By now, we all know that our faces need some love and care to stay youthful. But are eye and forehead wrinkles the only aging signs we need to prevent? Apparently not!
If you’ve strolled down any skincare aisle, you’ll know that there are tons of products hitting the shelves that guarantee a youthful glow for all sorts of places. Not sure where to start? We’ll work our way down from that dewy face and let you know exactly how you can care for the rest of your body like an age-defying expert.
1. Neck
That fast-aging facial skin? It doesn’t stop at your chin! In fact, the skin on your neck is some of the thinnest on your body, making it incredibly vulnerable to dryness, sagging and even wrinkles.
Prevent aging on your neck with the same age-defying products you use on your face. Or, invest in a multi-purpose cream like L’Oréal’s Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition Golden Balm For Face, Neck & Chest ($13.99, Target), which targets thinned skin from the chest up. Talk about efficient!
2. Hands
Hands do a ton for us, so shouldn’t we be returning the favor? With delicate skin and tons of daily wear and tear, our hands need thorough protection to stay supple. Antioxidant-filled hand creams can protect your collagen from damage-inducing sun exposure, while retinol-rich varieties promise to repair. But when it comes to hands, even creams that are simply ultra-nourishing can make all the difference, as hydration can keep the skin on your hands from becoming dry, cracked and loosened.
Get pampered with Burt’s Bees Naturally Ageless Skin Smoothing Hand Cream ($11.99, Drugstore.com), which boasts antioxidant-rich pomegranate oil as one of its ingredients.
3. Legs
Cellulite is nothing to be ashamed of—it isn’t dangerous, it’s incredibly common and it can appear no matter what your weight is. But if you’re still not about the bumps, aging skin won’t help. While no product can guarantee to prevent cellulite, your chances of acquiring it increase with age and anti-aging ingredients can definitely delay the process. Prevent dimpling by getting into the habit of applying a hydrating, collagen-building and firming lotion. The best ones contain caffeine, which stimulates your skin and leads to temporary tightening, or co-enzyme Q10, which is well-regarded as a smoothing and toning tool. And while these products won’t cure cellulite that’s already sprung up, they’ll work to temporarily smooth and lessen dimple definition.
We love Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Firming Skin Butter ($7.49, Walgreens) for it’s chocolate-y scent, luxurious feel and the rave reviews its received. Complete with Q10, it’s a lotion that’s hard to beat!
4. Feet
Dry, flaky feet are a total nuisance—if you’ve ever struggled with an impossible dryness-induced foot itch that you can’t scratch because it tickles too badly, you’ll feel our pain. Moisturizing is key to keeping those toes happy. Cracks can be prevented with daily hydration, and the posy-pink bottle of Soap & Glory’s incredible Heel Genius Amazing Foot Cream ($10, Beauty.com) packs a punch with deeply enriching macadamia oil.
Another surefire sign of aging are calluses. But you can officially say goodbye with the help of products containing alpha hydroxy acid, which fights skin buildup for smooth (and properly shaped!) feet. Try Miss Oops Pedicure in a Bottle ($18, Missoops.com).
5. Everywhere!
Okay, so we may have tricked you. There aren’t just a few areas that need anti-aging protection—your whole body needs it! But if you’re traumatized by the thought of different products for each and every skin category, don’t fret. There’s one quick and easy solution for intense aging prevention—sunscreen! Whether you’re headed to the beach in the middle of August or about to descend the slopes at your favorite winter ski resort, sunscreen is a must. Anytime you face the possibility of sun exposure (so, everyday) you need to slap on some SPF. It’s your number one shield from UV radiation, which we all know wreaks havoc on our skin, and prevents the collagen damage that leads to sags, wrinkles and dark spots. Head, shoulders, knees and toes, sunscreen has got your back for it all. Spritz on some L’Oréal Paris Advanced Suncare Quick Dry Sheer Finish Spray ($7.97, Walmart) for a formula that dries almost instantly and keeps your skin replenished with antioxidants all day long.
So stop spoiling just your face and take a dip into the fountain of youth—you and your body deserve it.