Anyone turning their back on ‘anti - aging’?

[omBreROSE]

I’d always used organic/simple products... my skin is fine ( l’m in my mid 40’s)
Anyway, l got sucked into watching blogs/ YouTube tutorials etc... l wanted to try everything to delay the inevitable. I’d previously been sensible and realised there was nothing, bar botox/fillers that might make a difference.
Yes, there are the retinols etc... but *they need careful monitoring and can just set your skin off - whenever!
I’ve been trying one Ordinary product after the next, on ( what l think now) is a journey on to nothing!
Seeing as only the retinols can penetrate the skin - maybe everything else is just not worth it?
Emotionally or financially?
Has anyone thought they’d try to ‘fix it’ and then thought “bugger it!”
If you did, what is your skincare routine now, and what did you do previously?
I’m leaning toward a nice simple moisturiser and a good SPF.

Good point about the menopause. I haven’t seen any signs yet... however, I’m 46 - it’s obviously round the corner!
I also haven’t seen any celebs that look much younger -either they look weird or just the same ( as was mentioned up thread)

At 46, I find I just can't be bothered with serious skin care anymore...

I find that sleeping well, smiling and getting some exercise and fresh air does more for my skin than lotions and potions anyway.

Can't even be bothered to dye my hair (brown with a few whites).

I wear make up though, a bit, especially in winter. But just can't be bothered with stuff I don't believe in, all that ££££ on vanity..

Also have to add, that hitting mid 40s is a bit like "sniper alley": lots of seriously bad stuff happening to friends and family my age (divorce, cancer, stroke, heart attack, serious mental health problems ), in the grand scheme of things I find that my deteriorating looks go hand in hand with a greater "I don't give a fuck" approach

Just grateful for what I have, rather than bemoaning what I am losing. It is a privilege to be around, still, and happy. And a bit of moisturiser (any) and make up in the morning will do just fine

Nicely put @Peanut

Interesting thread. Im 47 and figuring out how much I care about anti ageing treatments. Im single and I hate that I feel I should fight ageing harder to give myself a chance later. But then sometimes I think that I need to move beyond wanting to be liked/desired. Honestly a shorter working week and a beautiful kitchen extension would make me happy and content. I need to stop wasting money on appearance related costs.

Mary louise parker looks very young for her age i think. I know weeds is a decade old but she was my age at the end of that series and still looking 35

I am absolutely fighting aging. But spending time and money on face creams seems to me to be a complete waste. I have never bought into it and my skin seems a lot better than most women my age. Maybe just luck of course.
I do lots of exercise though and I eat reasonably well. I keep my brain active and socialise a lot. To me, these are far more worthwhile than any night creams, spfs or botox.

I am 51 and have very shiny, gorgeous skin but yes - there are wrinkles of course! I use nivea. Always have and I love it.

Have dabbled with botox but you know, I dont give enough of a shit anymore!!

At 50, I went through my DH's cardiac in an ambulance (fortunately, as he would have been dead had we been anywhere else) but that was 12 years ago. He's been re-engineered surgically and is fine.

I am much more invested in health and well being ever since then, and as skin is the largest organ in anyone's body, and the one that protects the internal organs from the outside world, I reckon it should be as well looked after as I can. So I am much more careful than I might have been given my genes. I take really good care of my skin; I still look my years, but like to think I wear them reasonably lightly. At almost 62, I think that's a decent result.

I'm always bemused by the number of MNetters who claim to look younger than they are.
Why are you telling all and sundry how old you are? I genuinely can't remember the last time I volunteered this information to anyone.

If anyone asks me "how old do you think I am?" I think they're weird and needy automatically knock at least 5 years off so as not to offend.

Honestly, you probably look every one of your years and it's about time we agreed there's nothing wrong with that.

Can I ask a question if you use Botox what are happening to your facial muscles, if they are frozen seen they dying and in perpetual atrophy. After Botox doesn't come melting wax face?

Also aren't we all too old to be obsessed with how we look at at different time, my beauty was back in my 20s and 30 and that type of beauty was youth.

My confidence (with wrinkles and Undyed hair) is NOW, as genuinely I don't give a toss to what age people think I am. I get compliments all the time but I think in my 40s dressing for your age is important, I want to look effortless and sophisticated and not like my teenage daughter.

My luxuries are my time with friends and family. I buried a school friend today at 45 and I feel blessed that I am here, my family are well and I know who I am.

I salute you OP saying what you think, as our age and showing it that gives us confidence and gravitas, I think we should stop trying to be 20 or 30 and be the fabulous women of age!

Will let you know when my first bout wears off littlebillie

Betty we are going to need before after and post Botox pictures 😁

I think it's important to remember the impact that emotional stress can have on us physically. I have cried a lot over the years as well as having 2 young dcs and it takes it's toll. The most important thing is that we are healthy and happy.

I am having a constant battle with myself over this issue. I have always been critical of this trend of perfectly lovely people 'having work done'

However, rather than just disliking the ageing process, mine is affecting my mental health. You see, my Mum was an alcoholic, and latterly, addicted to prescription painkiller and benzos. She aged well before her time and, quite frankly, looked awful in the couple of years before she took her own life.

Despite me living and clean and healthy life, I am ageing in a way I am desperately unhappy with. I see her when I look in the mirror. Saggy, droopy face. I avoid photos and sometimes can barely look at myself in the mirror as I see her looking back at me.

I am mid 40s and am now seriously considering fillers or a face lift. And I bet I am not the only person whose looks affect their mental health... for whatever reason.

It worries me that people would judge and talk about me if I had anything done! But the thought of having anything done also worries me. As does the thought of doing nothing and looking like this forever!

It's a major dilemma. I wish I could be happy with how I look but I don't think I even can be.

Sorry, that was long!! Didn't mean to bring the thread down, just pointing out it's not always easy to accept and embrace the natural look.

Cat I can see my mother too, but for our mental health hanging on to what we were is artificial. There are many stylish women over 60+ who have kept fit and tried real it real too.

I went to an interesting talk on social media about the face we use. Admittedly my picture is coming up on 7 years old I need to change it and recognise who I am. I am so sorry you feel like this looking in the mirror isn't there anything you like?

Cat also remember you probably thought like this about your 30 year old self at the time now you probably think you wished you had loved your beauty and embraced it

Im with you stevie. Im not telling people my age so they can judge ig i look like i had a tough paper round, or held back the tide.... if they dont know mt age they dont know if im ageing well or 'badly' and i think i prefer that.

I think Botox in your twenties is a terrible idea. You'll end up looking like you've had work done and therefore older, wrinkles or no wrinkles.

I agree with the poster who said Botox is confusing in that it should make you look younger but it doesn't really. I think it's because there are other sighs of aging that Botox doesn't address and therefore you end up unbalanced. Eg, ageing around the eyes, sagging lids, jowels, crepey neck etc.

I also wonder about the muscle atrophy and wonder if the opposite, I.e keeping the muscles toned (facial yoga? Caci?) is a better idea. Otherwise, surely you'll look like hell once the Botox wears off or you give it up....

Little
I am relatively wrinkle-free but it's the jowls that make me look so old!
The sagging around my mouth just makes me think of bad times.
It's hard to see anything other than that!

I'm only in my 30s so perhaps my opinion doesn't count for much to some people. I have a noticeable amount of grey, the beginnings of crows feet, and some lines on my forehead - but I've never felt more confident or beautiful. Society expends so much time and energy convincing us that growing old is some kind of curse, but that's just not true. I've already lived a rich, full life, with plenty of good and bad experiences, and I feel like my face is a testament to that. I expect my future experiences will end up carved on there as well. I do take care of my skin - oil cleansing and moisturising - and I wear makeup most days. But I've made a conscious decision not to buy into the myth that my value is somehow measured in how young I look. I've known plenty of people who would have given their right arm to live long enough to see grey hairs and wrinkles, or for their children to have that prospect. Living that long myself is a privilege, not something to be ashamed of.

I'm 48 and can't be bothered tbh.

I don't have to look at myself anyway so I'm not too bothered anymore.

If I didn't work I wouldn't even wear make up. I feel I'm channelling my inner Bridget Bardot (the old wrinkly version who doesn't give a shit)

I think 30s is fine though. I think I was at my best mid 30s, the odd line but looked good (not bragging, this is in hindsight) Something happens to your face in your 40s, it's like it falls off the edge of a cliff. You think you'll be ok with it but it's hard. It's not the wrinkles either more a general sagging!

Aren't we be sold a line that you have be youthful to be beautiful.