I look awful :(

[fadingfaster]

No matter how hard I try, I always look tired and frankly haggared.
I'm 44. Hair is lank and greasy, even straight after blow drying.
Dark circles under eyes, get told daily at work "ooh you look so tired...", I eat well and also take supplements for iron and a multivit.
I'm pale and pasty, even the top end make up foundations don't hide how worn out I look. Always get breakouts on my cheeks (change pillow cases every few days).
Hair doesn't grow, it's fine and straggly. I need a whole new style.
I don't drink or smoke. Always in bed by 10 or 11pm.
I look and feel like someone in their 60s :(
Any advice?

How much fresh air and exercise do you get?

Are you taking any Vitamin D?

Is your iron supplement prescribed or over-the-counter? Prescribed is hugely more potent

Also I think regular proper exercise is what keeps people looking and feeling best. Weight training at home turned things around for me

From what you've written it sounds like you may be deficient in some vitamins or minerals or maybe you're not getting enough sunlight or exercise. I think a lot of us feel and look a bit crap in the depths of winter, but if it's more than that I think I'd go and see your GP and ask for some tests to see if there is something obvious you can fix.

It could also just be the start of peri-menopause. Many women in their 40s experience changes to their appearance, hair, skin, mood, etc. If it does turn out to be declining hormones, HRT can help a lot.

All of the above.

And no - you don’t look and feel like someone in their 60s - and it’s depressing that you think all 60 year olds live with the range of issues you’ve described.

What’s your diet like? Also people who look polished seemingly all the time don’t just wake up like that. I look like a sack of shit 90% of the time!

Tell me about your weight training please. I need to do some and can't face a gym. Thank you

Peri-menopause made me spotty, sorry no solution until I got HRT except the normal anti bacterial wash and teen spot treatments. I have fine hair so some shampoo that helps with body, with Living Proof 5in1 styling treatment helps give my hair some style.

Agree with @Preciousssssss You need to rule out any health issues with the help of your GP. Assuming there is nothing medically wrong, look at increasing your general movement (a short walk even on a chilly day is great on so many physical and mental levels, for example), then have a deep look at your diet, research useful supplements (Vit D great in the winter months and a B complex for energy too), treat yourself to a visit to a good local
hairdresser for their advice on a new cut and general care, think about what you’re actually putting on your skin? Do you drink plenty of water? Could it be Rosacea on your cheeks? Everything starts with a personal ‘MOT’….do all the checks (often) as no one else will do them for you. Also; I’m in my 60s and never felt better. Age has little to do with our overall energy, physical strength and zest for life. Once yours improves, you’ll immediately feel a lot better. Finally, skin- wise, look at Monderma or Skin & Me for help from a dermatology team. Much better than trying to find a solution on the High St. Good luck.

I bought a subscription to the Fiit app and used DH's old weights. The app has recordings of different exercise classes, with different trainers. At first followed the fat burning training plan - if i remember rightly, that plan is all cardio, but with added weights which i found so much more interesting, varied and satisfying. Since I've lost the weight I do muscle building training plans. It's changed my life. I never used to exercise except periodically attempting to run, then getting injured and stopping. Now I'm a fit person!

Nothing can replace a good diet, worth checking that as well.

Drink water, exercise regularly (if you feel better you look better). Does not need to be a gym, regular walks, home weights, do the couch to 5k running program (& park run events) etc.

Hair - get a good hairdresser to suggest a style/colour & care routine.

Breakouts on your cheek indicate your skincare in probably not working for you (I have the same with some products).

Lots of water, exercise, good diet including good fats and lots of veg, take collagen and again, more exercise.

I look and feel like someone in their 60s :(

😂😁

Cheers - thanks for that.

I'm 60 and some days I feel pretty darn good. I might not look as good as some celebrities - but can pass for less than 60 on a good day.

Just to note, a friend who is 63 works full time, runs marathons, and she does look amazing - looks early 50s at the most....

Agreed!

Maybe you just look very old for someone in their 40’s OP - nice when it’s back at you isn’t it…

Did you follow any plan? I need to start.

What do you call eating well?

I look and feel like someone in their 60s

Wow 🙄😡

Im 46 so similar OP.
My skin & eye bags have improved since I started having facials every few months and using decent skincare (Environ) with retinol.

I also take collagen supplement, biotin (for my hair but can't hurt, surely) & a glycolic toner daily.

It's taken about a year of a regular skincare/supplement routine, but there is a real difference and I've started getting lots of compliments on my skin.

Hair - I hear you, mine is total shit. I think Im actually balding, so I ordered a topper off the internet for £40 & it changed my life. Well worth considering for occasions when you want to feel good.

I've always been a fitness nut, so it's not that which made the difference to my skin, but I'd always recommend a good sweat for flushing out the toxins & lifting your mood.

Yes, one of the plans on the app i use (see my earlier reply posted at 12:16) I have a discount code if you're in the market!

Cut your hair short if all it does is hang there looking lank. A good sharp feminine short hair cut will be far more flattering.

Ooh where did you get your topper from @LastOneDancing? All the ones I've seen are hundreds!

For myself it means making the majority of my food from scratch, with limited UPF's in my diet. I eat organic meat, eggs, vegetables, and fruit. I use olive oils, and eat a lot of seafood as well. I don't drink canned fizzy drinks, or alcohol.

I'm in my 60's and feel as though I'm in my 40's!

Exercise was the key for me. I run every day, use the static bike, Pilates... outside, fresh air, lots of moving. It's the thing that stops me from falling apart. I don't know whether I look any better, but my skin is ok, I don't have dark circles, I sleep well and I always have loads of energy (and my diet isn't great).

Yeh. I’m in my 60s and I don’t look like that