AIBU to ask at what age did you start to look 'old' and what did you do about it?

[fortunatelynot]

Shamelessly posting her for traffic as I am now fed up of ALWAYS looking tired.

I am 43 and I think I now look 'old'. Of course those little lines have been gradually creeping up over the years and at times I've looked in the mirror and thought I looked a bit haggard, but, with a bit of make up and extra sleep, things have always fallen back into place and/or make up hid them.

Seriously - at what age did you get the crows feet, laughter lines and bags? And what did you do about it?

I have worn sunscreen for a few years but didn't as a youngster. I have never smoked and I don't drink much (although used to). I sleep pretty well and work out regularly. I take my make up off each night and put on moisturiser. My diet is reasonable. I admit I'm not exactly obsessed with maintenance but I don't think I'm neglectful of myself either. I work long hours in a stressful job.

Genuinely interested to hear of anybody who has succeeded in making themselves look less tired or any anti ageing tips I'm missing!

[WanderingBar]

I don't know if I look old, but I don't look young like I used to. I'm not planning to do anything about it. As someone who gets obsessed about things, the thought of engaging in an endless battle against the inevitable scares me, so I don't think about it.

[NK346f2849X127d8bca260]

I am 56 but have often been told I look far younger fortunately been blessed with good skin, but I feel far older with the achy joints and after a bad bout of Sciatica that lasted months I have been left with a stiff back and now hobble along.

[Ritascornershop]

I didn’t get wrinkles in my forehead till after 45 and I resorted to Botox which helped a lot. I’m mid-50’s now and my hair is barely grey, but I do dye it. I’m now noticing that my jawline isn’t as nice as it was. At the moment lack of funds means I’m resorting to facial yoga, but if I had the money I’d do thermage or ulthera (not sure which is best for small jowls).

[Saracen]

I'm 52. Mostly it has been gradual and I don't mind at all; in fact I was delighted to discover that greying hair suits me far better than brown hair ever did.

The only thing that dismays me is that I look grumpy. Think it's a combination of the jowls and the slight physical discomforts making me a bit brow-furrowed. I make an effort to look friendly but can't keep it up!

[DeeCeeCherry]

I find that the presence of significant amounts of melanin is a great protection against ageing. I am often astounded by how young many black women look in relation to their age

True. I'm 56 and look nowhere near it. Smooth skin & the only place I have very slight wrinkles is at my eye corners. I'm a size 14 and happy with my weight. I do think being 50+ and aiming to be a size 10 is asking for face-hang. My mum is 77 & a size 16. She could pass for 65, easily. Maybe a little younger than that.

[ComeOnGordon]

@Piixxiiee I’m not in the UK. I just use a basic oil cleanser from a store where I live. If you go into boots there are quite a few different oil cleansers. The friend who got me started on it is in the UK and has no trouble finding an oil.

[madcatladyforever]

I would say when I hit the menopause the ageing process did a fast forward at around 48. There was a rapid decline.

[CardiFree]

I think you only look worse at small sizes say 8-10 when older if you've had to diet significantly from a higher weight to get there, thereby stretching out the skin then expecting it to snap back as you lose weight. It just doesn't do that say over 40.

If you've always been that slim, haven't yo-yo dieted etc it won't age you, my glam mum is like this. Plus never smoked, hardly drinks etc. I think it's half lucky genetics half lifestyle.

[TheHumansAreDefinitelyDead]

Round about the age you are now

Getting lots of fresh air and exercise does more for me than any cream or make up ...

[Seriously79]

I'm gonna be 41 next month and have a 6 month old, and I'm worrying that lack of care is creeping up with me.

New Years resolution is to cleanse, tone, and moisturise twice a day (I don't think it matters what product you use really 🤔) and to drink more water. I'd love to say that I was going to have a facial every month too, but will have to see if time and funds allow.

[Metalhead]

I definitely went downhill after I had DD2 at 36! I’m 40 now, and in the last year I’ve given up drinking, had some lactic acid face peels, and had my eyebrows microbladed. I think I’m looking better than I did a couple of years ago, but I’ve got lots of lines across my forehead so I’m considering getting a fringe.

[onemorecupofcoffeefortheroad]

I'm mid-50s and was always youthful looking ...until the menopause in my early 50s and I now have dreadful deep lines on my forehead but it's the jowly saggy neck that I'm struggling with the most.

I'd have a facelift but my partner is very anti invasive surgical procedures (unless for medical reasons). I've investigated non invasive methods but nothing really seems to be that effective and all quite costly..
I truly am embarrassed about the state of my neck - I hide it with scarfs and high necks but ideally I'd love to have a facelift.

[Poetryinaction]

I am 37. I have 3 kids and the youngest is 2. Since she was born I have been much more tired, and less able to exercise. I have diastasis recti and saggy boobs, and my hair has gone grey.
I feel so old compared to 2 years ago when I had 2 toddlers and a pregnant belly.

[SummerPavillion]

Am 44. I looked pretty good till 40, since then have got older-looking fast. Combination of divorce (specifically heartbreak) and peri-menopause. And being in my 40s of course.

Now I have to smile to not look old/grumpy, but if I smile my under eye lines are more obvious, argh! Am smothering them in vaseline several times a day

Went on the pill recently for the hormonal issues and I swear it plumped out my skin and made it less grey, also (tiny) boobs grew significantly! However put on 10 pounds

I don't really care about looking old I just want to bag husband number 2 before it all goes south.

MN is great - lovely that we're all tackling the same issues together. A friendly thread too!

[Lunaballoon]

Once I entered my 50s. My skin and hair started thinning in a way that wasn’t noticeable before - probably connected to hormones.

I still don’t have many wrinkles as such on my face but my hands and neck are more of a giveaway of my age.

[Chocolatedaim]

I think hair style can add the years as well. As soon as my greys start showing I look 10yrs older!

[TheoneandObi]

Basically we ladies seem to be blaming the menopause. Consensus is that until circa 50 things are pretty ok. I just aim now to stay fit. I have parents who have reaped the whirlwind of ignoring their health, specifically by not being active, and I really want to buck that. If I feel well I look better!

[MellowBird85]

I’m 34 and I feel I’ve aged suddenly after having (non-sleeping) baby at 32. I developed really noticeable naso-labial and marionette lines which make me look miserable but my eyes were the worst...deep tear troughs and crepiness. So I had lower blepharoplasty last year and laser resurfacing. It’s def made an improvement but I still want tear trough / naso-labial fillers!

[ContessaLovesTheSunshine]

I agree that genetics is probably also a factor, not just plumpness!

My father came out with a corker about 2p years ago: "Your mother's family, they have terrible skin. My family, we have very good skin. Hopefully you girls will be somewhere in the middle."

[Skatesbythesea]

I think good face skin care is important - just found The Ordinary range and want to try it as its not expensive. Its cleanser, then serum, then moisturiser and I think there is an oil that you use at night.

[JaceLancs]

I’m 55 with no wrinkles, lines or bags but it’s the small things that bother me
My eyelashes are shorter, more jowly, lips less full etc
I have my hair cut and roots touched up every 5-6 weeks and maybe a full head colour twice a year - I’m not ready to go grey yet
I try and keep fit, lost quite a lot of weight but still want to lose more and get back to 8-10
Not smoking and keeping my face out of the sun help
Stress and drinking don’t help me but had a bad year last year - hoping to get back on it in 2020

[Member869894]

For me it was the menopause. At 52suddenly everything went downhill. Unless I consciously smile I get told to cheer up. My neck is now turkeylike.

I try to remember that age is a privilege denied to many and get on with it but it is depressing

[MiseryChops]

Great thread.

Can anyone recommend something to actually take make up off with?

I use micelles water but it makes my skin feel dry

[Sarcelle]

I am 54. Always looked younger than my age. I still do not have wrinkles and my neck is good. However, one of the earlier posters has mentioned a hardening of the features, and that is me. My face looks harder. If I have not been eating well, or am dehydrated, I have a slight wrinkle on one side of mouth which changes depth depending on how well I have been. Sounds odd, but sometimes it is noticeable, others not. Drinking lots of alcohol really dehydrates me now. I drink less now. The skin on my body has improved weirdly. Hair growth is slow so not much hair removal going on, skin is soft, and the ketaris pillaris (sp?) has disappeared on its own. I take 1000mg of flaxseed or starflower oil a day. Helps to moisturise from within.

Stress has more of an effect and really shows on my face, particularly if there is a lack of sleep too. Menopause has not been too bad for me, but anxiety has been one of my symptoms and every now and again the anxiety causes stress and then I suddenly look older. So I try to keep things simple, let things go, minimise stress.

My hair is a natural dark blonde, just a few wisps of grey underneath so you can't see them. So hair looks good but the texture has changed, it's harder to style, and I now have scalp issues. My hair is getting on my nerves actually. That has always been low maintenance but that is changing.

Losing weight made me look younger. But I lost the weight extremely slowly, about 2 stone over 2 years. My face became a nice shape. And my posture and general sprightliness improved. The way you move can make you look old. If you have a couple of stone to lose but worry about the effects on your face, lose it very slowly and it allows your face to keep up, if you see what I mean! And being able to wear more stylish clothes makes you look more engaged with life, rather than chucking on the same old things to hide the bum or belly.

Wearing too much make up makes me look older. I like a light base. I am a fan of glowy products, but not those aimed at teenagers, but subtle glow. Becca Backlit Primer is good. Locking make up in place is good too, as I used to top up blusher etc at lunchtime and sometimes overdo it. Now I only apply once a day but lock it down with fixing spray - Urban Decay All Nighter is my first choice, although ELF one in black bottle is a good cheaper option.

I would like to find something good for hands. I look like I am a downstairs maid cleaning out the grates all day, dishpan hands. I do minimal housework so it is not that. They look worse in winter, better when the temperature increases. I am not wearing mesh fingerless gloves a la Madonna but they are letting the side down.

You are what you eat. Endeavour to fill yourself up with good stuff most of the time. Take a good multivitamin as insurance.

[Sarcelle]

Forgot to mention, have to have a daily patrol with spotlight and magnifying mirror and tweezers to get those pesky chin hairs. Otherwise it's billy goat gruff.