When it comes to anti-ageing, it’s not all
about your face. Here’s how to look after the other telltale areas.
If your anti-ageing regimen stops at your
jawline, there’s a good chance you’re neglecting some of the biggest age
giveaway areas on your body. Your neck, chest, hands and legs are all zones
that are exposed to the elements, meaning ageing is accelerated and telltale
signs like pigmentation, fine lines and sagging are potentially spoiling all
your hard work. Here, we reveal the best ways to turn back the clock, one area
at a time.
There’s
a good chance you’re neglecting some of the biggest age giveaway areas on your
body
Zone 1: Neck and décolletage
Like the skin on your face, your neck and
décolletage is exposed to UV light, pollution and other environmental factors
that can accelerate ageing. Make it a habit to bring your facial products down
a few extra centimeters to incorporate your neck and décolletage, too.
That said, there are some clear differences
between your face and the area directly below it. For starters, the skin on
your neck and décolletage has fewer sebaceous glands, requiring even more
moisture and nourishment as you age. It’s also thinner and more prone to
tensions that result in sagging and slackening of the skin.
Treatment
Look for intensely nourishing creams that
cater to the delicate skin in this area, offering up collagen-boosting
ingredients that help with lifting, hydrating and firming.
Our
picks
Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift
Age-Correcting Crème for Throat and Décolletage, $210
Clarins Super Restorative Décolleté and
Neck Concentrate, $120
Jurlique Herbal Recovery Neck Serum, $90
Zone 2: Your bust
It’s another easily forgotten area but
after years of sun exposure and the natural impact of gravity, your bust is
likely to need some extra attention.
Aside from added hydration, your chest area
needs firming, toning and, in some cases, treatment for stretchmarks as well.
Treatment
Tackling a loss of elasticity, stretchmarks
and age spots is essential if you want a younger-looking bust. Look for
products that promote firmness and lifting, with ingredients like calcium and
proteins to encourage collagen renewal.
Our
picks
Payot Bust-Performance, $78
Guinot Firming Vital Bust Care, $129
Apply
a body lotion twice daily on slightly damp skin
Zone 3: Your hands
Few body parts reveal your age like your
hands. Factors like sun damage and contact with harsh cleaners and chemicals
are the biggest culprits, so be sure to wear sunscreen on the backs of your
hands every day, especially when driving.
Hydration is also crucial, as the skin on
your hands is thinner and drier than the skin on your face, making it more
prone to ageing.
Treatment
It sounds simple, but always remember to
use gloves when washing up – it takes years off your hands. In addition, treat
them regular exfoliation, hydrate with an anti-ageing hand cream twice a day
and always wear sunscreen.
Our
picks
Essie Ejuvenate Discovery Set, $30
Biotherm Biomains Age Delaying Hand &
Nail Treatment, $35
Alpha-H Age Delay Hand & Cuticle Care,
$37.95
Zone 4: Your legs
While the skin on your legs is tougher than
other parts of your body, it suffers the signs of ageing, too. Wrinkles,
sagging, veins, stretchmarks and pigmentation all need to be treated much like
you treat them on your face, so work from the toes up for all-over body
beautification.
Treatment
When it comes to ageing, adding as much
moisture to your skin as possible will drastically slow the process. Apply a
body lotion twice daily on slightly damp skin (when you first get out of the
shower is the ideal time) and look for a vitamin-rich option with alpha
hydroxyl acids to help firm the skin and improve texture and tone. For a
multitasking option, use a lotion with an in-built SPF.
Our
picks
Elucent Anti Ageing Body Moisturiser,
$49.95
Sebamed Anti-Ageing Q10 Firming Body
Lotion, $19.95
Vaseline Total Moisture Aloe Fresh SPF 15,
$11.57
