I'm 35 and look knackered

[sneakypinky]

Over the last 2 years something has happened and I look exhausted. I have 90% oily skin that is sometimes 10% dry and flaky I'm 35.

I use la Roche Posay effeclar face wash and cream for spotty oily times.

Clinique blue 4 toner.

Either Clinique yellow gel moisturiser when it's oily or trilogy rose serum and moisturiser when dry/flaky.

I look like knackered shite always. I'm not that old! I eat decently and drink green juice most days, maybe drink wine twice a week now I've cut right down. Why do I look so tired all the time?

Does everyone have any miracle products? I'm getting married next year and demand to look like a dewy fresh faced princess. Even a 35 year old one. I look like Pocahontas Grandma tree by 7pm currently.

HELP.

Bump.

Have you tried Retinol? I’m 32 and will be jumping on the bandwagon soon!

However, one thing that (literally did I’m not even joking) transformed my skin into very bright, fresh faced and so many people started commenting on how good my skin was looking, is Nip and Fab Dragon’s blood pads. I’d say within 2 weeks it went from full and dry to dewy and glowy. I’ve always had good skin in terms of it being clear from spots, but always quite dry skin. However I started using these about 3.5 years ago now and they really did transform my skin. They’re not that expensive and on a offer in boots quite a lot so worth buying a tub, using one morning and night for a couple of weeks and see if it makes a difference before undertaking something a bit more serious like Retinol!

Dull and dry*

I have read that the Clinique toners are all really bad even for oily skin.
I would look at the Paula’s choice aha and bha exfoliants as I trust they are at the correct ph, a lot aren’t.

Vitamin c is good for brightening. Again it’s hard to get a good product as it degrades easily. Currently like beauty pies little capsules.

Obviously nothing is more important than daily spf. And don’t forget to touch up mid day.

I haven’t explored retinol yet. Bit scared of it but prob will at some point.

What's your current skincare routine like?

Have you tried acid toning with glycolic acid? You do get a purge initially, mine was v minor and lasted a week or so but it makes me look so much more fresh faced.

I use The Inkey List's glycolic acid but The Ordinary do one too, and I'm not in the UK but apparently Aldi also have one.

I'm also jumping on the retinols now too, I have a prescription for Tretinoin, just need to pick it up from the pharmacy.

A couple of weekly moisturising sheet masks might help, they make your skin feel so dewy and bright

I'm the same age and have had the same issues (with the same skin type). I've tried using Paula's choice and the nip fan pads, and while my skin looked a bit better, I don't think they had a major impact. What's made the difference is cleansing with oil or balm and a flannel at the end of the day. I've tried loads of serums over the years and never felt that any of them made a difference, until I had a facial and bought the decleor one (link below) because it smelled lovely. For the first time ever people have started to compliment me on my skin! It makes me look all glowy and bright, I love it.

m.lookfantastic.com/decleor-aromessence-mandarin-smoothing-serum/10938638.html

You need to exfoliate. For my greasy skin I find Apricot’s products really useful. I also used retinol before I got pregnant and that did a lot to rejunivate my face.

Exfoliate with a glycolic acid at night. Apply retinol at night afterwards. Use some kind of vitamin c serum or cream in the morning - it must be of 20% concentration to retain benefits. These things will perk you up. Cooling collagen eye patches for especially rough days. Keep them in the fridge. X

I second Retinol and glycolic products for glowing skin.

I also have Botox to open up my droopy eyes and stop me looking tired but you are probably too young for that!

KittyWindbag do you use both the glycolic and retinol same night? I go through phases of one or other but never considered using both same night

@ellllle I always use ren ready steady glow on a cotton pad at night (glycolic acid toner) the alternate different retinol face products. Done lots of reading, nothing to suggest that’s not ok. As long as you use a good spf the next day.

Depends on your budget but I'd try a couple of very mild chemical peels (the no downtime ones) and I love Elemis products (but they're expensive!)

Thanks all, I had a go with retinol for a while but didn't notice any different so stopped bothering, maybe I need to persevere a bit longer.

I use an spf too, and occasionally use the body shop vitamin c.

@sneakypinky I think the key is consistency. You say you used things and gave up and occasionally use Vit c, etc. In my experience skincare takes a while before you can really start to see the benefits. It’s rare to find a quick fix product. I’d try to keep at a routine for a good while using some kind of acid exfoliant plus a retinol at night. And go back to vit c on a more daily basis. Good luck.

Use nothing but Ultrabland balm cleaner from Lush for two weeks and see the results. It will restore the balance of your skin. Ditch the toner forever! It’ll just make you produce more oil.

And drink more water! Honestly I was looking hideously old and tired, started using the balm cleanser and increased my water and it took ten years off me. Honestly!

Diet drinks (diet coke in particular) make me look knackered.

I ❤️ Glossier and so does my 19 year old