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Original poster

Looking younger with zero skincare?

205 replies

ZforZebra · 01/04/2023 08:23

I was in the line in a crowded restroom. At the sinks were a group of 3 women, all friends I presumed as they were chatting while washing their hands. One commented that the moisturizer the other had recommended was great and she was really seeing a difference in her skin. The third piped up that she “never used anything but soap and water and still looked ten years younger” than the other two. The thing is…she absolutely didn’t. She actually looked considerably older (assuming they were all the same age). I often see women on MN saying they look 10 years younger than women who have basic (cleanser, moisturizer, maybe SPF) skincare routines. In real life everyone I’ve seen who claims to only use water and soap does not look younger than their age, most look about their age or older. Has anyone seen someone in real life (not MN) who really does look 10+ years younger and uses no skincare products?

OP posts:
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xPaz · 02/04/2023 00:13

I dont think I look younger. I think I look 52. I look healthy, I have clear skin but I do have some jowling, I look like I love clothes, hair, make up, earrings etc. But not kidding myself I look younger.

IsolatedWilderness · 02/04/2023 00:19

I look younger. I am 50, have no wrinkles at all, totally smooth around my eyes. Everyone is always surprised by my age. First, I think this is genetics. My mother was the same. I have never smoked, I don't drink and never really have, never done any drugs other than the odd medically necessary thing. Probably another key thing is I never liked being in the sun. When others lay in the sun on the beach, I lay in the shade.
I have recently been forced to start using moisturiser as my skin has been a bit dry. This does make my skin look smoother and helps the complexion, but it doesn't make a difference to the rest.
I think some lifestyle choices make a difference but, for the most, I think it's just down to the luck of the draw.

Maireas · 02/04/2023 09:37

xPaz · 02/04/2023 00:13

I dont think I look younger. I think I look 52. I look healthy, I have clear skin but I do have some jowling, I look like I love clothes, hair, make up, earrings etc. But not kidding myself I look younger.

I think you're a rarity on here!
I do think some people are a bit delusional. You can look good, it's not necessarily about looking younger. Someone of 50 claiming to look very young is probably comparing themselves to a previous generation.

blebbleb · 02/04/2023 09:40

Someone with good skin/few wrinkles still looks their age roughly. It's in the eyes/the way they talk etc. it's deluded to think otherwise. I think Gillian Taylforth looks amazing for 67 but that's one of the only women I've seen who looks much younger they are.

JMAngel1 · 02/04/2023 10:11

@stayathomegardener
You look fantastic - clearly amazing genes. I couldn't out an age on you - you just have a very youthful gleeful look. You also look a little like Marian Keyes. Maybe good irish genes?
I'm Irish and my Dad's family have the strong dark Irish genes but my mum's have the weaker red headed gene - unfortunately I got the latter and have to work very hard to keep on top of my looks - a lot of effort which my friends don't go to at all. I would say I look marginally younger but not significant enough for all the effort.

I will say though that all the skincare in the world can't outrun a good diet (no carbs, no sugar, no alcohol), good exercise regime and sleep. If I go to town on the booze etc, my face noticeably sags and droops more despite my skincare reigme remaining the same.

JMAngel1 · 02/04/2023 10:30

Also interesting upthread re posture - I was watching Jennifer Aniston in Murder Mystery 2 last night (don't bother - dreadful but DDs loved it) and she looked so wooden almost as if her back had no fluidity of motion. It really aged her ( not to mention the face that doesn't move). So although from a distance she looks great, in motion and talking, she definitely looks mid 50s.

BansheeofInisherin · 02/04/2023 10:33

Had to sit through Murder Mystery yesterday bcos DH watched it.Jennifer Aniston looks terrible.

I agree people in their 50s usually look their age but some just look better than others.

@stayathomegardener you look great.

Maireas · 02/04/2023 11:08

I agree, and Jennifer Aniston isn't the only one - they look ok from a distance, but not so great close up. I wonder if they would look better without the fillers etc.

IsolatedWilderness · 02/04/2023 11:10

I don't necessarily agree that we seem our age however we look. I say that because everyone thinks I'm 40-42. I'm 50. If I started talking, you might think I'm older than 50, in spite of appearance. I tend to hang out with women who are ten or so years older than me. The reason for that is life stage. I had my children young, so relate more to women in that stage of life, since most had their children about ten years older than I was. I only have one friend my age with kids similar ages.

I get such confused looks when I casually mention my 30 year old. People are like, "Huh? Wait. How old are you?" My mother is in her 70s and still looks at least ten years younger.

I feel like I'm on borrowed time though. I hear that we really age after menopause. I'm just starting to see small signs of that approaching now.

BansheeofInisherin · 02/04/2023 11:20

I glimpsed Kristin Scott-Thomas on some talk show recently. She looked her age and has wrinkles, but also looked elegant and natural. Face still mobile. I would be ecstatic to look like her.

Missmillymollymandy · 02/04/2023 11:37

Definitely agree with Nuns looking babyfaced.
Probably don’t drink, smoke or sun bathe. I also wonder about the institutionalised life they lead. If they are happy then they are spared a lot of the day to day stress we encounter on the outside.
I think stressful life events are hugely aging. I think we don’t age in a linear trajectory but rather age in sudden bursts in response to stressful life events and health conditions.

Maireas · 02/04/2023 12:27

@IsolatedWilderness - in fairness, if you have a 30 year old, people may well expect you to be over 50. Also 42 seems strangely specific.

Maireas · 02/04/2023 12:28

The nuns haven't gone through pregnancy and childbirth and being up all night with kids. Plus... dealing with blokes....

IsolatedWilderness · 02/04/2023 12:31

Maireas · 02/04/2023 12:27

@IsolatedWilderness - in fairness, if you have a 30 year old, people may well expect you to be over 50. Also 42 seems strangely specific.

People assume I am younger until I mention the 30 year old, if I do. Then I get the surprised look and, "Huh? How old are you?" It's not tattooed on my forehead that I have a 30 year old, so no-one knows on first meeting. 42 is a rough average of where people have assumed I fall.

TheLostNights · 02/04/2023 12:34

37 and people still think 17-20.
No skin care. It's all in the genes. My parents and grandparents all looked at least a decade younger than they actually are. It really isn't as great as you think especially when you are perceived to be just into adulthood.

IsolatedWilderness · 02/04/2023 12:34

Maireas · 02/04/2023 12:28

The nuns haven't gone through pregnancy and childbirth and being up all night with kids. Plus... dealing with blokes....

The blokes, yeah, okay. The kids, I think, keep me young. I know it's harder to feel it when sleep deprived with a baby but they help keep the inner child alive.

IsolatedWilderness · 02/04/2023 12:35

TheLostNights · 02/04/2023 12:34

37 and people still think 17-20.
No skin care. It's all in the genes. My parents and grandparents all looked at least a decade younger than they actually are. It really isn't as great as you think especially when you are perceived to be just into adulthood.

You'll like it more in 20 years. :-)

Maireas · 02/04/2023 12:36

IsolatedWilderness · 02/04/2023 12:34

The blokes, yeah, okay. The kids, I think, keep me young. I know it's harder to feel it when sleep deprived with a baby but they help keep the inner child alive.

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I agree with you in that sense - but have a look in the mirror when you've been up all night with a colicky baby 😟

Maireas · 02/04/2023 12:38

TheLostNights · 02/04/2023 12:34

37 and people still think 17-20.
No skin care. It's all in the genes. My parents and grandparents all looked at least a decade younger than they actually are. It really isn't as great as you think especially when you are perceived to be just into adulthood.

So. You're 37 and people think you may be in yr12 or yr13?

IsolatedWilderness · 02/04/2023 12:38

Maireas · 02/04/2023 12:36

I agree with you in that sense - but have a look in the mirror when you've been up all night with a colicky baby 😟

Show quote history

I'm well past the colicky baby stage. I coped with it very well at the time but I don't think I could now!

SpareHeirOverThere · 02/04/2023 12:43

I wouldn't consider soap, water, moisturiser and SPF to be any particular skincare regime. I look my age with good skin. Soap, water, Nivea or E45 and SPF. I take off my makeup with soap, water and Nivea. And no, I don't think doing/spending more than that help at all.

A hat helps more than SPF. Sleep helps a lot. Good genetics are a blessing. Really well-chosen foundation/tinted moisturiser helps.

Beyond that, it's Botox or fillers or surgery. Those do make a noticeable difference, sometimes for better and sometimes not. It's not for me, but it's a better investment than endless, expensive potions that promise great skin and do not deliver more than the cheap basics.

IsolatedWilderness · 02/04/2023 12:43

Maireas · 02/04/2023 12:27

@IsolatedWilderness - in fairness, if you have a 30 year old, people may well expect you to be over 50. Also 42 seems strangely specific.

I'll offer, as evidence, that my MIL hasn't seen me since I was 30 and a couple of years ago saw some then recent pictures of me at 45-47. Her comment was that I hadn't changed at all since she last saw me. (I have, but obviously not in a way she can pick up).

wyntersuhn · 02/04/2023 12:43

I've used a thorough skincare routine for at least the last 10 years. Cleanser, exfoliate, moisturiser, eye cream, a range of serums, SPF, regular sheet masks etc. I'm in my 50s and I regularly have people comment that I look 10 years younger. I've used everything from cheaper products to very expensive products. I do think you get what you pay for, but I also believe that keeping your skin clean and well hydrated is the key to having younger looking skin.

Maireas · 02/04/2023 12:44

@IsolatedWilderness . I coped with it very well too. My youngest is 27. Not my point, which was supposed to be lighthearted.

ToTheMax0 · 02/04/2023 12:45

@ZforZebra Yes I have met someone who is 39 but we all thought early twenties. Colleague at work.
She's short and slim, fresh-faced, youthful eyes and quiet which all contribute. It's not just me either, everyone at work was absolutely gobsmacked when we found out she was almost 40 and not the young graduate we all thought she was.