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!

Do you wear blusher? A good cream blusher knocks years off. I use Bobbi Brown uber beige pot rouge as a base and then chuck on something a bit brighter to enliven.

Yes the Liquid Gold is good and will freshen up your skin but you MUST wear sun cream Spf during the daytime as it makes your skin thinner for a while as it takes off the dead layer of skin revealing lovely new skin underneath.

Only apply it at night after you have cleansed your skin and no need to apply a moisturise after for its full effect.

Don't apply it every night just 3 times a week.

If you are exhausted at night then invest in Simple Micellar water and large oval cotton pads to remove make up or just cleanse your skin.

For nights when you are less tired wash your face with a cleanser.

There are lots of different cleansers I use murad blemish control, you could use Superdrug Vit E cleanser, just rub on and wash off with a flannel in a sink of tepid water.

As for makeup as you will be possibly using Liquid Gold (it can purge your skin to start with so dont be alarmed if your skin goes a bit red and spotty the first few times of use) I would suggest start off with Bourjois City Radiance No 2 as it does have spf so you can get away with not wearing a separate spf if you wanted to ie if you are out about and not in the sun all day.

Once you have time you can start looking around properly for what you need skin care wise but I think these should be a good starting point for now.

Good luck and I'm so sorry for all you have been through

Can liquid gold be used on skin that is quite sensitive?

I have similar issues around my skin but it's quite sensitive so I'm wary of big investments with brands I haven't used before

So sorry you’ve had such a tough time.

Skin - Liz Earle cleanse and polish. Exfoliation is key to bright skin. Lancôme genefique serum. It’s £££ but lasts forever as you use so little.

Makeup - benefit eyebright on the waterline. Bright eyes make such a difference! Estée Lauder double wear, the light version might suit you better. Highlighter on cheek bones and brow. I like the Topshop one, MAC or benefit highbeam.

Teeth - dentist trays. Expensive the first time but then you just buy the gels once a year or so. Much gentler than other methods.

And controversial on Mumsnet but I’ve been having Botox for the past couple of years. Only every 4 months or so. Nobody knows, if done properly you don’t look frozen, just fresh!

Get some testers of all the things recommended and see what suits you best :)

Oh yes and do visit a hygienist re your teeth they will look a lot whiter and be much healthier afterwards

Micro needling

And double cleansing - à la Caroline Hirons!

• superdrug Vit E cleanser is a dupe of Liz Earle Polish and cleanse so you will save ££

• Do not use Estee Lauder double wear it is like glue to your skin and will make it look bleugh after a while

• you are far too young to be getting botox

• Good skincare is the answer

• My favourite moisturiser is La Roche Posay Toleraine Fluide non-oil as I have combination skin - it took me years to find this.

I'm 51 and I have very dry, sensitive skin and I'm really lazy. I tried loads of new things a couple of years ago and this is what I settled on (it's very quick).

Morning:
Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix pads
Nip+Fab Dragon's Blood Serum (it's totally magic, plumps out lines)
Natio SPF30 moisturiser (for men as it's less perfumed than the women's version)

Evening
Nip+Fab Dragon's Blood pads
Neals Yard Frankincense Intense moisturiser and eye cream

The Neals Yard stuff is expensive, but I've also used Hylamide Sub Q moisturiser and eye lotion instead and that worked well too. I just slightly prefer the Neals Yard stuff.

If you make an account on Nip+Fab they will email when they have sales. About twice a year I buy the pads for £5 a tub and buy enough to last me until the next sale.

I don't wear make up, so can't help there.

Here is a link to Caroline Hirons, skin care guru, there are some great 'cheat sheets' top right of her site.

You can get lost for hours on her website but she's brilliant, so well worth getting lost down that rabbit hole of skincare.

www.carolinehirons.com/2013/06/routines-cheat-sheet.html

I'd follow Dr Sam Bunting for skincare advice rather than La Hirons. She is dead against double cleansing unless your face is covered in long-wear Instagram-style slap. I agree. I double cleansed myself to sensitised skin and have pulled right back - saving money and skin. Plus- have you seen Sam Bunting's skin?

Wow so much useful advice! Thank you all. I will research all the products mentioned. I have a reasonable budget. Giving up alcohol is a good tip but unlikely, I could and should cut down though.

I'm confused by The Ordinary website! Where to start with their products??

Hope you stick around Grobags. You'll get a lot of support on S&B - posters are genuinely helpful even if we don't agree on everything. You will end up significantly poorer though.

Ha @DameDoom - given I've spent virtually nothing on beauty products my whole life (relied on youthful bloom, decent eyes and thick hair) any spending in this area feels like a shock to the system!

Grobags You could try Buffet, their all-round anti-aging serum, a few drops on clean skin. You can use morning and night but it's up to you how often.

I'd buy direct from Deciem (parent company) as they have a good returns policy. A few ppl have reactions, probably from the castor oil in the formulation.

Good, gentle cleanser are La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser (and the Toleriane moisturiser) or Avène Extremely Gentle Cleanser, both in Boots. They are a bit more expensive but last ages.

Lots of ppl like the various Superdrug ranges, like the Radiant or Vit E options .

Thanks @BagelGoesWalking

Estée Lauder double wear is not like glue. But it is full coverage. That’s why I suggested light.

Botox should be used as a preventative measure so early 30s is the perfect age to start. I started late 20s. Once the wrinkles are there it is too late so ignore that advice from pp. Common misconception. It’s not for everyone at all but decisions should be made on an informed basis :)

This is a good article on lipsticks that make your teeth look whiter.

www.bustle.com/articles/64505-what-color-lipstick-makes-teeth-look-whiter-a-handy-guide-to-getting-your-most-brilliant-smile

A nude colour eyeliner (can be purchased for a few quid from high street Amazon) this on the lower eye waterline makes you look bright eyed and awake.

I'm so very sorry to hear this.
Have you tried charlotte Tilbury? You can go and book an appointment with one of the girls to help you. It can be very pricey though.
Eyebrow threading o waxing can help and it's not at all expensive a good skincare regime clense, tone and moisturise every day. I using simple products at the minute but I usually go with what ever is on special offer in the supermarket.

The 3 products I personally couldn't live without are

Ysl touch clait
Charlotte Tilbury wonder glow
Mascara- any tbh as long as it's black the bigger the mascara brush the better.

Good luck

Cut out as much sugar as possible. Same with alcohol and caffeine. Drink a lot more water, eat lots of veggies, especially green veggies and exercise. Diet and exercise are the elixir of youth. Sugar particularly ages the skin. Although smoking is the absolute worst but I am assuming you are a non-smoker.

Do all you can to introduce stress relief into your life. After so much trauma you need to know how to to reduce stress.

India I agree with you on Botox, I started late 20's, once or twice a year. Once you have the lines it's impossible to get rid.
Of course it's not for everyone, nor the only thing that works.
I don't have full freezing, I leave a bit between my eyes and above my eyebrows for expression. It's a subtle effect, I just look more refreshed and less tired when I have it.

I don't think anyone other than my husband actually notices the difference but it gives me more confidence.

Make sure your iron and ferritin levels are healthy, plus vitamin D and B12 as all affect vitality, skin and hair if low.

Salmon and eggs, full of omega for healthy skin. To eat, not as some weird stinky facemask 😁

I've also found using the sauna has helped clear my skin. I've started swimming several times a week and I pop in the sauna afterwards for 10/15 mins. Maybe it's the combined effort of exercise and sauna, but my skin has definitely looked more perky!