If you have good skin (on your face)...

[HowIsItMarchAlready]

do you think it's mainly down to your genes, or to your diet and skincare? I take good care of my skin, don't wear much make up (laziness more than anything else), and wear SPF 50 every single day. I also don't smoke and drink little alcohol but plenty of water. However I do think that my skin looks good (I'm nearly 50) because of genes more than anything else. I do take care of it because I'd rather err on the side of caution. But I think that most skincare is a con (hence why I don't buy anything expensive) and good skin is mostly due to winning the genetic lottery. Thoughts? Can anyone provide evidence to the contrary? I'm not looking to start an argument - just interested in people's points of view and experiences.

Show us a pic then we can decide 😀

I’m 48 and am lucky to have good skin. I think it’s part the genetic lottery and part skincare. Limiting sun exposure is a huge factor, some of my friends have been sun worshipers and unfortunately, it’s showing now in their 40’s and 50’s. Their skin looks “older” than others who were more careful, IYSWIM.

Re. Skin products. I use basic brands with SPF but I do splash out on facials a few times a year and use an eye cream for fine lines that the spa recommended -and it does seem to work. I notice a difference if I run out.

So I think it’s a combination of factors, but limiting sunbathing is a big one!

Mostly down to genes, but alcohol, smoking and sun are destroyers of good skin. Just keep it clean with a gentle moisuriser and sun block and it will be good if your genes are good. Personally I've never seen a smoker with unlined, glowing skin

Definitely some genes involved - some people have amazing skin without really putting any effort into it. But anyone can make the most of what they have by having a healthy diet and lifestyle and a basic skincare routine.

My skin looks younger than you'd expect for my age and it's mostly genetic, I reckon, with the rest being down to having quite a fat face, since that smooths wrinkles out 😀 and not liking being out in the sun much due to raging hayfever.

But my ~80 year old mum is slim as anything, smoked for years and is a keen gardener, so not a sun dodger like me, and she has great skin and definitely doesn't look her age.

A friend of 48 was a real sun worshipper and her skin looked lined and leathery. So unattractive.

I used to date a cosmetic surgeon - he said the three ageing factors are sun, smoking and genetics.

My sister and I have really good skin (both in our 50s) but we can't tell if we inherited it from our mum as she is a 76 year old sun worshipping smoker!!

Asian genes, Retin A, no smoking and a vegetarian diet. I think most skincare is a con too. I didn't have good skin in my twenties though as I was an oil slick with acne, but that oiliness is a bonus now I am 50.

genes, I've had about 10 spots in my entire life. I drink lots of water & my diet is not great. I don't drink alcohol though which I think helps

My skin is good and I'm nearly 50. I did have quite oily skin which definitely helps. I did a beauty course about 20 years ago and the tutor said that as well as moisturising morning and night, if you saw a wrinkle starting to form, to put eye cream on it also. I've done this ever since with Nivea Q10 eye cream and I don't have hardly any lines on my forehead, eyes or around my mouth.

Not an advertisement - been on MN for a long time. My skin has seen a huge improvement in the last 18 months by using a Skin+Me subscription prescription. It's a daily night cream that is sent to my door. My formula contains a prescription retinoid, a vitamin B and an exfoliant. I've noticed it has been particularly effective around my mouth and on my nose, where my skin was quite blotchy.

Like @JanisMoplin I spent my teens and twenties with oil slick skin - now in my 40's my skin is pretty darn good.

But unlike some PPs, I do notice the difference when I use good quality cosmetics (e.g. good hyaluronic acid and vitamin c serums).

I don't drink much, don't smoke, and actively avoid the sun (latent goth tendencies).

A hospital dermatologist told me genetics and self care are both major factors in the condition of our skin.

My grandparents (both v fair skin)often got sunburnt in their younger days and that had a massive impact as they got older - broken capillaries, mole removal, skin grafts to remove cancers etc.

Some of my friends who had lovely skin when young had the dark tans, party lifestyles and smoking in their 20s, 30s etc are now heading for the cosmetic surgeries.

I drew the short straw with my skin: spotty, oily etc. But I started wearing a decent spf daily in my early twenties and got into a good cleansing routine. My skin looks better now than it did in my earlier years. And you’re right, it doesn’t have to be expensive, just find the right products for your skin.

I am olive skin and it helps a lot. Also, I was never a sun lover and I do not drink nor eat a lot of sugar. My wight is normal. I think that a good moisturiser is fundamental but it does not need to be an expensive one (and God knows I tried many!).
I have very good skin for my age (58) but I think it would be different if I was very fair as I think that very light skin is more delicate (even when using SPF50).

My skin is pretty good I think. I'm 38 and still get ID'd in shops often.

I think being slightly chubby helps! I always use spf 50 on my face, I use a toner and eye cream, and a good night cream. Also drink lots of water.

I know no one will believe me but I smoke and have good skin (early 50's) but I'm not posting a pic to prove it! In my case it's genes for sure. I think the other thing that helps is I am never out in the sun. Hate the heat and have never sunbathed in my life. I've seen far worse skin on sun worshippers than I have on smokers. Smokers can be prone to those horrible lines around the mouth, but that isn't something I have, at least not yet!

I've only ever worn very light make up, and then not often, so really mostly just use water on my face. No specific skin creams or suchlike. I do think most of it is genetics. My mum looks younger than her age and always has.

my husband is 50, uses an all in one in shower…ie washes his face with body wash and he looks like a peach, his mother is the same at 80…I’ve tried everything and look haggard at 45..,the same as my mother so it must be genes!!!

Ironically, having oily skin when younger can also work out well longer term. My SIL (55) barely has a line on her face, neither does my DH (50). They didn’t have terrible acne, but definitely oilier skin.

Re. Skin tone. I think it really depends how well you look after it. Mine’s on the fairer side, but one of my friends who’s of South American descent is now showing the effects of her days on the beach. I know mine would look even worse if I’d done the same. Luckily I didnt!

I think it's mainly genetic. My dm looks ten years younger than she is and i get lots of compliments on my skin (I'm 40 but get told I look early 30's). I was lucky enough to never get acne even though I smoked/drank a lot/ate crap when I was younger. I was out with extended family recently and noticed that all my dm's sisters and their daughters have really nice skin too and my gran was never particularly wrinkly even when she died at 86!

I never sunbathe as I burn easily so wear a hat in hot weather.

I've never used expensive products either, just rich unscented moisturisers from Superdrug/boots with an spf in - usually whatever's on offer! I honestly think most facial products/creams are a complete waste of money and bog standard creams do the same job.

I do think a good diet and not drinking alcohol helps though - back in January I was 20-odd lbs heavier and my skin and eyes had a bit of an unhealthy pallor - I also really noticed dark circles under my eyes. I've been on a health kick since then though and have lost the excess weight and my skin and eyes are definitely brighter and healthier looking. I don't feel like crying when I look in the mirror any more!

I also once asked a hospital dermatologist, and this is what she told me (about 18 years ago now:

• A lot of it is genetic
• You need to moisturise (basically any moisturiser will do - a lot of fancy moisturisers are just added fragrance and packaging)
• You need to stay out of the sun

We didn't talk about smoking but this is also a clearly a factor.

I am very fair. I have used SPF 15 every day since my mid-teens (nothing fancy), I wash just with water or a very basic facewash (micellar water on cotton wool for removing makeup, again nothing fancy), I use blue nivea creme at night, and have done since I was 20.

I actively avoid the sun (committed hat-wearer and SPF 50 if I go out in the sun). I drink lots of water, have never smoked, drink about 1 unit of alcohol a week on average. My weight and sugar intake could be better. My skin is naturally dry but very well moisturised. I have a little bit of Botox for forehead lines and 11s. I've never tried any fancy skincare whatsoever, so there may be something I'm missing!

I'm in my 40s and I think my skin looks great!

I think expensive skincare works if you have poor skin. If you already have good skin you don't need it, so it's a moot point.

However, diet and exercise makes a massive difference. Friends who have smoked and drunk alcohol all their lives look a lot worse than those who didn't.

I've got good facial skin and look younger than I am. Part genetic - my mum had fabulous skin - part diet and part good skincare. I don't use soap on my face and cleanse with micellar water or facial wipes and use a lot of moisturizing cream. I also take supplements which I believe help my skin.

my mum had lovely skin and we have all inherited it - to the point where I have been complimented regularly on it. I look after my skin (although I buy good inexpensive brands not premium ones) - my sister does not. Her skin is noticeably worse than mine - more wrinkles, red veins, sun damage etc. So I do think what you do also makes a difference. Although she is also a smoker so that may be a big reason her skin looks worse.

I've no idea. I've never really had spots and I'm 34 with no wrinkles yet. I've never smoked or used sunbeds and don't drink loads, so maybe it's that. I don't have a proper skincare routine either. I wash my face but don't moisturise every day.