Sudden skin aging

[Nogoodwithgoodbyes]

I'm almost 40 but I'm shocked at my skin:

Basically, I've had crow's feet and lines on my forehead for a good few years and I'm okay with that. I have always taken pretty good care of my skin (cleanser, spf during the day, occasional mask and I use serums periodically). The skin on the rest of my face has always been pretty good and people used to comment on how good my skin is.

Just very recently, I've noticed fine lines all over my cheeks, as in, when I smile you can see the lines from the side of my mouth to the side of my eyes. They're very fine/early stage right now but it's actually made me so sad, I've cried. I'm going through marital separation and it never even occurred to me to worry about my skin (bigger fish to fry) but gosh, this is really bothering me.

Any tips, please? What's the best skincare? Has this happened to any of you? I'm considering giving up alcohol as I hear it ages the skin. Both of my parents have amazing skin, so this is definitely not genetic.

Thanks a million. I really appreciate all the comments. It’s made me realise that self-care went out the window and I need to get it back.

Yikes, I’d be afraid to do a phenol peel if you need antibiotics afterwards.

I’m happy with my new routine. I’m going to stick with it and once it’s well established, I’m going to add The Ordinary hyaluronic acid in the morning and The Ordinary retinol at night. I think my skin has been withering from too much alcohol, too much sugar & junk food & not enough fresh air! It really is about the simple things! I obviously wish it didn’t look as it does and I still feel sad when I look in the mirror but I’m feeling more positive and proactive now that I’m doing something about it. I must say that this has motivated me to go out walking a lot more than weight-loss ever did.

@Branleuse
Wow that’s a good ad for Botox. I didn’t realise it was only £150! That’s pretty good value! I’m delighted you got such great results. How big of an area can they cover?

@Sammi38

Congratulations on losing 4.5 stone! That is absolutely amazing. It sounds like the peel worked well for you too, so that’s good.

@Branster

OP you will feel and look better before you know it! You’ve got a nice serious routine going on and you will see the benefits. Stress can seriously mess up with your looks especially after a certain age but it will all get better soon

I really appreciate these reassuring words. Thank you.

@CurlyhairedAssassin

Love the username! . I use Bareminerals liquid foundation and I love it. I was using it for acne originally but I’ve continued with it as it seems less ‘clogging’ than other medium/high coverage foundations.

@notgoodwithgoodbyes I dont know, but she took out my frown lines, which has slightly raised my brow and makes me look fresher and more rested. It was 150 for 1 area, and 200 for two areas. I think its roughly similar prices in most places, but effects last about 4 or 5 months for most people. I think the other area they do is crows feet, but I dont really have bad crows feet, so she said not worth doing and the effect would be negligable.

Nizoral shampoo for your scalp, you can get it in Boots. Lots of good skincare products being talked about. Definitely exfoliate and another random tip - make sure each product has a chance to properly sink into you skin before applying anything else on top.

Taking antibiotics for a few days doesn’t put me off. Dh is on them all the time as a prophylactic.

Great you got such good results @Branleuse.

Thanks @Getoffmylilo. I'll pick up the Nizoral!

@Fluffycloudland77, that's great. They bother me a lot physically and I try to avoid them as a result. It also makes me wonder what the peel is doing to the body if antibiotics are needed but whatever works for a person, I guess.

I had a co2 laser and it transformed my face. All fine lines, sun damage and acne scarring gone. Cost 2k and worth 10 times that !!

Wow. It’d want to be good for 2 grand! How was the recovery? I don’t think I’d be brave ~or rich~ enough

What’s the story with these LED home masks? Are they worth the investment and what’s a good brand to use? I don’t think I could do anything too invasive but they sound like something I’d try..

Hi too had amazing results with a laser. People focus on Botox and fillers yet lasers give such amazing results without altering your face or being too invasive.
We all see celebrities who have overdone the ‘work’ but I guarantee the ones that look youthful but you can’t quite tell what they’ve had done will be having regular lasers.

I had a 3forme laser so not quite as strong as Co2 but it got rid of sun damage and stimulates collagen and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Series of 3 was £1500
Then I have one a year for £500 which works out cheaper than Botox every 4 months.

Recovery from the laser was a sunburn kind of look which flaked off over 5 days. Full results can take 3 months to see but initial results were fantastic. Everyone has commented how well I'm looking and my face still fully moves and doesn't look like I've had work. Truly incredible.

Yes I just had a bit of swelling and redness for 2 days. Then freckles/ sunspots darkened and came off with a tiny bit of peeling. Then skin glows. Full results after about 3 months but collagen production increases carry on for about a year I think.

Really sorry you're going through a crap time. It is absolutely possible to bounce back skin wise after terrible stress, and it sounds like you're off to a roaring start. A few things I would suggest...

If you're using any kind of retinol or retin-A you will need a higher factor dedicated sunscreen every day. Biore Watery Essence is excellent and v cheap on Amazon, as is Canmake Mermaid Gel (my favourite as I have dry skin). Both sit brilliantly under makeup or alone.
That said I am currently using the DCs' Hawaiian Tropic Factor 50 Sport as I ran out of Canmake and its excellent on my face.

Make sure your skincare isn't stopping at your neck - try to include chest and backs of hands.

Green tea is amazing at giving you a glow, I read it on here a while ago and have been drinking 4-6 cups a day every since and its made an astounding difference to my skin, and how energetic I feel too. Still tastes gross though

If you can bear the idea, aside from Tretinoin the thing which made the most difference to my skin was putting a thin layer of Vaseline all over my face as the final step in my skincare, after moisturisers et al, just before bed.
It sort of locks your skincare in and helps it work better, so you wake up with glowing skin. You will need to change your pillowcase each night (but I do anyway as much beter for your skin) and it washes off in the morning. Does feel a bit gross but worth it a million times over for the results.
There as a thread back in summer where a lot of other posters tried the Vaseline with great success too, I'll find a link in a minute just so you know I'm not crazy, well, about this at any rate...

Here it is..

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3602246-Vaseline-on-face-before-bed

One other thing, I've found switching to plant based milk in my coffee makes a big difference to my skin rather than dairy milk. I have insomnia and I love coffee, so no chance I'm cutting it out

I just had a dermaplaining facial the other day and the results have been really encouraging especially when I put on my moisturiser I can tell it's sinking in so much better. Beautician showed me all the fluff and dead skin she scraped off, which is gross 😩
Other stuff I do: lots of water with a slice of lemon , regular exercise , very little alcohol and low amounts of sugar .
Twice a year I have Botox around eyes and my 11's , which makes a big difference too.
It sounds like you're on the right track , keep going .

Yes I use Vaseline around my eyes (mainly to stop Tretinoin migrating in to eyes) and notice skin looks good in the morning.

Wow I'm loving these suggestions. Op sorry to hear your going through a rough time, I find this time of year so hard to have a glow. A friend took a picture of our children in the park the other week and honestly I looked like a melted candle, I'm only 32. Becoming a stay at home parent has aged me and admittedly made me lazy. I have a good skin care regime, I use elemis and found their aging serums to be effective.
However, I struggle with my hair... It always appears greasy at the scalp. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Also if any one can recommend a natural looking fake tan, Im so worried I'll get spots by applying it to my face but I always look healthier with the sun kiss glow.

The Clarins radiance drops are great for a natural healthy glow. You mix a couple of drops in to your moisturiser.

Funnily enough I use to use those years ago, maybe I should re start.

Has anyone tried the Tan Luxe drops? I got them as a gift but haven't used them yet.

Thanks for all the tips, everyone.

I must get back on the green tea. I drink a lot of coffee and can't imagine a life without it! I look forward to it when I wake up!

It's interesting people have mentioned botox. Does it completely get rid of wrinkles? I have so many lines now. I'd love to get rid of the 11's as I feel they're really obvious.

Btw, I'm finding rosehip oil really stays on my skin. I'm having a make-up free day and I put some on this morning and my face still feels wet! What do ye think? Maybe I'm using too much...

I cannot stress enough the difference that quitting alcohol has made to my skin. Fine lines have disappeared and my hooded eyes are no longer hooded. I don't look ten years younger by a long shot I'd say maybe 4 -5. I'm using retinol too.