Old, tired, stressed and overwhelmed skin questions

[Oldtiredlady]

I'm sort-of posting here in desperation because my skin is awful and I don't even know where to start (to even find advice).

I'm almost 40 and always had 'good' skin and knew how to take care of it. However, have two children under 5 and am struggling with life and totally neglecting myself.

We had something really traumatic happen a few months back and I'm signed off work with depression/stress/ptsd (looking after children full time too). I'm so exhausted just by living that I don't have the mental energy to do much more and my skin is now dull looking and covered in fine lines and wrinkles.

I'd love to use Botox and retinol but I'm still breastfeeding.

Can anyone please advise on what sort of products I should be using for ageing stressed skin? I've bought some Nip Fab pads which I like and some Aldi moisturiser and night cream. I've heard good things about The Ordinary products but not sure where to start. Finding this all so overwhelming! And hate looking in the mirror and seeing someone so visibly aged looking back

Stress plays a big part in your skin sadly so while you’re stressed it will effect you. For me I found having a regular routine helps my skin. I cleanse, tone and moisturise. I also use hyaluronic acid and vitamin c serums which I think you can use while breastfeeding. Most of my products are dermalogica or nip and fab as personally they suit my skin. Other then that try the 2 litres of water a day and spf and your skin should improve till you can start retinol.

Ah I have been there. I remember looking it the mirror and barely recognising myself - and then feeling pissed off that my face looked as sad and terrible as I felt.

As PP said routine definitely helped me. I didn’t get on with the ordinary products (caused a huge rash) but I also used nip and fab acid pads and lots of moisturiser (I like Cerave). I also made myself wear some makeup as I realised I didn’t want to look how I felt every time I caught sight of myself in a mirror. Sort of fake it til you make it I suppose. When I stopped breastfeeding I did in fact do Botox - and whilst I realise it’s not a treatment for PTSD in anyway I can’t tell you what a relief it was to not see the stress lines etched in my face anymore.

for you OP. Hope there are brighter days ahead for you