in the daytime. There's a whole book on it, but that's the crux of it - you are giving your skin a mild shock with exfoliation, which forces it to regenerate. Also eat lots of fruit and veg / drink water, etc, etc.

Have been doing it for just over a month and have noticed a big difference - have been recently accused of having a painting in the attic and am not someone who people normally take for younger than my years. (Still considering punching the woman who told me a I have a 'mature' aura last year)

[Nabootique]

That's interesting, Project. I've not heard of it. Is it physical exfoliation as opposed to acid exfoliation? Do you remove make up first with a quick wipe or anything?

[FrugalFashionista]

I just accomplished this... Acid toning pads (to get rid of gray skin), good hydration, sheet masks and sleeping masks and a nice BB cream. These plump up your skin and you'll have a glow. I'm 42 but work with fresh-faced 25/30-year-olds. I don't feel like their mother any more!

[HangingInAGruffaloStance]

Ooh thanks for all the good ideas. Any more brand/product recommendations? I mainly use Simple stuff but have liked Elemis in the past, happy to try anything.

What is a sheet mask?

[FrugalFashionista]

Check the Asian/Korean thread. A wet piece of paper or fabric on your face for about 20mins, it plumps up your skin. A sleeping mask is an easier alternative (just wearing quickly absorbed product on your face overnight, washing it off in the morning). I'm super pale too with dry skin, and look younger than my age, but felt a bit gray and shriveled after this winter.

[RiskManagement]

I know there are a lot of sceptics and it certainly isn't a lasting effect but drinking plenty of water is the best way I know to get a bit of plumpness back into skin.

There's a noticeable difference for me within a few days.

[PureMirrors]

Hi Gruffalo, I'm surprised your skin is sagging already!

One of the most important things is what you eat (and drink). I eat lots of fruit and veg, and make sure I have a wide variety of them. I swear by fruit like pomegranate seeds, papayas and blueberries.

Also I make sure I snack on a handful of nuts every day (any kind of nut!), sprinkle sunflower seeds on my porridge, have avocados regularly, eat lots of fish and hardly any red meat. I never drink fizzy drinks and don't smoke or drink alcohol (just one or two glasses of wine at dinners and parties). Drinking water is important, I sip water throughout the day at work, as well as matcha green tea.

My skin is also very pale and have achieved the 'translucent' look to perfection. I find that Clarins cleansers and toners work wonders (I cleanse twice in the evening and one in the morning, hardly ever let water touch my skin - just wipe away the cleanser and splash toner on my face). A day cream with SPF of at least 20 (like Caudalie) is essential, as well as exfoliating and using a mask once a week (something like Botanics or Number 7 is fine).

OK, reading back on this, I realise it could sound like a drastic regime to some! But I swear that one gets used to it and it's no bother at all. And people constantly comment on how nice my skin is :-)

I'm sure yours will be sorted in no time. 37 is young and sounds like your skin just needs a bit of attention.

x

Annabella

[HappyGirlNow]

Dermaroller done professionally and fillers!

[netty7070]

What about gentle hot cloth polishing and rosehip seed oil to moisturise? I just use Superdrug Vitamin E cleanser with a soft flannel. I do this and just splash with tepid water in the mornings, then sunscreen and moisturiser. I don't know about glow but I've got far fewer lines than many people younger than me.

Second the plenty of water idea. Try eating really healthily, with lots of 'good' oils, and drinking lots of water for a month.

[ProjectGainsborough]

It's a physical exfoliant Nabootique

Think you can move on to introducing glycolics and retinoids after a bit, but you have to wait at least a month. I've thrown all sorts of stuff at my face in the past, but this is really working for me.

Oh and yes to makeup off first - he says just chuck some coconut oil or similar at it if you wear makeup, but I don't tend to wear it, so mostly skip that step.

Google Dr Lancer, if you're interested. (I don't work for him, honest!)

[Nabootique]

That actually makes a lot of sense, cleansing after exfoliating. I might give it a try. I double cleanse so might sandwich it between first and second. Sorry to thread hijack, OP!

[WomanScorned]

I used Avon clearskin medicated exfoliator, until very recently. It's meant for teenage spots, but once I'd used it, I just never felt clean without it.

Until, that is, I discovered the 'oil cleansing method'. The few lines I had are noticeably less noticeable, my skin is plump, pores are reduced. Best of all, no greasiness, no irritation. Oh, and it costs pennies.

I'm 45, btw.

[StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes]

try nip and fab glycolic range or loreal reviatalift laser renew. they have made my face glow in a smooth and glowy way

[Saurus72]

An acid toner (I use the Ren one) is good. But to be honest, the three things that have made the most difference to my 41 year old skin which has started to lose its ...glow, for lack of a better word, are:

1. Clarins Beauty Flash balm - makes a difference, kind of zhush's things up a bit and makes my skin look less tired
   
2. Followed by Dior radiance primer. Recommended by Sali Hughes, really really good. Expensive, but I've been using it almost daily for over 3 months and there's still plenty left
   
3. Clarins Instant Light concealer. Really really good at covering up dark circles under my eyes.
   

I have noticed a big difference in my skin over the past 4 years or so. Just a bit dull I guess. I am a bit worried about what's going to happen as I get older. Wrinkles don't really bother me, but appearing tired all the time really does