Help! I’m only 46!

[NameThisSong]

What on earth can I do about my face, eyes particularly? I’m only 46 and this accidental photo has made me realise that I look at least twice that!

I looked much younger than my age for a long time and got away with just daily moisturiser. I’ve been really unwell over the last few years with long stays in hospital (including many months in ITU) and it has really aged me.

Any suggestions for what to do and use? I have lots of allergies so run my eyes a lot. Also not keen to do Botox or anything for the same reasons. nice simple skincare plans please!

You like you need a lot of hydration, which is easily fixed. Personally I like layering on a range of Korean products as they are super hydrating and reasonably priced, especially if you’re happy to buy from somewhere like Yes Style and be patient on the shipping.

If you want to take it a step further then Tretinoin is incredibly powerful and is game changing. Just make sure you wear an SPF50 daily and you will notice a world of difference.

You do look a bit dehydrated.
I know this is fairly mainstream, but I love Clinique overnight moisture mask.

I don't buy really pricey skin care any more but like Olay Regenerist (£15 off Amazon) or Boots Future Renew (they often have £10 off.)

Adding something with Vit C would help as you've got some pigmentation going on.

I use a cheap milky cleanser, or something like ELF make up remover balm, and then a warm flannel. I use a serum (sometimes), moisturiser, and then spf 50 every day.

Evolve Beauty stuff is nice too- it's all organic and made in the UK.

If you could stretch to Botox, you could get rid of the lines in your forehead between your eyebrows.

Ah bless. Your eyes look really dry.

If they run a lot, then the water will dry your skin.

I have allergic eye disease which means I need eye drops but my eyes still water a lot.

I protect my eye skin with simple Vaseline. Just a very small amount but it makes a huge difference.

Prior to the Vaseline I pop on a bit of eye serum so it sinks in first. I use Elemis. Pricy but you only need a dot per eye.

The key isn’t super expensive eye creams in your situation. You need to create a barrier between your skin and your eye water - hence the Vaseline.

You also look like you have some redness across your face.

I really like this product https://amzn.eu/d/hv8Szv4.

Apply like a moisturiser (it’s also a sunscreen) and it cancels out the red. Really easy to apply.

Do you use mascara?

If so, tubing mascara is a must as it won’t flake and irritate your eyes. Washes off with warm water.
A good supermarket brand is L’Oréal lash paradise (better than many premium brands).

As for moisturiser, I’ve used them all. Money no object and I still can’t live without a big blue pot of cheap as chips Astral.

My other go to is Embryolisse. Beats the socks of the likes of La Mer/111Skin/Augustinus Bader.

Hope that helps x

https://amzn.eu/d/hv8Szv4

Commiserations on the long hospital stays.

What’s your diet like? I’d imagine you lost an awful lot of decent nutrition while you were a patient - and it all needs replenishing. (Not a proper comparison but I was laid low with every possible virus for about three months at the end of last year, and I’ve spent all of this year very consciously eating for health and nurturing my wellbeing.) Are you able to eat well now, or are there barriers?

What about, sleep, fresh air, absence of stress? You need multiple extra doses of all of these? Has that been possible?

Sorry one other thing is I would look at hyaluronic acid serums. It keeps moisture in your skin (use before moisturiser).

Again in my experience no need to raid the bank account. I’ve used super expensive ones and keep going back to The Ordinary which is about £15.

I’m no skin care expert but I use a balm cleanser (No 7 do a nice one that’s not too spendy) and a face oil at night, again nothing super expensive, I use a rose hip oil. Will give you lots of moisture and help with the redness.

I have crepey eyes and I feel like this has made the most difference out of everything I've tried. It's subtle - I'm never going to have young eyes again but I'm quite pleased with it. I use an eye cream on top for hydration.

Niod is the sister brand of The Ordinary and a bit more expensive but a bottle lasts quite a while and they do big discounts in November.
https://niod.com/en-gb/fractionated-eye-contour-concentrate-fecc-eye-serum-100578.html

I agree with others that your skin looks dehydrated and perhaps lacking in vitamins after your hospital stay. Glad you are out of hospital and doing better.

Focus on diet

Lots of veg, protein et

No sugar or alcohol

Getting your eyebrows tinted and shaped will help brighten and lift your eyes. Best of luck, OP. 💐

You may want to try collagen powder as that will help to plump the skin. Also if you are dehydrated get some electrolytes and drink lots of water. It’s what you put in your body as well as what you put on your skin.

As you’ve been unwell recently OP I think you should definitely look at your diet and ensure you’re minimising ultra processed food where possible so you’re taking a two pronged approach. On the skincare front, I personally use a hydrating toner, followed by a vitamin c serum and then sunscreen. You say you have allergies so perhaps try to stick to fragrance free products. Also, it may be a good idea to go to a skincare counter in places like Boots where they sometimes give you free samples to try as well. If you can afford it, perhaps treat yourself to a one off consultation with a dermatologist to really get the lowdown on your skins needs ♥️

Following

So many good ideas and reassuring comments - thank you.
I wear mascara on special occasions but otherwise nothing but moisturiser and sunscreen. I’m afraid anything needs to be low maintenance as I’m still not well

I’m actually in hospital at the moment so it’s possible it’s not representative of what I look like day to day (I hope!).
i’ve had a lot of bowel surgery and rely on a feeding tube for nutrition and, again, people are right - I do have chronic malnutrition resulting from that.

I can try though, right?!

I need simple straightforward regimens as I can’t maintain a lot.
I’m going to work through the list and start focusing!

Sending you lots of well wishes OP. Absolutely you can still try despite your current situation! The good news is that the most essential element of skincare: sunscreen is something you were previously doing. At this stage obviously there’s not too much you can do whilst receiving your in patient treatment in terms of nutrition as you say but definitely you can start to look into a good moisturising routine. I’d definitely recommend a gentle cleanser that you don’t need to rinse off with water, hydrating toner and a simple hydrating fragrance free face and eye cream to reinforce a potentially compromised skin barrier. That should be your skincare priority for now. The fancier stuff can wait until you’re better and have more control over your diet and exercise etc, All the best! ♥️

I’m really glad you’re getting back on your feet after a period of ill health.

I’m a big fan of eye brow tinting and shaping. I have similar eyes and colouring. Go for a cool brown.

avene skin care is absolutely amazing and very reasonable in Boots. Often on 3 for 2. Water based, French and very soothing on redness and dryness. Avene does an amazing tinted moisturiser, it’s glowy, rich but not too heavy. All my friends now use it as our secret weapon.

https://www.my-origines.com/gb/hydrance-bb-legere-P0453006.html?at_medium=cpc&at_source=google&at_brand=myorigines&at_adtype=PMAX&at_theme=GNQ&at_geo=uk&at_tactic=conv&at_campaign=PMAX_GNQ_Full-Catalogue_uk_conv&at_content=x&at_term=&at_matchtype=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21142725829&gclid=CjwKCAjwwqfABhBcEiwAZJjC3i4cIu44cuToNG0zklSoEisicKzFtZufWr0bPqZq7ERUhXP47mbQmxoCKB4QAvD_BwE

Echo feeding your skin from the inside.

Nuts (almonds)
avocado
oily fish
fruits
green veg

Appreciate it's hard in hospital but good luck x

I’m sorry you’ve been so unwell and are still going through tough times.
with fragile skin, I believe less is more
i I highly recommend Cetaphil products. Gentle, bland and effective.i use the Gentle cleansing lotion removed with damp cotton wool pads.
Then apply a few drops of hyaluronic acid or vitamin C serum.After a couple of minutes I use Cetaphil rich night cream
You could use an anti redness concealer which would be green
I I recommend Maybelline age rewind colour correcting concealer

I’m always recommending her stuff but Dr Sam Bunting has been a game changer for me! Her products are the only ones that don’t make me react. They aren’t too expensive and you can buy a trial pack first. The normal moisturiser is good for around the eyes so you don’t really need to for put on the eye serum.

drsambunting.com/collections/cleanser?tw_source=google&tw_adid=662139061358&tw_campaign=20266229679&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACralkxIhHAz6rI9ZsV2qefGVrJaL&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImq38janzjAMVCZhQBh2aMTZ9EAAYASAAEgIf5PD_BwE

OP - you might benefit from regular use of an LED mask.My face aways looks and feels refreshed and brighter after use.

In the long term it’s worth remembering that the tube feeds are highly processed and while they will likely meet your vitamin and mineral requirements, there are all sorts of compounds and nutrients in food which the tube feeds don’t have. When you are able to, re introducing as many fruit and veg as you can get away with should help. ITU stats are horrendous for physical and mental health so don’t be too down on yourself.

You look dehydrated to me with otherwise nice tone. Last night I asked chat gpt for advice with a photo like yours and it was really specific in its advice to me. Not sure how accurate it was though!

Hi Op!

So sorry you’ve been so poorly, it must be so stressful and not being able to eat the food you know your skins needs must be so frustrating. Definitely going to echo the MOISTURE comments!

After a month of awful cough / cold I looked so sallow and just dog tired. I started using the E45 range - I got the serum, day cream (with spf) and the night cream. Superdrug had a deal on so was really cost effective and honestly it got me back on the straight and narrow.

I also swear by a tinted moisturizer (spf50) from Tropic. All vegan / natural and really lovely and makes such a difference.

When you’re up and running tinting your eyebrows and maybe an eyelash tint and curl will help. I have sensitive eyes also so feel your pain. I’m always in sunglasses to help with the watering and tbh I only have a few wrinkles around the eyes so it must be the fact I walk round like a z-list celebrity 😂

And lastly, don’t be too hard on yourself and get well soon. Brighter days are coming.

This photo, take today, doesn’t look quite so bad, does it?
Filled lots of online baskets ready to crack tho when I get discharged!

Rose hip oil and retinol on the face.

Biotin and marine collagen supplements.

@NameThisSong I would highly recommend this brand for you . You can order through Boots. Their eye cream is wonderful and I think would give you the hydration you need .

https://www.laroche-posay.co.uk/en_GB/toleriane-dermallergo-soothing-eye-cream/LRP_132.html