Suddenly looking old

[ShinyNewBear]

Just turned 40 and suddenly feel and look old. My hair looks dull and lacklustre and my skin looks the same.
Best (not too expensive ideally) products for either? I don’t really want to go down the Botox route.
I don’t mind looking my age but I’d prefer not to look older than I am.
My sense of style feels harder too as I suddenly feel like all my extra weight has moved entirely to my stomach!

Hi OP. I am a bit older than you but there are two things I have found have helped me.

1. Vitamin c on the skin in the morning before moisturising. It has certainly brightened things up. I get it from superdrug and it isn't expensive
2. Yoga. This has made me feel younger. Because I am more supple. It has also toned my arms and tummy a bit. I enjoy it so I stick with it.

Oh gosh you don’t know what’s waiting for you yet OP. The REAL aging takes place post menopause. You are a mere baby at the moment.

Looking forward to that then 🤣🤣 I already feel like my best accessory would be a paper bag 🤣

@milosmouse is this the vitamin c stuff you use?

I use vitamin c in the morning and retinol at night. The body shops edelweiss products are pretty good too, as is their vitamin c moisturiser. For low cost retinol try the Inkey list or the ordinary.

OP, I visited Boots recently and they did a face scan that was really useful. They recommended me some products and I'll go back in a couple of months and they'll do another face scan and see if those products have made a difference.

L'Occitane have some good products. Their shampoos are lovely & have mafecan amazing difference to my hair.
At night I use their Immortelle reset serum. I've heard it described as a good night's sleep in a bottle. It's true!

The ordinary have lots of skincare items and they are not expensive I like them.

Boots often have revitalift on offer - their vitamin c, hyaluronic and retinol help a bit. I found post 40 my hair and skin are a lot thirstier, hair can’t seem to get enough conditioning masks.

Check out a brand called Q&A for skincare. You can get it in Boots and Holland &Barret. Very reasonably priced. They do a great hyaluronic acid serum, a vitamin C lotion that is halfway between a cream and a serum, and a really good (vegan) collagen moisturiser, which is quite heavy and good for night time.
I am your age, OP, and I was feeling a bit haggard but I realised that part of it was that I needed a more heavy duty moisturiser. Also my hair gets drier more quickly, but I've found that doing a deep conditioning treatment or leaving coconut oil in it overnight really helps.
I also second doing yoga. You only need to do a small amount but if you do it consistently the results will show. There are some good 20min yoga sessions on Netflix by a lady who has a name beginning with X that I now can't remember how to spell.
Hang on in there, I know the physical changes that accompany the big 4-0 can feel daunting but I'm finding that small lifestyle changes and tweaks to my skincare routine have really added up. Good luck 💐

For those of you using vitamin c serums, does anyone find they make their skin greasy?
I bought the simple one which I didn’t realise also contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin F so it’s maybe that but I put it on in the morning and my face is like an oil slick by the afternoon. My skin is on the greasy side so definitely would like one that doesn’t add to it. Can anyone recommend one that absorbs well and doesn’t make their skin greasy/shiny please? Thanks all.

Yes @blahblahblah1654 that's the one I use. It's pretty good and not expensive.

@Youmeandacupoftea I don't find the Superdrug vit c greasy. It's like a slightly scented water and doesn't leave a film on your skin. I have always been a soap and water and a bit of nivea person and was extremely skeptical about anything else. I thought skin care was a bit of snake oil tbh. I'm still not a total convert to spending much and putting in a lot of effort, but this vit c has made a difference

That’s great, thank you so much, I’ll give that one a try x

You’ve all reminded me that the yoga I did at 37 for 8 years I need to restart again.

I don’t think you need to use retinol every night I use once or truce a week.

must use my vitamin c serum, revolution one is good.

I’d also up avocados, olive oil, all fruit and veggies and try to limit alcohol, bad fats and sugar.

spf 50 too.

That's not a good thing to say to women.

Why would you say that?

Menopause might be ok. Life might be ok.

It might not be, but eh?

It's not necessarily going to be shit.

It might be fucking brilliant with no bad stuff.

My hair got frizzy and wavy. I’ve recently started using the l’oreal professional vitamino range on my hair as I highlight it but the bond repair (think also L’Oréal) is nicer. Use a hair mask once a week too.

Don't listen to @RudsyFarmer.

It's absolutely ok to get and be older. I menopaused years ago. I'm completely fucking cool about it.

That's not to say that my experience is singular, but neither is @RudsyFarmer's.

We all age on our own way. It's very particular.

Ageing is quite beautiful. Don't fight it. Seriously.

It's a thing. Embrace it.

I highly highly recommend Liz Earle stuff. There is a new range by her that is pink. Very good. I started using a cream cleanser by ceraVE - it's transformed my skin. It's for dry skin. For foundation I use CC cream by it cosmetics and their under eye concealer. Get your brows done well and the right hair colour for your skin / eyes. It's expensive I know - but Charlotte Tilbury magic cream is unbeatable.

For hair. Best thing I've ever bought is this hot air brush from revlon. It makes your hair bouncy and full and like a hairdresser has done it. It's a combination of a hair dryer and a huge roll hair brush.

I’m saying it because it’s true. Woman are staring in mirrors at all stages of their lives being hypercritical. 40 is a baby. Enjoy your face.

Yes this. Also your omega 3: Oily fish, brazil nuts.

Maybe think about a hair and skin vitamin supplement, like perfectil.

@milosmouse thanks I will buy some!

@RudsyFarmer
Not particularly helpful to op!

I'm 52 and look bloody great thanks to putting in a fair bit of work once I hit 40.
I feel good and am told regularly I look good too!