Ill for a few months. Gladly on the mend. Skin looks terrible!

[bluedelphinium]

Morning all

I have been unwell for about 4 months now, but glad to be feeling slowly better . Not laid up as much and less anxious too.

I am under huge stress as I have exams in a few weeks that I haven't been able to work towards. This should therefore not be a concern but it is: my skin looks terrible!

Dry, dull, rough, spots, blocked pores, wrinkles forming, sagging even. I'm only 37!! Onlyy slight weight loss. A lot less exercise than usual. I usually use sunblock, dermo roller, masks,
retinol (just restarted), serums, rosehip oil, hada labo gel, drink water loads. Ive neglected this but didn't realise it did so much!

Veggie diet, dont smoke or vape, iimiovery low alcohol currently due to health. Funds not huge as retraining so plastic surgery not an option or wanted, tbh.

Please- any ideas at all! Even expensive ones as it at least gives me things to consider. I've stayed away from injectables so far and would prefer to as there are so many bad ones locally but it may be my next step. Naso labial folds and horizontal forehead lines now visible. Ideally topical stuff, diet, self care but grateful for all suggestions. Thanks!

Is book a facial and get impurities removed and a glow put back into your skin after an exfoliation.

Then set yourself a doable home regime according to your skin type and needs.

Regular exfoliation really helps my skin but my skin isn't sensitive, yours might be.

It sounds as though getting back into your routine will probably make a big difference. I would certainly restart with sunblock, rosehip oil, Hada Labo and retinol. Don't really know anything about dermo rollers but presumably in the absence of lots of exercise that might help with circulation/blood flow?

Do you take any vitamins? I have friends who swear by Biotin collagen but I never have the willpower to keep it up. A multivitamin is probably a good idea though.

That’s what illness does, unfortunately. So you’re not going to look suddenly better. But I sympathise, after weeks of illness myself.

Firstly, you need as much nutrition as you can get. You may already have a weekly veg box - either way, eat more. This time of year is great for getting back into heavier, warming foods - dhal, casseroles etc, - old school I know, but if you’re not yet familiar with Hodmedod’s, as a vegetarian, you need to be. And this kind of cooking can be a lovely and relaxing counterweight to the exertion of academic study.

I do sincerely hope your tutors / Student Services know about your ongoing health issues? Four months is a significant amount of time to lose - and surely justifies some sort of extension with regard to exams or deadlines. If you do nothing else - please speak to someone if you haven’t already.

Also - baths with magnesium salts. Not dainty little pots from beauty shops - you want, for instance, Westland Magnesium Flakes in the biggest bags you can find. (Ocado delivery rather useful here!) Several handfuls per bath. Brilliant for skin and general well-being.

I was the same after a period of illness this time last year. It’s taken about a year but I’m looking ‘normal’ again. Like a poster said above, veg, veg, veg across the whole colour spectrum. Lots of good fats and whole foods. And I had a period where I went back to basics with skincare before going back to actives like retinol: bland moisturiser one nice, face oil the next for a month or so.

I would avoid sunblock as its autumn and get some sun before the weather is too gloomy.
As much walking as you can, or gentle jogging if you can. Get your blood pumping a bit.

Thank you all!! What lovely reassuring answers.

Uni are in the loop, thanks- the advice is to try the exam in a few weeks for exposure to it but not to get too stressed as they accept the resit is more realistic and I wont get any flak if i fail. It would be nice to pass but they're being very understanding.

Yes to veg and autumnal dishes also a facial would be lovely. Might try a face massage myself

Glad those who've been unwell are on the way back to normal xx

Yes to vitamins also, I might order some veggie collagen

Neal's Yard rose beauty balm for a pick me up facial massage. It smells divine and helps relax you.

Some snake oil elixir like Feroglobin liquid, it taste so foul that you know it is doing you good. Get the placebo factor working for you.

Time; if you were ill for four months it will probably be another four months until you are back to usual.