Please help me stop looking so tired!

[AlwaysRight1985]

Was going to first put this in S&B but realised it was maybe a wider thing so settled on here. Title says it all really. This is, I am tired, but no tired than I've been in the past few weeks/months. I'm prematurely menopausal, waiting for a hysterectomy and struggling with symptoms (can have HRT after my op) - not sure if this is relevant. But I feel like literally in the past couple of weeks I've gone from being asked for ID (I have always had a baby face) to at least one person per day asking me if I'm ok or have I been crying! My eyes look especially red and knackered, but no infection, etc.

Thing is I sleep fairly well and try to look after myself. I go to bed early, and I do work long hours but try and balance it out. I've cut right down on alcohol (aiming to stop altogether), I go to the gym 3-4 times a week, I eat fairly well - probably not enough but what I do eat is home cooked/healthy - that's a mental health thing rather than anything else. I've been getting regular Botox for years, and I've even tried a few subtle eyelash extensions to try and open my eyes up more.

I also take:

• Magnesium & Zinc
• Tryptophan
• B8 and B12 (B12 injections and tablet supplements)
• Black Cohosh
• Ashwaganda
• Biotin
• Cranberry Supplement

ANYTHING else I could try? I've always taken so much pride in my appearance that it's really getting my down everyone asking me if I'm ok or have I been crying!? Or is this just what the menopause is and I can kiss goodbye to my looks and youth at the age of 38?!

Moisturiser and a good foundation as well as a good cooling eye gel until you can try HRT. Cold water/cold spoons (put the spoons in the fridge or under cold water) held on the eyes can reduce puffiness and swelling temporarily.

I think it's the time of year. No sun and horrible weather so we are inside all the time with radiators drying our skin out and making our eyes red. And post summer skin is always a bit dull and leathery. Also I do notice changes in my skin at particular times of the month. I don't know if that changes after a hysterectomy but HRT should help with oestrogen levels which do affect skin. Check your iron levels too.

Ah that sounds tough. If it’s any reassurance, everyone I know who’s been through early menopause (there’s a few) looks their age, and say TAKE THE HRT! So it’s a good thing you’ll be able to.

I take collagen supplements (I believe marine is best for skin, I take bovine for connective tissue disease and seems to help my skin too anyway)

And a retinol - but mine is plant based alternative as I find it gentler and have very sensitive skin. It’s by Ren - Bio Retinoid Youth Serum. Really good. Use at night.

SPF daily but I’m really bad at that.

Lots of water.

Good hair.

Have you had your Vit D checked? Can be a more common culprit.

Problem is with Botox is that it can go the other way and causes you to have a tired aged look, if you've had it to much which by the sounds of it you possibly have.

A regular antihistamine may help and/or eye drops.

I use brightening eye drops pretty much every day. They take away the redness and make a huge difference.

If it's those ones that restrict the red veins in your eyes I was always told if you use them every day, eventually they start working the opposite way! Or is that an urban myth? It was a few years ago, mind.

Nooo!! It's only been a few weeks!! It will be hormones/cold weather and heated houses.

I would definitely add plant-based iron supplements (like Floradix) and Vitamin D spray to that supplement list. Both help with tiredness. And 4 large tumblers of filtered water or green or rooiboos tea.

To look less tired, I have hit on a miracle mix of half and half favourite moisturiser with favourite foundation, then add a tiny dab (1/2 a pea-size) of Origins Ginzing eye cream. Blend together and apply to face and neck. It gives a lovely slightly dewy, skin-softening coverage. Then add tiny dabs of neat Ginzing to the under eye area and neat foundation to cover any shadows or blemishes. Whenever I use this blend, I get compliments. When I don't...I don't.

Apologies meant to add that I also take a Vit D supplement as I was found to have low levels earlier this year (missed that one off the very long list!)

Strangely enough I just looked at my eye cream this morning and realised I'll need some more shortly! Also you've reminded me that I missed from my original post that I do follow a good skincare routine...

Morning - gentle wash, micellar water, toner with glycolic acid, eye cream, hyaluronic acid serum, moisturiser, SPF

Night - gentle wash, micellar water, toner with glycolic acid, eye cream, night cream and retinol serum (only every few days)

I'm trying my best! 😂

Hmm, just done some reading, you are correct. Will try to reduce use!!

I would strip back your moning routine to just a rinse with warm water. No micellar water or acid toner. Assuming you cleanse and exfoliate well at night. It's made a huge difference to me re glowing skin as peri menopause makes your skin dry so you can overdo the cleansing I think. I know Caroline Hirons says wash your face in the morning but you can only judge what your own skin likes.

I also think hyaluronic acid sometimes dulls your skin. Don't know why but I'm suspicious it has to mine...I like vitamin C though and remarkably the cheapest I've tried (Garnier) has made the most difference. Much more so than Dr Sebagh's.

Boots no 7 serums are excellent.

Serums are more important than moisturiser though you should use both. I also am a huge fan of Elemis Bliss Capsules c £60 on Ebay.60 capsules so one month supple.

You can tell in 3 days and my skin is good to start with. I buy them every 3 or 4 months. I tend not to use serum whilst using the Bliss capsules. Well worth the cost.