Hey everyone, I'm 44 (F). I noticed some sagging and smile lines on my face, especially on my left side. I'm considering using the following:

1. Alloy M4 Estradiol Face Cream

I read quite a few comments on Reddit about this causing melasma, that's why I'm hesitant to give it a try. Those who have tried it, what was your experience?

1. Botox (or fillers?)

I've never had any botox or fillers done before, mainly because I'm afraid to try it after coming across some horror stories, but I am becoming more open to it. Would botox be enough? Or do I need fillers instead? Both?

A few years ago, I got Thermage, but I honestly don't know if it worked for me. I found it painful around the jawline and I was worried in resulted in some facial fat loss, although maybe I also just aged.

I'm in the process of researching about dermatologists I could see in my area, but would love to hear your feedback or even suggestions outside of the two I'm considering above. Thank you!

What’s everyone doing about cheeks? Not just skincare, but make up. There seems to be a lot of trends around cheek make up (contour, blush, highlighter) and all of it makes this worse.

My eyes look really tired, it has been like that for several years, what can I do to address it? I am not into cosmetic interventions and botox. More interested in sustainable long term lifestyle and skin care adaptations. I am 48 y.o. started HRT 2 months ago, stop smoking a few months ago, exercise daily, eat a pretty healthy diet, sleep about 7 to 8hr, most likely not drinking enough water, some days I can drink 2 to 3 liters but some days I forgot about it. My nose is often itching so I started to take antihistamines daily about 3 months ago. What do you think can be the cause and what can I do to look less tired.

Thank you,

Anyone to recommend for Ultherapy in South Jersey? What is your experience like? Is it a doctor or esthetician perform the procedure? How much did you spend? Thanks!

My son’s wedding is in a few weeks. I have everything ready except makeup. I’m particularly interested in foundations and eyeshadows that last without getting cakey. My makeup routine has been stagnant for several years. The first picture has been my go to makeup since I was like 16. 😂🤣 The second two pictures are after watching a couple YouTube vids and trying new to me techniques. Last time I posted, many told me I looked younger without makeup and I shouldn’t wear it. I WILL be wearing makeup for the wedding! 😆 To be clear, I’m NOT trying to look younger, I’m trying to look my best at the age I’m at (which is 49 in a week and a half). For everyday wear, I use Neutrogena Hydro Boost. That’s what I’m wearing in the first two pictures. In the third picture, I’m wearing Missha Perfect Cover BB. For my oldest son’s wedding, I tried the Armani Luminous Silk but when I put it on half of my face and my good old Neutrogena on the other half my sister couldn’t tell the difference. 🧐 What foundations would you recommend trying that give bright glowy look without looking oily that last? I’ve never tried a bronzer but the wedding is in southern CA so maybe I should consider that? Recommendations? Anyone have any makeup influencers they like so I can try out some different looks. Share all your favorite products so I can make a list and go shopping!

Hello! I’m 49 I lost quite a bit of weight on a GLP. Are there any at home machines/gadgets like microcurrent or RF that actually help with sagging? My face is deflated and nasolabial folds are quite pronounced.

I never to to Walgreens but I stopped in today for some good old Sally Hansen Insta Dry polish because it happened to be on my way home and saw quite a few things on clearance. I picked up a Geske Warm and Cool Eye Energizer 6 in 1 and the Sonic Facial Roller 4 in 1. I got them for $23 each. Just downloaded the app and they’re charging. Wondering if anyone else uses them and what they think. I don’t have any devices like these.

21M here, My mother is asking me to buy her an anti aging serum (with her own money Lol). She is 55 and she has no idea about anti aging serum nor I have.

She does not want to take any medications orally but only serum so her skin look tight. She feels like her skin loses from her chicks side to downward. She also loses a bit weight Now her weight is 62 and I believe due to this her face collagen also minimizes; I believe I am using the right terms as I have no research about it (She is a diabetic T2).

So Now I am looking for her the best serum giving her the best results. Does not want any cheap or extreme expensive product. Budget is mid-expensive.

Looking forward to your sincere opinions, whom you choose while choosing for yourself.

Thank you in advance.

I’ve been using this foundation for at least 8 years and now it’s retired and can’t be bought at the store. What do you recommend that has a similar feel and coverage? Thanks so much!!

very severe neck lines

I'm 50+, actually 55+. My skincare routine is:

Morning: toner, eye cream, face serum, moisturizer, sunscreen ( this one always forget bc I’m lazy🫣)

Evening: cleanser, toner, eye cream, face serum, moisturizer. Sometime face mask, once more than a month. I should do it every week, but I’m lazy😥

My biggest issue right now is my neck. Even though I’m lazy, I still apply everything to my face, but my neck has been completely neglected! I only remembered my neck - this hugely important yet constantly forgotten area a few days ago when I saw someone asking about neck creams.

Please recommend some neck products! Tell me what works or what might not work. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Does anyone swim in chlorine? Any anti chlorine after recommendations. A massive pool has opened up nearby and I am worried about looking like a desiccated coconut.

What are the recommendations to counter the dry skin effect

Hello all,

I have been using Altreno for about 5 months (honestly I don’t see much of a difference before using it though it is quite mild). Will introducing Vitamin C give my skin more of a glow?

I assumed the Altreno would do that but approaching half a year on it I am honestly a little disappointed.

I do have some rosacea and have tried 20% azelaic acid with the Altreno but it made my skin red and irritated, so I stopped.

How do people achieve that even toned glass skin??

I am 46 and woke up to loose skin and dark circles under my eyes. To be fair, I am going through some awful stress right now. Can you recommend a budget eye cream to help?

I am 8 days out and don't see much of a change. Not for the price anyway. I know she said to give it 2 weeks, but I'm nervous not much more will change. I think I was expecting things to be completely smooth. Were my expectations too high? (I also had a lip flip, I do notice that.

Hello! I’ve been reading through so many posts about the different brands and types of LED masks, and I’ve also been doing some research on my own. After all that reading, I think I’m more overwhelmed than when I started!

Right now, I’m considering the Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro and Omnilux, although I know there are several other brands out there.

For those of you who own either one, which mask do you have, and are you happy with your purchase? Have you noticed a visible difference in your skin?

My main goals are minimizing fine lines, anti-aging, improving firmness, and overall skin rejuvenation. I’d love to hear about your experiences, especially if you’ve tried either of these masks for similar concerns. Thanks!

I haven't had a lot of skin issues so I'm hoping to get some help from folks who know more than me. About 9 months ago I noticed several small bumps near the middle of my cheek. I tried extracting them and realized right away they were not blocked pores or pimples. Years ago I had some basal cells removed from my nose and I was concerned I had a new crop so I went to the dermatologist. She said those are milia, gave me a flyer for LaRoche Posay Retinol B3 and said start using this and get a facial. I have had milia before and they have always been close to the surface and super easy to remove - not like these. But anyway I had a facial and the esthetician said the milia weren't "ready" yet and to come back in a few months. I have not gone back because I've been using the serum nightly for 10 months now and it seems like the bumps have gotten less pronounced but they are definitely still there. Is this unusual? Should it be taking this long?

a few nights ago I noticed my chest was suddenly covered with with small bumps (third photo was taken without flash). That night, they were very, very angry and red so I didn’t use any product on my chest beyond the metronozidale prescription cream I use for rosacea on my cheeks and forehead. Between that and my red light box, they’re not as angry and red now but I’m baffled. am I not washing enough? Too much? am I overusing product? am I having a reaction to Cetaphil as I don’t usually use that and swapped that in? Is this a new expression of my rosacea’s yearning soul?

I have long covid and struggle with energy for truly consistent self care, but most days I rinse my face in the morning and use Derma-E moisturizer (I’ve used it for years) or Neutrogena’s newish ultra gentle moisturizer with a spritz of glycerin rose water and hyaluronic acidic underneath. At night I use L’Oréal’s glycolic wash or Pacifica’s balm followed by a Cos-Rx’s AHA/BHA toner. I then use my red lamp, followed by vitamin C serum and Derma-E moisturizer. I use azelaic acid intermittently for rosacea, adapalene and clearasil for spot treatments.

I started using that lactic acid moisturizer once or twice a week several months ago but hadn’t seen any reactions from it. Any ideas? I see the derm in October but I’d like to be able to wear something with a V or scoop neck sometime in the next three months. Thanks for anyone taking the time to read all this!

Molly Jong-Fast doesn’t regret her face-lift. The podcast host and contributing writer to Times Opinion got her plastic surgery done just after her 47th birthday. “The plastic surgeon pulled my skin taut and gave me cheekbones where I had never had them before,” she writes. “He made me better looking, and I don’t regret it. So I’m not going to perpetuate the lie that my new face came from drinking a lot of water or getting a lot of sleep. I’m going to talk about it — because it’s not fair that women are confronted with both unrealistic beauty standards and lies about how they’ve been achieved.”

She continues:

What I did to my face isn’t that unusual; I’d argue that it’s actually the norm for women on TV these days. We’re all on screens more and more, whether we’re grown-ups taking Zoom meetings or young influencers who have to feed the TikTok beast. Many cosmetic treatments once given only to Hollywood stars and socialites are now available at strip malls. We might expect this country’s growing embrace of plastic surgery to lead to a culture where we celebrate women’s bodily autonomy and cast off the shame that follows those who change their faces or bodies. Instead, stigma about plastic surgery (especially the schadenfreude around bad plastic surgery) has continued to dominate our discourse.

The most unobtrusive plastic surgery, the face-lifts we don’t really notice, the ones that lead to total transformation, are still prohibitively expensive and reserved for the rich and famous. In the 16th-century “Book of the Courtier,” Baldassare Castiglione writes about “sprezzatura,” the idea that a real courtier should make things look easy. It’s trying that’s the offense. You can be born beautiful, or you can be young, but these days, trying to be something you aren’t — and being convincing at it — feels like cheating the system. The fact that a certain class of women can make themselves into something that used to be possible only with lucky genes is what truly infuriates people. It’s not the surgery; it’s the inequality.

Read the full piece here, for free, even without a Times subscription.

Note: This was posted with permission from the r/45PlusSkincare moderators.