I'm 37, it's been a very rough few years and my skin has AGED. Tell me what to buy to fix it. Pls

[Grobagsforever]

Hi all

First post in this section. Have realised my youthful bloom has completely gone due to being widowed when pregnant at 33..so nearly four years of lone parenting, grief, stress, sleepless nights have really taken their toll.

I'd like to be pretty again. Pls can someone help me by recommending a good skincare routine that will help control the wrinkles and also a foundation/other products to help me look less old and washed out!

Also any really good teeth whitening products?

I've started work on my wardrobe. Thankfully stress keeps me slim and I'm tall so I can rock the skinny jeans etc. And found a hair colour that suits to cover the bastard greys!!!

Any other brilliant ideas for transforming washed out, living in jeans and old tops, tired skin etc gratefully received!

Sorry to hear that you've had such a rough time OP but I'm sure your youthful bloom isn't gone, just hibernating!

May be you could get a facial at a nice spa? A good therapist can assess your skin and recommend products you should be using.

If you want a short term fix Sisley Black Rose Oil or the Black Rose Face Mask is brilliant for making skin soft and glowing.

Sorry if this post is useless to you. All the best!

Time for facials in rather short supply sadly! Thanks for the recommendations on products though!

Blimey that's expensive!! Does it perform miracles?

my advice is start a simple cleansing and moisturising regime - I use nivea (I'm 50) and remove make up with cleansing lotion (usually Boots cucumber £1.50) and moisturise with Nivea Day Lotion (about £4). I don't believe in expensive products (luckily, as I have never had a budget for it) but my mum used Oil of Ulay (Olay) her whole life and still does at 78 and has lovely radiant skin).

A good diet is also important, this will affect your skin.

The Ordinary are really reasonably priced skin care products and are always recommended on these threads. I have just started using the retinoids and I like it so far.

I know there's been a few posts saying it's not so good but I've seen much improvement in my skin from The Ordinary products. I hadn't ever really used decent skin care apart from a moisturiser. I think the acid toner has been best. Also using spf every day. There's lots of threads about it. It's good value.

I'm sorry about the tough time you've had

Crossed posts Glubglubglub

Rosehip oil put on before bed has really helped my dull, grey skin. I use it every other night as I find it blocks my pores. I use an exfoliating face wash 2-3 times per week and a normal face wash the rest of the time. You may need to try a few out before you find ones that work. In the past I've seen the Superdrug vitamin E range recommended, I bought my DM the hot cloth cleanser and she said it was great. I also use a toner with salicylic acid in daily. I don't use foundation so can't help there I'm afraid! A nice lipstick always helps though!
If your budget doesn't stretch to buying new clothes, you can revive tops and jeans using Dylon washing machine dye pods. I've used them loads with good results. If you can spend some on new clothes H&M are great for basics.
Hope the future is kinder to you and your LO. Best wishes.

Think about your eating and drinking habits. Simple things like drinking more water and avoiding things that stain your teeth like coffee, wine etc make a huge difference!

I got a little bottle of something called Liquid Gold in an M&S beauty advent calendar. I don’t know what it is, but I used it and EVERYONE commented on my skin. I went from grey looking to pink and blossoming skin, and this was without using foundation. I’m 40.

I'll second Liquid Gold. I was dubious at first but it does work.

Another vote for The Ordinary. Not £££. I've just started using it and I'm seriously impressed. I use superdrug wash off cleanser the one with the muslin cloth. Often on buy one get one free. Much better for my skin than the Liz Earle one.

Oh and eating a reasonable diet. Lots of junk and processed shows in the skin imo.

Oh and be kind to yourself

I can't help with products but the stuff that comes out of the tap pretty much free of charge can make quite a difference to my skin; drinking plenty of it that is.

My skin always looks grey and tired if I'm dehydrated.

And I went and got my teeth blasted at the hygienist with something she called a Provijet. Works wonders for stained teeth.

I also get my eyebrows threaded - this changes the whole shape of my face for the better.

Yesterday I went to my local department store and had some pampering which included an Aveda blow dry and a nails inc manicure. I feel wonderful today.

I definitely think it helps. If I’m skint I do a pamper session at home which also really helps how I feel. I use apricot oil from Neil’s Yard as an all over body serum and spend extra time doing my own blow dry.

I find paying attention to the details really boosts my confidence about my style/grooming.

very sorry for your loss.
things that worked for me:

teeth: activated charcoal powder from Amazon, coconut oil pulling and 3d whitening oral b also regular hygienist appt and flossing.

skin: n7 glycolic peel kit. garner moisture bomb mask and hylauric face mist from super drug. Argan oil on skin too.

hair: mine is frizzy helped by John Frieda products. Argan oil too!

generally: vitamin d supplements, spatone iron water sachets, hair skin and nails multi vitamin (sainsburys own ok)

no booze early nights cleanse and moisturize at night. also one or two smoothies a day. lots of water 2 litres or more.

I have just ordered some more of the face stuff. It’s called Alpha H liquid rose gold. I got it from the beauty bay for just under £40.

Bugger I’m skint now, but at least I’ll be poor and beautiful

Sorry you've been through such a tough time. Sometimes just the act of taking better care of yourself will make you feel a whole lot better.

I'm a similar age and my skin has been showing signs of aging but is looking much better now I've implemented a new regime.

I'm drinking more water, doing an aldi charcoal face mask once a week and daily doing superdrug vit e hot cloth cleansing, followed by aldi glycolic pad. Then I use The Ordinary buffet serum and retinol at night.

Superdrug do great make up at reasonable prices, so perhaps have a look at that.

I use Live box dyes to keep my Grey's at bay.

EBay is good for clothes bargains. I know which brands fit me best, so search for them on eBay.

Little things like having nice nails always makes me feel better, so I bought a home gel kit and they last for about 2 weeks. My best investment to date.

Sorry I did put paragraphs in but the app seems to ignore them!

For whitening teeth, I got a Phillips diamond clean toothbrush. The list price is expensive but Boots had it at more than 50% off. My DH and I have both noticed a massive reduction in staining. I'm sure any decent electric toothbrush will have the same effect, you can pick some nice ones up for less than £50.

Is the rose gold M&S any Good?
Is it worth it?
What is it exactly, a moisturiser / serum you only use alternate days?

The Ordinary, no question. Go research! If you email then and tell them what you want to achieve they will help you figure out what you need.

The rose gold is a kind of acid peel I think.... you do it in place of moisturiser twice a week or so.

Grobags you have been through so much. I think it's very commendable that you want to get back to your best - hopefully, you will be looking and feeling fab very soon.
An airjet clean at the hygienist really is a good tip. If finances allow, treating yourself to whitening trays from the dentist will make a world of difference and you can top up at home.
A brilliant cleansing routine, exfoliation and a little bit of self-tanner should liven up a grey complexion and can be achieved at any price point. I love Eve Lom rescue mask - it really peps up my skin when I am looking haggard. Not cheap but not Sisley prices.

I'm not implying you drink but I just wanted to share that quitting alcohol took years off me.
I'm guessing that was due mainly to dehydration so if you are a non drinker remember to hydrate as much as you can

Is this the liquid gold?

www.marksandspencer.com/liquid-gold-100ml/p/p22452400?carousel=FUNH_RR_REFER