My skin is disgusting

[Joker01]

I’m late 30s but look ten years older.

I have four deep lines on my forehead and huge bags with prominent wrinkles. My skin look sallow and dull and I get big spots.

I’ve tried everything. I eat well and drink lots of water. Current skincare routine:

AM
(I’ve tried washing and not washing in the AM as derms seem to agree on this)
Ordinary squalene cleanser
Curel moisture spray
Aveeno gel moisturiser
BOJ fact 50

PM
Ordinary squalene cleanser
either retinal (was using tret but can’t get it any more) or glycolic acid
curel moisture spray
Aveeno gel moisturiser
Peptides

Nothing changes, I still look haggard. Is Botox my only option? I don’t want filler under my eyes as I’ve heard it can be really bad. Has anyone found anything that works? I suspect it’s hormones as mine are a mess and I’ve been out on HRT but it’s a looooooong wait for a coil and they won’t let me have the HRT until the coil is fitted.

What can I do? I’m so embarrassed about my face that I’ve started avoiding looking at people.

Maybe give Botox a go? I don’t know any women not using it.

OP don’t wait for your Mirena, go back to your GP and get progestogen tablets for now and then you can start your oestrogen gel or whatever you want to go for and start getting the benefits.

You can stop the progestogen tablets once the coil takes over..

You probably need HRT to sleep better.

Gotta be botox. I go twice a year for a full face using quite a strong formula. Nothing else comes close.

I have really suffered with acne since having the DCs, it’s hormonal and flares approx 7-10 days before period. It’s somewhat under control now although I did see the doctor for a course of antibiotics for cystic acne.

Heres my routine to manage it:

AM

• wash with L’Oreal Bright Reveal serum in cleanser
• moisturise using a gel based moisturiser (anything too heavy clogs my pores). Currently using Simple skin quench gel cream. Have tried lots of premium brands but this works best for me.
• use a face SPF in warmer weather

PM

• remove makeup with Micellar water
• cleanse with the L’Oréal bright reveal again
• use a niacinamide serum
• moisturise with simple again - they used to do a night cream version of the gel cream but not sure if they still do so am using the regular one

If my acne is flaring up I replace the niacinamide with epiduo which is an adapalene/benzoyl peroxide solution. I had it prescribed by the doctor. It’s quite drying so I only use for a few days at a time, usually at first signs of a flare.

my skin is not perfect but so much better now. It took a lot of trial and error though and trying out lots of products from premium to budget. I think a simple routine is best in my experience.

I have seen lots recommendations online for the ordinary Argireline solution as a good way to reduce wrinkles so I might give this a try next as my forehead lines are starting to look deeper.

Here is the link

https://www.nutriadvanced.co.uk/megamag-perimeno-plus.html?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADkXTGMqHUJIzQ4ppNQydRDqOVFuU&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnui_BhDlARIsAEo9Guv3Og9ffTXB40Wjar6IMbitgJ5PVq3n1XANwiKyIyA8qo2AZcHi6iUaAkNKEALw_wcB

That waking in the night is a bummer. I found acupuncture helped me sleep through the night. Nothing feels right when you’re sleep deprived.

Ancient and Brave Collagen daily - it is a Mumsnet favorite and really improves skin, with the added benefit of making your joints, hair and nails better. Magnesium really helped my friend with insomnia, however, as a normal sleeper it actually damaged my sleep so I stopped taking. Nutrition Geeks Biotin is also fab for skin, hair and nails. HRT calms many things too. Hope they let you take it soon. If you want to simplify skin routine but love glowy skin, try Skin Food by Weleda- i find this amazing day and night and if you don't like it on your face you can just put it on hands and body. Natural and beautiful glow.

@Realitysucks thank you - it looks like a great shout.

Honesty it’s been a game changer for me! My sleep had got really bad in the past 12 months in that I either couldn’t get to sleep till 3am or I could and woke up at 2am and was awake all night! In two weeks I’ve had one night like that but that was because I’ve hurt my knee and it was pain. I’ve got more energy, feel much more with it and less brain fog! 😶‍🌫️ also been taking Ashwagandha 500mg 60 Capsules at night too.

@Joker01I use this daily for anti aging. The link is below. You can try it for £3.50 for your first monthly dose and your fifth. It's £19.99 per month after.

You can pause months if you have alot over which I do 3 times a year. I use it religiously nightly.

It is prescribed based and alot stronger than your over the counter creams that say they have tretnoin and retinol in.

You must follow the daily skin routine at it's minimum for it by using at least suncream.

It works for the majority of skin problems as well as anti aging

You have to fill in an online form and take photo's for so they can check your skin regularly.

You will find all the info on it on the site.

Yes I do get a £10 credit so your aware if you buy it. You can cancel or pause at anytime

www.skinandme.com/?promocode=CAROLT5VTM

I've read in an interview with legendary singer Shirley Bassey, she uses Nivea products for her skin-care, her mother used to and so does she, the reason why she still looks lovely in her 80's !

I started HRT in October. Even on only 2 pumps (which I absolutely need to increase) my sleep is improved. I still do wake a lot but less, and I can nod off again.
I think it has also helped my acne. It's definitely less, though not completely gone.
Doesn't help with the facial hair though!

Just wanted to say I have really suffered with this problem also in my late 30's (sadly) anyway I use COSRX Advanced Snail 92 Korean Snail Mucin Face Cream.
Sounds horrible but actually makes my skin glow and aside from washing and cleansing it has worked a treat. Okay not got rid of wrinkles just yet but has helped lots.
Hope you find what your looking for.
Jess

The progesterone tablet of HRT needs to be taken at night - it knocked me flat out and I had first night sleeping through for about a decade. Slepp deprivation is the worst - used as torture. Also my skin went glowy with HRT. If waiting for GP go private for a month - cheaper than a load of superficial creams - lack of sleep wrecks your MH - invest in that. Then when you see your NHS GP the HRT is free from then on.

Add a toner - it helps to rebalance your skin. It works wonders for my eczema and spot prone skin (the joys of such a combo).

For lines and wrinkles only Botox will make a quick impact. Retinol / tret will make a difference over time but it can be just as expensive and I get major peeling.