I’m 41 and my skin looks more youthful than when I was in my 20s – a ‘cold turkey’ change made an instant difference
A BEAUTY editor in her forties has revealed that removing a popular item from her diet instantly transformed her skin.
The 41-year-old has an age-defying look and says her skin is “better” now than when she was 25 or 30.
Lauren O’Connell, who lives in Dubai, went viral on YouTube when she shared a video revealing how she aged backward.
She told The U.S. Sun that her skin became noticeably more youthful after she began to eat a healthier diet.
PORES FOR THOUGHT
“Back in my twenties, my diet was like gummy bears and French fries,” O’Connell said.
“I wasn’t really focused on eating healthy, but whenever I did try little health kicks it always reflected on the skin, especially with the amount of water and whatnot I would consume.
“I would see my skin looked more plumped up and more youthful, the little fine lines weren’t as apparent.”
She began to feel that her body had “outgrown alcohol” when she developed a passion for meditating.
O’Connell said she eliminated alcohol from her diet followed by caffeine with dramatic results.
“Before I was such a sauvignon blanc girl, I loved having my wine,” she said.
“I just felt like my body was saying to me, don’t drink any more alcohol.
“It got to the point where I would be out with a glass of alcohol and I just could not bear to bring it up to my lips.
“Leaving behind alcohol was a spiritual thing and it caught me by surprise.
“When I did stop drinking alcohol right away I looked better.
“I felt more plumped up, more hydrated, more youthful looking, and same with caffeine.
NEW HABITS
“I was a huge coffee drinker and I loved my lattes and cappuccinos every morning.
“I would have a pick me up around 2 pm every day.
“I had three days in a row where I was just having my normal caffeine intake and I felt horrible.
“I felt like my body was just rejecting it and I didn’t do anything different.
“So I stopped drinking the caffeine. I just quit cold turkey and that was difficult.
I can feel how dehydrated I get when I don’t have adequate sleep.
Lauren O’Connell
“I went through a horrible withdrawal but instantly I felt like I just looked better.
“My skin just looked more hydrated, plumped up.”
O’Connell said it’s been almost two years since she last drank coffee and she also refuses to drink green tea.
The beauty editor of Cosmopolitan Middle East said she doesn’t mind applying caffeine products topically as it has a “very different” effect on the body than ingesting it.
She swears by eating natural foods rather than relying on supplementation.
“I find whenever I take a supplement, something goes wrong in my body,” O’Connell said.
“I think if you just stick to the basics and you have balance in your diet, that’s the best way to go.
NEVER THIRSTY
“And of course, drinking as much water as possible.
“Sleep and hydration are everything to me, especially right now in my life.
“I’ve always loved my sleep and I’ve never been one to sacrifice my sleep.
“As far as hydration goes, I constantly have a big 40-ounce thing of water.
“I keep it full at all times and I’m constantly just sipping on it and I pee nonstop.
“I’m just so hydrated.
“It’s incredibly important not only for anti-aging benefits, but to keep you alert and functioning and at your optimum level.
“And I think that that also ties into just being healthy and happy.”
SNOOZING THE ALARM
O’Connell said she refuses to compromise on sleep and has to have at least eight hours each night.
She’s noticed that her skin feels drier throughout the day when she hasn’t had enough rest.
“My cheeks will feel like they’re gonna crack in half,” she said.
“I can feel how dehydrated I get when I don’t have adequate sleep.
“On the days where I couldn’t get enough sleep, I remedy that by taking a nap during the day if possible and making sure I hydrate my skin and avoid using makeup.
“I keep piling on moisturizer or any face oils during the day just to keep my skin barrier nice and moisturized and plump.”
O’Connell said it’s never too late to start aging backward and only takes small changes.
She revealed her top tip is changing your pillowcase daily because sweat and skin cells accumulate on it as you sleep.
LAUREN O'CONNELL'S ANTI-AGING TIPS
Do’s
- Use vitamin C products
- Use retinol from age 32 upwards
- Reapply SPF throughout the day
- Use a brightening eye cream
- Use a ceramide-based face cream
- Double-cleanse in the evening
- Check for harsh ingredients in your makeup
- Stay hydrated
- Sleep 8+ hours each night
Don’ts
- Wear self-tanning products
- Consume alcohol
- Consume caffeine
- Rely on supplements more than natural foods
SKINCARE STAPLES
She also recommends checking for active ingredients when buying skincare products.
“Vitamin C, retinoids and SPF those three things are going to make a difference,” she said.
“You’ll start to see it within three months and by six months, people will start noticing and within a year, you’ll feel like you’ve really made a big change.”
She confessed to wishing that she had started using retinol sooner as she waited until age 36.
She said 32 is an optimal age but it’s always best to check with your dermatologist first.
O’Connell said she doesn’t advise anyone to do DIY masks and scrubs at home because they can “wreck” your skin.
“Something you see going viral on TikTok might work well for a group of people but might work terribly for you because you have a different skin type,” she said.
“You need to get to know what your skin type is and what your skin wants.
“Don’t look for a quick fix that you’re gonna find on social media that might end up harming your skin in the long run.”
She recommended speaking to a dermatologist to develop a good skincare routine.
She added YouTubers and bloggers with similar skin may be useful for learning the order to apply products but be cautious of those who go for “shock value.”
O’Connell said people always comment on how youthful her skin looks.
“I’m 41 and they’re surprised that my skin looks the way it is,” she said.
“I’m not special, there’s nothing crazy about my story.
“I just figured out the right ingredients to use and it’s what’s made a huge difference in my skin.”
