Old tired skin

[Anniessong]

I’m 42 and my skin is looking terrible- papery, dry and patchy. I don’t mind the lines and wrinkles so much but I want to look healthy so what are the best products for glowing, plump and soft skin? Please send me your recommendations!

I love Weleda products, they are also amazing for sensitive or dry skin. Cerave and No.7 are also great products

You need a bit of exfoliation and a lot of moisture.

I would recommend starting with a glycolic acid serum (like the Boots own brand or The Ordinary) and something with hyaluronic acid (plenty of HA serums in the drug stores.) Then follow with a moisturiser.

You might want to try slugging. That's when you do the above before bed and then put vaseline on your face. It will hold the moisture in. It won't break you out. I wake up glowing.

After you've done this a bit, you can look into a vitamin c serum in the mornings. Really brightens the skin. But, the vast majority of Vitamin C products are a waste of money because it's unstable and oxidises easily. A water-free formula (like The Ordinary, or The Inkey List) is what you'll want.

After you've become comfortable with that, you can look into retinol, but it can be an adjustment to start and may irritate your skin.

Start slow and add stuff over time.

I recommend hyaluronic acid. I use The Ordinary on dampnl skin morning and night - it makes your face feel tight but that shows it is working! Follow with moisturizer.

Also recommend slugging - I use Aquaphor over moisturizer at night.

Rosehip oil is also lovely at night.

All very cheap!

What’s your diet like.

I think start with the inside. Do you eat lots of fruit and veg and drink water? Get fresh air?

Then it's about hydration. A cleansing balm, then hyaluronic acid on damp skin, then Retinol or Tret, then a very good moisturiser, I like La Roche Posay. I do some drops of squalene oil after too.

In the morning I wash with water then use vit c then Spf 50.

It is a bit of trial and error to find what works for you it's very personal

Drink lots of water. I really rate Aldis facemasks. They have an orange one that exfoliates and a blue one that is just a deep moisturiser. I genuinely look about five years younger after a home facial. I just do it in the bath. 43 here.

Thanks everyone- this is so useful as I have no idea what is actually good for skin and what is just a waste of money. Diet is ok- lots of fresh fruit and veg but also probably too much sugar and processed foods so will make some changes there. Definitely need more water so thanks for the nudge!

I am about the same age and a few months ago decided to really focus on improving my skin. It wasn't bad but, like you, I was thinking how dull and tired it looked.

I've ended up with quite a few Inkey List items, just because it was recommended by a friend and they are a good price point to start with.

The following is where I've got to...

Cut down on sugar
Drink a litre of water a day, plus other drinks

Morning
Salicylic acid exfoliator (e.g Clinique's Clarifying Lotion which I have always loved, or Paula's Choice BHA exfoliator which I am learning to love)
Vitamin C serum (The Inkey List, 15% + EGF)
Hyaluronic acid (The Inket List)
Sunscreen

Evening
Cleanse face with whatever cleanser has taken my fancy
Hyaluronic acid (The Inket List)
Moisturiser and eye cream (at the moment, The Inkey List Vitamin B, C and E plus Olay's Ultimate eye cream)

The above has made a big difference to my skin which looks fresher and more 'alive' now.

I've also started to look at Retinol but I do have quite sensitive skin so want to do my research first.

Finally, Vogue have a series of video on YouTube in which different women/celebs talk about their skincare and makeup routines. Young 'uns and older women - a real mix. I've found it quite interesting to watch some of them.

p.s. those that slug: do you find you get vaseline all over your pillows?

Vitamin C serum is a game changer!
Start at a low strength then work up

Drink lots of water
Get lots of sleep
Reduce alcohol, caffeine and sugar

@TheDanceOfTheTomato
If I used SA every morning then vit c my face would fall off. Be very careful about adding Retinol. I don't exfoliate at all since being on Tretinoin, I don't need it but also it would damage my skin barrier. I use vaseline a lot, two hours before bed it's all absorbed for me. I just a lot of hydration.

Use*

Organic argan oil. Fantastic on my perimenopausal dry patches.

I would sign up to Skin + Me or Dermatica and go straight to tretinoin. You won’t need anything else other than a good moisturiser and SPF. If you get into skincare you will eventually end up on tret anyway and if you can’t be bothered with it all it is the best simple regime you can follow! Start slow though, once every 3 days.

For your inside, I recommend:
Biotin supplement
Marine collagen supplement
omega 3 supplement
Bio-kult
vitamin D spray

LaRoche Posay cicaplast is my go to face saver.

I have just signed up for skin+me and I do like it. My morning routine is cleansing balm, lactic acid serum (boots), aldi dupe of pixie glow glycolic toner, ordinary vitamin c powder mixed with rose water, corsx snail mucin, heavy moisturiser (I like the Liz Earle one and the Revolution Pro dupe of the Charlotte Tilbury.

In the evening its cleansing balm, skin +me cream (retinol, niacinimide, azealic acid) then ELF Holy Hydration Moisturiser cream, then vaseline a bit later before bed.

No, I don't. It is usually sunk in a bit by the time I'm actually asleep in bed.

Vitamin C (about 15% active ingredient is optimum, going up to about 23%, anything below 12% won't have enough active ingredient in it to make a difference) In the morning, will make the biggest difference.

A retinoid at night. Start slowly with an entry level. (0.3% for example)

If your skin is dry, then a hydrating serum (hyaluronic) The vast majority of serums are hyaluronic based, you might not need a separate one.

You might like to add an acid toner. Salicylic for oily skin/blemish prone. Glycolic for more mature, dry skin. These have replaced the gritty scrubs of yore.

And watch Nadine Baggott's 5 ingredients video.

Skin needs:
To be clean. (Cleanser)
To be hydrated. (Moisturizer)
To be protected from the sun. (Spf50)

Beyond that, it's personal choice. vitamin C and A will make a difference.

I take hyaluronic acid capsules, they help loads

Can I ask which ones?

I hated Tret, my skin just peeled, hurt was generally sore. I stuck at it for months, eventually chucked it in the bin. Skin doesn't hurt now and never looked any different anyhow.

My skin also has a tendency to look dull and tired. Agree with others that hylaronic acid is a must - I use a serum and a night cream and it's in lots of day creams as well. I also think vitamin c is a game changer for brightening. The Inkey List vitamin C serum is good value for money but doesn't have the instant affect that others do -it works over time I find. The Murad Vit C serum is good - albeit expensive. And I like the Body Shop Vitamin C range - the SPF in particular as it's very moisturising.

I also use an acid exfoliator most days and an occasional face peel.

@Enthrallingstoryofstillness I use Just Vitamins. I got them for my joints but they make my skin feel so soft!

Thanks so much everyone. Have got some acids and moisturisers in the online shopping basket. What is skin+ me and how does it work? I’m currently breastfeeding so think retinoids are a no no for now but thinking ahead