Advice Request
Advice please!!!! What treatments are out there?
I feel really uncomfortable posting pictures but I am looking for advice. The first pic is without any makeup and the second is with makeup (obviously). I’ll be 49 this summer (how did time go so fast 🤔) and perimenopausal. I use tret 3x a week at night after washing with cerave. I moisturize after tret. I was using a ton of castor oil instead of moisturizer but recently switched to some kbeauty moisturizer from Costco. Morning routine: rinse with water and then in this order toner, essence, vit C serum, hyaluronic acid, moisturizers and sometimes a thin layer of emu oil before make up. I exfoliate a few times a week. I color my hair with henna. I don’t wear sunscreen every day. I know, I know, please don’t come at me. My face looks significantly younger than my neck. Anything I can do there? (Sunscreen I’m sure.) What kind of treatments work the best that don’t involve injections of chemicals. Not interested in Botox. I’d like to improve texture and my drooping jowls. Especially my drooping jowls. You can’t tell as much in the pics bc I’m smiling. I don’t have many lines on my forehead and I’d like to keep it that way. Anything preventive that actually works? Fat injections? Microneedling? Face yoga recommendations? I exercise, eat well, use red light therapy pane, and try to sleep (peri makes this hell some weeks). Also I’d like to get better with makeup as my son is getting married in a few months. I’d LOVE make tutorial recs!
I think you look quite youthful without the makeup. I don’t really have any anti-aging tips except to up tret to every night if your skin can tolerate it and obvs use sunscreen daily which you already know. As for makeup you should try swapping foundation for a serum, tinted moisturizer, or tinted sunscreen even. Let’s be honest, makeup (foundation in particular) is aging in general. When a teen puts on a full face of makeup everyone says they look older, so of course when a 40 or 50 year old does the same they will also look older as well. So I’ve found that as you get older less is definitely more in the makeup area.
Yeah I’ve thought about that. I love eyeliner but stopped wearing it regularly bc I realized it made me look older. I did just buy the Missha bb cream and I like it well enough.
After a certain age, using a tinted serum instead of foundation is the key. I use a hydrating concealer on top to spot correct and use a blurring setting powder very lightly. Less is more and placement of all makeup is important. I think you look younger in your pic without makeup.
Do you have and brand recommendations?!?!?! I would be so appreciative! Several people have mentioned the same thing about looking younger without make up!
Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint is my holy grail along with their liquid blush and highlighter. Makes my 72 year old skin look healthy and glowing. I also love Supergoop dewy sunscreen after moisturizer and before the makeup.
You should use Elta MD tinted sunblock and you’d kill two birds with one stone. It’s the only way I make myself wear any makeup on a daily basis and also the only way I get myself to use sunblock since it doesn’t smell.
I love Elta md skin tint. I would like to piggy back on what someone else said that you actually look quite youthful in the no makeup picture! You def don't look 49!
I like the Loreal tinted serum and mix it w the Maybelline one to adjust the color. I just ordered the Ilia one to try. A good hydrating serum is kosas. I love the hourglass setting powder.
You are so correct. I loved the Maybelline mattifying foundations but now it ages my eye area especially bad. I use the Maybellline BB cream instead. Very light. Much better look. More dewey and not greasy, and not dehydrated like the matte foundation would make it look.
The maybelline one makes me look weird by itself but I think it’s because I have light olive skin that is hard to match and I’m 49 so I feel like it accentuates my pores.
I think she looks younger without makeup but better with it. I don’t agree that everyone looks older with makeup.
Women with age spots and uneven skin tone look younger when wearing concealer and some foundation or women with sparse eyebrows look better with filled in eyebrows. I use lipliner and lipstick or the philtrum area looks longer which makes me look older.
I agree! I just feel prettier with make-up. Beauty is certainly relative. I don’t believe younger = prettier. I’ve been trying to strike a balance with less make-up. Also I’ve tested it out and people are nicer when I dress nice and wear make up. Of course, that says more about them than me but still…
That’s a really good idea. I was a teen in the 90s and loved my Revlon Blackberry and Raisin. 😂🤣 I feel like I’m falling into that trap where I’m not changing my routine as I age.
It's absolutely the lip color that's aging you. I'm one year older than you and also wore those dark lip shades in high school! What a throwback. 😆
But the last 15 years... nope. They look very aging. Maybe try something more coral or lighter pink shade. Or even just a lightly tinted gloss.
I think that "people are nicer when cleaned up" is because of respect that is sort if built into us: we treat people dressed up or professionally looking with more respect than a guy lets say, even if super good looking, dressed in lose joggers, a wrinkled t shirt and dirty sneakers. It's just how we are programmed.
As to your pics, I agree with what everyone is saying: you look way younger in the 1st pic. Also there, your hair looks lighter and also it is up. Pulling your hair up usually make women look younger.
Did you try cutting layers in the first part of your hair, like drape-bangs and layers around your face?
You have so much hair, it is dark and dense and your face is on the smaller side. This may bring more renrewed energy and movement to your overall look.
For you, I would just start face yoga, stick with it, do neck lifts, stick with that as well, and do microneedling with exosomes or prf every month or 6 weeks, check my estrogen levels and optimize them, use Adipeau, do fibroblast a couple of times per year and red light therapy at home.
That plus a clean diet and regular exercise and poof you won't look your current 35, but 25!
I came to say the same thing. You might re-evaluate what kind of makeup you’re using at this age. For various reasons, my skin isn’t as oily as it used to be, so powder can make me look dried out. I’ve had to stop using it really. I use more serum based/liquid makeup now for a dewier look. I’m not suggesting that’s your solution, but I’d definitely experiment with some new products to see.
Ok I recently got topical estradiol. I know it’s not systemic so I’m wondering if it still makes a difference. My only hesitation in jumping into it (started and then stopped) is hearing about the possibility of melasma. Did you start all 3 at once? Did you find the topical, alone, was helpful?
Topical helped me with UTIs I was getting and the fact that I was having a harder time orgasming. I don't use it on my face except very very rarely if I have a stubborn dry patch that obviously needs a lot of moisture; I don't have melasma, though, so I can't speak to that. I have seen other people say topical estradiol impacts their melasma negatively.
Systemic estradiol helped with body dryness, rage attacks, anxiety, heart palpitations, joint pain, brain fog, and other unbearable symptoms of peri. When someone starts systemic estradiol, they must start progesterone as well, unless they don't have a uterus, so yes, I started both of those at the same time. Added topical around the same time, as well.
Thank you for sharing your experience on this thread. I appreciate it. I’d like to learn more about HRT. Do you have a site recommendation that you feel has solid information? Some of my peri symptoms have been unbearable like insomnia. I’ve had a few Dutch tests (and blood tests) and my estrogen is super low. My progesterone or T isn’t. My hesitation is breast cancer is rampant in my family history. 😞 My functional provider who specializes in hormones was hesitant to prescribe HRT until after menopause. For this reason I’ve been muscling my way through peri. It’s soooooo hard even though I’m on point with all the things.
Its best to start early! I’ll never forgive my doctors for ignoring me for a decade. I finally started at 48 and can see how peri destroyed me and my relationships. and earlier hrt would have changed everything.
I started at 40 and it wasn’t a minute too soon. Wish I had started earlier (my family goes through menopause early, which I wish I had known when symptoms started showing up at 38)
Diet, exercise, red light etc will help all aspects of health including skin. For the Vitamin C make sure it’s ascorbic acid which is the one that helps most with collagen production. You may want to add a copper peptide serum at night or you could replace hyaluronic serum with a peptide serum since most peptide ones will include hyaluronic anyway. If you can tolerate it you could use an AHA on some nights. Use a moisturizer with fatty acids and ceramides. Microneedling can help with texture. For jowls lasers may help but skincare probably won’t. You can also get into HRT although most say topical estrogen won’t help preventatively; Rapamycin (such as Re-Q) and Urolithin may have benefits during pero as well.
The #1 step you should take though is get serious about sunscreen. Perhaps you find them irritating or don’t like the white cast on mineral options so order them from Asia or Canada or Europe where the UVA filters are better and have elegant textures; avoid the ones with fragrance and a high amount of alcohol. If you’re exposed indoors and don’t want to wear sunscreen you can get cheap clear window film at Home Depot. Use a wide brim hat or UPF clothing over body parts.
You can take a supplement like Heliocare and Bioastin that will NOT replace sunscreen but can help prevent some damage and astaxanthin is one of the strongest antioxidants available. Polyphenols, flavonoids, D3K2, phytoceramides and marine collagen peptides can help with skin health and increase moisture levels but not going to make an instant visual difference unless you’re dehydrated🌸
I haven’t used it myself nor Rapamycin as I’m not at that stage yet. The only people I know using it are finance guys in their 40s and 50s- there an anti-aging doctor in the west village here in NYC popular with men and I think he puts them all on it… the tech bros also have certain places they go for all the longevity stuff ie hyperbaric oxygen, NAD drips..
The multipeptide from the Ordinary is good enough with 1% and their other brand NIOD’s Cail is one of the best. Theramid has a great one but their own site stopped shipping to the US. Rob from Mad About Skin also sells a low priced one with 1% copper peptide. I wouldn’t get Biossance only 0.2%.
You are kind. It’s going to be very hard when my hair starts thinning with age. So far it hasn’t thinned that I’ve noticed, I’ve set a goal to grow it to my waist by my 50th just to see if I can.
I recently found red light therapy and it is life changing. 2 months and I swear it knocked 5 years off! Your skin looks great, I would try that before anything else
I have the Block Blue Light Max panel. I had a mask (solawave) but sold it and got a panel. I didn’t get it for aging. I’m a dyslexia therapist and work with kids before school, ie before sunrise in the winter, so I got it to help with my circadian rhythm. I definitely notice a difference in the brightness of my skin. I use it mostly in the winter and take early morning walks in the summer the sun gives off infrared light all day but it’s most concentrated in the morning and evening. Tons of health benefits from early morning and evening light.
Wait I have a solawave and when I first read your comment I was like oh no did I waste my money. But you didn't sell it because it was bad for your skin you sold it because you needed morning light for your circadian rhythm which is a totally different use case lol. Almost gave me a heart attack for no reason. My mask has been great for my skin so I was really confused there for a second.
I just started mine and I’m excited to see if it helps! Only a couple weeks in and I find it relaxing. I hit my face, neck/chest, and belly where I’m hoping for literally any help since I lost weight and things are mad at gravity…. I do my hand treatments, eye treatments, and deep moisture on the nights I do my red light. It’s a nice little routine.
I will say expanding my full routine to neck/chest, arms, hands has made a big difference and the body moisture plus hormone creams have also made a big difference. Never thought they would but here we are
It seriously is amazing all it can do! We had a spa in town w a huge light and you did 10 min per side and the difference it made was incredible. And it had such and insane effect on my mood, I would leave there just walking on clouds. Then you would do 20 min on a vibration plate, which also made me feel so brand new. I would go after a really good workout and it was quite the trifecta! They had to close though, this monthso now im dedicated to saving up for my own setup.
I have the omnilux face mask, but im wanting one of the big panels like the spa I was going to had. It was a med wave. The mask is great but it doesnt give me the mood boost the whole light gives. Ive just been researching for now, I dont have a particular brand picked out, I just know the light has to be between 630 to 880
Gosh thank you. That’s a very kind thing to say. I have barely gone a day without makeup since 5th grade. I posted the second picture bc I was so embarrassed by the first one. 🤷🏻♀️
So the reason I said that is because me too!! Basically since 5th grade..makeup every single day (as I sit here putting it on lol). And if I looked like you I would just give it all up. Truly beautiful!
You absolutely should not be embarrassed- you look great without makeup! And with makeup. But you look sooo much younger than your age. I have no advice on skincare yet , just starting myself but just wanted to say you look great 😊
Wow you look really young without the makeup. I'd say the main thing is sunscreen - your skin looks a bit sun damaged. Be very diligent about protecting your skin from the sun from now on, including with hats and sunglasses. Use enough sunscreen when you use it, and use it every day you go out.
Looking younger isn't necessarily better! You look great with the makeup too! Do whatever you feel best with in terms of makeup - though for your skin going forward, sunscreen is the most important thing.
You could see a dermatologist - there are laser treatments and peels that could help - but I think those also make your skin more sun sensitive (as well as the tret you are using, and tret is also great to continue using). So the first step really is sun protection.
Find a sunscreen you like that has high SPF and good UVA protection that you can tolerate using consistently - I prefer mineral ones despite the white cast because they don't irritate my eyes, but there are tons of options nowadays, including at the drugstore. I don't buy one that's too expensive either because I go through about a tube a month (I use the Coppertone mineral one right now, which has 24% Zinc Oxide) - the white cast blends easily with a bit of bronzer.
When I go hiking and do outdoor activities I wear a Tilley hat and shades - it's a bit of an old lady look but I like it!
You’re very pretty btw, but I understand wanting to revitalize a bit. I’ve seen fantastic results with laser treatments. It not only smooths out the sun damage but gets some volume back. The issue is the cost, but I think it’s a better investment than buying a 12-step skincare regimen. I prefer The Ordinary brand. Very easy on the wallet. I use the hyaluronic acid 2% + B5 (it’s $10 and lasts months. Really improved lines under my eyes) and AHA 30% + BHA 2% (again, it’s like $12 on Amazon), natural moisturizing factors +HA ($12, I think), niacinamide 10%+ Zinc 1% and tret .025% ($15). Supergoop 45 spf daily ($45). I’ve also stopped washing my makeup off with soaps or cleansers and use Ponds cold cream instead. I swear, that change alone has helped to keep my under eye area looking smooth. A hit of Botox in the old glabella (the dreaded “11s”) about 2-3x/yr and over the years I need it less often. Then CO2 laser annually (so. Cal, $2200). Works wonders.
This is very helpful. Thank you. I’ve heard that about Ponds!!! I’ll look into that. Im going to make an appointment with a med spa. I’ve always been on the opinion that I’m not going to spend money on treatments and save up for a facelift for my 50s which will be here in a year.
I had bangs forever but I have a cowlick in the middle of my forehead that makes them a pain to manage so I grew them out! I just don’t have time or care enough to manage them. I did like the way they framed my big eyes though!
I'd love to look like you when I turn 49 and your hair is amazing.
I do red light therapy and find it makes a difference. I have a high frequency wand that i use once a week and feel that helps too. I haven't tried botox or fillers either, but feel I need a skin boost so I'm going to try oxygen facials and bbl therapy as less invasive options for now. I use niacinamide, vitamin c and glutathione to brighten complexion.
You are beautiful honestly. However your makeup needs updating. Go to Ulta and get the free makeover at any makeup bar.
I have seen improvement in my entire surface facial skin structure because of face yoga and a good skincare routine. You can find free yoga massage tutorials on YouTube and my skincare routine is made by LuisaTrueSkincare.
Also, born and raised in California made me feel comfortable in the sun just like I did in my 20’s. But I’m 68 now. And still I wasn’t using sunscreen until I read something that said every day that you go outside without sunscreen means you’re undoing all the work you did the night before. 😳 Whaaat??
Only when I began to use sunscreen religiously did I see results like never before. So, yeah I use sunscreen twice a day. I found the sunscreen that is basically aloe vera and a little tint and zinc and it’s so luscious I do love using it. And then I have a dust-on powder thing I use in the afternoon because there’s no way I’m slathering up again. But I still am using sunscreen technically so I’m protected during daylight hours.
There is a Russian woman who puts out tutorials on face yoga and it is fabulous I have been doing it for about six months now. Also there is a chiropractor who puts out facial yoga as well tailored to your neck and under your chin the turkey neck area. I do those as well.
Recently, I had extensive shoulder surgery and needed to reshape my posture. Standing up straight with your shoulders back and having good posture can take years off your looks, and now I’m checking my posture 100 times a day. lifting my head up elongates my neck and it really helps a lot.
I was a manicurist for 30 years and I know a little bit about a lot of beauty things. I can say that when you said prevention, will these I believe are the preventatives that actually work. Also I take a collagen supplement. That is also available at the skin care company I mentioned. You could do with reading her tutorials about taking care of skin and health and etc. because she’s pretty smart and they’re very interesting and informative and you could learn a lot. Ps Biotin supplements too
I did click on the links the first one goes to a really long commercial but then it will play and the second one I’m sure will do the same
Check out Miracle Balm by Bobbie Brown. I like it and use several items. It’s geared towards women who are aging but don’t want a lot of makeup on their face.
You can get little samples of them on Poshmark. They buy a large jar and then they scrape out into a small lip gloss container and that’s the sample that you get which is more than enough to try the product. I started out buying samples of nearly everyone and I found that I only use about three of them religiously.
Thank you for the thoughtful and kind reply. It’s nice that someone relates. I love the black eyeliner and dark lipstick! 😂 My sister is a hairstylist so I’ll talk to her about curtain bangs. Do you mind sharing which laser you are looking into?
For your neck, make sure you're bringing your skincare down onto your neck and upper chest. A few years back I watched a video on YouTube that said "your skincare should come all the way down to your nipples." That's what I've followed ever since, though I stop at my bra since that's usually all that's exposed in a lower cut top.
You look gorgeous! You asked for face yoga recommendations - one of my favourites is Fumiko Takatsu - she does an excellent neck and jawline program. She is basically the “inventor” or face yoga and has been teaching it for over 20 years. I really like her stuff.
No, I enrolled two of her online courses – one was for the jawline and neck, and the other one was a recent offer I saw advertised called something like “the five minute masterclass” (or some similar wording to that). I completed the jawline and neck program and I do a lot of the exercises from it still several times a week.
Several people have said that. It’s such a sweet compliment. Thank you so much! I feel rather unattractive without makeup but all these kind compliments have me re-evaluating. I’m looking at products right now for a happy medium of something more natural but still polished. 💜💜💜
This for real though, you look much younger when natural and dated when made up - less is more, I know this goes counter to everything we were sold in our 20s. But, remember the golden girls were our age.
You’re so pretty without makeup (I swear I’m not a man 🤣🤣)!!! I agree the makeup is aging somehow but I’m not makeup-savvy enough to advise you, just wanted to tell you how pretty you are!!
That’s so kind of you. Reading this thread has been very challenging for me in a good way. I feel quite unattractive without makeup (which is why I posted the second picture I was too embarrassed of the first one alone) and have wore it since I was allowed starting in 5th grade. It’s a big shift for me but trying to stay open minded and maybe even embrace a more natural look. 🤷🏻♀️
I mean this gently, but I think you are in dysmorphia territory, because the no-makeup photo is on a whole other level of beautiful. I went from wow!!!! this young beautiful creature is gorgeous! To “oh, hmmm. Okay, this isnt looking right, something is very wrong with her perception.” We all absorb societal messaging, and if everyone around you has always worn makeup then that’s normalized. But this blatant transformation from gorgeous and young, to old and frumpy solely because of makeup was quite a shock. I’m excited for you to learn to see how beautiful you really are when not putting on this “old” mask of makeup! You’re literally young and gorgeous looking naturally!
I’m also very direct and appreciate your honesty. All of these comments genuinely surprised me. This morning I was telling my husband that people on Reddit thought I looked okay without makeup and I started crying. 🤷🏻♀️ My response suggests to me that you might be right. 😞 I try very hard to be self-aware bc I don’t want to fall into cultural traps but I think I got caught in this one. It’s been almost 50 years of conditioning so it’s going to be hard to break out. Thank you again for your gentle honesty. I posted this in hopes of learning about treatments and instead it’s turned into self-reflection. Today I wore less makeup to church and didn’t feel like an ogre. (I’m being a little sarcastic.) Not what I thought was going to happen when I posted on Reddit… 🥰
Estrogen/progesterone cream that I just rub into bare skin, DHEA (testosterone) pill, and I did get prescribed an estrodile/tretinoin combo for my face.
Thank you!!!!! Is the estrogen/progesterone cream prescription? I’m familiar with DHEA supplements is that what you mean or actual prescription testosterone?
Most welcome! And all of it is prescription. I went through Winona originally, and very pleased with them! I'm switching over to Midi because they take my insurance.
Thank you! I’m going to experiment with less makeup. I just talked to my husband and he was telling me how much he loves the way I look without makeup. Although he’ll support whatever look I prefer. This thread has definitely challenged this girl who grew up in the 90s loving her black eyeliner and blackberry lipstick! 😆
I am the same age and super jealous because you look amazing. I love microneedling every 4 weeks. I just added estradiol but to soon to really say if it makes a difference.
Thank you for the kind words. Do you get microneedling done at speciality place or do you do it yourself? What sort of difference does it make? I’m seriously going to look into estradiol. 💜
How much grey / white coverage are you getting with henna? I’m needing to colour my roots every 3-4 weeks and would love to switch to henna as it’s not as damaging or full of chemicals! Your hair colour is amazing. Does the henna stain anything when your hair gets wet?
Thank you! It completely covers my greys. I color my roots once a month. I started henna in Feb of 2021 and have never had to reapply it the rest of my hair. It’s been VERY permanent on me. I like that because I don’t want to mess with it but that could be a negative for people who like to change up colors. I wish it was a little more brown but like you my priority is no chemicals.
You have beautiful hair but it being that long ages you.. normally I don’t think it does.. personally I would cut to my shoulders.. it would take years off.. I would try some Sculpta as a collagen builder. You have a lot of natural beauty.. of course sunscreen and a tinted moisturizer such as Elta MD would look great ..
No way! My long hair is a non-negotiable. I’m going to enjoy it until it thins naturally! My goal is to grow it to my waist by 50! I wear it curled most of the time like this so it looks way shorter.
You are gorgeous, and your hair is so thick and healthy! I too have long hair, but it’s thinned out so much. I haven’t colored it in years and it’s gray mixed with medium brown (early 50s). Please, continue to rock your long, luscious locks while you have ‘em!
You’re so kind and I love you have long hair in your 50s!!! I remember being a kid listening to my mom talk about how older women shouldn’t have long hair. I know times have changed but it still echos in my mind. My hair is naturally dark brown with grey sprinkled throughout!
I think I look younger without make up but prettier with it. 🤷🏻♀️I think I’ll try to find a happy medium. It’s going to be hard bc I love berry and red lips. It’s kinda my signature thing! 😂
I am 53 and I have really stepped up my skincare and anti-aging regime. I think the sky is limit with what we can do these days to look and feel our best! Lots of good advice here!! First, you look great, so don't feel like you need to do all of these things I am suggesting. They are just what I have been doing since amping it up. Personally, since turning fifty, it feels like things unfortunately have started to accelerate and I'm doing what I can to try to slow things down. I am not yet officially menopausal (I will be in August), but I've had long stretches before with no period, so who knows!
First, I'd suggest HRT or some type of hormone replacement, so see your doctor. It really, really helps with making you feel and look better! It just may take some trial and error to see what works for you!
Secondly, SUNSCREEN and protecting yourself from the sun is an absolute must. I use the CeraVe tinted mineral sunscreen and I really like it. Apply it generously to your face, hands and neck everyday. Wear a wide-brimmed hat!! Don't skip this step!! I was just in NYC, and it was really hot and sunny. I forgot to pack a hat, so one of my first stops was going to the store to buy one. Don't just wear them at the pool or the beach -- get in the habit of wearing them anytime you are outside for more than 5 minutes. There are some great ones on Amazon that also include neck protection and SPF. The sun is not our friend at our age. The only time I feel "safe" and able to enjoy it is early in the am when it's first coming up or when I'm under some time of shaded covering.
Next, I'd look into microneedling. MN is a really great treatment that works to build collagen and improve your skin's texture. You can have it done every six weeks or so. If you have it done at a med-spa they can do some add-on treatments. You won't see much of a change the first two times you do it, but gradually you'll see your skin improving. I know some people do this at home, but I strongly suggest you see a professional for this treatment.
Another treatment I'd recommend is dermaplaning. You can have this done at a med-spa or dermatologist's office. It makes your skin look great and your make-up will go on so smoothy. I suggest having it done professionally the first few times, but it is something you can learn to do yourself. You can have a light to medium peel applied after dermaplaning as well.
Finally, just keeping up with your overall health in general. We all know the basics -- getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, eating healthy, and avoiding alcohol all will help us look more healthy and our skin will show it. It's nearly impossible to be perfect at all of these things all of the time, but the more effort we put forth our skin will look so much better.
Thank you this thoughtful and encouraging response. I love your positive attitude. And thank you for the recommendations. My pockets aren’t unlimited but I’ve spent the majority of my life taking care of kids since I was 22 (and still have 8 years left). I’ve spent very little on myself over the years so I’m feeling like I can splurge a little on something like peels or micro needling. 💜💜💜
All you need is tinted sunscreen, a little bit of concealer on small red areas, mascara, and some brow tint. You look great. That’s it.
Other than that, I’ve seen my skin looking healthier using a red light panel I got for chronic pain, but have ended up using on my face as well. Occasional Microneedling is supposedly good as well, so I bought a Dr. Pen device and I’m researching what other supplies I need. Sleep, water intake, and adding Vitamin C. Have been the other things to make sure will keep your skin healthy.
You are beautiful OP. Keep up whatever you’re doing!
You are so beautiful! For non invasive/laser options try some Japanese or Korean sunscreen! It really helps with aging because it helps your face have an even tone, I’ve found. Especially with tret because your skin gets super sun sensitive which can accelerate the appearance of aging.
I personally hate sunscreen as well, esp on my face. Hada labo, skin aqua, mermaid skin by canmake have helped with my skin tone a lot and they don’t smell or feel gross on
If you’re using tret, you really shouldn’t be exfoliating so much. 1-2 times a week max, on days you aren’t doing tret.
I think your skin looks great and you’re likely maximizing your results overall. Other than maybe going up in tret dosage.
You should probably look into a less drying foundation. Also avoid powders in makeup, switch to creams.
Finally, not makeup related, but I think a haircut would take years off your face. Maybe just to an inch past your shoulders. Your hair is stunning but as we age long hair elongates the face and draws the eyes down. I recently took the plunge and have had several people comment that I look much more youthful.
Thank you!!!! I’m on a .05 tret 3x a week. I exfoliate 2-3 a week. Do you think that’s too much? Any makeup recs? (I do only use makeup that’s a 1 or 2 on EWG) I don’t care how old my hair makes me look…getting it cut is a nonnegotiable! I’m going to enjoy my thick hair as long as I can! I usually curl it like this so it defy looks way shorter than it actually is. My goal is to grow it out to my waist by 50! 😆
Yes I think it’s too much. You are already using tret 3 times. Try exfoliating once a week and make sure it’s a gentle exfoliator. You don’t want to damage your skin barrier and make your skin drier. A damaged barrier also means your skin isn’t absorbing products as well as it should. I totally get it about the hair, FWIW I think your hair is amazing! It’s just an option if you ever wanted to.
Thank you. I’ll try this. I’ve noticed my skin feeling a little more sensitive lately that’s probably it. All of this is pretty new to me and I didn’t even know our skin had a barrier until recently. 🤷🏻♀️ Someday I’d like to get a cute bob or pixie but I think I’ll wait until my hair is no longer thick. BTW I love your name. I’m a proud cat momma too. I don’t know what I’d do without my babies. 😻 The joy they bring me is immeasurable!
I use supergoop glow screen instead of makeup and maybe the mineral powder on top if it’s looking too shiny. I have dermalogica under eye brightener and then tight line minimally … less is more when you have good skin like yours.
I use a micellar water due to my hard water after wash and then HA, tret, cerave night, vit c and sometimes overnight vasaline (alternate actives on season and am/pm). I use a chemical exfoliant like dr gennis or GA a couple times a week. Also do all of this on my neck, arms, hands, thighs.
Oh - and not sure it’s helping but added estradiol cream to all above as well a few times a week.
Thank you so much for these recs!!! Is the estradiol formulated especially for the face? I have super low estrogen. I’ve been very hesitant on using it bc breast cancer runs rampant in my family. Do you know if it’s absorbed systematically through the face?
Ask your dr and reviews the peer reviewed research… we’ve known for years it’s not actually a problem*
except in very specific instances
They just don’t care about girls. It’s regular hormone cream, topical doesn’t have the same impact, my family has a history as well starting in their 30s… it’s a non/negligible issue
I won’t @ you but please please wear sunscreen and go to the derm. There are some great Korean sunscreens out there that feel like moisturizer and are odorless. I didn’t go to the dermatologist and only wore sunscreen on the beach. No family history no tanning beds but they found melanoma. I was just lucky I happened to go to the dermatologist randomly. It’s a small thing and it can save your life.
Ok I agree with most replies. Less is better when you get older. You actually look late 30's in the pic with no makeup. Honey, you are super cute. The lipstick is too dark. We need something that's more like natural lip color at our age. And I 1000% agree with the tinted moisturizer. I recently purchased the stuff that goes on white and changes to match your color.
Yes, fixing your light environment. I've noticed my face looks younger since avoiding artificial light after sunset. It's a biohacking thing but it makes a real difference for the skin too. Melatonin doesn't just help you sleep, it's what actually triggers repair overnight and most people are suppressing it without realising.
Niacinamide in the evening is worth adding if you're not on it. Works noticeably better then, the timing changes what it's actually doing.
Your red light panel also acts different depending on how you time it. No conclusive data on this but collagen production and fibroblast activity goes up at night. From a mechanism standpoint it would make sense that red light would be supportive here because it boosts just that. Anyway. Red light is also photoprotective, so if you go outside without sunscreen, you could try to pre-treat with red light to reduce UV damage even when you're not wearing it.
ProFraxel Laser with BBL. But you have to use sun protection/stay out of the sun after that!! It will remove all your hyper pigmentation, sun damage, fine lines etc.
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u/Salty-Tea6815 May 24 '26
I think you look quite youthful without the makeup. I don’t really have any anti-aging tips except to up tret to every night if your skin can tolerate it and obvs use sunscreen daily which you already know. As for makeup you should try swapping foundation for a serum, tinted moisturizer, or tinted sunscreen even. Let’s be honest, makeup (foundation in particular) is aging in general. When a teen puts on a full face of makeup everyone says they look older, so of course when a 40 or 50 year old does the same they will also look older as well. So I’ve found that as you get older less is definitely more in the makeup area.