Getting that fresh faced look back? How?

[MirrorHope]

I'm thinner than I've ever been but so is my hair. I have greys but very few (actually zero) wrinkles - two kids down, a stressful job, two renovations, bereavement, awful pregnancies and aftermaths - etc etc marriage - you name it - I was told today how fresh faced I look in an old photo of myself. I was fatter and had more hair.

What can I do? Obviously I've just aged really badly and it's hit me now - I have no wrinkles - just thinner hair and can't do much with it.

I also am juggling so much stuff. I know I can't reclaim my youth - but to look at my face I don't have wrinkles so what is it that ages you? How do you lose that fresh look? Can you get it back?

Wow @EatenByDinosaurs that's tonnes of advice to take in and yes I started using it yesterday but I will do it three times a week.

Wow the woman who did my facial said I really needed to exfoliate. So I spent about £25 I think it was or even £30 on that pot of face polish! I used that and this serum yesterday

I will look into those products and a general multi vitamin.

Thank you re IBS pro- biotics not heard of these.

On my thyroid levels they are at a good level but I feel like I might try a desiccated thyroid

I hope some of it helps @MirrorHope .

DH uses the IBS specific probiotics too, and they've changed his life too.
He hates taking any kind of supplement and was very skeptical, but he's a bit like a snake oil salesman recommending them now . The ones he and my friends use are by Webber Naturals, but we're in the US so I'm not sure if the brand is available in the UK. There will be other brands, but if you do try them, do make sure you get ones which state they're IBS specific.

Physical exfoliants aren't good for facial skin sadly, E'Spa, St Ives etc. They are good on the feet and body. Could you take it back and get a refund? Don't most places have a refund guarantee it is doesn't suit you?

Chemical exfoliants are what you need for the face, and are cheaper cheaper to boot!
Aldi do a glycolic acid toner too, and all of the skincare products I use cost less than £30 in total to buy from scratch. All in fairy big sizes which last a long time

Chemical exfoliants are good but do be careful not to overdo it to start with and always use an spf. Do some research and start with some mild ones.

Vitamin c is good for brightening which fits with your issues but again there is good and bad. You want stuff that is properly protected and not just in a tub of moisturiser.

Retinols/retinoids are heavy stuff I would take baby steps. And certainly don’t start these in the summer.

Daily SPF is more important than anything especially if you are doing exfoliating and retinols. It makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. So get your spf sorted before you do anything.

Paula’s choice and Caroline Hirons is a good place to start to educate yourself on skincare.

Ps I don’t really go in for Facials as don’t trust most beauticians, especially ones that are pushing a line. The likes of espa and Elemis are fulls of fragrances and are all about the image.

In terms of supplements I think krill oils is good for omegas.

Plenty of water and microneedling/peels works for me

I have two facials a year. They really help with blocked pores.