'There's No Such Thing as Dry, Oily or Combination Skin'

I do agree about what she says about expensive creams. I've tried most of the 'high end' brands (Gatineau, Elemis, Decleor etc) and none made a blind bit of difference to my skin, so I now moisturise with a much cheaper brand. I'm lucky that I've inherited mum's genes and have a good skin for my age so have put that down as the reason that people think I'm in my early 50s, rather than all the greasy concoctions I've used in the past. I drink a lot of water, get a good night's sleep and have never sunbathed and I eat a healthy diet. And as I'm now enjoying a relaxed and 'laid back' retirement, there's no way that I suffer from stress.

When I've listened to the 'experts on' QVC, for example, my conclusion was that if so and so product is so fantastic then why are there so many different brands purporting to be the best. They're after our money - end of.

I'm going to grow old(er) gracefully instead and will keep my money in my pocket, rather than lining the pockets of these beauty companies.

Exfoliating though can be as simple as using a flannel or muslin cloth to take off a cleanser or using a clarisonic or similar. You don't have to use a peel or an exfoliator. I'm not sure I believe it about exfoliations but I do think that everyone is aging more gracefully than say our grandmothers did. I think sunscreen plays a part.

Most, if not all of my friends, look younger than you would think they are. I do think though that our impression of age will change. Today's kids will grow up with grandma's who look fairly wrinkle free in their 50s and 60s so it will become the norm

Most people seem genuinely shocked when I tell them how old I am, if they don't already know. I'm older than Mr Tink but all his family assumed I was quite a bit younger than him. Not because he looks older but because they know how old he is.

I use fairly high end lotions and potions I suppose but I'm happy with them. But I don't tend to use loads of different things.

I was recently sent a picture of me and a couple of friends. None of us look our age as such but I do think you couod easily pick who's the oldest, the middle and the youngest. Or perhaps that's just because I know.

I don't think expensive creams make a scrap of difference but some people clearly do have oilier skin than others.

Genes, body weight, weather exposure (cold is as damaging as sun in terms of broken veins), smoking, regular exfoliation and moisturising are, I think, what give you the face you've got.

You and Liv do have great skin, FP - I have fat. LOL