Skin booster ideas for dull, grey skin at 50!

[GreyRooted]

I know there are a million similar threads but hoping for some advice that might help me. I’ve just turned 50 and I’m lucky in that I don’t have too many wrinkles. I’ve lost weight over the last few years which has meant looseness. I also have large pores and a general knackered/grey look about me. 😂 I do have long term illnesses so they don’t help.

I know looseness and sagging can’t be changed without fillers/surgery but I’m hoping there might be something I can do to give my skin a boost to make it ‘glow’ a bit more. I have used Tret for years, mainly for acne, and have tried other actives alongside at the recommend times - like Vit C - but I find too many products just seem to break me out again.

I’m wondering if anyone can suggest anything please? I’ve been looking at microneedling and Seventy Hyal/Profilo skin boosters - and other specialist facials but it’s all so overwhelming!!!

Thank you in advance!

Have you already done:

limiting alcohol

weekly veg box

monthly (or more frequent) massage

Illness is obviously dreadful for your skin, particularly if it impacts your sleep.

Thank you for replying. I don’t drink alcohol or smoke and I eat loads of fruit and veg. My diet is mostly all fresh, whole foods.

I can’t have body massages because of the illness but maybe a facial one might help. Sleep is ‘ok’. In that I get to sleep but I’m up a couple of times for the loo and because of my illness, it’s not particularly refreshing.

A bit of fresh air every day.

I use:
the Ordinary Retinoid serum at night
byoma glow serum (blue packaging)
byoma spf moisturiser (pink packaging)
tan luxe facial drops (one drop mixed with the moisturiser in winter, 2 in spring)

I have really noticed a difference in my skin’s appearance. Been doing this since last summer.

Profhilo works. Hurts like fuck, but it does work!
I also have a FOREO Bear and a Luxe Red light thing. They both work too.
Also Vitamin C serum and Liquid Peptides. Medik8 is good.

Drinking more water
Handful of almonds a day
Exercise, yoga in particular has helped me to feel.so much better. Online or in person.

Thank you for your suggestions everyone!

Hi OP! I work with topical formulations, but I can tell you what might help from a skincare angle. The grey, dull appearance is often a combination of dehydration, compromised barrier from chronic stress, and slower cell turnover, so even though you're on tret for acne, you might benefit from adding serious barrier support with ceramides, niacinamide, and squalane which won't break you out but will help your skin look more vital and plump. For the glow specifically, a hydrating essence or toner with multiple weights of hyaluronic acid applied to damp skin before your moisturizer can make a huge difference, and antioxidants like resveratrol or CoQ10 might work better for you than vitamin C if that's been breaking you out. The large pores and texture could improve with niacinamide at 5% which regulates oil and refines texture over time.

Thank you. My current routine is
AM:
Rovectin Gentle Cleanser.
Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner.
Altruist SPF 50.

PM:
TO Squalane Cleanser as a first cleanse if wearing makeup.
Rovectin Gentle Cleanser.
Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner.
Eucerin UreaRepair original 5% Urea Dry Skin Cream.

Then every other night my Tret on top of my moisturiser - my formula is Tretinoin 0.05%/ Niacinamide 4%. I peel if I use the Tret more than every other night. Once a week I swap the Tret for a glycolic acid toner though I used to use the Paula’s Choice BHA 2% and I’m thinking of going back to that.

On the nights I don’t use the Tret, I add a Byoma hydrating serum with 3 drops of Clarins tanning drops - I mainly use the serum because it mixes well with the drops, rather than for its own benefits but I’ve noticed that has squalane and ceramides so could use that more.

I tried the Geek & Gorgeous Vitamin C but didn’t see much of a difference and it broke me out. Then I tried the Boots No.7 Vit C toner and that just irritated my skin. One thing I’ve found when using more products (I’ve tried other things, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid etc) particularly in the morning, is that my makeup pills which is why my am routine is so basic. I also feel that a lot of the time they just sit on my skin and feel claggy.

If you can recommend anything product wise, I’d be most grateful. I’ve not really had much luck with The Ordinary products.

Less alcohol would be preferred. So here goes my routine after a reseach:
Morning:
Using water to wash your face,
Sebamed clear face gel,
Garnier spf
Evening:
Cerave moisturizer,
Tretinoin (0.1) from skinorac
Sebamed clear facial gel

I don’t drink any alcohol.

I use Nivea Q10 active Vitamin C moisturiser - it really brightens my skin when it has a greyish tinge.

Add a couple of drops of facial tanning oil to it every other day, and get out in the sun where possible.

If you have more money, Origins Ginzing is also gorgeous for brightening the skin, especially under the eyes. As is L'Occitane's Immortelle. But they are £££.

Vitamin C really works for me. I use Sunday Riley CEO serum and moisturiser.

I have also been feeling dull and grey after a few very difficult years, and I treated myself to a hydrofacial...what a revelation! I looked and felt much better almost instantly and the glow lasted ages...definitely worth adding to your list!

Also vit c serum

where did you go for this?

I'd try a niacinamide 10%

I am loving the Beauty of Joseon honey rice glow mask at the moment. Recommended on the beauty thread on here. Also the calming BoJ sheet masks. Seem to be getting good results from them. I use o.5 tret too.

Why do you say this? Did you use it before?

Yes, I use a 10% formulation and have seen great results in terms of brightening. OP said she was using 4% so I just suggested trying a stronger niacinamide to see if it helps.

Have you tried a glycolic acid toner to exfoliate?

A microcurrent device and an LED light therapy device would help without adding more products.

I think Inkey List products are good for being simple but doing the job without clogging your skin.

I will try that too

@Tonissister I did a search to see which salons offered a hydrafacial (or their own version of it) locally - it seems to be a relatively new but established treatment, a mix of technology (not invasive) and various lotions/potions...as I said, the results were tremendous and I'm now saving up for the next one!

I'm in my early 60s and use a granular exfoliator wash every few days which I think helps to keep brightness in the skin - the best one which I've used for years is Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser.