5 tips on how to look after your décolletage and keep chest wrinkles at bay

I have noticed that recently I’ve acquired some deep wrinkles on my chest. How depressing. They run vertically from my collarbone to my cleavage and they seem to have come out of nowhere. I am sure that they have taken root since I was forced to start sleeping on my side by a painful back injury. Before then I was always a front sleeper.  

My friend and I were talking about the best ways to get rid of chest wrinkles a couple of weeks ago and it gave me the idea to write this blog, as I think it’s a query that a lot of us have. So, without further ado, here are my tips to help keep your décolletage smooth and youthful:

1. Include your chest in your skincare routine

Your skincare routine doesn’t stop at your neck. You need to be bringing it down all the way to your cleavage. Cleanse it (but not abrasively, be gentle and don’t scrub), acid exfoliate it, get those serums on it (I use vitamin C in the morning and then retinol in the evening on mine, but more on that later) and moisturise.

2. Apply SPF 

If your chest is exposed to the sun then you also need to finish your routine with a broad spectrum SPF 30 (but preferably SPF 50+). You may wonder why on earth you’d cleanse and exfoliate your chest, but doing this will create the optimum skin environment for your treatment serum(s) to penetrate the skin and work their magic. Popping your moisturiser on top seals in the good stuff and keeps skin hydrated and smooth, but then follow this with your SPF.

3. Avoid side sleeping

I have noticed wrinkles on my chest since sleeping on my side, so I have tried to get used to sleeping on my back instead. If you have boobs and/or are losing the elasticity in your skin due to ageing (this is me) then sleeping on your side is not your friend because gravity is involved, if you get what I mean.

4. If you must side sleep, use a silicone chest pad  

I was shown these silicone chest pads recently by a friend. I looked into them and they claim to stop the wrinkles forming on your chest caused by side sleeping. My guess is that they do this because they stick over the middle part of your chest and stop it from moving when you’re on your side. Many of the blurbs on these products claim to ‘turn back the clock’ on your chest wrinkles, but I am skeptical in their ability to actually reverse wrinkles. I think they can stop them forming, but I believe only retinoids are scientifically proven to reverse signs of ageing.

5. Use a retinoid before bed

I am big advocate of the power of a topical retinoid. These wonder serums really do work and I use mine most nights before bed, followed by a moisturiser. If you already use a retinoid on your face before bed, all you need to do is make sure you’ve cleansed your chest and then take the serum all the way down to your cleavage, wait for it to absorb and then moisturise afterwards. If you are new to retinoids, have a read about them in my earlier post about skincare routines and then you can decide if they’re for you. 

Skincare Routines – what to use, how to use and when to use

The number one question I get from my clients about their skincare is: “What order do I use my skincare products?” If you love looking after your skin and getting the best our of your skincare products but are unsure about what to use and how to use them, then this blog post is written for you.

First thing’s first, a skincare routine will usually differ from morning to night, so I have divided my advice up into these two categories to make it easier, while also letting you know what I do to care for my own skin.

 Morning skincare routine

The order of a basic skincare routine will look something like this:

·      Cleanse

·      Acid exfoliation

·      Serum

·      Eye cream

·      Moisturiser

·      SPF

 However, my skincare routine is more in-depth and tailored to my dehydrated and ageing skin’s needs, so it looks like this:

·      Cleanse

·      Acid exfoliation  

·      Hydrating spritz

·      Vitamin C serum

·      Hyaluronic acid serum

·      Eye cream

·      Facial oil

·      Moisturiser

·      SPF

Cleansing

Many skincare gurus will advise you to always double cleanse twice a day, which is good advice, but I’m putting my cards on the table and telling you that I don’t do this in the morning. I don’t see the point if I’ve double cleansed the night before. So, with that in mind, I’d say that a good balm, oil, cream or jelly cleanser applied generously and massaged for a minute or so over the face and then cleaned off with a damp washcloth is perfect. I use either Versed Day Dissolve cleansing balm or Glossier Milky Jelly cleanser. I also have the Rose cream cleanser from Pixi, which is gorgeous.

Your choice of cleanser texture really comes down to whatever it is you prefer to feel on your skin

 PLEASE do not use face wipes. These don’t cleanse your face properly and really only redistribute the oil and grime around your face. They’re also really bad for the environment. Not cleansing properly means there is a barrier left on your skin that stops your treatment products getting through, thus you’re totally wasting your money on them.

 Speaking of money, my advice is not to spend serious money on cleansers unless you can afford it. Cleansers won’t change your skin, they just clean it, save your money and invest in serums because these will actually make a difference and improve your skin.

Acid Exfoliation  

 As a hater of traditional granular exfoliants, acid exfoliators were made for me and thanks mostly to Caroline Hirons, the skincare queen herself, they have gained massive popularity amongst those in the know.

Acids exfoliate the skin by waking it up and encouraging it to regenerate. Of course, there are different acids that do different things, but regeneration of the skin is the general gist.

In an ideal world, you’d have more than one and use them alternately according to what your skin needs, but I personally only use one type most of the time.

I favour using glycolic acid in the form of a liquid toner (I swipe it over my skin after cleansing). This stuff is great for stimulating collagen production and is also good for people with hyperpigmentation because it helps to resurface the skin. I use Pixi’s cult product Glow Tonic.

This acid exfoliator is totally iconic and really works well

Every few days, I will use a AHA and PHA scrub by Wishful called Yo Glow to give my skin even more of a regenerative boost – I am currently at war with some serious hyperpigmentation spots because I was a prat in the sun during my 20s. AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) exfoliate and stimulate collagen production amongst other amazing anti-ageing qualities. PHAs (polyhydroxy acids) help the skin restore its barrier (called the acid mantle) and prevent collagen loss.

Hydrating Spritz

As my skin is dehydrated, I like to spritz something with hyaluronic acid (HA) in it over my acid exfoliator to restore a bit of balance. As we age, our bodies produce less hyaluronic acid (which helps retain moisture in our skin), so I use a couple of different hyaluronic products. Not only is HA great for dehydrated skin, it’s brilliant for oily and acne prone skin that cannot take heavy, rich products. I am currently using Sweet Chef Ginger Kombucha + Vitamin D Chill Mist, which smells divine and which my skin drinks up happily.

Hydrating spritzes. I like to take the small Caudalie one on airplanes to help hydrate my skin while flying

Serums

I think serums are where most people get confused and overwhelmed when it comes to skincare routines. They are products that are highly concentrated and directed at problems such as ageing, hyperpigmentation and dehydration.

Now, if you’re going to invest some money in your skin, this is where to do it. I am a believer that you get what you pay for with serums (within reason), so the more you can invest in one, the better quality it will be.

There are all sorts of serums for various skin complaints and issues – hyaluronic acid serum, retinoids (vitamin A), vitamin C, niacinamide, bakuchiol. The list goes on.

I use a combination of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums for my morning routine because my aim is to combat ageing as well as dehydration. If you have issues with acne then you might want to try a niacinamide serum instead.  

Serums a-plenty

My vitamin C serum (C Tetra by Medik8) goes on first because it is better to place it directly next to the skin and then I layer my HA serum (Glossier Super Bounce) over the top of it. For me, this little combo is magical.

Vitamin C is one of the best antioxidant serums around and it also helps prevent hyperpigmentation by impeding melanin production in the skin, so this is why I use it.

Eye Cream

 You can apply your eye cream before or after your serums. I do mine after most of the time. I don’t like anything too perfumed or rich round my eyes, so I favour The Inkey List Brighten-I eye cream for daytime. Again, I wouldn’t spend a fortune on an eye cream. Dark circles are often genetic and can appear worse with lack of sleep or from allergies and there’s only so much a cream can do to help. I think as long as eye cream is gentle and moisturising then that’s all you need.

Facial Oil

I don’t tend to use facial oil in the summer, but it’s my skin saviour during winter when the wind is harsh and the heating is raging at home. I have a few oils, but I’m currently using Diptyque Infused Facial Oil. I was skeptical about buying facial oil from a perfume-centric brand, but I am nicely surprised by how good this is.  

I put on my facial oil either after my serums and before my moisturiser, or over the moisturiser to seal everything in and help prevent transepidermal water loss (where water from the middle layer of skin passes through the outermost layer – the epidermis – and evaporates).

Love all these oils, but the Diptyque one is really impressive

A lot of people baulk at the thought of using an oil on their face because they think it will cause acne or leave a greasy residue, but if you choose a non-comedogenic oil and don’t use too much then this should not be an issue. In fact, acne is often caused because the skin is too dry and thus it overproduces oil (resulting in clogged pores and then spots), so correctly using a light facial oil can actually help prevent breakouts in acne prone skins.

I use one drop of oil patted between my hands and then over my face, that’s it, one drop. So, don’t overdo it.

Other facial oils that I have tried and like are Neals Yard Organic Frankincense Oil, Neals Yard Organic Orange Flower Oil, The Inkey List Squalane Oil and Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Oil.

Moisturiser

 If I am at home and going nowhere outside during the day, then moisturiser is the last step in my routine. I used to think that moisturiser was the most important step of a skincare routine and that it was some kind of wonder product that was going to change my skin beyond all recognition, but I can confidently tell you that I have since learned this not to be true. I mean, you definitely MUST moisturise in your routine, don’t skip this step, but unless you can afford to please don’t remortgage your house to afford a crazy expensive cream because it is not worth it.  

I have tried so many moisturisers, from creams that were £100+ to those that were £3 a bottle and I don’t think they’re really that much different.

I say not to spend excessively on creams, not because I’m cheap (if you know me, you’ll know I love nothing more than spending money), but because I believe in getting the best value for your money you can and I don’t believe you are when it comes to super pricey moisturisers.

 I was using a reasonably priced cream, which I really liked (Wishful Honey Balm), but then the depression of lockdown got to me, I completely ignored my own advice and bought Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream. Now, this is a gorgeous moisturiser that smells nice and does a lovely job of hydrating my face, but is it any better than the cheaper creams I’ve used? No.  

A few of my moisturisers

I also use the same moisturiser in the day as I do in the evening. I don’t see the point in having two.

So, my advice is, if you enjoy seeing a fancy face cream on the shelf and can afford to splash out then do it, but don’t expect it to do anything more for your skin than something less costly.

Other great moisturisers that I’ve used are Glow Recipe Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream, Neal’s Yard Frankincense Hydrating Cream and Glossier Priming Moisturiser.

 SPF

 If you’re leaving the house during the day, no matter for how long, do not skip this step. Even if your moisturiser has an SPF in it, this is not adequate protection, and you need a dedicated SPF to properly shield your skin from the sun.

 I gleefully ignored all the advice to use SPF daily during my 20s and I’m now paying the price, having developed dark hyperpigmentation patches on my face.

Always use your SPF last over all the other products that you’ve applied to your face.

I don’t like heavy, strongly scented or sticky SPF, so my recommendation here bears this in mind. It is also hands down the best SPF I’ve ever used and I noticed a massive difference in my hyperpigmentation development after using it on holiday last summer (I usually get dark patches that come up under my eyes and across my top lip when I’m in the sun and I noticed this was significantly reduced when I used this cream). It’s called Thank You Farmer Water Sun Cream SPF 50. It’s great under makeup and doesn’t give you flashback if you’re taking photos.

Please, always wear at least SPF 30, but if you can then go for 50+. You will thank me later.

The best SPF I’ve ever used for my face

Evening Skincare Routine  

My evening routine is almost the same as my morning routine, minus the need for the SPF step, so I won’t repeat the same information twice. I have simply added the elements of the routine that are different below.  

Double cleansing  

If you have worn SPF and/or makeup during the day then you need to double cleanse at night before bed. Otherwise, you won’t have removed the products and they’ll clog your pores and/or sit between your skin and the products you follow your cleanse with, rendering them useless.

All you need to do is cleanse once, wipe with a damp face cloth and then repeat. You can use two different cleansers or the same one, it doesn’t really matter.

Serums

 Instead of vitamin C and hyaluronic serums, I use my retinoid serum at night for this stage of the routine.

 If you are past your mid 20s then you should be using a retinoid at night if you have ageing concerns.

Retinoids are vitamin A and are scientifically proven to prevent and reverse the signs of ageing. I have seen a huge difference since I started religiously using my retinoid before bed. This stuff really does work.

When you first use a retinoid you can experience some redness, flakiness and dryness, but if you bear with it then your skin will acclimatise and these issues will stop. Simply follow the instructions on the bottle for use and you can’t go far wrong. 

I have tried a few different retinoids, but my favourite is Medik8 Crystal Retinal. This is a retinal (the strongest non-prescription retinoid you can buy) and works faster than retinol. I’m impatient, so this is why I chose it. It also comes in varying strengths, so you can start off gently and move up through the ranks as your skin builds up its resistance.  

You should start to see results in around a month from when you start to use a retinoid, but this does depend on your age. The older you are, the longer it will take to show results on your skin.

Eye Cream  

I use a targeted retinol eye cream in the evening to keep wrinkles at bay. I like The Inkey List Retinol Eye Cream.

My favourite eye creams for both morning and evening

 Peel

 I will occasionally also use a lactic acid peel overnight, because lactic acid is fab for dehydrated and drier skins. I especially like to use this in winter. I use Versed Overnight Peel straight after cleansing and don’t add any more products over the top of it. I sleep in it and cleanse it off in the morning.

Versed Overnight Peel

Each to their own…

Of course, the above are the ‘ideal’ skincare routines for day and night from the opinion of me, a professional facial therapist, but if you do something different, it works for you and you’re happy, then don’t change it if you don’t want to.

 Happy skincare routining!

Beauty at home – my top 10 tips

We were all hopeful that the government would say that beauty salons and spas could reopen on 4th July. Instead, their announcement last Tuesday that we have to remain closed was met with cries of anguish from many people. However, don’t worry, if your usually silky smooth body is starting to resemble that of an Afghan Hound or if your roots are looking more sparkly silver than chocolate brown, I am here with my top tips on how to look your best in lockdown 

1)    Wax strips – for those of us who shy away from the razor and prefer to wax then cold wax strips can be a great way to subdue the stubble. I like to use Veet strips on my legs and bikini line. I like to use the leg strips for my bikini line and trim them in half (width-ways) rather than use them whole, but you can use facial strips on your bikini area if you’re feeling a bit apprehensive.

Make sure you follow the instructions and do a patch test, take it slow when applying the strip (trim extremely long hair down to less than 5mm, otherwise the hair may just break off rather than tear out at the roots), firmly press and stroke the strip down onto the skin and when you tear off the strip do it with gumption in the direction that’s against the direction of hair growth.

Make sure you stretch the skin as taut as you can with your spare hand as you tear off the strip (as this can deaden the nerve endings a little and stop it hurting as much). Take a hot shower first so that the hair follicles are open and release the hair more easily.

2)    Self Tan – I am not the biggest lover of self-tan, but I like a golden glow in the summer. So, while the spray-tanner is out of action, why not try faking it at home? I really like Tan Luxe ‘The Face’, which is a brilliant self-tan that you drop into your usual moisturiser and apply with the cream. It gives great buildable colour and contains anti-ageing ingredients too. Make sure to do your neck and up behind your ears and not just your face. You only need to use 1 to 3 drops at a time, so a bottle of it lasts for ages.

For the body, I really like St Tropez Express Bronzing Mousse. It has reached a cult-like status because it is fast-drying, doesn’t smell and gives you streak-free, natural coverage. It’s pricey, but one bottle is about the same cost as a spray-tan and you get an awful lot more than just one use out of it, so it’s better value than the salon.

Make sure you exfoliate 24 hours beforehand and use a tanning mitt to apply the tan. It’s important that just before you apply the self-tan you moisturise any dry areas such as your knees, hands, elbows and feet. Only use the excess tan left on the mitt for your hands and feet, otherwise these areas may go darker than the rest of your body.

3)  At home facial – If you usually get spa facials (and even if you don’t), then I recommend giving yourself one at home at least monthly. Your face will thank you for it.

The steps are really simple: take your cleanser (I like Smoothing Cleanser by Tropic) and work it into your dry face in circular motions before removing. I cleanse again with a balm (I use Neal’s Yard Wild Rose Beauty Balm), but you can use the same cleanser, and repeat the process. After removing your cleanser, take your favourite exfoliator (I like Wishful’s Yo Glow enzyme scrub) and work that gently into the face before removing. 

Next, take some facial oil (I love Neal’s Yard Orange Flower facial oil, but you could simply use a drop of coconut oil) and massage it around your skin – check out my facial massage video on YouTube for the full routine – and then you can either leave the oil in place or remove it with a damp flannel. Next, it’s toning time – spritz a little of your go-to toner (I use Neal’s Yard Frankincense toner) onto your face and fan dry. Lastly, simply smooth your moisturiser onto your face and neck in slow, upward motions (I like Neal’s Yard Frankincense Hydration Cream) and you’re good to glow.

4)  Massage gun – So many people are missing their weekly or monthly massage sessions. So, after moaning to my friend about my tense shoulders, she suggested I bought a massage gun. While it is no replacement for a skilled massage therapist, this little contraption is brilliant for relieving tension. I use it for ten minutes before I work out on the muscles that give me gip and then for ten minutes afterwards to relax them again.

It cost me about the same as an hour’s full body massage, so I think it’s great value for money. It will be great for taking away on holiday too, as it’s small enough to fit in a suitcase, but I’d caution against taking it in your hand luggage, unless you enjoy airport security searches, as it is very much shaped like a handgun…

5)  Collagen socks – If your feet feel rough, then these little beauties will sort them out. They are enriched with all sorts of goodies, such as collagen, deep moisturisers and vitamins and you simply pop them on your feet and sit in them for as long as you can. My advice is to put regular socks over the top and sleep in them, as you’ll wake up with baby-soft tootsies. I get my collagen socks from Voesh, but there are other good brands on the market too.

6)  Foot soak with Epsom salts – Another way to treat your feet is to soak them in Epsom salts. This can be a great way to relieve pain, exfoliate and help get rid of toxins. Simply fill your bathtub or a pedicure bowl with warm water, dissolve approximately half a cup of Epsom salts and soak your feet for 30 minutes or so. Epsom salts can make your feet a little dry, so you should make sure you moisurise your feet afterwards (or you could use the collagen socks as mentioned above). Please note that people who are pregnant, diabetic or who have kidney and heart problems should seek their doctor’s advice before using Epsom salts.

7)  At home manicure - Doing your own nails can be a challenge for some, but if you are not gifted when it comes to painting your nails then here are some tips.

 Start by gently filing your nails down (use the file in one direction across the nail, as if you’re using a bow on a violin) until they are the shape you want. Dab some cuticle cream (I use OPI Pro Spa, but you can use Vaseline as an alternative) on the cuticle with a cotton bud, leave it for 5 minutes or so and then use an orange stick to gently push the cuticle back. Make sure you clean any product from the nail plate by going over it with some nail polish remover on a cotton pad.

Apply your base coat and wait for it to dry.

I find the easiest way of painting my own nails is to rest the little finger of my painting hand onto one of the fingers of the hand being painted. This steadies me, so I can get the best result. Try not to have too much polish on the brush, but make sure there’s enough to work with, and start by slightly pushing the brush down towards the cuticle and stop about 0.5mm above it and then drag the brush back up the nail. Repeat this round the nail until it is covered. If you make a mistake and get polish on the skin, just dip a cotton bud into some nail polish remover and rub it over the area to remove it. You can also buy nail corrector pens, which are brilliant. I have an OPI one that I bought from Amazon. Do two to three thin coats of colour, wait for them to dry in between coats, and then finish with top coat.

 I was taught to paint nails in three strokes – one in the middle and then one on each side, but do whatever works for you to achieve the best result.

After your nail polish is dry, apply some lovely hand moisturiser (I like L’Occitane) and some cuticle oil for ultimate pampering.

8)  Body brushing – If you’ve ever had a body treatment at a spa, you’ll know that it often starts with dry body brushing. This treatment has its roots in Ayurvedic medicine and is a brilliant way of reinvigorating yourself. All you need is a body brush, which you can get from Amazon. Start brushing at your feet in short, upwards strokes towards the heart and work your way upwards making sure you cover all of your body. You can even add a drop of body oil onto the brush, but I prefer to use it completely dry on dry skin before a bath or shower.

9)  Hair masque – I haven’t had my hair cut for over three months and it is starting to show. I know hairdressers can soon open, but I’m still worried about going to get the chop. So, for those who want to wait a little longer, hair masques are a great way of keeping hair in good condition until you feel ready to go to the salon. My favourite masque is the Intense Hydrating Masque by Moroccanoil. Other brands of masque that I think are fab are Kerastase and the Body Shop (they do a great banana scented one).

10)      Root spray – If, like me, your head has a white stripe down the middle but you don’t want to go to the salon to get your colour done, invest in a root spray. These sprays are a brilliant quick fix to cover greys and freshen up your hair colour so that it looks like new. It washes out, so you have to reapply it each time you shampoo your hair, but it is so quick and easy that I don’t find it an issue. My favourite is L’Oreal Paris Magic Retouch spray – it’s also great at disguising the roots of clip in hair extensions too!