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!

I'm in my 40s and I'm doing the following this year:
Getting Pico Lasered to get rid of aging sun spots on face.
Teeth whitened
Keep up with Vit C, Retinols nightly (alternatively). I use Hyralunic Acid serum and suncream SPF 30+ daily without fail.
10mins on makeup daily even if popping to shops or gym
Every other day I do my own blow dry and use a curling wand for the ends. Having good hair lifts years off you.
I exercise X3 days a week ( 5k runs coupled with various studio classes and strength exercises).
I also think the way you move is very aging.
I'm lithe, fast walker, slim size 10-12 but have to exercise in order to stay that way.
I've no wrinkles so lucky.
Best advice is you need to spend 30mins on yourself daily, minimum to look young - be it exercise or hair . The older you get, the more time and investment you need just to maintain things.

Fish oïl supplements
Coconut oil on face/neck and hands every night
Suncream every day on the same areas
Collagen supplements
Collagen gel on face
I have an electronic facial cleansing machine which is a little like mircodermabrasion
Chemical peels

No alcohol, no cigarettes, early nights

I am not sure why or how, but when my hair is covered (I am completely grey) people underestimate my age. I have never used any sort of products on my skin - just wash my face with water and a cloth, and do not wear makeup. Not sure if that is why.

However... I have felt old for ages, and my kids love to remind me.

Early 30s for me. Started getting Botox.

Tone with alcohol free Witch Hazel, coconut oil and drink plenty of water😊

@LoobyLou1976 can you recommend any specific facial exercises or videos? I'd love to start with that before going down the fillers route. Thanks!

I think if you google Eva Fraser, she is one of the main proponents and a few of the exercises I do come from her routine. There is also a programme called Carolyn's Facial fitness, but to be honest there are lots of tutorials on YouTube. I'm not saying it will give the results of a face lift but if you are consistent with it, it does definitely help to firm up your jaw line etc and sculpt your cheekbones.

I use Origins Clean Energy oil cleanser for those interested in a wash off one. Its lovely.
Im 51 this year and not lined or wrinkly but I think I look my age others tend to think I am 5 or so years younger, but that's maybe because I have an 11yo ds

I have severe alopecia and so wear a wig. This has the great benefit of taking years off my age! People regularly think I'm about 10 or so years younger than I am (I'm 52). My skin is nothing special. Plenty of lines and a huge number of freckles despite religious suncream for years! I think hair is a very definite ager, especially where it often thins around menopause.

Carlamity.can you recommend where you got your wig please? I have hair loss and going to have to get a wig I think.

I am 62 this year and honestly don’t think about it, my hair is grey (so what), I am happy and positive and my appearance is just a small part of me. You can always tell when people dye their hair, have Botox, face lifts etc - it’s not a good look.

I wouldn’t dream of asking people what age they thought I looked, seems so vain and shallow.

My DM is late 80s, obviously she doesn’t look ‘young’ but with her positive attitude and joy of life (still volunteering, doing yoga etc) she embraces her age and her life. .

Can I echo the previous poster who mentioned upthread about never using soap on her face...my grandma swore by this.She had the most beautiful skin ever even in her 80s she looked 60 .She would get up on a morning and rinse her face in cold water then liberally apply nivea cream .That is all she did and was beautiful.

I started to look old since turning 44

Ive changed my skincare from a cosmetic brand to a more medical range (clinicare)
I had a peel done before Christmas and that helped with pigmentation and hormonal chin. I’m going for an anti aging version next month and hopefully that will help lines.

First thing in the morning I look good but by lunchtime I look wrecked! I’d be happy if I could look like that version of myself all day.

You can always tell when people dye their hair, have Botox, face lifts etc - it’s not a good look

Yes, people don't look younger, they look like they have had work done. DH says it's a status symbol thing, and they want you to know they've been able to afford work done. Oh well, each to their own.

"They" say you have to choose between your bottom and your face as you get older, don't they? I probably look 28 from the back but then when you see my face - well I probably look my age. Mainly because of rings under my eyes. But like a pp said, I walk fast and move like a younger woman. I generally run up to 20 miles a week and swim. I try to get enough sleep. And I drink a lot. I am a size 8.

In terms of the face, I use the Superdrug vit E cleanser which is like Liz Earle cleanse and polish but about 1/3 of the price, and also the vit E SPF moisturiser. I sometimes wear make-up but not just to go to the shops, only when I am going out "properly".

@princessTiasMum I buy my wigs from simplywigs.co.uk - based in Huddersfield.

Drink lots of water.
Eat plenty of raw veggies.
Use night serum when I remember and moisturiser
Use an exfoliating wash on my skin once a week
Try and get plenty of sleep

I always think I look older and more haggard when I am tired and stressed - so I try and work on preventing that as much as possible

I have had grey hairs since I was 19. I currently have highlights - got red streaks put in for Christmas fun - but they will be gone soon again and I will be back to salt and pepper look.

Carlamity thank you,i have been looking at them,i actually ordered a topper, but it was too dark blonde and wasn't real hair so had to return it
Is yours real hair and would you recommend real before synthetic? as i did contact somewhere more local to me who said the synthetic look just as good,
If real hair is it easy to style?
I am now at my wits end with knowing what to do for the best
I think i have too much hair for a full wig, but it is from the crown down which is worst
Sorry for all the questions

Lippy1234 do you have any pics of jowls before? and doesn't it make the face look broader as i have read it can do,?
Thanks

princessTiasmum Sorry I don’t have any before photos. I’ve not noticed the broadening of the face thing. My work is subtle, I go to a dermatologist at a private hospital. I casually mentioned it to my DH after a couple of appointments and he was really surprised I’d had anything done.

I use a great foundation - Estee lauder Maximum coverage, nice and thick to cover my roscea, no chance of any sun or wind getting to it. Also wear eye make up which opens up the eyes nicely. I've worn foundation pretty much every day since I was 16/17yrs -ish, now 48 and don't have any wrinkles or jowls yet, shamefully very rarely take make up off at night either. On holiday last year and I bravely went for 4-5 days with just tinted moisturises and god did I age 10yrs in that week, straight back to full make up and looking young again
Also round eyes and strong jawline help.

oh also i eat loads of veg and whole grains, the times when I don't i can age about 5yrs

I've always looked young for my age but have recently started to look more like my age (34) I think! Probably the lack of sleep and stress of 3 DC and wrinkles and dark circles that come with it!

I did get ID'd the other week though

I have used sunscreen or foundation with sunscreen since my 20s also haven’t done sun holidays for last 15 yrs and have good genetics. Always looked 10 yrs younger than I am which was a pain when I was in my 20s. I am trying to loose some weight this year but DS15 has told me not to go mad like one of his friend’s mums who lost at least 5st and now looks 10 yrs older than she is.
I also wear sunglasses when it’s sunny without fail to stop me frowning. Haven’t resorted to Botox or fillers yet but might try it in the future.
Sun causes the worst damage. I have used expensive skin care but don’t bother now. Use micellar water to remove makeup and rarely cleanse or wash my face. Always had an oily skin so I just leave it to sort itself out.