Inspired by looking your best as you approach 40....slightly drastic skin advice requested

[Birdienumnums]

I'm well on my way to 40 and want to do something to reclaim my face from children. I don't feel the need for Botox or fillers but had some laser years ago before I got married on broken capillaries and cherry angiomas on my face and am thinking about something like that. But are there other options and things I could do? I'm a bit out of touch with what's doable.

I've also ordered some, potentially hazardous?, Retin A from Thailand and can't wait for it to arrive!

A good vitamin C serum after cleansing in the morning before moisturiser. Sun protection each day is mandatory with Retin A. After moisturiser, SPF 50 in the summer months and at least SPF 30 in the winter. Some swear by those treatments which involve needling the skin, but I think if you're using strong enough Retin A (which encourages collagen production) youprobably won't need it. I have used Retin A 0.1% for the last 2 1/2 years and it is great at preserving what you have and giving you clear, smooth skin. As a result I don't bother with pricey face creams. Just Cetaphil or occasionally Liz Earle. Lisa Eldridge suggests facial massage which I guess can only do you good.

Oh, and lots of sleep (chance would be a fine thing with an 8 and 5 year old) and fruit and veg!

Sleep. I miss sleep - three year old twins.

Do you have any recs for a good vit c serum? There seem to be many! Spf 50 I already do and I either use cetaphil or a soap and glory hot cloth cleanser - probably not the best thing.
I've ordered a book someone recommended about (I think) pressure point massage. I am a sucker for mumsnet suggestions!

Me too! Lots of good advice on here, although take care with the Retin A - I read a recommendation to put it on neat after moisturiser, which I would never do, although I guess it depends on the strength. Dermatologists will recommend mixing a pea sized amount with moisturiser like Cetaphil after cleansing, then applying. You can build up to using it on the under eye area, but very slowly, and probably best to apply a gentle moisturiser at first, as a barrier. I found normal/daily use of hot cloth and cleansers stripped my skin raw, so now I only use them occasionally and use Cetaphil and cotton wool or L'Oreal Extraordinary oil cleanser with just my fingers.
Anyway, vitamin C. I use Obagi vitamin C serum at 20% concentration as that's what my dermo prescribed, but it is pricey. I think there are some other recommendations on here too. You could also try Paula's Choice. I think you can buy their own brand Vit C serum at 15% concentration on the UK website. Cellex-c (buy from beatybay.com) and Skinceuticals C E ferulic acid (15% strength) are supposed to be good, but I haven't tried them.

Love2dance you're a superstar, thank you and I'll check those vitamin c serums out and I've ditched the hot cloth cleanser - well, the hot cloth for now and the cleanser when it runs out!
I ordered the hylaminde sub q serum people were raving about last week and I think it may be amazing. I started using it on Saturday and my skin already looks and feels more hydrated, I'd even go so far as to say dewy!
The retin a hasn't arrived yet but I will be very careful!

I don't think Retin A is necessary. I have some prescribed, but I don't use it. I'd be very wary of getting some from Thailand, it could have anything in it.

I'm 45 and have no lines - that's just from good skincare.
Avoid the sun completely
No water or alcohol on the face
Good rich thick night cream
Regular oils - I use avocado and almond
Regular moisture masque

Birdie which book did you get? Also where is everyone buying the Retin A?

I buy Retin A from Amazon. It comes from Thailand and I have no reason to doubt that it's genuine. It's packaged exactly as you'd expect.