Mid 40s look washed out!

[FashionFiend]

My face looks a bit washed out. Skin has always been very dry. Have psoriasis on my scalp which falls onto my forehead and makes it flaky so retinol made my face way too dry. I often use vaseline on my face at night. I always cleanse with cetaphil. Moogoo scalp cream has worked miracles on the psoriasis but my face still looks washed out. I use nars tinted moisturizer, nars bronzer, nars blusher, mascara and rose vaseline. What would you recommend to brighten my face? Until recently when I was clothes shopping I could put an item of clothing to see if the colour suited me. Now every colour seems to make me look pale/tired. Recommendations gratefully received!

That should read, I could put an item of clothing up to my face to see it the colour suited me!

Are you anemic? That happened to me I’m mid 40s due to peri menopause. A bit of iron gave me back a bit of colour, also sleep and walking outside every day and using facial oil (rosehip from Amazon).

I also couldn’t wear black after 40, switched to navy, greens and purples as bases for clothes, much softer.

A friend switched to camel, took years off her.

Thanks, those are good points. I go to bed too late and could probably do with iron.

Are you dyeing your hair a colour you've been using for years that no longer matches a changing skin tone?

Yes it could be that. My hairdresser says every time that the colour looks good and keeps doing the same colour again. I go along with it thinking she knows best but will talk to her next time I'm in. Thanks

Seconding the idea about anaemia. Quite a lot of women are anaemic without knowing. You can get the Spatone sachets of iron rich water as a gentle supplement.
Some kind of Vitamin C oil might be good? I've been using the super facialist one for cleansing and that's been working well.

I think if you take care of the basics like sleep, no booze, no smoking, crap food etc the rest will improve.

Thanks everyone for the really helpful replies. Have just drank my first spatone sachet, going to bed early tonight and have started improving my diet.

I think you would benefit from adding a serum based on hyonaluric acid into your skincare. There are a million to choose from; when I was your age (I am 20 years older) I used a Bioderma Hydrabio serum from Boots (except that then, I bought it in France.)

I'm very pale and Wan - always have been, and I benefit hugely from a lipstick with some depth or brightness to it and tightlining my eyes. You could also have a wash of color on your eyes. Lilacs look brightening on me, and you can blend them with greys. Bronzer round the edge of your face too, to frame it.

I read that eyeliner was ageing so stopped bothering with it. Must google tightlining. Must invest in a good lipstick, the pink vaseline doesn't seem to do much for me when I'm this tired looking. Thanks!

What colour hair & eyes OP?

Green eyes and medium brown hair.

I was exactly the same - dry dull skin and switched to clarins dehydrated range.

I use the cleaner toner serum and moisturiser and a scrub once a week

It has made a massive difference and my skin now looks fantastic. I've also started going to the gym, cut out sugar and lost half a stone (six months after the skin care regime) and that has really helped.

I don't sleep well so that's still a problem but I'm working on it!

If you suffer with psoriasis- try facial oils like rose hip- they'll be gentle. Vit c can give you glow but be careful with sensitive skin as it's not always suitable. There was a good podcast on Sali Hughes Avon one that had a dermatologist and another influencer that specialised in problem skin. Was really interesting and worth a listen.

Before treating yourself for anaemia go and get a blood test with your GP.
But Anaemia was my first thought too - but blood tests are a way to find out how bad and if there is anything else going on.

Second @mollybutton - don't just self diagnose and treat potential anemia. Get a blood test - if you actually have that, it's a serious condition and needs to have a proper treatment plan that's reflective of the severity

Do you use blusher OP? Makes a real difference for me if I'm looking a little flat.

I use nars blusher it definitely helps.

I agree perhaps a Vitamin C serum

Do you get to spend enough time outside in fresh air? Only asking because I noticed this on myself and other family members over decades of observations, if someone is poorly and stay indoors for two days, they look colourless regardless of their age.
Gentle face massage usually keeps the colour in your cheeks as it stimulates blood circulation or alternative cold and warm compresses.
I agree about wearing black, it often drains any colour away.

I could definitely do with more fresh air. Another thing to work on. Thanks, useful advice. Trying to factor in a walk every day.

@MollyButton worth seeing your GP but many are dismissive of anaemia and if you're borderline anaemic will not do anything. I've been severely anaemic to the point of having two blood transfusions and still didn't get a proper treatment plan.

But if you get the tests done - at least then you have facts in black and white, and have something to argue with. You are entitled to a copy of your results, actually I can access them automatically from my phone via an app.
And my GPs are being fabulous with my own anaemia, even if they are a bit flummoxed; so far I've had 2 sets of gynaecological investigations and 2 sets of gastric, it off to haematology next.