Retinols, collagen, supplements - what should I try?!

[PeonyBlushSuede]

I Am mid 30s and noticing some frown lines between my brows starting, and I just generally want to improve my skin as well.

What are things that actually work - retinols, collagen supplements, other supplements? I also don’t want to waste a fortune on products that are useless.

I also have recommendations for a Botox provider locally who people I know personally have used. But wondering if other products are worth trying first, or even in conjunction with.

thank you

Not an expert - and I'm 59!

However I have just visited a dermatologist (for a mole check) who pronounced my skin 'pretty good' (I'll take that!). And in fact I do think it's ok. Never had any tweakments, and don't feel drawn to them.

Anyway, he boiled skincare down very simply. SPF is God level in terms of products. Use it religiously and liberally. Even in winter.

After that, and a long way behind are retinoids. Which I do use.

Collagen? Nope - no firm evidence. Don't waste your time and money he said.

I rate skin+Me I've used it for about 3 years. It contains Tretinoin, which is a really strong retinol. I also use an spf with vitamin c in the morning. I think these are the key ingredients to look out for. I feel like my skin looks good for my age and using tret has a cumulative effect so I feel like I'm helping to prevent future wrinkles! You can use the link below to try skin+Me for a month just £2.95 p&p (I get £10 off my next month)

www.skinandme.com/?promocode=LAURENS5YP3

I second skin and me. Dose and Co collagen is really good. Flavourless in coffee. I alternate the peptides (bovine) and marine one. My hair is much thicker. Takes about 3 months to see results

I'm 36 and have lost a lot of weight so the face has taken a bit of a beating this year. Lots of fat loss and wrinkles also starting appear.

Hydration and spf are key. But the best thing has been Botox for forehead and frown lines. It's a preventative treatment so if you're starting to see lines now is the time you would benefit.

It stops the dynamic lines from developing into static lines. I use a tretinoin, moisturiser, spf, hyaluronic acid and have had some skin boosters too.

I've also had great results with skin and me, although disclaimer I had a lot of initial 'purging' and it took 3 months to see an improvement, I think the purging was from the Azelaic acid as something similar happened when I tried a The Ordinary one. But I'm almost a year in to Skin and me and my skin is the best its ever been.

But the best thing has been Botox for forehead and frown lines. It's a preventative treatment so if you're starting to see lines now is the time you would benefit.

I also asked the dermatologist about this (asking for my 27 year old daughter, who has many friends who use Botox as a preventative measure) and he was unequivocal - don't use it too soon. Definitely not under the age of 35. He said you want your facial muscles to work and not be frozen, in order to help them maintain your face's architecture. So unless you want a lifetime of Botox, don't start injecting too soon as a preventative.

To add - I think it's a lie which is spun by people who are trained in injectables but who aren't medical. Reputable dermatologists don't inject twenty somethings.
In fact, to add to the advice I was given, DD had to have a surgical procedure on her face (to improve long term serious scarring), and had to have botox injected in order to immobilise her muscles temporarily and thus make the surgery more successful. The surgeon told her not to get used to the idea, elaborating that young faces were harmed by the use of non essential botox.
She wasn't sure whether to believe this, so asked me to double check at my own appointment!

I will have a proper look at Skin and Me. It keeps popping up on social media but the constant influencer ads put me off if I’m honest!

Botox is something I know I will do at some point but if I can get my skincare in a good routine first it can maybe hold it off a bit longer!