It's another one of those: oh crap I've suddenly aged 10 years, threads. What are you ladies recommending at the moment? I could really do with some pointers

[wemayhaveaproblem]

I'm 39. Usual story, looked pretty young for my age until v recently. Now, knocking on 40 and my face is falling apart. It's not that I've suddenly got loads more wrinkly, I just look crap. My hair looks awful (despite having had it highlighted recently) there are suddenly masses more grey hairs, my skin has gone all sallow and I'm developing that pinched bitchy resting face look. My lips seem to have shrunk. Doesn't help that we've recently moved to a rented house and there are just mirrors everywhere so I keep frightening myself! That might be part of the problem actually - it's possible I just hadn't had a proper look at myself for a few years. Had passport photos done this week and I look about 50 in them. And I've not even mentioned the bloody facial hair, honestly if I wasn't attacking it with tweezers I reckon I'd have a proper goatee.

Anyway, does anything work?! Not sure I'll ever be ready for anything involving needles (though at the rate everything's decaying who knows frankly). I have a fairly healthy lifestyle and enough sleep now the DC are a bit older.

I know it's all massively shallow - DH would be appalled if he knew I was obsessing about this stuff, he thinks its all very silly - but we are in style and beauty so hopefully people won't be too judgemental. I'm not trying to look 10 years younger, I'm happy to be turning 40, probably happier, generally, than I've ever been. I'm just a bit shocked by how suddenly my whole face is changing and would like to do something to slow things down a bit if possible.

Thank you very much indeed ladies, this is v helpful and inspiring. I did a proper face cleansing routine last night (I have some Liz Earle, some v cheap suoerdrug facial oil and some Nivea moisturiser). Lots of hot water and lemon, plenty of sleep (it's morning in Asia where I am at the moment). Will try to keep up the water drinking - I'm not v good at that, for example going on a massive walk today so don't want to be looking for a loo the whole time.

But interested in what you all say re sugar. That's a big downfall of mine but intend to think it's quite good to have some high calorie foods that will fatten my face up a bit. But I guess not that kind of fat Otherwise diet isn't bad actually. And I'm sort of thinking about giving up booze altogether (certainly I've cut down v dramatically and only have a few units a week). Anyway, enough banging on about me and my lifestyle. Thank you so much for your posts. I love how when you ask for help MNetters really do their best to offer support. Living away from friends and family so it's nice to feel connected

And I really am encouraged that the drinking water has worked for so many of you

Get some 2% retinal from the ordinary and a moisturiser with urea and a face oil. I use grapeseed.
I found the hair dye makes the biggest difference though.

I'm 44 and I found myself suddenly looking really old, I was recommended by my French friend to use La Roche-Posay Redermic R, 'morning and evening with a moisturizer on top (I'm actually using Argan oil) and my skin looks so much better, and believe I have tried most of everything, you name it, chanel, Estée Lauder, aldi, natural skincare. Because of the retinol, you skin may peel a bit after a couple of weeks, but it's truly great.

I always say if you look like your passport photo you're not well enough to travel

I am 40 and my skin is in reasonably good nick. The best thing that I have done for my skin is alternating with retinol and glycolic acid night treatment, at night, and using hyaluronic acid serum during the day. I use jojoba oil at a first cleanse and then a cream or gel wash afterwards. I do still get hormonal spots, but I just go with the flow with them now, rather than trying to dry them up with lotions and potions (though Effaclar Duo is pretty good). I have combination skin, but seemed to spend most of my twenties and thirties masking my skin with really thick, drying foundations and trying to reduce the oil with antibac, harsh washes. My skin certainly is more luminous and fresh looking now, than it has ever been. Water is also your friend!

Right, the retinol/glycolic is coming up so often that I reckon I really need to get behind that!

Just be prepared for a bit of flaking and purging, but it really does bring that glow back to the skin. I use Bravura's 15% glycolic night time treatment. It is fab.

What products are you using perfumista?

Oops cross post!

I bought some acids from The Ordinary but have seen no difference at all - and they stink to high heaven. They say they're unperfumed, but they smell like mothballs. I'm not sure if I'm meant to put something on top of them at night, but I can't stand the smell.

I might be able to put up with it if it did any good, but I genuinely see nothing. I'm trying two different types - also had the Buffet one, but only used that twice as didn't realise it had shattered without completely breaking in transit so it was actually covered in little shards of glass.

I'm trying cleansing oils now - no idea if they help, but they do make my face feel really nice afterwards and give a good base for makeup in the morning (primer makes me go a bit claggy).

Basically, I'm trying as many things as possible in the hope something works - there are lots of beauty boxes with one-off deals/no subscription, so these are really useful before I fork out full whack on stuff that's a waste (Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, for instance - does absolutely nothing).

I start off thinking I look OK once all my slap is on, then I catch sight of myself in a mirror and wonder why my 80-year-old mother is following me everywhere . . .

I was given some Alpha A glycolic stuff at Christmas.
I already use Pixi glow 3-4 times a week.
Are they the same products??

So, here is my breakdown:-
Am- balance me face wash, The Ordinary hyaluronic acid
Pm- jojoba oil for first cleanse, cheapy Asda cream wash for second cleanse, Bravura 15% glycolic treatment or The Ordinary 2% retinol

Clarins double serum has been a game changer for me, it has taken years off my skin.

Thanks again, ladies. Noting all your suggestions with interest. So far no products, just trying hard on the less sugar, more water front.

I have a long neck, which is looking pretty scraggy, that definitely isn't helping but not a lot one can do about that apart from moisturising I guess

scraggy neck: I don't know of any cure but I don't know what your weight is like, it is the only condition that I think a bit of fat helps with!