to think that good skincare and "tweakments" do make a big difference?

A little Lumi Glotion from L’Oréal mixed in with your moisturiser also makes you look radiant! Lasts for ages and I also mix it with body moisturiser in the summer.

I’ve been on HRT for 17 years and think this has kept my skin looking good. Genetics too as my mother has great skin and looks much younger than her age.

However despite all this, I don’t look young. I still look my age with good skin. Sleep, staying out of sun and general health also count for a lot. I’m not convinced that all the skin products make much of a difference apart from on a temporary, very superficial level.

I don’t sunbathe, never smoked and eat too much sugar;skin likely reflects this.

Some of the most beautiful women are those who age naturally and let the wrinkles happen, but those women probably still have very good skin regimes, dress well and are physically fit.

I think of my beautiful mum who had a really simple beauty regime, or my mother in law who looks amazing with a bright lipstick and has never bothered with injectables. They are both in their 70s.

That is what I’m aiming for- good health but minimal intervention otherwise as I age.

I really resent the idea of pouring vast amounts of money into my face, when I could be putting that money into my pension. I feel the same way about spending money every month on nails.

I think this would be much harder if I was surrounded by immaculately botoxed women. That’s not their fault, but probably would feel some pressure to keep up with a different beauty standard in those circumstances.

I agree re: glowing skin. I have been having Botox for around three years (I am 45) and my skin has never looked better (as far as I can remember anyway, I probably just wasn’t taking much notice when I was in my 20’s!)

I’ve added in some serums and moisturiser - nothing too exciting, just Beauty Pie stuff - and my skin is usually so nice that I can happily go out with just mascara on. I suppose that HRT has also made a difference too, plus an iron supplement that I should probably have started taking years ago..

Most women I know have had similar, and often a few other bits done - and mostly I wouldn’t have noticed until they told me.

my question is when women go down this road and get these treatments does it further entrench inequalities for other women?

Quite possibly. I'm properly old (70) and look older/worse than women are now expected to at this age. My skincare's always been pretty good and I was frequently assumed to be younger than my age until about ten years ago. The normal ageing process then performed its works upon my face.

I'm okay with it but, meanwhile, the faces of my same-generation friends have become younger than they were. I'm distinctly ravaged next to them! It's even worse looking at actors of a similar age (both sexes) who seem to be about 40, with a few honourable exceptions, and at wealthy women. Presumably you 40-somethings all look 20-something now?

I think it is becoming a class marker, like good teeth. I'm philosophically attached to ageing naturally, but I'm not sure I wouldn't have 'some work' done if I could afford to. Social pressure is real - you don't need to be told you look worse than society expects, you can see it for yourself and it has an impact.

I've been reading that medical science is more confident in reversing ageing than preventing it. Since the NHS (if it survives) is unlikely to fund 'youthing' for the masses, that's bound to dramatically deepen the divide between the rich - living into the healthy hundreds with firm, glowing skin & regenerated teeth - and the rest of us poor, decrepit fuckers wearing our mortality on the outside.

Whilst I do respect other people's choices, I think it's disingenuous to say that it doesn't affect anyone else. It creates a standard. I'm sure I'm not the only woman whose had some anxieties about whether the normalisation of fillers and Botox will mean that I'll look old or be perceived poorly in comparison. It's not something I dwell on but it does have an impact when it's so widespread. When the conversation came up at work I realised that more than half the women on my team were having regular Botox - some more obvious than others.
I personally couldn't justify the cost, though I wasn't tempted when I realised the area id want to change is actually one of the most risky (crows feet) I always have a fringe so I'm less worried about forehead lines!

I think genetics plays a far bigger role in this then we give it credit for. I don't judge anyone for using Botox (though I must admit I was surprised when I realised how many of my colleagues were having it, due to the cost and commitment - it's not cheap!) As someone with very sensitive skin I have long given up on any skincare to improve my skin though, as anything I've tried my body just reacts against eventually - including all the brands recommended for sensitive skin! For me, leaving it alone definitely works best!

I'll be 45 this summer and have been getting botox for 2.5 years. I love it. If my age comes up in conversation people tend to indicate they think I'm mid/late 30s so nothing ridiculous - I'm clearly not 25 🤣.

I will say I hated looking younger in my 20s and can particularly remember having to walk back to my flat once as the local shop wouldn't sell me an Archers Aqua without it! Now I do appreciate it!

My mum has good skin and I would say I do too even without the botox. I don't really drink or smoke. I do like a sunny holiday a few times a year though and I'm not someone who is religious about wearing sunscreen every day like you're meant to. Holidays yes but at home....I grew up with Oil of Ulay (loved the smell). I use Elemis now and have done for a few years. I don't have regular facials though. So I think I'm fairly normal.

I have my forehead done, 11s and some along my jaw. I love how it softens the lines but I'm not fully frozen, I don't feel I need any other areas done. I go every 6 months for a top up once I see the lines starting to fade back in. The effect is very good and a little addictive. The difference for me is subtle but I really like it. I can move my entire forehead and I don't feel I've lost any expression whereas a colleague about the same age can't move her eyebrows at all and likes a very firm freeze - each to their own.

I think worth a try. I will continue with it until I feel that it's maybe looking a bit odd as clearly we all do age and there is nothing wrong with growing older. I have no regrets about getting it.

I’m 52. I don’t use Botox or have fillers, I’m a bit afraid to inject stuff in my skin. I use retinol and I think SPF is vital even in winter, and I recently bought a red light mask on sale. I’ve only done one red light treatment so far but I’m hoping to see some results with it

It’s sad that you judge other women on their personal choices that affect you in no way whatsoever.

I think people believe this as there are people out there with dreadful botox or too much so think they can always tell when people have had botox, you should only really be able to notice when someone purposely tries to completely wrinkle their forehead and can't. A decent person doing it will actually make it look quite natural, I have seen many great examples.

I do agree it doesnt necessarily make you look younger, neck, hands and other stuff gives that game away. I think it gives just brighter smoother skin. A bit more radiant.

Even natural fillers can look great but people just go way over the top as they get used to how they look then have more and more, they change the shape of your face and its odd.

💯

I’ve lost 10.5st and started really paying attention to my face and skin once I hit the 4st loss mark.

Massive weightloss can definitely contribute to sagging skin in the face which can make people look a lot older very quickly and o wanted to avoid that so started collagen-boosting treatments, then Botox (forehead, crows feet, 11s, marionette lines, masseter) and a few other things (red and blue light, Sculptra, DesoFace, RF microneedling, really good devils, retinol etc).

I just didn’t want to put all the effort into losing weight only to feel my face looked worse, so tweakments and treatments helped me.

I am allergic to almost all fancy anti ageing creams. I can use that Skin and Me which really works for me, as my daily moisturiser I use Dermalogica Skin Smoothing cream as its very gentle.

I know loads of people who have botox but mostly really subtle and they just look fresher and more of a glow. It is the fillers IMO that make people look odd, one school mum was absolutely stunning but she now has that odd alien shape people get with too much cheek filler.

I have a small amount of botox every 4 months roughly. I love how it means make up goes on really nicely, it makes my skin look brighter but not so noticeable it looks like I have work done. I would never get lip fillers, I dont think its ever not noticeable and always looks a bit odd.

I am looking at skin boosters soon, would love to hear how others find them?

What is the collagen wand you use called ?

Anua cleansing oil
Anua deep cleansing foam
House of Joseon rice milk toner, glow serum and Dynasty cream.

I also add in the Ordinary Volufiline as it makes my skin shine.

I find the house of Joseon products slightly drying so might change what I use when they run out. I like the Anua products. There are various other products, I just googled what might be suitable for my skin type.

I’m with Dermatica, and my skin has definitely been better since using tret! I use it with moisturiser, as otherwise it can be a bit harsh.

It has evened my skin tone, I have a mixture of tret and niacinamide, so that helps. I am nearly 80 and have no brown spots on my face. I didn’t have any before used tret, though, so it might have prevented them forming. It has reduced other blemishes too.
While I’m here can I ask if anyone uses a fibroblast plasma pen at home, for things like warts, keratosis? I have bought one. I don’t intend using it on my face, sounds too risky, eg scarring, but for small blemishes, skin tags on the back, arms etc. Also interested in experiences from those who have had plasma pen professional treatment on the face and neck.

If it’s a choice of the two I’m sure most people would choose to fix health problems.

However people who can afford private health insurance and the associated expenses for private preventative care can typically also afford a few hundreds pounds a year on skin care. They can also afford to eat well, take supplements, do pilates regularly, go on regular relaxing holidays etc.

I only ever come across tweakments in the context of a generally healthy lifestyle and prioritisation of self-care.

I think your previous routine of cerave, moisturiser, spf along with water, good food and sleep will make you age a healthier way than th le peels, acids and treatments. I changed skincare routine for a while and I thought I looked like a fake doll, my friends who loved skincare thought I looked fab, others said I looked ‘different’ (looking like they were trying not to wince!) When I got back to my simpler routine my smile lines retuned and my skin just looked healthier!

Good to know

Healthy, well nourished, hydrated skin ( with wrinkles or without) looks beautiful. Upright posture, with a body that moves fluidly, is priceless.Medical grade skincare (including Retinol) and good genetics, has also helped in my case.

Yes - I fear I have not communicated my point clearly - which is that before spending thousands a year on beauty, it may be prudent to consider whether an investment in your health, instead of or as well as your face, may be prudent. eg if over 50 and slim, consider a DEXA scan, think about private vaccinations eg shingles etc etc.