Suddenly very dry wrinkly skin

[SugarPlumpFairyCakes]

I'm 53. This year my skin has really deteriorated. I was quite youthful before but now my skin feels really dry and crackly.

My lines are much more pronounced - my cross feet and wtf lines are so deep now.

My cheeks now have broken veins all over them.

I'm a bit sad because I have always had nice skin with very few spots. Now I look knackered and ugly.

I drink 1.5 litres if water a day. Loads of veg and some fruit. And protein in the form of eggs. Ax protein powder.

I need a lush, rich moisturiser and just want to stop feeling like my face is parched!!

I'm 51 and I can't tolerate retinol at all. It makes my skin very sore and sensitive. So it's great that it works for some people, but it may not work for the OP and she shouldn't spend a load of money on a private prescription without seeing a dermatologist first. A private consultation is around the £130 mark and it's well worth getting one before starting any new regime as you don't want to make things worse. Those broken blood vessels, etc, you may need to get them zapped with a laser, but please get expert advice! As for crow's feet - Botox is the best thing, and the lines around your mouth - filler.

Prescription tret and some serious moisturiser. Blue Nivea is my go to if skin really dry
I have nice skin for the first time in my life at 47, after 2 years of tret. Even got rid of an age spot I'd tried everything for.
I'm lucky that I have friends who will bring me it back from Thailand at £3 a tube

I use Tretinoin from dermatica, and would highly recommend them! When I first signed up I asked specifically in the comment box for Tretinoin 0.025%. They also give a personalised skin care routine. If you want to try them go to www.dermatica.co.uk and checkout with code QJ0812 which will give £10 off for us both.

With crows feet, I don't understand how Botox would eliminate these. I can see how they'd not get worse as you can't use the muscles but how does it improve them?

It doesn't eliminate them. What it does is stop them from moving, so they don't crinkle when you smile and they don't get any worse. There are also products that can be injected into the eye area to pad out any wrinkled and crepey skin, if you're prepared to go that route. You should go and have a consultation with a reputable aesthetic clinic if you want to understand your options.

I had botox once for central forehead lines, and they quickly softened and disappeared when the skin stopped getting creased. Although obviously they eventually appeared again once it wore off.

Monderma or Dermatica should be able to get you started on a low tretinoin strength like 0.025% (it goes up to 0.1%). Retinol didn't work for my wrinkles. As soon as I stop using it, my skin goes back to normal.

Consider trying a Vitamin C in the morning too.

https://www.monderma.co.uk/

https://www.dermatica.co.uk/

I think Skin and Me do an even lower dose – something like 0.016%

I started with Skin & Me in February. My formula is quite low to start with:

• Tretinoin 0.009%
• Niacinamide 4%
• Azelaic Acid 4%

The tret will increase each month by 0.003% to month 4 when it will be reviewed. I've had absolutely no problem with irritation or peeling and can see a noticeable difference in my skin already.

If you would like to try it for £3.50 for your first month, my referral link is here