Our secret to looking so young? We NEVER sit in the sun
pollution and poor diet the skin’s scaffolding collagen and elastin are broken down. As a result skin becomes saggy , lined and dispigmented. Lesley’s firm jawline would normally be associated with a 30 year old. She also has notably bright eyes and an even skin tone. This is exceptional for 51.
I’M ASKED FOR ID WHEN BUYING ALCOHOL
Sarah hardy, 42 has two sons Kyle, 21 and dylan, 12. She is single and lives in London. She works full time as a publisher. EVERYONE I meet for the first time is shocked that I have a 21-year-old son. It’s funny to watch them doing the sums in their head after assuming I’m ten years younger. I was recently asked for ID by a young cashier in the supermarket when buying a bottle of gin. Her face was a picture when she realised how old I was.
Four years ago, I took my two sons to stay with my friend in Jersey. My eldest was 17 then and I was 38. We were waiting for pizzas at a takeaway and a woman kept glancing between us. Kyle was slumped over, scowling like a bored teenager. As she left, she tapped him on the shoulder and said: “I’m going to do you a favour, you should smile more because she’s beautiful.” I then had to explain that he wasn’t my boyfriend, but my son.
The last time I went on a beach holiday was in 2002 when Kyle was seven. We went to Tenerife, but I’m not a fan of just lying there on the sand. I like to explore new places, soaking up the culture not the sun. I much prefer city breaks such as Copenhagen, Berlin or Barcelona.
My complexion is probably that of the classic English rose — I’m fair, but not pale. I am starting to get lines across my forehead and the tiniest laughter lines around my eyes too, but I’ve no complaints.
I’ve never smoked or been on a sunbed. It’s pretty obvious both are unhealthy and will age your skin.
My skin routine is low-maintenance, too. I just use a hot flannel on my face, followed by Simple’s Hydrating Light Moisturiser. on a night out I use a tint on my cheeks and lips, add mascara — and that’s it.
My skin is sensitive to new products, so I stick to what suits me. I don’t have time for the marketing hype of beauty and skincare products. Good skin is just common sense. JUSTINE SAYS: Sarah’s even skin tone is the standout feature for me. As we age we tend to lose that lovely homogenous skin tone we associate with youth. Studies show that an uneven skin tone is one of the most ageing skin changes. Sun exposure, smoking and pollution are among the biggest culprits. Sarah’s skin also looks remarkably hydrated. Sun exposure damages the skin barrier, as a result there is less oil in the skin and greater trans- epidermal water loss. Hydrated, plumped skin is a marker of healthy skin,
MUM USED TO THROW A TEA TOWEL ON MY FACE
CUSTOMER assistant Kim Prior, 56, is single and lives in London. She has one daughter Tia, 18. DESPITE what people might think, I love it when the sun comes out.
There’s the feel-good factor with the blue sky and warm rays on your skin. Even so, I don’t go anywhere without my Factor 30 and 50 sun creams — and I never, ever put my face in the sun.
It was a mantra, repeated by my mother. As a teenager sunbathing in the back garden, my mum would run out and throw a tea towel over my face shouting, ‘Keep your face in the shade!’
She taught me the dangers of the sun. Her family had worked on the land and I suspect she had seen the damage constant exposure had caused to their skin.
And while I enjoy holidays abroad, I’m always in the shade on the beach. I genuinely believe it’s made a big difference. on a good day people often think I’m ten years younger.
Last year, I was invited for my first over 55-health check. When I arrived, I was filling in a health history questionnaire when a nurse came over and asked why I was there. I explained it was for the health check but she didn’t believe I was old enough. I had to show her my appointment letter to convince her.
I have had facials but not for a few years. Today I can see some fine lines on my forehead, but not crows-feet lines around my eyes. Some fine lines under my eyes are more pronounced when I’m laughing or smiling.
But you can really tell those who fried themselves when they were younger. They have liver spots, pigmentation and discolouration. JUSTINE SAYS: Kim’s fabulous bone structure was always going to help, but what is most striking here is her firm jawline. By 56 this is usually much softer and less defined.
With age we lose volume in our face which often gives pronounced nasolabial lines, Kim’s are very soft. The rest of her skin is also visibly plumped. As we age our skin loses collagen and elastin and is less hydrated, mainly as a consequence of sun damage. The plump skin here is testament to Kim’s sun avoidance.