Signs of ageing can soon catch up with us and for those wanting to slow down it’s appearance, we’ve got the guide for you. Abandon those thoughts of botox and surgery and opt for more natural alternatives without the expensive bill.
1. Instead of a facelift try… Face yoga
May sound strange but face yoga really can banish fine lines, sagging and wrinkles – and Meghan Markle is reportedly a huge fan. Here are two easy exercises, which all act as a natural facelift, from face yoga expert Danielle Collins (faceyogaexpert.com).
- The ‘V’: to reduce wrinkles around your eyes – Put both of your middle fingers together between your eyebrows, then apply pressure to the outer corners of your eyes with your index fingers. Look up and start to move your lower eyelids upwards. Relax and repeat six more times. To finish, squeeze your eyes shut for 10 seconds, then relax.
- The smile smoother: to reduce lines around your mouth and to lift and firm cheeks and jaw – Hide your teeth with your lips and make an ‘O’ with your mouth. Then, smile as widely as you can and keep hiding your teeth. Repeat six times. Next, hold the smile shape and place one index finger on your chin. Start to move your jaw up and down as you tilt your head back. Relax and repeat twice more.
2. Instead of Botox try… Peptides
If you’re scared of needles, don’t worry, as there is an injection-free way to iron out wrinkles – yes, really. Our skin is mainly made up of collagen. This is an essential protein that provides elasticity to our skin, keeping our complexions looking youthful and healthy. However, once we reach the age of 30, the amount of collagen produced by our bodies starts to decline, leading to fine lines, loose skin, wrinkles and other signs of ageing. That’s where peptides come in, as they can encourage collagen production and help to relax your facial muscles, giving similar results to Botox. There are various skincare products available that feature this wonder ingredient in different forms – we like The Ordinary’s Argireline Solution 10% Peptide Complex (£5.50, theordinary.com), Estée Lauder’s Perfectionist Pro Rapid Firm + Lift Treatment with Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (£63, esteelauder.co.uk), and Elemis’ Peptide⁴ Night Recovery Cream-Oil (£49, elemis.com).
3. Instead of lip fillers try… Peppermint essential oil
The trend for plump, luscious lips à la the likes of Angelina Jolie isn’t going anywhere fast. Not blessed with the bee-stung look? Never fear – you can have a plump pout, minus the fillers and injections! The solution to fuller-looking lips without surgery is to apply one to two drops of peppermint essential oil to your pout with a cotton bud. It may sound odd, but this herb increases blood flow under your lips to create a swelling effect. You can even add it to your lip balm or gloss. There are also products that include it – we like Tropic’s Lip Fudge Plumping Lip Conditioner (£12, tropicskincare.com) and BYBI’s Plumper Lip Balm (£9, beautybay.com).
5. Instead of microdermabrasion try… Brown sugar
Microdermabrasion is a very popular skincare procedure that uses exfoliating surfaces to help remove dead skin cells, which your body then replaces with new, healthy ones for a radiant complexion. You can have it done at a salon, or purchase an at-home kit. However, the treatment can cause redness, and it can be painful, especially when applied over scars. It can also be quite expensive, so it’s good to know that you can use a common cupboard staple instead and still achieve similar results. All you need to do is simply mix some brown sugar with a little olive oil to create an easy at-home scrub – apply it to your skin in circular motions for one minute to achieve the effect of microdermabrasion, then rinse off with cold water and pat dry. Your complexion will be left looking polished and glowing – and it didn’t cost a thing.
5. Instead of chemical peel try… Fruit juice
A chemical peel involves having acids brushed onto your face to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the growth of new cells. According to the NHS website, the risks from this procedure include darkening or lightening of the skin (which can be permanent), cold sores returning, and possible scarring or infection. The price is also an issue – a deep peel can cost up to £500. Luckily, applying fruit juice to your face can also help to rejuvenate and smooth your skin. Take your pick of any fruit, from pineapple to lemon, squeeze its juice into a bowl, then use a flannel to apply it to your face. Leave on your face for up to 10 minutes, then wash off.
6. Instead of a décolletage rejuvenation try… A moisturiser
Décolletage rejuvenation treatments restore the skin on your neck and chest. Your skin is particularly thin in this area, meaning that it’s vulnerable to signs of ageing, including wrinkles and age spots. We tend to ignore our skin here – when was the last time you applied moisturiser to your chest? Instead of cosmetic surgery though, try Mio Skincare’s Boob Tube (£29.50, mioskincare.co.uk). Rich in CoQ10 and hyaluronic acid, this cream can help to keep skin looking toned. Use it every day for best results – apply one pump from under your chin to below your breasts and you’re done in 10 seconds.
