To age or not to age

[IcyShark]

Everywhere I look or read there seems to be another advert for another "wonder" serum promising to knock years off or even reverse or halt the signs of ageing. Are we all now really "Anti" ageing? What's wrong with it? For me, I have very sensitive reactive skin so I dont use things like retinol. Niacinamide and vit c even make my skin break out and become red and sore. So I've given up hope and feel now that as long as I use a good moisturiser for my face needs, drink enough water and try to cut out sugar im happy to go along with ageing naturally. Anyone else feel the same or do you succumb to the latest ad and buy the latest potions?

I also have very sensitive skin, and avoid retinols, etc. I do use SPF, but mainly to avoid skin cancer rather than for anti-ageing.

I’m 47 and probably look 47, but that’s OK.

Same here! I stick to the basics: a Mediterranean diet, consistent sleep, and weight/cardio training. Becoming very ill in my late 40s meant I couldn't use Botox or retinol, so I've embraced a natural approach. It’s tough, though, with all the societal pressure and constant marketing for potions and 'tweakments' trying to convince us otherwise.

I do most of the “things”, I wouldn’t say I’m trying to look younger than I am perse, but aging isn’t exactly uniform. Some people can look a lot older than their age, I guess I’d just like to look the best I can! I’m not going to start refusing to tell anyone my age or ignore birthdays!

I've tried various creams and serums and apart from moisturiser moisturising me and spf stopping me from burning, I don't think anything has made the blindest bit of difference in terms of wrinkles and appearance of my face/skin.

I don’t mind ageing in terms of wrinkles etc but I’m early 40s and my skin generally looks a bit shit these days; it’s grey and dry and flat. I don’t have botox or anything like that but I do invest in my skin so that it looks healthy.

I think I’ve opted out of the anti ageing hype.
i look my age, just can’t get excited about being told I look younger than I am.
It’s all so superficial. I like wearing nice clothes and am into the idea of skincare but don’t actually do it very often, too lazy but I also fucked my skin barrier years ago and realised I have decent skin genetically so feel lucky in that respect. On the odd occasion I do bother with skincare I enjoy it from a self care perspective.
Not going down the route of injectibles or falling for the marketing of a cream magically making my dark circles disappear. The reason i have dark circles is because the skin under my eyes is very thin - cream doesn’t thicken skin. Nor does serum or oil. So I’ve just accepted it.

I would like to age beautifully and naturally, as far as that is possible. It's unrealistic to stay looking youthful, but I'd quite like to still be hot in my 50s and 60s, in my own way. My inspirations atm are Charlotte Gainsbourg and Marisa Tomei.

Agree. No one tends to look genuinely younger but you can look better. I was an ugly youngster so I am happy to invest in being a slightly above average oldster.

My parents have aged well so fingers crossed there. I use a moisturiser and a nice spf. Like others have said I've tried serums but non make a difference to lines etc. Im not bothered about lines but my nasolabial folds make me look sad lol and im 38. Cant afford tweakments or injectable. I wouldn't do those anyway. Ive seen botox face when its too overdone plus your age shows through your chest, neck and hands. I like my lines they mean a life lived and lots of laughs along the way.

I’m the same age, I’ve recently started a bunch of things and finally for the first time in my life am being consistent with them (including upping my water intake and supplements) so I don’t know what specifically is helping but my skin is looking the best it ever has, not so much the wrinkles as I don’t think skincare can do much for those tbh but looking glowy, clear, bright. For serums I just use vitamin C, niamicide and hyaluronic acid, all cheap (Elf and Ordinary).

Ageing naturally for me. Having hit menopause I'm finding it's enough hassle doing all the extra strength exercises, bone-loading and stretching that I'm finding are now required to keep me injury-free and healthy. I'm not going to spend even more time, money and mental energy on potions and lotions.

I’m in my fifties and do it all. Retinol, nad + etc and it does help,

However i can honestly say it starts from within. No amount of skin care, or tweaks will offset a poor diet and lack of hydration.

i drink 3 litres of water a day, minimal alcohol. A clean and healthy diet, work out most days, a mix of cardio and strength

i lost a lot of weight with the help of mounjaro, and my skin has never looked better, my jaw is firm, I don’t have jowls or nasolabial folds, just normal, forehead wrinkles and some crows feet. My skin is clear and glowy.

and i am 100 percent certain its because ive been eating a clean and healthy diet for about two years now and am fully hydrated, and my internal organs working optimally.

if you’re healthy on the inside it shows on the outside. The skin care does work, it’s minimal but it works, but it’s the cherry on top.

That's all I like is healthy happy clear skin. Im not really bothered by the lines tbh we're all going to get them at some point its a waste of money trying to fight them with serums when the only thing that can be done would be a face lift but thats a big no for me. See, Ive tried vit c but I find it makes me red and breakout. Or its too greasy. Niacinamide is quite fickle with my skin too.

Yes I do have to be careful as I am prone to breakouts. I think the tret keeps that at bay, it’s all a fine balancing act 😂

A good barrier-supportive moisturizer, hydration, & limiting sugar does more for long-term skin quality than pushing actives a sensitive skin can't handle.

That is absolutely true and is thr foundation of good skin all round.

Not ageing naturally, use Botox twice a year, and Aesplla about the same (no fillers, allergic). Plus retinol or azelaic acid alternate nights, micro needling every 2 weeks.

I go without make up most days and always wear a spf.

I'm taking as natural an approach as I can. I agree that it's futile trying to fight ageing so I don't want to get myself in a position where I feel unhappy because I have some wrinkles or because I look my age!

I do have a basic skincare routine and use a vitamin C serum and a SPF in the mornings and I tone and moisturise at night. But I see that more as an act of self care and I wouldn't ever spend a lot of money on lotions and potions....all of the products I use are cheap because I'm not convinced that a £60 serum does anything remarkable compared to a £6 one.

I'm also going grey naturally as I haven't dyed my hair since my early 20s so don't see the point in starting now. I may as well let the greys keep coming without having the additional hassle of growing out hair dye.

But I agree with PPs that focusing on health is what is important. I try to eat mainly whole foods, drink water and exercise. Because of that I actually think I look pretty decent. I look my age, but that's fine!

Crikey how does your skin tolerate fortnightly micro needling? It takes 2 weeks for my skin to settle down after a microneedle!

@LaurieFairyCakealso how do you use retinol with such frequent microneedling? I have to avoid tret in the week after.

I'm also ok with looking my age and admitting my age! I'm 50 and alive, that's good. I mean I look after myself and use moisturiser but I'm not about to jump into injectables or surgery.

These days my take on it is to do whatever you can to look after your health and then focus on the things you enjoy. I realise from this board that a lot of women find skincare very satisfying and, if that's the case then crack on. As for me, I'm on S&B for the clothes. I'm as vain as the next person but I find skin stuff, grooming and make-up quite tedious and I also don't believe in getting into battles I'm not going to win. On top of that, I have sensitive skin. So I use as few products as I can get away with (normally something like avocado oil for moisturising and cleansing and a separate SPF). This is the only place where I hear talk about injectables.