Lips
The area around your lips is vulnerable to wrinkling,
particularly if you smoke. Repetitive pursing of your lips causes
lines. The best advice? If you smoke, quit. Wear a sunscreen with an
SPF 15 or higher daily. And use special creams for the lip area,
which add moisture to soften lines.
Eyes
Lines around your eyes show up first because the thin
skin here is quicker to lose its elasticity. To soften these
crinkles, pat on a little eye cream in the morning and at bedtime.
But don't expect a cream to make lines disappear for good, says New
York City-based dermatologist Arielle Kauvar, M.D. Moisturizing
ingredients will temporarily plump up the skin, but can't prevent
the fine furrows that form every time you laugh, cry or squint.
Don't stop smiling, but do wear sunglasses to minimize squinting.
Hands
Also a thin-skin zone, your hands can give away your age before
your face does. Sun exposure speeds the thinning process, which
makes veins more visible. Get into the habit of using hand cream
with an SPF of 15 or higher. One with antioxidants such as vitamin E
will help absorb skin-damaging free radicals, says Dr. Kauvar. Once
a week, pamper hands with an exfoliating scrub to smooth away
roughness.
Neck
It's never too soon to give this area extra attention. But you
don't need a separate neck cream, says Dr. Kauvar. Simply apply the
same anti-wrinkle treatment you use on your face. Using both hands,
massage in the cream with upward strokes, from the middle of your
neck to the back, swiping it up behind your ears, too. Note: The
skin on your neck may be more sensitive than on your face, so you
may want to avoid creams with alpha-hydroxy acid, which can sting
and irritate.