Hi Julia, I feel your pain on the hormonal breakouts. :( I experienced shocking cystic pimples when I went off the pill to try to conceive and it was so demoralising. I work in a very professional, public-facing job too so I was mortified going into work everyday trying to look serious in my suit while I had pre-pubescent pustules erupting on my face. So, what did I do? Vanity got the better of me and I took desperate measures and resorted to a mild antibiotic until my hormones settled down (about a year later). Of course, back then, people weren't banging on about gut health and how terrible antibiotics are for our microbiome etc. So who knows if I gave myself IBS or what. BUT, frankly, I don't care. It's vain to say, but it's true. Anyway, nowadays, my skin is the best it's been even though I'm in my early 40s. I put that down to good genes mostly (a mix of Indian/European) so I don't really wrinkle (pigmentation is more my issue), but also just very basic skincare: Vit C (CE Ferulic by Skinceuticals is the best I've tried) and sunscreen everyday. Retinol a few nights a week. Strangely, my moisturiser is the cheapest thing I use. It's crazy, I've bought everything from Augustinus Bader to Chanel and I now find that cheap Cerave stuff from the chemist is the best! It creates this barrier that stays put for ages. Oh, and I always cleanse every night (gentle miscellar, nothing drying), but not in the morning. I find doing it twice a day is too stripping of the skin's natural oils. Water is enough. I never exfoliate or do masks. Less is more. And who has the time anyway? Lifestyle helps too: I've never smoked or drank (no particular reason, just never acquired the taste). And I eat pretty well. Lots of fats really helps my skin I find - even when you're breaking out because fats are essential for hormone health. I don't do any fillers etc as it's exxy and I want to look "good for my age" like Sofia Coppola, not "40 pretending to be 25 (but really just looks plain weird)". Good luck and keep us posted!! :)
Eloise, I'm so glad you took the time to write! And happy to hear your skin is in a great place! I think we've been taught to associate our skin and skincare with vanity but it's so much more than that, considering it's what we show people all day long. I think you might be onto something with the less-is-more approach in skincare. I also find myself doing less and less with time!
I'm 38 and about 2 years ago started to have terrible post partum acne ( so definitely hormonal) that wouldn't go away. The dermatologist put me on a regimen of arazlo ( a type of retinol) , azelaic acid, and (oral) spironolactone. And biweekly hydrafacials. As a result, I have the best skin of my life. He's also recommended vitamin c ( poems from the lab) and bright and clear laser ( which I haven't done because money ). I also use a omnilux red light mask as many days as I can and 1-2x a year I throw in a growth factor serum ( which are obscenely expensive yet so instantly effective and gratifying ). Right now I'm using plated and bio effects for eyes ( which hides 11 years of child induced sleep deprivation better than anything else ). Wash and moisturizer are almost irrelevant. I just switch around at whim but never anything too harsh and always a heavy moisturizer / oil serum. I don't know anyone that does fillers yet but lots and lots of talk of lasers/ red light masks. I have noticed sleeping well makes a huge difference but that's not generally possible.
Oh my gosh I love this!! I'm going to look into all of this and see if it's anything I could incorporate. Thank you for sharing Alice, I'm so happy your skin improved and is feeling great!
So interesting that all the beautiful interior pics you shared have the same color palette as your (very nice!) wardrobe! Maybe you’re just in a warm & classic neutrals place rn hahah 💗 for what it’s worth, the wardrobe colors look rich and cohesive to me, but I def get feeling sick of everything you own when you’re trying to avoid needless purchases, esp in the fall when so many voices are saying BUY NEW STYLES NOW! Don’t have a solution :/ but if you want a small color dose that is still practical, I lean on scarves (smaller silk ones or longer/bigger cotton and linen) to add some fun little color injections & change the look’s mood when I’m not sure what direction I want to go in and am not ready to purchase stuff.
That's very true, I think I am definitely leaning on my trusty toasty neutrals at the moment. It would just be fun to inject a few drops of colour and/or texture - I love your point about scarves!
Toast and cozy sounds so good for fall 🧶🍁 I also think adding some contrasting texture is nice if your wardrobe is lots of wool & cotton, like silk/leather (esp croc or patent if you have any) and shine from jewelry! Just as a way to play around with what you already have until you’re ready to commit to a purchase hahah
Had a similar experience with hormonal birth control. I actually never ended up with one where I felt like myself enough to stay on it. I ended up going the IUD route. Also THANK YOU for the shoutout ❤️
I started with retinol and then adapalene to get my skin acclimated to retinoids. Now I use Altreno, which is a less irritating retinoid. YouTube dermatologists have helpful guides on how to get started and minimize the risk of irritation. The tretinoin subreddit is also helpful!
Thanks Grace! I started out with a really mild retinol and have now switched over to lactic acid in the evening, but will look into a slightly stronger retinol once I'm done with this bottle
As far as skin goes I do hydro facials. I highly recommend them especially with problem skin. I get one every month and they aren’t insanely expensive. Worth every penny.
I feel like you are on the right path with a colored cardigan! I find these so helpful to inject color with my neutrals and you can wear it as a top, jacket, layered under and over things. I also like to use colorful jewelry so you could give that a try…a beaded necklace against neutrals adds some depth and interest in an easy way!
Yay - approval from a stylist always hits right! I don't know why I really struggle with necklaces. I have plenty that I love (my mum also designs/makes beaded jewelry) but there's something about the way they cut off my neck in a weird spot, no matter the length... But will keep trying!
Oye skin care! I’m glad to see, in the comments, that I’m not the only person who has been on a journey with my skin. I had acne all through high school/college and then when I got pregnant, shockingly, my skin cleared up with the hormone change. Since pregnancy, I’ve been getting regular peels trying to manage the scaring and discoloration from my acne. I get Botox every 3 months as a preventative measure but I am still VERY self conscious of the texture of my skin and size of my pores. All of that to say, I have no real answers 😭
We're just the blind leading the blind😅 No but really, thank you for sharing. I've been thinking about microneedling or something like it for my acne scars too, but now that it's mildly back I might wait a little longer... At what point did you begin doing botox?
I did it once or twice before I got pregnant but didn’t start in earnest until after I was done breastfeed (so when I was 31) and I’ve been doing it for 4 years now 😱
The combo of baby Botox around to lift the eyes and a lash lift and tint is the best defense against looking tired!!! I’ve found European practitioners are actually really conservative (in a good way!!!) with Botox so that you still look like yourself, but just better!
What an honest and vulnerable post…as far as skin I’ve been where you are…and won’t gate keep anything, there’s a lot I can say and happy to share EVERYTHING I’ve done / had done to get to where I am now, 35 but look like I’m my 20’s no breakout! It was a journey!
As far as your closet…when I’m not feeling inspired sometimes it’s because all the stress swirling around me is sapping me of my creative energy. It’s usually when I will look more at online resell sites like TRR, and go to estate sales or start thrifting more, and watching fall movies that inspire me.
Don’t be hard on yourself and enjoy some fun all purchases if they will spark joy and update the the items you have ☺️
Thank you, you're so sweet. And you're right, I need to get going with the fall movies to get into the mood of sweaters and scarves. That usually does the trick for me too.
What would you say has been the most significant thing you've done to feel completely confident in your skin at 35?
It’s a long story, and not one thing I had great skin as a teen & early 20’s then switched from BC to an IUD which was the worst decision of my life. Instant acne, and after 6months I got it removed and my skin did not clear up, I struggled with acne for 5yrs after, I tried everything and finally a Derm (after deal with a few I finally got a good one) put me on Accutane which for me was the only thing that worked, it took 6months and my skin cleared, and then it took another year for the inflammation to really go down. I used really good medical grade skincare as well….but was forward a few years I’m in my early 30’s and I store breaking out again the skin care isn’t working, and I was worried I’d have to get on medication again…thankfully I tried one last stick effort and that was OSMOSIS skincare (I take two of their supplements and use 4 products) and my STIM red light for acne, that combo completely cleared and changed my skin, I’ve been using for 3+ years now.
Ive also done Dysport & filler once a year for the last 3 yrs as little boost to freeze time. But honestly the skincare & stim light were life changing for me.
I have friends that have bought the very expensive masks and haven’t seen much difference. Mine is a small handheld one, if you google Light Stim for Acne it should show up.
My acne the first time around was brutal and I tried everything, did expensive peels, when to derms, did light treatments, tried spirolactone medication twice which was mild and useless for me, I did a year of only holistic skincare brands & makeup made no difference. After years of suffering I finally had to do accutane.
This second round of acne wasn’t hormonal, I took a test on the Osmosis which site and it said it was chemical, like my skin was purging chemical or something like that, and they recommended the products for me that I currently use.
So acne definitely isn’t caused by just one thing! I hope yours goes away soon because I understand the emotional turmoil it causes, it was really hard of me.
Yeah I totally understand feeling like you need to try everything and I'm hoping I don't end up there since I've heard of a lot of people really damaging their skin barrier with too many and too harsh treatments. I will definitely look up that light!
I had to switch birth control pills in May, because my gynaecologist basically told me I'm old lol, and it still makes me a raging hormonal mess when I'm not so tired I can barely get up and my skin also needed a while to get used to it but what helped me was taking Magnesium, a Vitamin B Complex with zinc and dialling my skincare routine back even more. I pretty much only wash my face and use SPF in the morning (Beauty of Joseon because it's water-based and doesn't clog my pores or burn in my eyes) and La Roche Posey Cicaplast in the evening. Hope that helps a little Julia
Hi Julia, I feel your pain on the hormonal breakouts. :( I experienced shocking cystic pimples when I went off the pill to try to conceive and it was so demoralising. I work in a very professional, public-facing job too so I was mortified going into work everyday trying to look serious in my suit while I had pre-pubescent pustules erupting on my face. So, what did I do? Vanity got the better of me and I took desperate measures and resorted to a mild antibiotic until my hormones settled down (about a year later). Of course, back then, people weren't banging on about gut health and how terrible antibiotics are for our microbiome etc. So who knows if I gave myself IBS or what. BUT, frankly, I don't care. It's vain to say, but it's true. Anyway, nowadays, my skin is the best it's been even though I'm in my early 40s. I put that down to good genes mostly (a mix of Indian/European) so I don't really wrinkle (pigmentation is more my issue), but also just very basic skincare: Vit C (CE Ferulic by Skinceuticals is the best I've tried) and sunscreen everyday. Retinol a few nights a week. Strangely, my moisturiser is the cheapest thing I use. It's crazy, I've bought everything from Augustinus Bader to Chanel and I now find that cheap Cerave stuff from the chemist is the best! It creates this barrier that stays put for ages. Oh, and I always cleanse every night (gentle miscellar, nothing drying), but not in the morning. I find doing it twice a day is too stripping of the skin's natural oils. Water is enough. I never exfoliate or do masks. Less is more. And who has the time anyway? Lifestyle helps too: I've never smoked or drank (no particular reason, just never acquired the taste). And I eat pretty well. Lots of fats really helps my skin I find - even when you're breaking out because fats are essential for hormone health. I don't do any fillers etc as it's exxy and I want to look "good for my age" like Sofia Coppola, not "40 pretending to be 25 (but really just looks plain weird)". Good luck and keep us posted!! :)
Eloise, I'm so glad you took the time to write! And happy to hear your skin is in a great place! I think we've been taught to associate our skin and skincare with vanity but it's so much more than that, considering it's what we show people all day long. I think you might be onto something with the less-is-more approach in skincare. I also find myself doing less and less with time!
Definitely. Less is more. As with most things in life right?
Here’s my magic secret—Spirolactone! Get a script from your doctor, it’s seriously a game changer for hormonal acne.
I'm 38 and about 2 years ago started to have terrible post partum acne ( so definitely hormonal) that wouldn't go away. The dermatologist put me on a regimen of arazlo ( a type of retinol) , azelaic acid, and (oral) spironolactone. And biweekly hydrafacials. As a result, I have the best skin of my life. He's also recommended vitamin c ( poems from the lab) and bright and clear laser ( which I haven't done because money ). I also use a omnilux red light mask as many days as I can and 1-2x a year I throw in a growth factor serum ( which are obscenely expensive yet so instantly effective and gratifying ). Right now I'm using plated and bio effects for eyes ( which hides 11 years of child induced sleep deprivation better than anything else ). Wash and moisturizer are almost irrelevant. I just switch around at whim but never anything too harsh and always a heavy moisturizer / oil serum. I don't know anyone that does fillers yet but lots and lots of talk of lasers/ red light masks. I have noticed sleeping well makes a huge difference but that's not generally possible.
Oh my gosh I love this!! I'm going to look into all of this and see if it's anything I could incorporate. Thank you for sharing Alice, I'm so happy your skin improved and is feeling great!
So interesting that all the beautiful interior pics you shared have the same color palette as your (very nice!) wardrobe! Maybe you’re just in a warm & classic neutrals place rn hahah 💗 for what it’s worth, the wardrobe colors look rich and cohesive to me, but I def get feeling sick of everything you own when you’re trying to avoid needless purchases, esp in the fall when so many voices are saying BUY NEW STYLES NOW! Don’t have a solution :/ but if you want a small color dose that is still practical, I lean on scarves (smaller silk ones or longer/bigger cotton and linen) to add some fun little color injections & change the look’s mood when I’m not sure what direction I want to go in and am not ready to purchase stuff.
That's very true, I think I am definitely leaning on my trusty toasty neutrals at the moment. It would just be fun to inject a few drops of colour and/or texture - I love your point about scarves!
Toast and cozy sounds so good for fall 🧶🍁 I also think adding some contrasting texture is nice if your wardrobe is lots of wool & cotton, like silk/leather (esp croc or patent if you have any) and shine from jewelry! Just as a way to play around with what you already have until you’re ready to commit to a purchase hahah
I need a leather (or suede) belt! I thinknit would do a lot for the upcoming jeans-and-a-sweater season
Had a similar experience with hormonal birth control. I actually never ended up with one where I felt like myself enough to stay on it. I ended up going the IUD route. Also THANK YOU for the shoutout ❤️
Yeah I would if I wasn't hoping to have children within a few years... Maybe after that! And of course!!
I started with retinol and then adapalene to get my skin acclimated to retinoids. Now I use Altreno, which is a less irritating retinoid. YouTube dermatologists have helpful guides on how to get started and minimize the risk of irritation. The tretinoin subreddit is also helpful!
Thanks Grace! I started out with a really mild retinol and have now switched over to lactic acid in the evening, but will look into a slightly stronger retinol once I'm done with this bottle
As far as skin goes I do hydro facials. I highly recommend them especially with problem skin. I get one every month and they aren’t insanely expensive. Worth every penny.
Thanks Jane, definitely going to take a closer look at hydrofacials!
I feel like you are on the right path with a colored cardigan! I find these so helpful to inject color with my neutrals and you can wear it as a top, jacket, layered under and over things. I also like to use colorful jewelry so you could give that a try…a beaded necklace against neutrals adds some depth and interest in an easy way!
Yay - approval from a stylist always hits right! I don't know why I really struggle with necklaces. I have plenty that I love (my mum also designs/makes beaded jewelry) but there's something about the way they cut off my neck in a weird spot, no matter the length... But will keep trying!
Oye skin care! I’m glad to see, in the comments, that I’m not the only person who has been on a journey with my skin. I had acne all through high school/college and then when I got pregnant, shockingly, my skin cleared up with the hormone change. Since pregnancy, I’ve been getting regular peels trying to manage the scaring and discoloration from my acne. I get Botox every 3 months as a preventative measure but I am still VERY self conscious of the texture of my skin and size of my pores. All of that to say, I have no real answers 😭
We're just the blind leading the blind😅 No but really, thank you for sharing. I've been thinking about microneedling or something like it for my acne scars too, but now that it's mildly back I might wait a little longer... At what point did you begin doing botox?
I did it once or twice before I got pregnant but didn’t start in earnest until after I was done breastfeed (so when I was 31) and I’ve been doing it for 4 years now 😱
The combo of baby Botox around to lift the eyes and a lash lift and tint is the best defense against looking tired!!! I’ve found European practitioners are actually really conservative (in a good way!!!) with Botox so that you still look like yourself, but just better!
Yes! I die my eyebrows monthly and it makes a MAJOR difference. Do you go to someone for your lashes or do it yourself?
Absolutely a professional I am so ungifted in the beauty skills department
😂😂
Interesting, interesting...
What an honest and vulnerable post…as far as skin I’ve been where you are…and won’t gate keep anything, there’s a lot I can say and happy to share EVERYTHING I’ve done / had done to get to where I am now, 35 but look like I’m my 20’s no breakout! It was a journey!
As far as your closet…when I’m not feeling inspired sometimes it’s because all the stress swirling around me is sapping me of my creative energy. It’s usually when I will look more at online resell sites like TRR, and go to estate sales or start thrifting more, and watching fall movies that inspire me.
Don’t be hard on yourself and enjoy some fun all purchases if they will spark joy and update the the items you have ☺️
Thank you, you're so sweet. And you're right, I need to get going with the fall movies to get into the mood of sweaters and scarves. That usually does the trick for me too.
What would you say has been the most significant thing you've done to feel completely confident in your skin at 35?
It’s a long story, and not one thing I had great skin as a teen & early 20’s then switched from BC to an IUD which was the worst decision of my life. Instant acne, and after 6months I got it removed and my skin did not clear up, I struggled with acne for 5yrs after, I tried everything and finally a Derm (after deal with a few I finally got a good one) put me on Accutane which for me was the only thing that worked, it took 6months and my skin cleared, and then it took another year for the inflammation to really go down. I used really good medical grade skincare as well….but was forward a few years I’m in my early 30’s and I store breaking out again the skin care isn’t working, and I was worried I’d have to get on medication again…thankfully I tried one last stick effort and that was OSMOSIS skincare (I take two of their supplements and use 4 products) and my STIM red light for acne, that combo completely cleared and changed my skin, I’ve been using for 3+ years now.
Ive also done Dysport & filler once a year for the last 3 yrs as little boost to freeze time. But honestly the skincare & stim light were life changing for me.
Thank you for sharing! I've heard a lot of good things about red light masks, maybe I need to get me one of those tbh
I have friends that have bought the very expensive masks and haven’t seen much difference. Mine is a small handheld one, if you google Light Stim for Acne it should show up.
My acne the first time around was brutal and I tried everything, did expensive peels, when to derms, did light treatments, tried spirolactone medication twice which was mild and useless for me, I did a year of only holistic skincare brands & makeup made no difference. After years of suffering I finally had to do accutane.
This second round of acne wasn’t hormonal, I took a test on the Osmosis which site and it said it was chemical, like my skin was purging chemical or something like that, and they recommended the products for me that I currently use.
So acne definitely isn’t caused by just one thing! I hope yours goes away soon because I understand the emotional turmoil it causes, it was really hard of me.
Yeah I totally understand feeling like you need to try everything and I'm hoping I don't end up there since I've heard of a lot of people really damaging their skin barrier with too many and too harsh treatments. I will definitely look up that light!
I had to switch birth control pills in May, because my gynaecologist basically told me I'm old lol, and it still makes me a raging hormonal mess when I'm not so tired I can barely get up and my skin also needed a while to get used to it but what helped me was taking Magnesium, a Vitamin B Complex with zinc and dialling my skincare routine back even more. I pretty much only wash my face and use SPF in the morning (Beauty of Joseon because it's water-based and doesn't clog my pores or burn in my eyes) and La Roche Posey Cicaplast in the evening. Hope that helps a little Julia
Thank you Cora, I'm definitely be looking into a Vitamin B complex! Isn't aging fun?
So much fun! Can't wait for menopause, I bet it'll be a blast for everyone involved 😅🫣
Hahah my mum has already warned me😂 I'm just wondering between teens-late 20s-pregnancy-menstrual cycles-menopause... when do we get a break??
I’m here to tell you in menopause my skin went bananas. I went off my Spirolactone when my periods stopped but am going back on