To the more mature ladies... what's your no1 beauty secret?

[peachesandcream2021]

What's the one thing you've done for years and years which you'd never go without?

Stay out of the sun. I’ve had a pretty stressful life but don’t really have anything more than fine lines. I am fat though so could be they are just more plumped out!

@GarlicGrace
Think we might have popped out of the same mould😆

your face settles in your most used expression

When you get older you won't have an uninterrupted nights sleep because you'll be up for the loo at least once.

If you want to sunbathe do it. If you want to drink, have a drink. Etc. Once you are classing yourself as 'mature' you may as well live your life. It's too short to be worrying about wrinkles.

Thank you.

This whole '100% sun block in December before you put the bins out' in the UK is ridiculous.

I live in Southern Europe much of the time and this does not ever happen.

The locals think it's as ridiculous as Pineapple on Pizza 😂

Keep it for the Beach folks and use a hat/sunglasses and cover up day to day..

Also: Olive oil/Garlic/oily fish/Lemons/Greens & fresh plump tomatoes 🍅 Every day!

Regular exercise and plenty of veg. Good for your heart, your skin, your mental health.
Cannot overstate importance of low cholesterol, lower abdominal body fat etc to your overall long term health.
No point looking young for your age if you have heart disease at 50.

There's a YouTuber called Angie hot and flashy, she's lovely but insane. She wears sunscreen all over her body indoors because UV rays can bounce off walls apparently.

She lives in Canada.

When I had my babies I thought I aged suddenly, looking back at photos I look so tired constantly.
Once they both started sleeping through and I was back to my 8hrs a night (youngest was 3) I "de-aged"! Looked like myself again
Lack of sleep makes you look older but it wasn't actual aging.

@GarlicGrace Brilliant!

@LaMarschallin It certainly seems to. Based on the experiences of close friends.

I rarely use a SPF on my face, because there's a lot of unpleasant nasties in SPF. But I have never, ever put my face in the sun. I had my skin tested a while back and I have very minimal sun damage.

ginandheels

I suspected as much - it makes sense.
However, it's not for me unfortunately.
Thanks for confirming my suspicions though

Sleep, SPF, exercise, herbal teas, evening primrose oil

I've avoided the sun most of my life. Wear sunglasses a lot because I think I'm sensitive to light generally (can lead to migraines). I walk everywhere. I'm not doing great at it at the moment due to high period of stress but generally avoid sugar, eat lots of veggies, berries, apples and pears (avoid tropical fruits) fish, good quality meat and full fat Greek yogurt, butter etc. Don't drink much at all - easily go months with not a drop. Spend time with great friends laughing a lot. Learned to say no to things I really don't want to do and set boundaries in work as I was a chronic workaholic for most of my 30s and well into my 40s.

In terms of maintenance - regular highlights and a good cut. Air dry hair as much as possible (lockdown was a revelation of the benefits of this). Clothes that fit and suit my shape (and good choice of natural fabrics and flattering colours) - I buy less and better quality via Vinted/Depop etc. Laura Mercier make up really suits my skin - only need to use tinted moisturiser. Pretty simple skin routine after spending £££ on products, Superdrug suit me and my pocket really well. I take multivit, cod liver oil.

HOW DID I FORGET.

HRT!

Started it at 47. Will take it for as long as possible. Remarkable positive change to my skin.

Oh yes HRT is the big one

Manage your stress as best you can. Try to learn how to let little things make you happy.

What HRT has benefits for the skin?

Sunscreen, Tretinoin, Hats, Laughing

For me, my skin looks and feels firmer with more elasticity and I look 'fresher' - lots of people commented at the same time I really began to physically feel the difference! I think it's improved the texture of my hair, too. Most importantly, my memory is better, my mind clearer and I just feel more 'me' - the me of me in my early 30s, I would say.

Nutshell explanation re HRT. HRT helps maintain cardiovascular health. This provides oxygen and nutrients to the skin and underlying structures. It also prolongs and improves collagen production. (Very important.) It also promotes cell turnover and cell reproduction. Without HRT this slows down dramatically after menopause, so the skin gradually loses it’s ability to heal itself and the structures underneath weaken, which is why the skin gets thinner and more fragile over time and why we become more prone to wrinkles and sun damage as we age.

Try to be happy. Nothing is more ageing than worry & stress.

But this thread reminds me so much of what my old dad used to say….

“Don't drink, don’t smoke, don’t associate with fast women.
You might not live any longer but it sure as hell will feel like you do” 😂

Well he drank, smoked a pipe, his diet consisted of almost exclusively cheese sandwiches on white bread, chips, biscuits, sausage rolls & toffees….mum died when I was at primary school & once I left home & he lived alone I don’t think a vegetable ever crossed his threshold. No idea about fast women 😂

Must have been some truth it it, he died two years ago aged 99.

Botox

eyebrows

@bingohandjob @Fraaahnces thanks, that makes sense. Just wondering which hormone in particular - but probably if you are on a combination it is difficult to tell?

I find the 'stay out of the sun' advice interesting, because recently there was a thread on here where a lot of people were saying how awful anyone looks if they're pale and that everyone looks better with a slight tan. But then also saying not to use fake tan as it's 'chavvy'. So how are you meant to have a tan to look better but also to stay out of the sun!?