Suddenly Looking old - need your cheap ideas!!!

[iwonttaketheeasyroad]

Hi all

Hit 47 in February and I don't know what's happened but I suddenly look really old. It may be a result of lockdown but I feel like I have aged 10 years in 6 months. Hair is awful naturally mousy now lots of grey ( getting it cut next week) got very long in lockdown . Skin red ( rosacea) and pre-menopause spots , chin saggy . Body about a stone overweight doing couch to 5 k. Also just feel old all of a sudden too.

I'm a single mum so not a lot of spare cash. Would really welcome your cheap ideas make up , skincare , health tips that made you feel young and alive again!!!!

Thank you xxxx

[Belleoverandover]

I'm 44 and had been using the Aldi Q10 serum but my Mum bought the Lidl Q10 serum it's got hyaluronic acid in it and it's really smoothed out my skin. I'm feeling same as OP (stress of balancing full time job working from home and trying to home school a young child without any help from OH at all hasn't helped) but trying to do something about it

[soso78]

Look, you need to change your diet ASAP. You need to do some exercise, even if that’s walking the kids around the park.
Get some hair dye or root dye from boots, it’s cheap and works well.
Look, if you really hate your weight the best way to get rid is to go hardcore and do the Dukan diet. It’s tough but it really shifts weight. Basically drink lots of water, eat protein only...

[soso78]

Finally, forget expensive face creams.. they don’t do anything. Botox Botox Botox. It will change your life..
Also, you can get facial massages from eBay or amazon..

Cupping Facial Set for Face and... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082HQ4JZ2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[LaVieEstBelle159]

Definitely see your GP for rosacea ointment. Properly rub it in and even when the rosacea disappears, keep using it. I think it's for 3 months. Otherwise it'll just come back. Be careful in the sun with it.

Yes to drinking LOTS of water and try to cut out refined sugar. It feeds the rosacea somehow plus I find it makes my joints ache which all adds to feeling old.

Use a bronzer and a good foundation (Estee Lauder Double Wear?). I find tinted moisturisers just look greasy and can make my cheeks itch.

Can you order a jade roller? This is so soothing and great for facial massage.

Try Greek natural yogurt with fruit and a spoon of honey every day - I found this great for making my complexion clearer and for weight loss.

Hope you feel really brilliant about yourself very soon. PS I'm doing 16:8 and have found it really easy and have lost nearly a stone.

[DameFanny]

Cheapest best thing you can do is acid toner followed by glycerine and rosewater (old timey label from Boots) them while your face is still wet a thin layer of Vaseline over face and neck. Cheap something over your pillow to save the pillowcase and use it as a twice weekly night cream/mask. Acid toner brings your pores down, vaseline/rosewater makes your skin dewy, like posh creams say they will and never do.

[Ceit]

This happened to me and it was underactive thyroid, quite common apparently. Worth getting it checked if you are also feeling lethargic or feeling the cold more (hard to tell at the moment!).

[iwonttaketheeasyroad]

Thank you all for your tips and ideas. I know I have been eating badly during lockdown so definitely will look at my diet and try to drink more water. Also will look at the ordinary skin care that has been recommended . Going to go back to the doctor about my skin

It was also nice to hear I'm not alone feeling this way. Thanks again x

[MistressMounthaven]

I'm much older than you and I've noticed that because I dye my brows, from a distance it makes me look younger. Most others my age have fading and thinning brows in lockdown. Mylee dye is painted on with a small brush so I just paint the hairs I want to show up, the ones giving the best shape. Leave 5-10 mins then wipe off with a damp cotton pad.
I also do eyelashes but that is more fiddly to do your self using a good magnifying mirror, but it helps define my eye a bit even though my lashes are thinning.
I had eyebrows done in a shop and looked stupid.

[Mikki69]

I feel your pain OP! Have had Rosacea for years. Referred to a Dermatologist who prescribed Soolantra Cream (Ivermectin) to be applied at night and can be used with normal night cream etc. It is amazing! Rosacea is a lot, lot better! Been using it win conjunction with the Superdrug vitamin c serum and my skin has improved so much! Give it a try!

[toastmeahotcrossbun]

Very boring but give up sugar (or most sugar) perhaps for a month. This has definitely helped my ageing face and am losing a few lbs. Hard for the first few days but you get used to it.

[MrsJamin]

You don't need to give up anything you like eating, as that's not sustainable. As long as you get a calorie deficit, you'll lose weight.

[TornadoOfSouls]

Good suggestions here. Yes, drink as much water as you can, then drink some more.
Personally I would rather spend on a haircut than anything else (though I’m cutting it myself at the moment) - you need to look at your budget and prioritise. IMO most women would be better off going grey and spending more on a cut. Good colour is hard to maintain inexpensively.
Skincare wise, yes you need to go to GP re rosacea. Then the Ordinary is good - take it slowly, don’t add tons of products at once. Agree with Fanny re Boots Glycerine and Rosewater - I put it in a spray bottle and spritz it on as a hydrating toner as it’s less sticky that way. You can add a little to moisturiser to make a thinner texture which can be nice too.
Incorporate exercise into your life as much as possible - walk everywhere you can, don’t use lifts, etc. When you need to bend down, squat down like a child would, don’t bend like a creaky old adult. Little things make a difference to how you feel.
Lastly, a course of good probiotics might help you feel better. I swear by them. Agree with PP that Berocca is also a great quick fix. I also take a largish dose of magnesium which seems to be helping with sleep, PMS, period pains, and stress.

[JinglingHellsBells]

Sugar destroys collagen as it causes inflammation.

Get some good fats into your diet

fish oils from salmon and sardines

avocado

walnuts and almonds

green veg (I eat broccoli almost every day)

start using spf 50 every single day even if no sun

Hair cut and colour
Clothes that fit and aren't too baggy
Play around with cheap cosmetics to find the colours that suit you.

[Kazziemb]

What works for me: Rosacea: soolantra, clinique anri redness moisturiser and Gladskin. Instant lift: trim straggly eyebrows, get cheap as chips eyebrow scissors from ebay and give brows a nice shape and get rid of the aging stragglers! Having a blah day:Boots No 7 lift and luminate moisturiser gives my skin a nice glow under no 7 lift and luminate foundation. Instant boost - especially during this hot weather, Balance me hylaronic spray - smells lovely and cools and refreshes your skin if you keep it in fridge, just looked and on special offer.

[Belleoverandover]

Brows are definitely important and a good defined brow does make you look younger! I use a K& co brow powder as you can blend to the shade that suits you. It's heat and sweat proof

[SundayReilly]

Try local colleges for cheap beauty treatments - not sure what situation is presently but my local college holds evenings where students practice treatments supervised obviously £4 for brow tint facial £10 etc.

Drink water loads more than you think

Fruit and veg again as much as possible

Walk everywhere -

Facial oil and moisturiser any brand - its the frequency and routine that helps

Groom brows and home tint if can't afford salon.

Pain toe nails so simple but mega lift to mood.

Colour - wear colour - instant face lift -

Watch some make up tutorials and practice

Buy a powerful magnifying mirror scary but helps with checking make up and er...facial hair grooming if you don't have it you will soon.

Update hair and glasses if you can.

Finally - we all grow old and can only hope to look like the best version of ourselves - none of us are getting out alive- it's taken me a long time to accept ageing - I was the vainest young woman !

[3wheels]

I had bad skin until I cut down on sugar, my skin follows my monthly pattern and gets better/ worse throughout the month. Your hormones at this stage of life affect how your body makes natural insulin, the more sugar you eat the more it struggles. Cut down on cheap sugary snacks and and carbs that are high in sugars and you should see an improvement.

Other than that drinking plenty of water, exercising (especially yoga), eating healthy, and taking iron all help me to feel better. X

[PickleChipsareyummy]

Hi OP
If your skin problem is truly rosacea, you may want to ask your GP for an oral antibiotic called Tertralysal and a cream called Roz-Ex. I saw a very good dermatologist who prescribed these and it took a few weeks but, together with other measures, has worked.
The other measures are: eliminate/ reduce caffeine, same with alcohol, try to avoid extremes of heat and cold (or at least don’t put your face in the sun), use at least SPF 30 EVERY day and use non-comedogenic skin products. That means completely oil free. I have tried a few and find that Cetaphil works for me - it’s made by the same company as the Roz-Ex cream.
I use the gentle skin cleanser and the daily facial moisturiser with SPF 50.
Once or twice a week I use the Cetaphil gentle exfoliating cleanser.
(I also use an expensive eye gel as it’s the only luxe product my skin will bear!)
Cetaphil Range is relatively cheap and available in Boots, Tesco, Amazon usually.

After a lifetime of perfect creamy skin, my rosacea was severe and really affecting my confidence. My skin is almost back to creamy with just a little pinkness.
I am really strict about not putting my face in the sun. Wide brimmed hat all the way for me.
Good luck with the skin.
Losing weight or toning up, deep conditioning hair once or twice a week will help. You can get a massive bottle of TIGI Urban Antidotes damage conditioner (red bottle) in Home Bargains or the Range. Makes my hair really shiny.
Most importantly, take care of yourself. Try to get enough sleep and water. I know it’s difficult.

[MellowMelly]

@LynnShelley

Have a look at the Jaw Stretch exercise that is in the link I’ve put on the first page. That should help tighten up the jowls. There are other facial exercises that you could probably find on google that may be more specific to the jowl area.

[Notarealmum]

My free, fast-acting beauty tip: give the mirror a HUGE smile and see how much better it makes you look/feel about yourself. I don’t know about everyone else here but when I’m tired or stressed (like in the current Covid climate) I develop a very ageing ‘frowny’ face 😠)

[monkeyonthetable]

Drink water.
Lift weights.
Ditch refined sugar and carbs.
Easy on the alcohol and coffee - or cut completely if you can (i don't.)
Do yoga and facial yoga.
Good haircut (not cheap but so valuable.)
Get some classic, stylish tops that aren't 'mumsy.' Loads of shops have 70-80% sales at the moment. Cos and other higher-end high street brands are suddenly very affordable. Make the most of it.

[Lincspod]

I'm a few years ahead of you - but what's worked wonders for me is Youtube! Search Leslie Sansone - and walk with her! All indoors, different lengths and you can add weights/bottles of water and stretch bands to liven it up. Some are as short as 12 mins ..... but they all get your heartbeat up and the calories burning.

[lockdownalli]

If you drink alcohol - STOP.

As you get older it really tells on your face

Veg and salad rather than over doing the fruit which is full of sugar.

Agree with PP - hair and eyebrows are really key. Good luck

[trixie1970]

I feel your pain OP. About a year ago at age 48, I felt the same - I had always looked a lot younger than my years but suddenly looked "old" and was horrified. My hair was shot to bits, my skin was starting to get a bit "jowly", my memory was dreadful and I felt a bit miserable. I've always been very active (despite a long-standing thyroid problem), very slim and happy with the way I looked but I just felt "not me".

In February, I started a subscription for Absolute Collagen which has been great, I take Vitamin D, Berocca (effervescent tablets) when I need an extra pick-me-up, iron tablets plus my normal meds for HBP and thyroid. I should really get my hair cut shorter as it suits me but I'm scared of hairdressers cutting my hair as, in my experience, there aren't many who can successfully cut curly hair. I've never dieted in my life - never needed to - but as I've got older, it's nowhere near as easy to eat what I like anymore without putting on a couple of pounds. So annoying!! I used to run a lot a few years ago but I'm planning on starting again with the Couch to 5K app. I also have weights and a static bike in the garage but I just can't be arsed to do it.....poor excuse but true!

Definitely get your thyroid levels checked, take time for yourself to relax and do things you enjoy, cut and colour your hair, watch YouTube videos on applying make up that looks natural, and as a previous poster said..."Smile". I also agree with walking more; I have my own dog who is not fussed about going for walks (long story) but to make sure I get even more walking in than I already do, I now walk my elderly neighbours dogs for him for about 40 minutes a day.

The other thing I've recently bought is a fantastic primer called W7 Prime Magic Camera ready. It's amazing and really smooths out the skin ready for foundation/tinted moisturiser.

Good luck xx