Starting to look pretty shit

[givemeenergyplease]

Me, I am.

I’m 45, have a 5 year old and just recently I’ve started to get to the stage where I look not great and nothing helps. For example, before I could slap some tinted moisturiser on, mascara etc and look ok and quite presentable…recently, I have such puffy under eyes (no idea why 🤷🏻‍♀️) my skin is so dry…I even now use the big blue Nivea tin at night and it’s the only time my skin feels nice. My hair is dry and without that shine or gloss..used to like my long, dark hair. Now when I put even a light foundation on it almost looks worse and highlights any lines/creases. I want to feel and look good with a glow, what can I do? I know I don’t drink enough water, so I’m working hard on that (often have kidney stones, think it’s due to not drinking enough) I don’t drink much at all these days, maybe four times a year, if that. I haven’t smoked for years. I don’t work out as find it hard to find the time, take the dog for walks most days though, but I know that’s not enough. I live in a sunny place but wear sunglasses and full factor on my face, admittedly not daily, need to get better at this and not just do it when sunbathing.
Any help/tips? Anyone been the same and turned it around?
I realise it could be peri menopause, although don’t really have any of the other symptoms..always tired, but put that down the having a v active child!

The Ordinary face products are amazing. Mandelic acid is great for anti wrinkle and blemishes.

I still have very oily skin at 43 and struggle on and off with acne and rosacea. I’m taking contraceptive pill at the moment to prevent deep painful acne cysts.

the upside to this is that I have very few lines and skin looks not much different than it did 10 years ago.

I get puffy under eyes if I use too heavy moisturisers at night, I have to keep them away from under eye area.
use a good under eye concealer in the day for shadows (if I haven’t slept enough)

I’m interested in what PPs have said re taking Vitamin K alongside Vit D supps - what is the reason for this?

I agree with @Blingstar

at 50, the things that most help my appearance are lifestyle and diet

exercise (lots) fresh air, get your circulation going

diet: I never calorie restrict, but eat for health, so good balance of protein, unprocessed carbs and veg. Limited sugar. Very limited alcohol.

SPF30 in winter, 50 in summer

I think people who drink a lot can start to look a bit bloated and puffy in middle age, even if slim

Also Magnesium and Vit D

As I understand it, vitamin K2 helps vitamin D utilise calcium and make sure it's taken to bones, rather than arteries (caveat - I'm not a dietician or doctor).

Study here www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5613455/

The Dove Pro-Age range is v good. I used the bady wash in the bath/shower and the body butter as an all-over moisturiser

Same here - that process started at 50 for me and I've never looked back.

Sounds like you are in the perimenopause, get help!!

Eye makeup - every day. Makes a massive difference to me.

Or get hormones x

@Hippoh Get help how?

By going to the local GP, explaining your symptoms and comparing them to symptoms of perimenopause. x

Have you had a GP check up recently?

Going through similar at the moment along with terrible tiredness. Had a blood test & looks like I have an under active thyroid. Hadn't really thought about the dry skin & hair until I looked up the symptoms..

I'm ancient and generally subscribe to the embrace-aging-philosophy, but I started eating a small handful of raw almonds for breakfast as a way of avoiding bread and it had an amazing effect on my skin and hair. People kept commenting that I was looking well. I'm not so past caring that I'm not pleased about that!

My first thought was hypothyroidism and/or vitamin D deficiency. 45 is not old it really isn't. If it turns out it is perimenopause or menopause (I started mine at 45) I can highly recommend HRT. If it isn't medical then plenty of sound advice here no point in me repeating it. Take good care of yourself you are worth it.😀

I’m same age with same age child. I battle with similar feelings to you. People who don’t know the younger me think I look younger but I know I need to lose 7-14lbs and gravity has started on my face due to not sleeping well for 5 years.

good skin care routine is essential. Good cleansing and retinols really help. Good quality hair care products and I’m a big advocate on vitamin supplements and collagen supplements. Embracing the change and not being too hard on yourself is also a great benefit

It sounds like a lot of this could be down to dehydration.
Fatigue, puffiness, dry skin, etc. first thing, drink lots of water.

I had an early menopause and am cross I didn't get hormones earlier. My symptoms were as you said, just feeling a bit rubbish and dull, still had periods but not consistent. On HRT now and I feel like myself again, hair is better, eyes are shining again, nails are growing, skin is amazing. Going to start collagen as soon as I can. xx

Alot of advice for older skin is said to use no powders, go for a more dewy almost shiny face , but at 62 it makes me look worse, my wrinkles seem to show up more, a little powder seems to help.

Read Women Dont Owe You Pretty by Florence Given. That is all.

@aonbharr Thyroxine only works if you have a low thyroxine levels. I agree it does not work otherwise. The problem is people always mention the symptoms that could have a thousand other reasons and never less common symptoms.

Put an effervescent vit C tablet in a pint of water every morning. That’ll up your liquid intake. You know what’s wrong, so address that first.

Gp

But in 10 years time you will see photos of yourself now and think ‘didn’t I look great!’

I really would consider looking at peri menopause more closely. There are over 80 symptoms and you might not be getting classic symptoms (hot flushes etc), but losing elasticity in your skin due to collagen loss is definitely one of them.

HRT has lots of other health benefits if you start taking it early, it’s something I’d definitely consider at your age. I was 48 when I was officially in menopause, so it’s not something that’s rare.

Accessories are now your best friend! Layer some necklaces, throw on some big sunglasses and/or wear a hat and watch the compliments roll in. Branch out in a bold lip colour (advice from Claire from Steps when she was unhappy with her weight)
Small changed which might initially be out of your comfort zone really do help