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Original poster

Do you disclose all about your skincare/beauty routine?

62 replies

nutmegtea · 15/10/2020 11:06

I am curious how much other skincare aficionados reveal to others , when asked of course about their skincare routines, treatments and so on. For me good skin has always been the most beautiful (physical) attribute anyone can have and as a result I have always really looked after my skin ( with varying degrees of success) since I was very young.

I get a lot of complements on my skin and it is in great shape but when people ask me about my routine I am often wary about saying too much for various reasons. Over the years I have found a strong routine that works for me but there was a lot of trial and error where I spend money on things that worked for other people but not for me and I don't want to perpetuate that myth of a holy grail product for all. Then there is the fact that I have been using sunscreen all my life and retin a since my teens, avoiding the sun, never smoking, never drinking alcohol (I didn't want to do those things anyway and as a bonus it has been good for my skin) I am not sure anyone starting retin a and sunscreen at 40 is going to get the same result as a long term user. Then there is money I have never had botox or filler as i don't need them but I have had fraxel in the past which I loved and I have some home use devices like the tria face laser and the eye laser and I've an led mask, a nuface, dermalneedling device all of which are probably not nessecery but nice to have access to.

If people ask unless its a close friend of someone i know is really intersted i just usually say I use a gentle cleanser, serum and spf (which is sort of true). I supposed I'd be a bit embaressed if people knew how into skincare I really am and how much I've spend on it although I can afford it.

So tell me do you reveal all about your skincare routines?

OP posts:
Elllllle · 15/10/2020 13:42

"36/37" is rather specific.

MonkeyDance · 15/10/2020 13:45

I’ve upped my skincare game a bit since hitting 40, but I never discuss it because it’s a very dull topic of conversation and not one any of my friends would be remotely interested in.

Original poster
nutmegtea · 15/10/2020 13:49

@justanotherneighinparadise its really not intended to make you feel bad. I would see your point if I was posting this in chat but this is the style and beauty forum so its a valid question and from the responses I'm not alone in considering it. I think you are projecting your own issues on to what I am saying. I don't even use social media.

OP posts:
myhumps123 · 15/10/2020 13:52

Most people look there age. Some people just look more polished then others but still look there age, give or take a few years.

withlotsoflove · 15/10/2020 13:53

@Elllllle yeah it is.
Because that’s the kind of ages people throw at me when they don’t believe it.
It’s not some huge massive difference. It’s the fact l have 3 children 2 are adults and people are surprised that l had them when l did!
It not difficult or uncommon to look a decade or so younger than we are.
We take much better care of ourselves these days, much more available to us.

WhereAreWeNow · 15/10/2020 13:57

I look and feel ancient. No one asks me for tips on skincare Grin

Original poster
nutmegtea · 15/10/2020 13:58

@withlotsoflove I totally agree that these days it is possible to look a lot younger. I think ideally you should start as young as you can but at any point there are options. I think we will see more of it as this current generation grow up as so many are savvy about skincare and suncreen as long as they don't go ott with the botox and fillers when young!

OP posts:
TheSpottedZebra · 15/10/2020 13:59

I supposed I'd be a bit embaressed if people knew how into skincare I really am and how much I've spend on it

That's it really for you isn't it? The stuff about not wanting to mislead is -well, misleading!
Which is fine. It's your business after all.

GreyTS · 15/10/2020 14:01

Yah, no there is absolutely no way anyone in their mid 40's could be mistaken for being in their 20's.....I am often told I would put a 20 yo to shame because I'm in great shape and my skin is pretty damn good but I am not so deluded that I would imagine I actually look 20 🤣 Tell you what ask your teenaged daughter how old you look, you'll get an honest answer then

withlotsoflove · 15/10/2020 14:04

@GreyTS l don’t think anyone on this thread thinks you can look 20 at 40 either 😂

1forAll74 · 15/10/2020 14:06

No, I never discuss anything to do with beauty, cosmetics, or routines, I just do as I do and have always done, and I don't wish to know what other people do, except to think silently, that some people spend too much, on things that are not necessary.

justanotherneighinparadise · 15/10/2020 14:11

Maybe you should start one of those really successful threads on here entitled ‘guess my age’? Mumsnet goes mad for them Grin

Original poster
nutmegtea · 15/10/2020 14:17

@justanotherneighinparadise I'm not doing that here. I did it before on the reddit forum late last year and people of all ages guessed on there. Nobody guessed over 29 but then it was a selfie and they can be deceptive which is what would be said here, those threads don't end well. I personally don't claim to look like i am 25 or even 35 but I do think my skin is remarkable and not just for my age and people do remark on it.

OP posts:
QueenofLean · 15/10/2020 14:25

I look after my skin but I am happy to look my age because that’s the age I am! I’m not ashamed of it.
Anyway yes if someone asks then I tell them, not sure why I wouldn’t.

QueenofLean · 15/10/2020 14:28

The only person I know in real life who looks significantly younger than her age is my cousin... she’s 45 but could pass for 30. She drinks, sunbathes and parties but her skin is amazing. I put it down to her having no children!

QueenofLean · 15/10/2020 14:29

Oh and sleeping loads. She could still sleep until lunchtime like a teenager if she didn’t have to go to work!

UpHereforDancng · 15/10/2020 15:10

I'm in my mid-50s, do yoga and cross-trainer regularly but drink, smoke and never wear sunscreen!

Most of my DD's friends apparently think I'm in my mid-30s though!

UpHereforDancng · 15/10/2020 15:15

This thread got me thinking actually, that whenever I see middle-aged women out with their adult DDs, it's increasingly the case that they look better than the DDs do!

They are usually better groomed, better made-up and better dressed and at least two dress sizes slimmer than the DDs these days!!

Lily193 · 15/10/2020 15:26

But people don't look the same in their mid 40s as they did 20 years ago. One poster on MN always goes on about how she's often mistaken for 25 etc. I know her in real life. She is lovely but only in her own head does she look 25.

This made me laugh out loud!! I can honestly say I've never met anyone who looks more than 5 years younger than their real age, even with extensive work and high maintenance. Plenty of women look great for their age though, which is completely different. There's no harm in believing what you want to but ageing is a process that affects your whole body.

withlotsoflove · 15/10/2020 15:45

@Lily193 l would agree with all that you’ve written.
If you train however, you will have a much younger body than typical of your age.
That’s where the whole ‘ appearing younger’ thing comes in.
We dint have to give up on our figures - we just need to continue to work hard.
I train with very heavy kettle bells. I don’t have the body of a 49 year old at all!

workshy44 · 15/10/2020 15:56

Youth is incredibly hard to replicate. You may have no lines but most people look in and around their age, just good or bad for their age. Look at Nicole Kidman , she hasn't a wrinkle or a hint of sag but she looks every one of her 50 odd years
People ALWAYS way undershoot how old they think you are - I am always told I looks so young etc. I don't, I look moderately good for my age but mainly because I am slim and have a youthful body.
You probably have beautiful skin but most likely you still look in and around your age if you are anything like the people I have met

And to answer your question, yes I always tell people if I have found a gem or something that really works

justanotherneighinparadise · 15/10/2020 16:02

I did watch one of those old Supersize/super skinny programs on YouTube that were popular eight or so years ago. One of the super slim ladies was early fifties and did look bloody amazing with no make up on. She easily looked over a decade younger and had had a serious health episode that had required chemo. So I do believe it happens, but I also suspect it’s pretty rare.

Lily193 · 15/10/2020 16:03

withlotsoflove
People move very differently as they age - for me that is a clear indicator of age regardless of fitness level, flexibility, muscle mass etc.

withlotsoflove · 15/10/2020 16:13

@Lily193 l’d agree!
But it isn’t inevitable...l promise you - l don’t! 😂 it’s almost a running joke with my friends / family!

justanotherneighinparadise · 15/10/2020 17:40

It’s not so much the wrinkles with me it’s the face slippage. I assume once it starts to slide downwards there’s not much that will solve that?

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