To ask if you have improved your looks?

[TimeForTeeOff]

Im feeling pretty fugly these days. In particular my face. Feeling old and saggy and washed out. Late 30s if that makes a difference.
I genuinely want to know, has anyone done anything that has given noticeable results? There’s so many lotions and potions and surgeries out there, but I don’t know where to start.

I drink around 2 litres a day. If I'm not thirsty, I don't drink. No need to drown yourself just to get 2 litres-we all have different needs. I moisturise every day, I eat intuitively.

And I got a fuck tonne of tattoos to cover the bad bits.

Botox

@TimeForTeeOff How far along you are in your pregnancy? I ask because I’m 15 weeks now and around 10 weeks I looked in the mirror and though ‘god damn I look good’.

And I don’t think it’s pregnancy glow either. Not drinking alcohol or caffeine and drinking more water seems to have massively helped any lingering redness and removed the slightly dull dry look my skin sometimes got.

That being said, I would like some under eye fillers and preventive Botox after I give birth 😆 Several friends have had some beautiful, natural results with those.

@isettled

I'm 38 used to be fugly now just ugly

No seriously, I get Botox which had been the biggest help. I do like skincare and use a skin and me prescription which has changed the texture of my skin and evened it out. And I use lots of hydrating products to feel glowy.
Drinking water doesn't make an ounce of difference to me but I do it because you should be hydrated.

Do you mind me asking what products you use for skin texture? Mine is bloody awful!

Your lifestyle always shows in your skin.

No drinking, smoking, sugar or processed food in general.
Plenty of sleep, aerobic exercise and water and always stay out of the sun.

Yes its boring but there's no magic potion that will make your skin look better than a clean diet.

Exercises to improve posture. Pixie Flawless Beauty primer. L carnosine supplements which offset ageing process of skin.

Body Shop Drops of Youth serum is great and well known for good results after 3 months. Also their cleansing face brush really gets into skin but is gentle

IndieKate

“Your lifestyle always shows in your skin.
No drinking, smoking, sugar or processed food in general.
Plenty of sleep, aerobic exercise and water and always stay out of the sun.
Yes its boring but there's no magic potion that will make your skin look better than a clean diet.”

For a lot of people skin issues are nothing whatsoever to do with the above - skin type is massively influenced by genetic factors and sheer luck of the draw. My pores turned into saggy craters at 14 and have never altered with lifestyle, and my skin texture is horrendous. I’ve been very healthy in my time, and not-so-healthy, that hasn’t changed.

Totally agree a healthy lifestyle will help overall of course.

I'd recommend trying a different approach. Find a stylist who can tell you what colours are best for your skin tone. It's amazing how tops, make-up and jewellery of the right colours can make your skin glow.

Other than that I've been using The Ordinary cosmetics for the last 3 years and my skin improved so much. I no longer struggle with rosacea and acne, and my skin tone is more even. Before that I hated looking at myself in the mirror without the make-up on.

Do not use retinol when pregnant

Im early 40s. Drink loads of water.
Eyebrows microbladed.
1ml lip fillers.
Regular exercise with plenty of squats and lunges. My bum is nicely rounded.

If I could stretch to it I'd have teeth whitened too.

Honestly, it mostly down to genes. I don't really have lines on my face (those tiny ones when you move your face but not wrinkles). Nor does mum aged 80.

I have no cleaning routine. I do stay out of the sun and drink lots of water. I think botox is the only thing that will massively help.

I have no

I am 35. Water, a decent skincare routine (nothing major, I use a cleansing balm daily, acid toner 3 times a week and moisturiser with retinol at night, spf during the day) and I have just had botox for the first time.

I think my skin is better now than it was when i was in my 20s.

Also had some lip filler but thats not for everyone.

It's mostly genes.

But like PPs have mentioned, there are plenty of things to help and the added bonus of making you more healthy.

Get enough sleep.
Say no and delegate. Doing it all to exhaustion benefits no one.
Wear sunscreen
Don't smoke
Drink enough water daily
10 minutes of meditation daily
Daily aerobic exercise
Daily stretching
weight training 3x per week
Keep up with dental care. Teeth bleaching
Update hair style and makeup.
Botox and fillers
Peels

Cleanse every night, I love Dermalogica products. I've tried a lot over the years and I always come back to them.
I don't smoke or drink. My mum did and ruined her naturally good skin.
Drink 2 litres of still water a day. My downfall is I love Tea, but I'm trying to drink herbal too.
And I had my really hooded lids done a few years back. That was really worth the money! No cream or treatment was going to 'lift' the loose skin.
And exercise in the fresh air regularly, whatever, walking, running.
I always wear Dermalogica dynamic skin recovery SPF 50 outside, at all times.

And never ever go on sunbeds!! Mum & Dad had one in the 80s and I'd go on it a good few times a week. I looked great, but fast forward 40 years, I've had 2 skin cancers, luckily not the serious type, removed and the skin on my upper arms and lower legs isn't great, no matter how much moisturiser and spf I use now. Can't believe those things aren't banned yet!!

@OohThatCat I think it's been the face theory azeclear serum and my skin and me.

Mid-40's here. My skin is pretty great but I've been lucky in that it always has been. I'm very pale and so wear sunscreen pretty much all the time (La Roche Posay is great for facial sunscreen, as is Beauty Pie). I drink about 2-3 litres of water a day and eat plenty of veg and wholegrains. I run 50K a week and do plenty of squats, lunges, press-ups and core exercises. Before lockdown, I was definitely getting a little jowly but that has gone due to toning from the exercise I do.

I use retinol a few times a week before bed (over a serum), and use a good quality moisturiser. I also finish all of my showers on the coldest setting for skin tone, immune system etc.

I'm sat chugging water after reading this thread too. I have always looked very young for my age but feel I've aged rapidly after having my DD nearly three years ago and turning 30 this year. Lines are appearing and I look tired all the time. I cover my face (and my hands) in bio oil every night (the Wilko brand works just as well and is half the price) and that has helped a little. I'm thinking about treating myself to some Body Shop products after seeing a recommendation upthread. I'm also currentkly trying to give up alcohol - I think the dehydration and the disrupted sleep makes me look even shittier. I'm on day 3 so erm early days!

@isettled oh how interesting, I already have that serum! Amongst the many, many TO ones rattling about in a drawer

If anyone’s looking for a new SPF I’ve just started using the new Caudalie one and am very impressed so far. Been using it daily for two weeks and no issues, makeup goes on perfectly on top. Glad I took the gamble as wouldn’t have generally considered that brand.

m.feelunique.com/p/Caudalie-Anti-Wrinkle-Face-Suncare-SPF50-50ml-FR?curr=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6-mv5MXV8AIVagzmCh1nIQ2YEAUYASABEgLp2PD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I know you’re asking about skin, but have you considered whether your hair colour/ style is still working for you? As we age, the things that used to really suit us can start to age us. It might be worth considering whether some high/low lights and a freshen-up of your style is necessary. I’ve found that if my colour isn’t right, it washes out my skin tone and make my skin look older and if the style is off, it can be seriously frumpy.

I'm early 40s and what has helped me is a little sun on my face, a decent night's sleep and a little semi permanent make up.

I had upper lid permanent eye liner last year which makes me look so much better day to day and I'm going to get the lower lids lined next month. I also go monthly to have my brows shaped and tinted and my lashes dyed. I also have my nails done with shellac fairly often as it makes me feel more polished.

Tbh I didn't have time to do all that 10 yrs ago when I had toddlers and a full time job but it makes me feel much better now that I'm 'old'. 🤣🤣

I'm turning 50 this year so starting to take this stuff a bit more seriously! I love my jade roller, they are cheap as chips. I keep mine in the fridge and roll it under my eyes, all over the face with one hand whilst having breakfast in the morning. It's not a long term solution but it does reduce puffiness and makes me look more awake. www.aldi.co.uk/lacura-jade-face-roller/p/711750471507800

Thank you for this thread, OP, it has been very helpful. I’m late thirties and feel like I’ve aged a lot over the past few years. I’ve started a project to improve my appearance a bit. I use Skin and Me. I’m trying to drink more and moisturise more. I’m planning to get my teeth whitened and try fake tan. And wear jewellery more often, groom my eyebrows a bit more and try to keep my nails neat. I’m trying Jamaican black castor oil to thicken them up. I’m finding I have to put in a lot more effort into my appearance these days.

Water, sunscreen, Botox