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Original poster

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

82 replies

HowIsItMarchAlready · 17/05/2022 16:44

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.

OP posts:
Phyllis321 · 17/05/2022 18:11

Sunblock, reasonably healthy diet, little alcohol. Also genes..

TiraMissSue · 17/05/2022 18:13

Genes play their part. My mum and her mum both always looked younger than their age, despite my Mum being a sun worshipper and my gran being a smoker.

interferringma · 17/05/2022 18:15

I'm saying it's lifestyle! I have a younger sister who was and continues to be a sun worshipper. She also drinks a lot more than me. I started being careful in my early 20s. We're both now in our fifties and I get mistaken for the younger sister! I'm saying my skin is fantastic but I'm happy with it and am not tempted by tweakments or surgery.

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Beauty
70kid · 17/05/2022 18:16

I think it’s mainly genetics
I dont use expensive lotions & face creams
superdrug facial wash and body shop coco butter / palmers coco butter or astral cream as a moisturising cream - whatever is closest 😂
I use garnier micellar water or body shop cleansing milk to remove any make up and cleanse my skin but I rarely wear make up unless Im going out .

I don’t smoke and rarely drink
very rarely drink coffee / tea
But I am a sun-worshiper but I have olive skin so tan really easily

I do have regular Botox though 😂
when I saw the lady who did my Botox a few weeks ago she asked me what my skin routine was and when I said nothing in particular she said most people who do the very basics ie wash & moisturise often have really good skin

However I rarely go to the dentist
I think I went 10 years without seeing a dentist but I always went as a child and my mum was religious about us brushing our teeth

I went to the dentist a few weeks ago for the first time in 3 years and that was only because I had a slight toothache and my dentist couldn’t get over the fact that at my age ( late 40s ) that I’ve never had any fillings at all 😂 and that my teeth & gums are perfectly healthy

I just brush them twice a day & floss every other day

RedSquirrel111 · 17/05/2022 18:22

I'd say I have average skin. A few dry patches sometimes but that's about it.
I smoke, drink, sun worship and always sleep in my makeup. I suppose if I wasn't such a slattern it could be amazing but I'm happy with OK 🤣
I don't have any kind of skin routine but I do have botox twice a year.
I'm 40 and was still getting ID'd up to 2 years ago (Although that may be because I have a very petite build).

The only good thing I do is avoid sugar as I can not stand anything sweet.

WonderingWanda · 17/05/2022 18:42

I agree it's largly down to genetics to a point but lifestyle can take over. I have what I would consider terrible skin, combo of acne and rosacea which are both inherited from one side. I also look young, not many wrinkles which is also inherited from the other side. I do think you can tell when somone is a life long smoker, heavy drinker or sun worshipper it shows on their skin.

MrsDThomas · 17/05/2022 19:17

I think its diet and skincare. I deep clean it once a week by steaming. I use oils and serums.

when women get to a certain age you can tell who is a smoker. I saw an Instagram post this morning by a MUA who did a showcase of mothers of the bride. One was in her 50’s (i know her) and i was shocked to see how thin her lips were and deep wrinkles. I remember her years ago and she looked well.

TBH Ive not seen an older woman who smokes with great skin

EveSix · 17/05/2022 19:24

Nearly 50. I've good skin and get compliments on my fresh-faced look.
Never really smoked or drunk alcohol.
Never been one for tanning deliberately but neither particularly good at remembering SPF.
No makeup to speak of, only wash face every other day, with soap and water. Don't moisturise.
Must be genes.

WhatIsThisPlease · 17/05/2022 20:01

Im 48. My skin is ok. Not lined really but I'm pretty slim/skinny so I think that's to blame for it being a bit saggy in the jowls area. The skin on my chin is loose too.

I reckon if I put 2-3 stones on I'd look super youthful 😂

FunnysInLaJardin · 17/05/2022 20:36

I'm 51, drink a fair amount and vape but have good skin.No wrinkles to speak of. I think it is genetic as my father had excellent skin until he died aged 92.

I do look after my skin though and have always used spf and used night and day creams.

FunnysInLaJardin · 17/05/2022 20:36

oh and I am quite porky which helps fill out the wrinkles!

Thestoppedfan · 17/05/2022 20:41

I have good skin and I would say it’s genetics. I wash my face with warm water and don’t put any lotions and potions on it. I have never worn foundation apart from on nights out. I hate the sun though (it makes me sneeze) so I am always well covered if it’s sunny which I wonder if has made a difference.

RosesAndHellebores · 17/05/2022 20:42

Genetics and bone structure 50%. Having enough money the other 50%

powershowerforanhour · 17/05/2022 20:53

Genetics
Not smoking and never have
Living in the west of Northern Ireland where it just pisses rain constantly and if the sun briefly struggles out from behind the blanket of grey it's considered a scorching heatwave
Despite the previous point, and at the behest of my mother, starting in my early teens: plastering moisturiser with SPF 15 / UVA 5* from hairline to just below the neckline of my top, 365 days a year; sunhat and factor 50 on doing the gardening from April to September

CharSiu · 17/05/2022 21:00

Genes mainly, I don’t like too much sun, never smoked, don’t drink much. I’m allergic to make up and perfume apart from Clinique, hardly ever wea4 make up because of this.

HeyMicky · 17/05/2022 21:19

Mostly genetic.

I grew up in Australia and didn't wear a lot of sunscreen day to day - just factor 15 on the beach or playing sport. My mother lived in tropical Queensland in the 60s with no sun protection and looks great at 77. I got her skin.

Medical grade laser, microdermabrasion, peels etc will make a difference to texture and pigmentation. Ditto retinol. Most topicals won't change much.

Annoyingly (as I really love wine) I've stopped drinking 6 out of 7 days and it's noticeable in my skin.

SomewhereEast · 17/05/2022 21:31

Probably genetics. All the women in my family are lucky enough to have good skin & tend to look young for their age. I don't smoke, drink very little & have never bothered much with make up or any skin care product more complicated than soap because I prefer to blow all my money on foreign holidays, but my grandmother (smoked like a chimney) & mother (alcoholic) also had youthful skin so so much for that.

WeDoNotTalktoPennilynLott · 17/05/2022 22:42

Genetic. I'm 52 and only a few small laughter lines in the outer edge of my eyes but my forehead and round my jaw/mouth are smooth and that's where I've noticed people I went to school with have quite a few lines/wrinkles.

I've never smoked or been on sunbeds/lay outside for hours but I also don't have a great diet and very minimal skin care. I do have olive skin that was always oily, which I think skin type is also relevant because dry skin possibly wrinkles more than oily skin

Mother87 · 17/05/2022 23:31

Also Asian/Chinese genes/no smoking or alcohol/factor 50/jade roller once or twice a week & facial oils a few times a week... am 59, and am sure I look 59Smilewhich is fine - but usually look 'fresh'-ish/glowy

Blossomtoes · 17/05/2022 23:36

I wish we could ask the Queen. Her skin’s absolutely beautiful.

bloodyplanes · 17/05/2022 23:40

Im 45 and my skin has always been good and I always get told I don't look my age. I drink tons of water but i also smoked for 30 years and used to live on sunbeds !

Sortilege · 17/05/2022 23:45

I have much better skin than I deserve, although not perfect. I put it down to a combination of genes and sun-dodging. Not only slower-to-age genes but I never had the acne gene, either. I notice family members who had acne when younger haven’t fared so well, which is really unfair.

I do have the easy-weight-gain gene, though, so it’s swings and roundabouts.

Sortilege · 17/05/2022 23:47

Blossomtoes · 17/05/2022 23:36

I wish we could ask the Queen. Her skin’s absolutely beautiful.

Isn’t it? I think lack of existential stress is probably a big help. Also lots of fresh air - months in the country every year - when most of the population were in cities breathing in lead particulate and whatever else.

RedSoloCup · 17/05/2022 23:51

Definitely genes!! I've been for (rare) facials where they always comment on my good skin and how good my skincare routine must be!! It's like sleeping in makeup, occasional baby wipes and more coffee and wine than water! They never believe me!

Pieceofpurplesky · 17/05/2022 23:51

Water. I am in my 50s and have good skin (the rest of me is fat, wobbly and shitty though). I burn like a crisp in summer so keep out of the sun and wear an SPF. I don't drink tea or coffee (lots of gin and wine), but have always drunk at least a litre and a half of water a day.
Nothing expensive, currently Aldi Lacura night cream and I have a Cera-v day cream that was a present. Rarely wear make up and never foundation (if I do it's a bb/cc cream). Have never done a routine.

So yeah, water!