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Original poster

Can you actually be bothered with a faffy skincare routine?

92 replies

giniaone · 19/04/2024 09:59

My SIL who is late 40's has the most beautiful skin for any age and legitimately does look many years younger than her age. Her skincare routine is a bit of a faff and she apparently breaks her face down into zones and treats them all accordingly so eye area, nose, chin, cheeks, forehead, neck and so on and that this often means applying different products to different areas of the face so one product might be used around the eye area and mouth, another is then used only on the nose, one on the eye lashes, then something else will be used all over the face and then another localised treatment will be applied and she always wears a very high ultra spf which she reapplies during the day often repeatedly.

She doesn't have a routine as such but looks at her face each time she does her skincare and "assesses" what she needs and there are also massages, facial exercises, led masks, double cleansing at night.

It obviously all pays off because as I say her skin is amazing but it just all seems like an incredible faff to me. I think I am doing well if I stick to a cleanse and moisturise routine and I am often just wash my face in the shower which is a big no no to her as she says the water you shower with is usually to hope for your facial skin. I'd like the results she gets but I just cannot imagine committing to 30+ minutes to do my skincare twice a day!

I would say the majority of women are like me take their make up off, cleanse, slap a moisturiser with SPF on and done, maybe try the odd serum or mask but that is it. Am I write in thinking that?

OP posts:
Thatsthewayitisnt · 19/04/2024 10:01

Everyone is different. So what works for you. You don’t need to copy anyone else.

thanKyouaIMee · 19/04/2024 10:03

Depends on your crowd I think!

I'm a millennial and we're all over skincare, at least in my experience. To me it's normal to have a multiple step skin routine, I've had one as long as I've been looking after my skin! I've got all the LED masks, serums, lotions and potions. It's working for me (along with baby Botox and good genetics to start with).

Her routine sounds good, if she's looking at her skin and doing what it needs doing rather than having a 30 step unnecessary routine.

To each their own though, I know older women who have incredible skin and don't do anything but splash water on it!

Mrsjayy · 19/04/2024 10:05

It's a lifestyle now it looks quite intense one of my dds does similar and has lotions and serums, I don't think she's doing herself any harm just enjoys it.

Me I'm a bit of face wash and a no 7 serum and moisturiser and I'm good to go.

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Beauty
BaconCozzers · 19/04/2024 10:06

I would like to have fabulous youthful skin as I age... But, I'll have to rely on genetics and wishful thinking, because I could not be arsed with all of that. If I end up looking like an old shoe then so be it 🤷‍♀️

60andsomething · 19/04/2024 10:07

Your SIl's top layer of skin is dead, and nothing she does is any more meaningful that polishing your shoes. When you take your shoes off, your feet are no more beautiful for it, are they. That layer of skin will come off, and nothing will have changed underneath.

if she enjoys it, let her crack on - it is a hobby. But it isn't affecting her skin at all long term

Original poster
giniaone · 19/04/2024 10:09

60andsomething · 19/04/2024 10:07

Your SIl's top layer of skin is dead, and nothing she does is any more meaningful that polishing your shoes. When you take your shoes off, your feet are no more beautiful for it, are they. That layer of skin will come off, and nothing will have changed underneath.

if she enjoys it, let her crack on - it is a hobby. But it isn't affecting her skin at all long term

I think you are wrong about that as she used tretinoin, vitamin C and sunscreen, glycolic acid and led masks these are all things that apparently do affect how your skin looks and ages. She is 48 and doesn't have a single line nor any crows feet so I'd say it does work.

OP posts:
Sealtheenvelope · 19/04/2024 10:10

I just use a flannel and warm water then some spf50 in the morning. Tretinoin at night.

I'd be surprised if there's any robust evidence that using different creams for different parts of your face/neck makes any difference whatsoever.

Original poster
giniaone · 19/04/2024 10:11

BaconCozzers · 19/04/2024 10:06

I would like to have fabulous youthful skin as I age... But, I'll have to rely on genetics and wishful thinking, because I could not be arsed with all of that. If I end up looking like an old shoe then so be it 🤷‍♀️

Yeah I am kind of the same, I know my skincare game is not really up to it, I've hit 40 this year and I have a lot more lines and signs of ageing on my face than my SIL who is 8 years older but I also think she's been doing all that for literally decades now, I'd never get the same result anyway so why bother with all the faff!

OP posts:
Original poster
giniaone · 19/04/2024 10:15

@Sealtheenvelope I think its more that she uses like a BHA on some parts of her face and glycolic on others, then a EGF serum on some parts and then vitamin C and then oestrogen cream on others or on different nights, like I say its a very convoluted routine she also does dermal needling to get the products into the skin. We've talked about it all many times and she has shown me but it just takes too long and is probably too expensive for me to imitate.

OP posts:
DrJoanAllenby · 19/04/2024 10:19

I've always taken care of my appearance. It's important to me.

It isn't important to others. Each to their own.

I see it as essential maintenance not 'faffing'.

Devilsmommy · 19/04/2024 10:22

BaconCozzers · 19/04/2024 10:06

I would like to have fabulous youthful skin as I age... But, I'll have to rely on genetics and wishful thinking, because I could not be arsed with all of that. If I end up looking like an old shoe then so be it 🤷‍♀️

Same here. I haven't got the inclination to spend all that money and time. Way too much faffing for me 🤣

DappledThings · 19/04/2024 10:24

I wash my face in the shower with water. That's it. No moisturiser, no special cleansers, no make-up. Can't be arsed with a jot of it.

Do I look older than my 44 years? I have no idea.

Original poster
giniaone · 19/04/2024 10:25

@DrJoanAllenby I do get that but to me for me it feels like a faff, I don't mean to belittle what anyone else does I just think that amount of work is probably too much hassle for perhaps the majority of women.

Having said that I think lots of women (or at least me) do the basic stuff cleanse, take the make up and put a bit of moisturiser on and make up hides a multitude of sins. However when you get to 40ish then it no longer quite cuts it and the damage is difficult to undo if you haven't been proactive since before the damage starts to show up.

OP posts:
PrincessHoneysuckle · 19/04/2024 10:32

I'm 44 and have good skin.
I started using facial products including anti ageing creams from age 25.
I think a skin routine is important especially exfoliation and moisturising

HornyHornersPinkyWinky · 19/04/2024 10:33

OP you do you - if she's happy to spend ages slathering on serums let her.
I spend 5 mins in the morning and 5 mins in the evening and am happy with that.

I use Vitamin C serum in the morning and sunscreen, and then tretinoin in the evening and a moisturiser. Once a week I will use a chemical exfoliant, and a few times a week I will use my LED mask, where I lie down and listen to a podcast or a meditation for 10 minutes. I enjoy it and see it as part of my self care. I certainly wouldn't be bothered spending 30 minutes a day on it.

And whoever said that nothing gets through the dead skin layer is wrong - hydroxy acids are great for exfoliating dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. Also a retinol will penetrate into the deeper layers of skin (which is why they can be so irritating if used incorrectly).

I agree that the younger generation seem a bit obsessed with it, but I actually think it's good they are more likely to use sunscreen, now that we know the damage UVA rays can cause.

Original poster
giniaone · 19/04/2024 10:36

PrincessHoneysuckle · 19/04/2024 10:32

I'm 44 and have good skin.
I started using facial products including anti ageing creams from age 25.
I think a skin routine is important especially exfoliation and moisturising

I think starting young is probably key, as it would maximise the benefits and prevent damage happening in the first place.

OP posts:
Mynameisntslimshady · 19/04/2024 10:36

No. I carry a bit of weight in my face which helps keep me looking youthful. My skincare routine is wash with water in the mornings, apply a cheap SPF cream (currently using simple), wash my make up off with cold cream in the evenings (currently using Nivea in the blue tin). I regularly have people shocked when they find out my age and that I'm 10-15 years older than they think. My hair is beginning to give me away though so I might start to dye that soon.

HornyHornersPinkyWinky · 19/04/2024 10:39

giniaone · 19/04/2024 10:25

@DrJoanAllenby I do get that but to me for me it feels like a faff, I don't mean to belittle what anyone else does I just think that amount of work is probably too much hassle for perhaps the majority of women.

Having said that I think lots of women (or at least me) do the basic stuff cleanse, take the make up and put a bit of moisturiser on and make up hides a multitude of sins. However when you get to 40ish then it no longer quite cuts it and the damage is difficult to undo if you haven't been proactive since before the damage starts to show up.

OP it sounds as if you're a bit annoyed that she's had a head start on you or something. The truth is she just cares more about this stuff, and she likes the results. You don't have to copy her, but if you are worried about your skin there are basic things you could do to improve it. Or not, your choice.

It's like me and getting in shape - I'm slim, but I would love to be more muscled and toned. But I don't want it enough to spend ages at the gym pumping iron, so I can't be mad at the women who do put the work in, they just have different priorities than me.

Original poster
giniaone · 19/04/2024 10:40

HornyHornersPinkyWinky · 19/04/2024 10:33

OP you do you - if she's happy to spend ages slathering on serums let her.
I spend 5 mins in the morning and 5 mins in the evening and am happy with that.

I use Vitamin C serum in the morning and sunscreen, and then tretinoin in the evening and a moisturiser. Once a week I will use a chemical exfoliant, and a few times a week I will use my LED mask, where I lie down and listen to a podcast or a meditation for 10 minutes. I enjoy it and see it as part of my self care. I certainly wouldn't be bothered spending 30 minutes a day on it.

And whoever said that nothing gets through the dead skin layer is wrong - hydroxy acids are great for exfoliating dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. Also a retinol will penetrate into the deeper layers of skin (which is why they can be so irritating if used incorrectly).

I agree that the younger generation seem a bit obsessed with it, but I actually think it's good they are more likely to use sunscreen, now that we know the damage UVA rays can cause.

I am definitely not criticising her and I hope it didn't come across like that and I definitely think that what she does must work due to the results she gets vs me who buys not the cheapest stuff but who has minimal results because my routine is minimal.

I suppose my point was that probably only a small percentage of women will be putting in literally hours and hours of skincare each week not to mention doing research into techniques and products. I suspect most like me have a basic routine that takes minutes and hope for the best.

OP posts:
WafflesOrIceCream · 19/04/2024 10:40

I am 43 and I like to look after my skin, hair and figure. I see it as essential maintenance.

pinkpirlie · 19/04/2024 10:40

I'm almost 41 and all I have ever used is SPF. I have lovely skin. If I wear makeup (rare) I never take it off before bed and don't even have a face wash product.
I think it is partly due to not having children earlier (now have a 6mo) and getting lots of sleep, partly genetics, partly the fact I drink tonnes of water, and partly down to SPF and staying out the sun.

Tracker1234 · 19/04/2024 10:40

Honestly these threads are full of two complete opposites. People who look after themselves and people that dont. When I go shopping I see women who havent brushed their hair, who are in unironed clothes, bras that clearly dont fit and not a scrap of make up. They look like they cannot be bothered (tin hat at the ready - and it shows!). Its up to them of course but it doesnt take a huge effort.

I have a skincare routine and its so much easier if you have the products to hand. No rooting around in drawers or bags. Everything ready to use.

I iron once a week. It makes such a difference to clothing yet people constantly claim they cannot be arsed, no one notices etc but people do. I am sadly attending a funeral next week. Would I turn up looking like I had just got out of bed with yesterday's make up still smeared around my face because I couldnt be bothered.

I will make an effort because I like to be polished and put together. I dont wear make up when working at home and joggers and sweatshirt are my WFH clothes but not with stains, dribbles etc. Just how long does it take to put a wash on!

loveroflentils · 19/04/2024 10:41

she will likely enjoy doing it

and at same time she’s doing that…. what are you doing? netflix? reading in bed? no biggie just different priorities

Original poster
giniaone · 19/04/2024 10:43

@HornyHornersPinkyWinky No I am not annoyed about her having a head start, I've known her since I was a teenager and she started dating my brother and even then she would warn me to use SPF on my face when I was laying out in the summer but did I listen, no I just rolled my eyes at her!

My point is more that even if I did everything she did now I still wouldn't get anywhere near the same results as what she has now is a product of ongoing prevention, maintenance and improvements over 30 years so as for me why bother!

OP posts:
DappledThings · 19/04/2024 10:44

Tracker1234 · 19/04/2024 10:40

Honestly these threads are full of two complete opposites. People who look after themselves and people that dont. When I go shopping I see women who havent brushed their hair, who are in unironed clothes, bras that clearly dont fit and not a scrap of make up. They look like they cannot be bothered (tin hat at the ready - and it shows!). Its up to them of course but it doesnt take a huge effort.

I have a skincare routine and its so much easier if you have the products to hand. No rooting around in drawers or bags. Everything ready to use.

I iron once a week. It makes such a difference to clothing yet people constantly claim they cannot be arsed, no one notices etc but people do. I am sadly attending a funeral next week. Would I turn up looking like I had just got out of bed with yesterday's make up still smeared around my face because I couldnt be bothered.

I will make an effort because I like to be polished and put together. I dont wear make up when working at home and joggers and sweatshirt are my WFH clothes but not with stains, dribbles etc. Just how long does it take to put a wash on!

I'm not an opposite in those examples. One foot firmly in each camp. I iron pretty much everything, my hair is always brushed and my clothes are clean and appropriately smart to any occasion.

But I don't don't do anything to my face other than splash it with water in the shower. I don't see fighting ageing in anywhere the same category as looking clean and tidy.