- At what age did you begin anti-aging treatments?
- Describe your skincare routine
…etc
Update: I apologize for the photo request; that was insensitive of me. I was simply curious about the outcomes.
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There’s something about this discussion that doesn’t sit right with me. It feels like it’s pushing a ‘normal aging is unattractive’ narrative, or perhaps it’s the demand for photos to prove one’s appearance.
My dad is 55 and looks a decade younger. His advice?
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Have oily skin (this is mostly down to genetics, unfortunately).
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Avoid smoking
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Use sunblock
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Stay away from facial products that contain alcohol
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I’m 42 and look younger than my age. If I put more effort into my style, I could probably pass for my early 30s. I credit this to:
- Genetics
- Growing up in Chicago and stopping my attempts at tanning by age 12 (it never worked anyway).
- Never being a smoker
- Using sunscreen consistently in my 20s (while in Boston and Chicago) and mostly wearing hats in my 30s (while in Arizona)
- Not having children (for reasons unrelated to aging concerns!). Avoiding the sleep deprivation and stress of parenting has likely kept some wrinkles away.
- Practicing Buddhism for 13 years, which has helped me reduce my anger.
My routine has changed recently. I had a bad experience with OCM and a breakout from expired foundation, so I’ve returned to a simplified Acne.org regimen:
- Gentle olive-oil soap
- 2% BP
- Occasional AHA lotion
- Moisturizer, sometimes with a bit of jojoba oil
I’ve never used specific ‘anti-aging’ items besides the AHA. No Botox or fillers, though I have a small brow line that might benefit from it.
I sent you some photos privately but didn’t post them here, as I don’t want to make anyone feel bad about looking their age.
My mother is in her late 50s but looks about 40 or 45. She says the keys are drinking plenty of water, using a heavy moisturizer at night, and wearing sunblock. She also doesn’t smoke or drink alcohol. I hope I look that good at her age!
If I had to choose a Top 3:
- Don’t smoke! Avoid it entirely, not just for your skin—it’s a major cause of premature aging.
- Avoid tanning! Always wear sunscreen. I started using it daily at 30.
- Limit your intake of sugar and alcohol. I only have 1-2 drinks a week and never drink soda.
Other advice:
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Have parents who look young. My mom looked like she was in her 30s well into her 50s, even as a smoker.
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Use physical sun protection like hats and long sleeves.
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Eat a healthy diet and stay hydrated.
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I’d suggest avoiding caffeine if it causes facial flushing (though I still drink it myself).
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Frownies are a great option if you can’t afford Botox or aren’t ready for injections yet.
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Don’t use overly aggressive products or methods on your face.
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Younger women might not like this, but… avoid wearing heavy makeup constantly, and never sleep in it.
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Brightening creams and the occasional chemical peel help maintain an even skin tone.
Posting on behalf of my mom; she’s in her mid-40s and looks much younger. For her, it’s a bit of genetics from her father, but mostly it’s her skincare habits.
Since I was little, she’s taught me and my sisters the value of good skincare: washing daily, moisturizing, removing makeup, and wearing sunscreen. I can’t name her specific products since we live in different states, but every night she cleanses, moisturizes, and applies an anti-aging cream. She’s very gentle with her skin. In the summer, she always uses SPF and a wide-brimmed hat to avoid burning. It probably helps that she has a youthful style and pink hair, too.
I’m only in my early 20s, but I hope to be as diligent as she is with skincare.
My mom is in her 50s now, but she used to love tanning. I have pictures of her very dark while pregnant with me (we’re naturally fair). By 40, she still looked good but had visible sun damage and tired-looking skin.
She started seeing a dermatologist and has followed a strict routine for years: gentle cleansing, moisturizing, a retinoid, and religious sunblock use. She looks incredible now. People often think she’s my sister and compliment her skin. She gets professional peels once or twice a year and has treated the sun damage, though some (mostly on her chest) couldn’t be fully corrected.
She’s a great example of how skincare and sun protection are vital and effective even if started later in life. She often tells me, ‘I think I look great for my age, but I wonder how much better I’d look if I’d used sunscreen instead of tanning.’
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My mom looks very young; people often assume she’s 10-15 years younger than she is.
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She is dedicated to sunscreen, even in the winter, and applies it to her hands and neck as well as her face. She also wears hats.
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She had oily skin until menopause, and she’s always taken excellent care of it.
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She smoked for a long time but quit in her 40s. Fortunately, she inherited good skin from her mother.
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My dad also looks very young for his age.
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He’s never smoked, avoids soda (but enjoys a beer), gets plenty of sleep, and eats well.
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He did have melanoma from sun exposure when he was younger, but now he’s a sunscreen convert. He also has oily skin.
As someone who inherited that oily skin, I’m hoping the upside to the shine and breakouts is that I’ll look as young as my parents do when I reach their age.
A big factor is simply having good genetics. Other elements are likely environmental, such as regular exercise, consistent sun protection, and avoiding smoking or tanning.