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Original poster

If you have physically aged well.. to ask...

193 replies

TheSmilingBeaver · 22/11/2020 18:30

What is your secret? =p

Light hearted thread.

I am 31 and with more time on my hands due to lockdown started to Introduce new skincare to my daily routine, including vitamin C, retinol and BHA.

Got me thinking of whether those who have aged well physically have had a good regime (I.e skincare, diet, spf, exercise, water etc) or whether it has been mainly down to genetics.

I have also noticed my teeth are yellowing from too much coffee so I need to take more care and get them whitened !

Wrinkles are now cropping up and I have dark eye circles!

I also have noticed as I've got older I gain weight so much quicker, up until I was 25 I physically couldn't PUT ON weight and was stuck at 7 stone. I definately don't have that problem now and I need to kick my bum and get back to running!

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 22/11/2020 23:29

It's genetics 🧬

I eat loads of sugar/carbs, barely drink water, am overweight

Look about a decade younger than my real age

I actually name changed a decade ago to check what I've just said (as all your friends are usually just being nice)- had guesses from 15-10 years younger than my age - not one person put me at my real age

veeeeh · 22/11/2020 23:30

Do your best. Dress up for important occasions. As we all do.

Other than than that it is face make up. Which no man ever has to do really, it is mad isn't it? Women have to conform and look good or else. omg

GlumyGloomer · 22/11/2020 23:36

Genetics and not wearing make up. I do think my age has caught up to me a bit post kids though.

Interested in this thread?

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General style & beauty
AnnaSW1 · 22/11/2020 23:38

I always have been told I look younger than my age.so has my dad. I think it's Lucky genetics.

Hairydogmummy · 22/11/2020 23:39

Genetics, not smoking and staying out of the sun/wearing sunscreen. Starting retinol is a good idea, also vit c and acids. Stay a healthy weight, good regular cut and colour hair wise. Oily skin easier to keep looking young but lots of moisturiser otherwise. Having kids young or not at all. I'm terrible for not drinking enough water and too much tea and red wine, I don't exercise or get enough sleep. Good quality balanced unprocessed diet. Never done the low fat thing. No idea which is the most important but I'm super thankful for looking young. Don't worry though, you're catching it at the right age and are bound not to be looking or feeling young when you've just had a baby.

dhisreadingmypostsagain · 22/11/2020 23:45

Water, exercise and laughter!

Chailatte20 · 22/11/2020 23:46

Genetics, no drugs, no alcohol, no cigarettes, good diet and plenty of exercise.

Lots of coffee and chocolate are my vice though so not completely square.

veeeeh · 22/11/2020 23:56

@Hairydogmummy

Genetics, not smoking and staying out of the sun/wearing sunscreen. Starting retinol is a good idea, also vit c and acids. Stay a healthy weight, good regular cut and colour hair wise. Oily skin easier to keep looking young but lots of moisturiser otherwise. Having kids young or not at all. I'm terrible for not drinking enough water and too much tea and red wine, I don't exercise or get enough sleep. Good quality balanced unprocessed diet. Never done the low fat thing. No idea which is the most important but I'm super thankful for looking young. Don't worry though, you're catching it at the right age and are bound not to be looking or feeling young when you've just had a baby.
Life is too short. But go for it if that is what you enjoy.
veeeeh · 22/11/2020 23:57

Do men worry about this? Let me know.

PickAChew · 22/11/2020 23:58

My first pregnancy aged me about a decade.

TheSunIsStillShining · 23/11/2020 01:05

I am probably the last person you want to hear from. People say I don't look my age and guess -10 years when asked. My "secret" is probably in my genes.

  • As a teen/young adult I drank lots. and even more. and yes, even more.
  • illegal substances were not uncommon in those days in my life
  • i have a chronic illness
  • i love coffee, tea and chocolate. practically live on these. daily one healthy meal is enough.

I do attribute looking young to a couple of significant differences compared to others my age though:

  • love video games, avid gamer
  • love rock music, keep up with the trends (usually in most genres, some not by choice, but through teen)
  • love boargames, card games, anything that is a game
  • my clothing and speech patterns still are pretty same as a young adult. Okay I used latin phrases then and use them now. Then it made me look snobbish, now educated :)
  • I cannot give a rat's ass about what others think. And this attitude shaves off years. :)
TheSunIsStillShining · 23/11/2020 01:06

oh, and i have 1 proper cream in in our house. I hate those things... makes my skin sticky. If i need hydration i'll use the cocoa butter from the fridge

EveryPlanetHasAYorkshire · 23/11/2020 01:09

Mostly genetics. I have always looked younger. I remember when I was a teenager I would get pissed off that people thought I was 13 when I was actually 16 but now I am 29 and people mistake for a 20/21 year old I embrace it.

Notashandyta · 23/11/2020 01:09

Looked far younger than my years despite a crap diet, too much drinking and a non existent skin care routine.
Always splashed my face in cold water every morning! And gotba decent amount of sleep.
It was either that or luck.

I'm 42 and have had a really terrible couple of years and also piled the weight on.

Is starting to catch up with me now. Defo look loser to my age. Cant say it really bothers me. I'm looking forward to getting older, for many different reasons.

Notashandyta · 23/11/2020 01:10

Closer not loser!

Notashandyta · 23/11/2020 01:12

Oh, and I had three kids later in life so having them later in life doesnt equate to looking older. No matter what those who had them young think.

Upon reflection, I think its pot luck tbh

DramaAlpaca · 23/11/2020 01:21

In my case it's totally genetic. My DM looks a lot younger than her age, as did her mother. At my wedding, DH's aunts were speculating that she must have had me as a teenager, when in fact she was 28 Grin

Me and my sibling are in our 50s and look a lot younger than we are. Neither of us smoke, we both drink lots of water, keep put of the sun and try to keep reasonably fit, but neither of us have wrinkles and we both have our natural hair colour with no grey at all, like our mother and grandmother. We didn't take after our dad, who was grey before he was 40.

Downunderduchess · 23/11/2020 01:54

I think I’ve really started to age quickly in the last two years. Prior to this I definitely felt like I was holding my own. I don’t drink alcohol, have never smoked, am vegetarian, try to keep out of the strong Australian sun. I am fat though & up til now that did mean my face looked younger, and I still have oily skin as well. I am happy to attach a pic taken this morning. I am WFH, haven’t dressed up & didn’t wash my hair & I’m not wearing makeup! So not my best look. I’m 54.

If you have physically aged well.. to ask...
Oldsu · 23/11/2020 02:07

65 with very few wrinkles which is hereditary, I take after my nan and my mum, , I smoke so should have some wrinkles but haven't (my friends reckon I keep a portrait up in my loft,) I wear make up when at work, and the only thing I use on my face is rosewater and Oil of Olay the pink stuff. Most people take me for late 40s, its going to be fun next year when I get my bus pass I already get a few looks when I take an over 60s discount on things

IJumpedAboardAPirateShip · 23/11/2020 02:24

I’m only in my late thirties but so far the friends who have not had children are defiantly ageing better than the ones that have....

Valkadin · 23/11/2020 02:43

I am mixed race, my Father died aged 84 with hardly a wrinkle. Mainly genetics, I also hate being in the sun directly and am an incredibly light drinker. Culturally these things are frowned on in my Fathers home country. I have never been over weight and I do think losing and gaining weight often is probably not great for anyone. I don’t wear make up often and just do very basic cleansing and moisturising. I am allergic to perfume so never experiment with new products. I looked considerably younger until I had the menopause, I still look younger but not as much.

purringcatto · 23/11/2020 02:56

My biggest tip is a strange one - rarely washing my face!! Sounds minging, but I'm convinced that all that dragging and water ages!! I shower every other day and my face gets a gentle lather of mild face wash and under the hot water there, and that's it. I don't wear make up every day either, maybe twice a week a little. I don't remove it (shock!!). I wash my hands a lot though and they've aged badly.

I do wear SPF 30 if it's sunny and when I remember moisturiser at night.

Sticking to a low pressure job even if it means staying poor (mental health reasons but I do think it's helped me age better)

Mostly getting enough sleep.

Staying active. I walk miles most days.

Drinking in moderation. When I've drank way too much regularly, I look awful. Bloodshot eyes, dull red skin, bloated.

Not smoking, or only smoking cannabis occasionally.

Eating a healthy balanced diet and drinking lots of water.

Maybe having DC young.

Mostly getting enough sleep.

purringcatto · 23/11/2020 02:58

Oh yeah, staying within the healthy weight range. Takes willpower now at my age but like someone else mentioned above, big fluctuations don't do anyone any favours.

fogginghell · 23/11/2020 03:10

I'm 36 and regularly pass for mid 20s. I say this in the least boastful way possible but do still feel like a bit of a nob even typing it but you did ask GrinGrin

I've never smoked. Don't drink. Don't sunbathe. My bb cream that I use every day is spf 25. I'm fairly slim even after having had three babies.

I guess also that I dress younger for my age which I think makes a huge difference. I haven't got to a stage (yet) where I think ooh I'm too old to wear this!

fogginghell · 23/11/2020 03:15

@veeeeh I think they do actually. Well at least dh and the men in my family do!

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