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. 😩

@epli and @sunshinechaser thanks for the info.

I've just ordered the factor 50 La Roche Posay and I'll check out the video.

I am a bit scared of starting tret but also excited. I do want to get it right and not bugger up my skin 😩

Some tips!

• Start low – there’s no extra benefit to going for a high concentration, you’ll just irritate your skin, which paradoxically causes inflammaging

• Use at least once every 3 days. Any less than this and your skin won’t successfully retinise, so you’ll just be irritating it each time for no point
• Listen to your skin. People are often encouraged to ignore and push through skin distress / ‘uglies’ when actually you really might be damaging it.
• Check out some facebook groups for techniques (sandwich method, slugging, etc. but do also take them with a pinch of salt – most people are unqualified and it can be a bit of an echo chamber. They also won’t hear a word of criticism about tret so don’t expect measured advice when it comes to adverse effects!

Most important of all – don’t be tempted to forgo sunscreen, ever, at all, including at home – the rule is if you can read a book in natural light, your skin should ne covered up. Tret exposes deeper layers of your skin, and if exposed to sunlight can sustain DNA damage. Not only does this mean your skin is forced to kill the exposed affected cells, causing atrophy (aging), it also puts you at risk of skin cancer. No quick walks to the shop, no cheeky coffee in the garden, none of it! One way round the sunscreen tyranny is to look at clear UV film for your windows (they also use it in libraries, furniture shops, etc.) I got sick of constantly worrying about exposure to daylight while at home!

Genetics help too
My dad has been seen to wash his face with fairy liquid and wore SPF I think once in the 80s. Moisturiser doesn't exist in his world even when I pointed out his whinging about dry skin would be resolved with you know, moisturiser
Looks a decade younger than he is

@LaBelleEtLeBadBoy Thanks for all of your advice. Very, very gratefully received!

You say to start low, I've just been prescribed 'Tretinoin 0.025% Lotion' by Dermatica - from your experience, does that sound normal?

Yes they will ask you to send in photos from time to time to assess its effectiveness, then gradually increase if your doing ok. You can always change the strength if it’s too strong. I went back to a weaker strength as it was too drying

Water isn’t enough if your skin is greasy!

Or if you wear sunscreen or make up

I think 0.025% is the standard GP prescribed concentration.

I think Skin & Me starts lower.

So not unusually high but there are lower options if you experience irritation

And you’re welcome! :)

@Epli @LaBelleEtLeBadBoy what do you put in your smoothies please?

I often am eating breakfast on a long commute, used to take protein shakes but they started to make me feel a bit sick, but could get a Nutribullet and try this

Heya! I used to make one with recipe shared by an academic in nutrition I follow. I can’t remember the proportions exactly, but I think it included:

one tomato
few kale leaves
chard (don’t see it often tho)
apple
blueberries (I defrost frozen)
maybe a carrot?
Spinach (and good flavour in smoothies)

I have probably missed some stuff

The challenge was always deciding what to dilute it with. Cucumber is really good for adding water and tastes really fresh. (Fruit juice can be a bit sugary and negate the healthiness)

Although I saw it as medicine and didn’t expect to savour it!

Apparently Kate Moss starts every day with a celery smoothie!

Decent sleep, plenty water, regular exercise, sunscreen, fresh air, good posture and using rosehip oil along with my moisturiser (I have extremely dry and sensitive skin.)

And a pack of Marlboro!

😆