What makes your face glowing?

[Twatalert]

After a difficult time I'm starting to feel alive again and I'd like to try out some beauty products. I was never into much, but being in my 40s I start to look my age.

Occasionally I see women of similar age and their skin is absolutely glowing. Possibly they wear light make up (I prefer not for daily use, I don't like the feeling have having another layer on my skin) or use something else. Appreciate there are no miracles.

My face looks dull, perhaps slightly sagging, no teint to it. Slight hormonal skin issues.

How do I manage to look more alive?

Lots of sleep, water, exercise and fresh air. Limited alcohol. Elemis pro collagen range and light make up - cream blusher and eye shadow if I use it, now that my skin is older.

I try to take makeup off when home and don't use if WFH.
Things I've found help: The ordinary niacinamide with zinc serum (couple of evenings a week), nip and fab glycolic acid pads (couple of evenings a week), cerave retinol the green one (other evenings). Afterwards I use a layer of neutrogena hydro moisturiser or clean and clear purple.
Mornings small amount of Olay moisturiser or clean and clear.
I have been told I have healthy looking skin and people assume it's natural (it isn't!).

It’s not a popular opinion. Ironic given that the vast majority of women agree. Maybe it’s just a particular brand of feminists who shout louder than the rest of us, but most women I know feel better with makeup, even if it’s only a bit of mascara or a tinted moisturiser.

What is feminist or shouty about not wearing mascara?

I've started using Pai Rosehip oil and it's absolutely beautiful! My skin is glowing!

Vitamin c made a huge difference for me.

Neal's yard wild rose balm applied as a moisturiser on clean face every night. My skin looks amazing the next day. In the day, I just use cicaplast Baumé 5 which seems to add a subtle glow meaning I don't need foundation anymore.

I started taking folic acid and vitamin d as ttc and my skin has been fantastic since. Glows in a way it never has before. Not sure which of them has caused it, or both together.

Tretinoin (retinoid) + niacinamide from Monderma (or Skin & Me) for a wonderful ‘one stop’ nighttime product! Game changer results in weeks that improve month by month. Hands down winner in my book.

I used to love Neals Yard but haven’t bought anything in ages. Everything smells so good. I’m going to have to try this.

I'm a big fan of aldi's caviar moisturiser (silver jar). It's great for the price and definitely gives me a glow.

Last year I got an LED face mask. I've been using it regularly and I think it's made a big difference. It was about £125 and has a few colour settings. I usually use the anti-aging and anti-acne ones as I get breakouts. I tried Profhilo in 2023 but it's too expensive for the results.

Finally, I started using Caudalie's resveratrol serum and eye cream and they are wonderful. I really struggle with products as they usually cause spots but no issues with this and I've had loads of compliments on my skin since I started using a few months ago.

uk.caudalie.com/p/424C/instant-firming-serumw-resveratrol-lift-424c.html?MjE5=Y29uZmlndXJhYmxlLzIxOS81ODY1

I do wear make up for work/going out but am usually make up free when working from home and I look much more alive on calls than I used to (without make up)!

I'm 42.

In my lifetime I have used two products that actually made me see a difference. One was an eye cream, I forget the brand now, but it's one of the John Lewis brands. The other is nivea cellular filler moisturiser, which I still use.

I'm going to try the vit c.

For various reasons, well because my hair became a bit dry, I started on a vit b complex. Now my hair is fine but my skin is more oily.

@Alwaysanotherwine of course make up is the non plus ultra, but I imagine there is something in between no make up and a face full of make up. I don't feel comfortable with makeup every day.

What kind of tea?

The Erborian creams and also the Garnier SPF 50 with a tint in it.

Vitamin C serum
water
camellia oil

This stuff does the job for me!

1. Elemis Rose Cleansing Balm
2. Neal’s Yard Rose Exfoliator
3. Glycolic Acid Toner (Superdrug’s own is the best)
4. Resveratrol by The Ordinary (8 drops applied to skin after steps 1 & 2.)
5. Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream on top
6. Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter before your make up.

In the evening - Steps 1, 2, add a retinoid of some kind, 5.
Works for me! 😊

Take collagen
Drink loads of water
Eat lots of fish & veg
Rose hip oil at night
Sleep well

I got the Wild Rose Balm for Christmas and I'm loving it. It's become me go-to for just about all purposes, even curing my peri chapped lips. I've already ordered another tub so I don't run out!

OP- I've recently tried the Garnier SPF 50 with glow (not the invisible one) and it gives a lovely glow to the skin without feeling at all 'makeupy' on the skin. On offer at Sainsbo atm

Sorry I've just seen this already recommended by Happy. Hard agree with the recommendation

@ParentDilema I love the price too. Means I actually use it rather than saving for best !

I'm really pleased with all your suggestions and can't wait to try a few things! I ordered a vit serum. Might try the bronze or glow stuff as well. Going to start with something simple and see it's effect before adding more.

On collagen, I obviously heard it loads but I saw a tiktok some time ago by someone who seemed to know what they talk about that said the body can't actually process it if taken orally or something to that effect. The gist was that it's harmful.

I’ve tried so many different things over the years and spent so much money and now I think I’m there with my skin. I’m settling on;

Vit C - I like Medik8, Sunday Riley or the La Roche Posay Vit C

Tret - at night, but not every night. This was a game changer.

Moisturise - not got one to recommend as currently ploughing through ones I have but not that impressed with.

This combo was making my skin look great, but then…….

We (DH bloody using it too) got a Theraface LED mask on offer for Christmas and now my skin looks even better. Yay!

For makeup glow;

I’ve been using up Trinny London BFF, but I’ve suddenly realised it’s really good, so might buy again for everyday use.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Filter or Wonderglow if I’m going out.

I’ve been using up Charlotte Tilbury glow kit/ blusher tube but again, realised it looks really good so I’ll buy again. I put it on my cheeks, a dot on my eye lids, my nose and blend then use as a lippy.

Finally, Rosehip oil. Looks dewy and glowy and it’s really good for your skin.

Water, good nutrition (low sugar), sleep, consistent routine. Then wear a little highlighting fluid / tinted moisturiser with a bit of sheen. My favourite is by Saie.