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I'm early 20's and want to grow old gracefully - what do I need to know?

54 replies

Blackbird1234 · 07/07/2019 11:02

Very lighthearted thread - Just as the title says, really. I'm in my early 20s and take pride in my appearance (not meaning that I'm vain, but that I enjoy taking care of my skin, body, health, diet etc in order to stay healthy).

I'd like to grow old gracefully and am wondering if there is anything that I should be doing already? For example: I've read that you should use anti-ageing products from a young age - but is this the case?

Basically, any tips that anyone has would be very appreciated, thanks :)

OP posts:
Doobigetta · 07/07/2019 12:15

Wear sunglasses whenever it is bright enough to make you squint even a tiny bit, all year round.

EatenByDinosaurs · 07/07/2019 13:36

Start prescription strength Retin A. The earlier you start the better, I have friends who have been in it since their late teens and have almost no fine lines and amazing, flawless skin.

I've just started it a bit late to the party as I'm an expat in the US, and it wasn't as common in the UK when I left years ago. I think you still have to get it from Portugal if you live in the UK.

Retin A is the only thing proven (with decades of research) to both vastly slow and reverse the signs of ageing.

EatenByDinosaurs · 07/07/2019 13:39

Also, if you want more info look at the Reddit sub on Tretinoin, which is Retin A, or the Hot and Flashy blog on her experiences over five years of using it, the photo differences are pretty amazing.

trackingmedown · 07/07/2019 13:54

Sunscreen on face, neck, chest and hands.

Some sort of lengthening/strengthening exercise like yoga or Pilates.

Don’t smoke.

Take care of your teeth.

And don’t worry about aging.

tierraJ · 07/07/2019 13:56

Definitely spf moisturiser every day & proper sun lotion in the summer, I've worn it since my teens am now 42 & get compliments on my skin.

Do not smoke!! My friends who did really regret it. It's difficult to give up, exacerbates / causes illness & causes bad skin aging.

Try to maintain your weight at a healthy bmi, don't get overweight & stay fit. So your joints & heart should stay healthy.

trackingmedown · 07/07/2019 13:56

Try own brand sunscreens marketed for children. They are often lighter than the adult ones.

CaptainMyCaptain · 07/07/2019 13:57

I came on to say what Pinnacular said sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen whether it is sunny or not just make it a habit and don't forget the backs of your hands (like I did).

sue51 · 07/07/2019 13:58

Retin a every other night, sunscreen every single day, lots of fruit, veg and oily fish, regular dental cheeks, exercise and good sleep.

CaptainMyCaptain · 07/07/2019 13:58

Also posture - do pilates - bad posture really ages people.

EducatingArti · 07/07/2019 14:02

Aldi do very inexpensive face creams that have a SPF of either 15 or 20. I use them because if I put most ordinary sun creams on my face they make my eyes and nose run!

Girasole02 · 07/07/2019 14:03

Someone once told me to spend on quality shoes and a good bed because if you're not in one you're in the other. They were so right.

AwkwardSquad · 07/07/2019 14:09

Growing old gracefully means acceptance. That you will grow old, if you are fortunate. That older women have value. It is the increasingly frantic attempts to hold back the tide which lack grace. You may not be worried now, but the best way to avoid worrying about it in the future is to practice acceptance now.

This. And also sunscreen and yoga. Don’t worry so much about delaying the appearance of ageing, do try to have a healthy older age.

MaidenMotherCrone · 07/07/2019 14:17
  1. Laugh
  2. Laugh a lot
  3. Be kind (it's very good for you)

I've got more years behind me than I've got ahead of me and I won't waste a minute of the time I have left worrying about ageing.

Enjoy living, be you and be happy.

Stay off IG and FB too..... it's all fake attention seeking.

cavalier · 07/07/2019 14:21

Don’t drink don’t smoke and do protect yourself against the suns rays .... laugh ... love and live ;0)
Find a great moisturiser .... enjoy everyday as life goes so quickly ... choose your friends wisely and don’t let toxic people drag you down

Blackbird1234 · 08/07/2019 07:57

Thank you so much for all of these tips! I've noted down the ones that I can realistically keep up and will be doing so :)

As an answer to GottaGetUp but also to clear up any misunderstandings - I'm not afraid of looking older, I don't mind wrinkles at all, I find them to be quite attractive. Cellulite doesn't bother me and I've no doubt that my body will not look as good when I'm 50 as it does now. I genuinely don't mind most things that will make me look older, as it's all natural anyway and there's very little that I can do about it. I simply mean that I've seen lots of women on here start threads such as "things I wish I was doing to my skin 20 years ago" etc and as I find that stuff interesting, I'd like to know about it in order to feel my best at any age, rather than slow down aging. My mums got wrinkles that I absolutely love and will be expecting to match one day :)

OP posts:
RuggyPeg · 08/07/2019 08:15

Keep your weight the same.

Learn about good skincare. It doesn't have to be expensive but cleanse, tone, moisturise is not where it's at anymore.

Find a fabulous hairdresser and never let them go!

BIWI · 08/07/2019 08:19

Everything that PP have said - especially about exercise/pilates to help your flexibility. But also - The Desiderata is a pretty good philosophy!

Desiderata
GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Fluffycloudland77 · 08/07/2019 08:49

Sunblock every single day, don’t drink regularly and don’t smoke.

I’m 42 and got asked for I’d to buy gin last week by someone about 10 years younger than me.

Knitwit99 · 08/07/2019 08:54

Pelvic floor exercises every day. There's nothing graceful about prolapse.

Baxdream · 08/07/2019 09:08

Good skincare but I would say wear clothes that are young and trendy.
You will never look better! I'm now rapidly approaching 40 and realising that I can't wear all clothes now !

Floisme · 08/07/2019 09:46

If you wear makeup, I recommend taking regular breaks. A lot of changes to your face, e.g. skin tone, are incremental and you may not notice straight away. I find that taking a break gives me a perspective so that, when I go back, it's easier to spot if a product isn't working any more. It helps me use makeup as a tool rather than a crutch.

I would also advise against rushing to cover up grey hairs as soon as they appear. Once you're on the dyeing treadmill it can be very, very hard to get off, as countless threads on here will testify. I would wait and see what they're like e.g. consider the texture and colour (it may actually be a better match for your skin - see my first point) before you decide.

managedmis · 08/07/2019 13:39

Don't smoke
Don't drink
Don't sunbathe
Loads of veg
Loads of sleep
Maintain a healthy weight
Apply a thick moisturiser every night
Remove make up before bed
Eat good fats, salmon, almonds etc

BlueMerchant · 08/07/2019 13:48

Well done on your attitude and awareness.
I wish I had taken care of myself in my 20s.
Apart from no drinking and smoking I think the most important thing is looking after your mental health. Yoga? Mindfulness?
Stress really shows on your face/skin.

MacavityTheDentistsCat · 08/07/2019 14:03

Ensure that you do enough weight-bearing exercise to lay down sufficient bone mineral to keep your bones strong and healthy for (your hopefully very long) life.

And on the health but not the style front: get a smear done regularly and check your breasts each month for changes.

shinynewapple · 08/07/2019 22:35

Maintain a healthy weight by good diet and regular exercise

Include exercise which helps your posture

Look after your teeth

In my 50's I still have really good skin due to genetics but appalling posture and teeth

Oh another one - if you have DC make sure you do the pelvic floor exercises!!