There are some parts of the body that can give away your age quicker than you can say ‘wrinkle’ – here’s how to treat them
WORDS: STEPHANIE MAYLOR. MAIN PHOTO (POSED BY MODEL): GETTY
YOUR NECK
THE PROBLEM Declining levels of collagen and elastin, coupled with poor posture and frequently looking down at our phones and tablets means the neck is prone to horizontal creases, sagging and crêpey skin. THE SOLUTION The neck has fewer oil glands than the face so one of the best things you can do is to extend every part of your daily skincare regime below the jawline. Just a sweep of Revolution Skincare Glycolic Cleansing Pads, £8, revolutionbeauty.com, will make the area look smoother and brighter, followed by Prai Beauty Ageless Throat & Decolletage Oil, £20, M&S, applied in upward strokes to encourage lift.
YOUR DÉCOLLETAGE
THE PROBLEM The chest area is as exposed to the elements as your hands and face, making it susceptible to collagen loss and subsequent wrinkles. The bust is also likely to suffer from the effects of gravity, as we begin to lose the body’s natural bra.
THE SOLUTION Keeping your chest well-moisturised will help plump wrinkles, even just temporarily.
Planet Spa Heavenly Hydration Neck & Chest Serum, £4, avon.uk.com, is enriched with Mediterranean olive oil to give skin a big slurp of hydration and make it look smoother.
YOUR KNEES
THE PROBLEM Knee wrinkles and slouchy skin are totally normal for 40-plus women. Dwindling collagen is partly responsible, but the knee area is particularly prone to a bagginess thanks to the extra skin that enables us to bend our legs.
THE SOLUTION Dry body brushing every day improves tone by sloughing dead cells so skin looks smoother, and boosts circulation to flush water retention. Use M&S Collection Bamboo Two in One Long Body Brush, £7.50, marksandspencer.com, on dry skin before you get in the shower, in long sweeping strokes from the feet up. After your shower, slather legs in Palmer’s Firming Body Lotion, £6.99, Boots, for tauter-feeling skin.
YOUR FEET
THE PROBLEM We may be deep into ankle boot territory, but neglecting your feet in winter will only make it harder to get them sandal-ready in spring. Our feet age in the same way the rest of the body does, and as the sweat glands become less active, skin turns drier and is more likely to crack. THE SOLUTION Buff dry skin on your heels with Bare Feet by Margaret Dabbs Foot File, £12, amazon.co.uk, once a week. The skin
