Try these skin saviours to help turn back the clock
REMEMBER THE SPF
“It is paramount that we wear a high factor SPF throughout the year,” says Dr Natalie Blakely, aesthetic doctor and founder of the Light Touch Clinic (lighttouchclinic.co.uk ). “Whilst UVB rays are more pronounced during the summer, UVA rays are present all year round and contribute significantly to the ageing process. These rays can penetrate glass too so even us who work indoors need to take precautions. SPF needs to be applied to all exposed areas – not just your face. If you are wearing a low cut top out during the day be sure to cover your neck and décolletage with SPF.Tropic Skincare Sun Balm SPF 50, £16, tropicskincare.com
FIRM YOUR NECK AND DÉCOLLETAGE
“The neck is a very flexible area, therefore small changes of skin laxity can make it look saggy and floppy,” says Dr Adam Friedmann, consultant dermatologist at The Harley Street Dermatology Clinic (theharleystreetdermatologyclinic.co.uk ). “It can also reveal ageing in the form of wrinkles more than other parts of the body. We often neglect our neck and décolletage, focusing our daily routine primarily on our face, but moisturising regularly is important to retain the skin’s elasticity.”Plantscription Powerful Lifting Neck & Décolleté Treatment, £52, origins.co.uk
ADD SOME COLOUR
We all feel great after a couple of weeks in the sun (wearing an SPF, of course) and the compliments flood in after we return from our holidays with a healthy glow. Capture the look all year round with a self-tanner. If you’re worried about looking unnatural, opt for a gradual version where you can build the colour up slowly.Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion, £19.50, vitaliberata.co.uk
AVOID FLARE UPS
Strong scents or harsh chemical ingredients can wreak havoc with your skin, triggering dryness or even eczema. Keep things calm when it comes to washing with a gentle, natural shower gel. Check the labels and choose sulphate-free, natural products and break the cycle of flareup and recovery.Pai Gentle Genius Camellia & Bergamot Body Wash, £18, paiskincare.com
SCRUB UP WELL
Exfoliation is great for sloughing away old cells and revealing glowing, youthful skin. Try a coffee-based scrub for an extra boost – they work by stimulating blood flow and increasing circulation and in turn, this reduces the appearance of cellulite, age spots and varicose veins.Manuka Honey Coffee Scrub, £14.95, uk.beanbodycare.com
SUPER-BOOST YOUR LOTION
We all know how important it is to moisturise, but make sure your chosen lotion is right for your skin type. Look for deep moisturising and firming properties to tighten the wrinkles and creases that form in areas such as the tops and backs of arms and the thighs.Age Defy+ Contour & Sculpt Body Lotion, £36, greenpeople.co.uk
BRUSH YOUR BODY
“Easy to add into your routine, dry brushing has some great benefits for the skin and body,” says Dr Natalie Blakely. “As we get older, we start to notice changes in our skin such as increased dryness. By integrating body brushing into your routine you exfoliate the surface of your skin which over time will reveal smoother, softer skin. In addition, dry brushing can also help improve the appearance of cellulite.”Round Body Brush, £9, thebodyshop.com
APPLY A BODY OIL
If you don’t already use one, adding a body oil to your routine can have great anti-ageing effects. Apply to damp skin after a bath or shower for easy absorption, or after hair removal to calm and soothe, and feel the benefits of enriched, moisturised skin. Look for super-ingredients vitamin E (which absorbs free radicals) and evening primrose oil which is packed with fatty acids that plump and firm skin.By Sarah London, Organic Body Oil, £32, bysarahlondon.com
HAND IT OVER
“Our hands are always sun-exposed, so pick up signs of ageing such as solar freckling (liver or age spots) more quickly,” says Dr Adam Friedmann. “This is a clear indication of overexposure to the sun. Solar lentigines tend to arise in middle age, are most often found on the face and hands, and are larger and more defined than freckles. Solar keratoses are also common and are usually rough, scaly patches on areas such as the hands. To prevent your hands giving away your age simply moisturise regularly and protect them from the sun – apply SPF to the backs of the hands too, as this is commonly forgotten and will contribute to the ageing process.”Aurelia Aromatic Repair & Brighten Hand Cream, £30, aureliaskincare.com
LOOK TO NATURE
Snail gel (or snail slime for the less squeamish) has seen a surge in popularity in the UK after its widespread use in beauty products in east Asia. “It works when the water-soluble biopolymers such as polysaccharides and proteins shrink on drying, and in doing so they tighten up the skin,” says cosmetic scientist Colin Sanders. If you’re brave enough to give it a try, make sure the innovative ingredient has been harvested from freeroaming snails organically.Dr Organic Face & Body Organic Snail Gel, £20.99, hollandandbarrett.com
