Knock off the years in just 24 hours with these beautifying hacks that will anti-age you from head to toe
Don’t skimp on sleep
“Poor sleep really does lead to poor mood, skin and health,” explains Jo Foster, founder of natural beauty brand Kiss the Moon. “Research has shown that insufficient sleep shows on your skin – from a sallow complexion, to puffy eyes and accentuation of lines and wrinkles. Lack of sleep disrupts the cell regeneration process so skin can’t heal and renew itself fully. Old and damaged cells are rougher than newly formed ones and can’t hold moisture as well, so don’t appear as plump or fleshy.” Make the most of your beauty sleep by finding time to unwind before bed. Try Kiss the Moon’s LOVE After Dark Facial Oil (£48, kissthemoon.com ) which is high in vitamin A, so helps with skin repair and aids a youthful bloom.
Buff your body
“Getting rid of dry and dead skin cells on the surface of your body is one of the most important aspects of your home skincare routine,” says Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics UK (cosmedics.co.uk ). “Regular exfoliation will increase blood circulation, which helps to build healthy, glowing and youngerlooking skin. Try to do this two to three times a week to achieve a noticeable difference to your skin.” Caudalie Crushed Cabernet Scrub, £22, lookfantastic.com
Lighten your hair
It’s not necessarily grey hair that puts years on you. “Choosing the wrong hair colour is a mistake that can really age you, it’s important to really look at your skin type and go with what suits you,” says Dylan Brittain, international artistic director and owner of Rainbow Room International’s George Square Salon. He explains that one-dimensional, block colour can look very flat and have an ageing effect. “To keep hair looking youthful, ask your hairdresser to use different tones in your hair to add depth and dimension.” Try a colour-saving shampoo and conditioner like Davines Nounou Conditioner for Colour Treated Hair (£17.90, cultbeauty.co.uk )
Strengthen your locks
The natural process of ageing can cause hair to become thin and weak, especially when you go through the menopause. Try a supplement like New Nordic’s Hair Volume which contains amino acids, horsetail and biotin, £24.95, hollandandbarrett. com
Wear an SPF
It’s a common mistake to limit sun protection to just the warmer months. “A large percentage of ageing is down to wrinkles,” says Dr Ross. “Even in winter, you should be wearing a sunscreen every day before applying make-up. Just because it’s a cold, cloudy day, it doesn’t mean you won’t be exposed to the strong UVA rays that cause premature ageing and potential skin cancer. Try Lovea Organic SPF50 Daily Face Cream, £17.99, natureshealthbox.co.uk
Pummel your face
“Lift, sculpt and tone your skin by spending five minutes doing a facial massage,” suggests skin health therapist Louise Thomas-Minns (louisethomasskincare.co.uk ). “Using rosehip oil, apply a firm pressure to the skin and glide your hands upwards towards your hairline. Use your knuckles in circular motions to sculpt your cheeks, then pinch and release along your brows. Repeat this six times. Next, use your ring finger to perform some tapping motions under your eyes to de-puff and reduce dark circles. Finish by gently tipping your head upside down for 60 seconds – this will flood the skin with blood, helping to feed and nourish the cells, as well as drain toxins and lift. Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, £24, paiskincare.com
Brighten your smile
“We associate yellow and thinning teeth with ageing, and your smile is one of the key things on your face that can make you look older,” says Dr Mervyn Druian from The London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry (londoncosmeticdentistry. co.uk ). “To naturally anti-age your smile and keep your teeth whiter and stronger, I recommend that you brush your teeth well twice a day, as well as visit your hygienist every four months.” Try White Glo Pure & Natural, £6, whiteglo.com
Lock in moisture
“Over-cleansing your skin with water-based cleansers is likely to lead to premature or accelerated skin ageing,” says Hanna Pumfrey, founder of online natural beauty, Shop Acala (acalaonline.com ). “Your skin has its own self-cleaning system that repels and neutralises environmental pathogens. Washing away this protective shield exposes skin and can dry it out. Oil-based cleansers contain just the active ingredients your skin needs.” Try Wild Sage Co Oil Cleanser, £19.99, acalaonline.com
Use a serum
“Look out for a serum that contains hyaluronic acid,” recommend experts from Vita Healthcare. Try the Incarose Epe Precious Serum (£48, vitahealthcare.com )
Top up your collagen levels
Seventy percent of your skin is made from collagen, which is the main component of the dermis. Yet sadly, from the age of 21, the body’s production of new collagen starts to decrease, with existing collagen beginning to break down. Easy ways to boost your collagen levels include staying hydrated, having regular facial massages to stimulate collagen production, or you could also try cutting out excess sugar as this causes inflammation in the body which produces enzymes that break down collagen. Try Vitness Collagen Powder, £33.95, wearevitness.com
