What is the most impactful thing you've done to turn back the clock (non surgical)

[PassportPhotosAreHorrific]

Tldr version: What's the most powerful way you've found to turn back the clock sans surgery (I'm not getting a face-lift)? Creams, pills, those weird light masks, massage?

Longer version (an SOS): my work was in the public eye until about seven years ago, and since then, I've had children and moved to the country. All good, v happy.

However! I have some new projects in the pipeline and need to make myself look a lot better by next summer. I thought I was doing okay but recent passport renewal photos showed me that I'm looking HORRIFICALLY mumsy. 😬

Really don't want people to die of shock when I emerge from my bucolic chrysalis next year, so please, please help. 😩

I think a large glass of wine on the weekends is fine. It's the large glass or two or three every day that seems to be impacting my friends now, it didn't show til our fifties I would say. I know someone who lost weight and gave up alcohol and she honestly did look 10 years younger, she still kept her no-makeup and her lovely grey hair, it might seem obvious but giving up alcohol and doing exercise is quite hard work!

Boring as it sounds, the best things I have ever done for my appearance are :
1, Quitting smoking
2, Losing weight (I used to be clinically obese, now I’m a healthy weight)
3, Drastically reducing my alcohol consumption. I stopped drinking completely as part of my weight loss program, and looked & felt so much better for it. I now only drink occasionally.

Drinking loads of water.
Sun block every day
Moisturiser every day and night.. doesn't matter which just try a few and find one you like.. make sure you massage it into your face as the act of doing that can have more impact than the moisturiser itself.
I wash my hair a lot less (twice a week) and deep condition it every time I do.
Moisturise whole body every day, with extra focus on places like knees, elbows, heels and hands.
Sunblock on hands... people forget their hands alot and hands show aging so much.. really important to keep them moisturised and protected by sun.
Eat more salad and veg and less sugary or carby stuff.
Try not to get stuck in a rut with makeup or clothes and be open to change, vaguely stay on top of styles in fashion. I mean you don't have to try and dress like a teenager! But if you stick to the same style for years upon years that can become very aging so just keep an open mind and experiment with change.
If you do drink alcohol make sure you offset it with lots of water and make sure you aren't drinking excessively.. it's not worth it!

I just noticed you asked about red light masks in your OP. I don't think they make a dramatic difference, but I do find I have more of a definite glow when I used mine with some regularity.

The other thing I'd add is make sure you're using SPF on your neck, decolletage and hands - I use SPF instead of moisturiser on my hands during the day and don't have any brown spots at all.

I think it’s drinking every day or most days that has the impact. A few glasses at the weekend will not be having an impact.

Tret is good. Lift heavy weights. Cut down stress. Sleep (which is tricky for me but I always look better when I sleep well).

I like some of the gadgets - Nuface, Nura laser, RF devices. Though you need to keep up the usage.

Currently having Invisalign as my previously ok teeth have started to move around as I’ve got older. So teeth are important.

Oh and SPF every day but that’s common knowledge by now! (Even in winter).

If they're having a Large glass or 2 or 3 of wine daily and not able to stop they need to seek help.

Agree with all these. Purely in terms of face - facial massage. I do a good 10-15 mins most mornings when I'm washing my face, and use my theraface pro when I have time, and it makes a massive difference to the contours of my face - less puffy and saggy, more lifted and contoured.

Have a consistent good skincare routine, SPF 50 every day.

The next biggest thing I need to do though is lose weight which am working on, and via weight lifting mainly. Trying to lower stress in my body overall, drink more water and less alcohol, and eat more protein.

No alcohol.

No alcohol (huge difference). And err, no alcohol.
Sleep.
SPF for sure.
I cycle and walk everywhere. I have a dog and he keeps me going with walks and fresh air on the daily.
Breathwork.
Bit of botox twice/three times a year. I started this around 50 and I think, of all the things, this really helps. My skin quality is really good (I put that down to sleep and no alcohol since I turned 40) but it can really droop and look old and lacklustre in a heartbeat, courtesy of being 52. So I get some Botox on the forehead and chin for dimpling and it gives me a really bright lift without being obvious.
I'm thin by nature which both helps and hurts. I have a good jawline still but I can also look quite gaunt as I lose weight easily (and ironically, my jawline takes the worst hit if I go a little underweight. It starts dripping like a melting candle!). So I have to always work at keeping my low weight 'up and healthy' because being thin as an older person is quite ageing.
And finally, no alcohol.

Sadly, it's this!

I've worn spf 50 on my face since I was 25 due to melasma and I now look noticeably younger than my peers, I think it's worked well.

I retired.

A decent haircut
Solid 6/7 hrs sleep every night
Working out regularly- specifically with weights
Alcohol to a minimum
2+ litres of water every day

Regular exercise, lots of sunscreen, no alcohol and plenty of sleep.

Also SPF 50 daily

I was already in a healthy BMI but I recently lost another stone and I was surprised how much it tightened everything up. My neck looks snatched (as the kids say!) again and I've lost the slight jiggle in my thighs/arms.

Other than that, I've mostly stopped wearing make up and instead focus on good skincare and a clean, natural look overall. I'm growing out my brows with minoxidil, whiten my teeth when they get a bit dingy, and I try to keep my lips plump through hydration/moisturising.

@ManilowBarry and @WayOutOfLine what tanning products do you recommend?

I stopped using tanning products years ago and was just thinking recently that I'd like a bit of colour without the sun damage.

I always look better when I exercise consistently and get a good night sleep. No amount of creams etc will replace that.

Sleep, spf (le Roche posay is what I use daily) less screens, more water, nicely shaped eyebrows, hair in good nick (dye it if you ‘d like), moisturised healthy looking skin, Sleep😉 My best skincare (for me) is

Cetaphil gentle skin wash, avene moisturiser, Aimee Connolly primer, clarins/ Clinique bb cream (if clarins shades match you EVERYONE comments on how well I’m looking when I wear it!) mac spray fx

Prescription tretinoin. You can get it online from dermatica or skin &me on a monthly prescription. Hands down the best thing I've ever done and I get so many people saying I have nice skin. It's medically proven to reverse the signs of aging.

I also recently got Botox around my eyes and frown lines and I can't believe I waited so long (I'm 39), it's made a huge difference to me but I think looks pretty subtle to others.

Oh and spf 50 daily, a must if using tretinoin.

Yoga, the advanced type involving lots of strength work and inversions. You can get there if you practice most days And staying out of the sun.

What facial SPF do people recommend?

I use this one from Dermalogica

I've cut alcohol completely, and started taking regular vitamin and collagen supplements every day. I aim for 10,000 steps daily and am going to start at the gym again in the next few months when my job changes.

2 litres of water a day and am reducing my caffeine intake. Increasing protein in my diet, less UPFs. I've lost 2 stone so far but slowly - I need to lose at least 3 stone more I reckon.

I've never really bothered with skincare but am making a more concerted effort with it.

The jowls! If anybody has tips on how to tighten those up I'd be thrilled to hear them. And I really need to whiten my teeth.