What should you call me?
Lynne, or josordoni if you like, as that is my online presence name. I’m josordoni on Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, even TikTok (if I ever get to do anything with the last two I’ll let you know…)
How old?
I was born in January 1955, so definitely in the ageing skin category. Though not yet decrepit.
Where am I from?
Edmonton, London, England. A working class suburb, miles away from the action, so forget any thoughts you might have about Swinging London.
Skin type?
I am Fitzpatrick skin type II. (Developed by a dermatologist at Harvard University in 1975, the Fitzpatrick Skin Type system is based on a simple quiz and can help you consider your risk for sunburns and skin cancer, and take the right precautions, and is a better method of classifying skin type than simple ethnicity)
I am lucky. My skin has always been my best feature, it’s soft with little in the way of lines or crepiness. When it’s in good nick, it’s pretty normal on the cheeks, with a slightly oily central T zone. It’s also fine textured in general, which is mostly wonderful to have, though some serums can pill up and sit on the surface as my skin doesn’t like absorbing some textures. I’ve never sunbathed – I’m very much an indoor person – so I put my skin’s good texture down to that.
When the skin barrier is at all compromised, though, my skin is reactive and sensitive and my rosacea will flare and my skin will redden if pressed.
Problems?
Papulopustular Rosacea on my cheeks and forehead, kept in check with Rozex cream (NOT gel. If you don’t have oily skin on the areas you are finding the putules, make sure you ask your doctor for the cream form; the gel sat tightly on my skin and flaked away.)
Open pores are a problem on my chin, nostrils, and just above my eyebrows.
I have no eyebrows. Possibly age related, or also possibly thyroid related though the blood tests (which in the UK test the wrong things anyway…) say I’m normal.
I can get dehydrated cheeks and corky patches on the side of nose.
Some lines around my eyes and my mouth. Distinct 11 lines between my eyebrows, due to continual squinting, though no horizontal lines on my forehead itself. Crepey skin on my eyelids and sagging skin under my eyes, crepey towards my nose.
Dry eye syndrome which means – odd but true – that my eyes water a lot so can get sore in the corners.
Have I had any work done?
No.
When I was young, I didn’t think ‘getting work done’ was for ordinary people like me: I’ve never been able to afford the upkeep for botox, face-lifts seemed so invasive, and there were so many horror stories. Even fillers – do you remember poor Lesley Ash and her terribly botched fillers on her lips? So I have to admit I’m a coward. I’ll have to stick to my baggy eyes and wrinkles, no matter how awful I think they look, unless I find something that doesn’t involve knives or needles.
Caveat: June 2022. I’ve caved in to the pressure of social media and I am having my teeth whitened. Taking photographs to show how my skin was improving (or not…) I kept seeing how dark my teeth were, and it was depressing me. So I am having them whitened using night time gel in custom trays, and we’ll see if it’s noticeable.
Please note: This site reflects my personal opinions and should not be taken as professional advice. Please consult a skin professional if you have any major concerns.