Many of us already follow a daily beauty routine but there are likely to be some areas where we need to make a bit more effort to prevent damaged skin, brittle nails, premature ageing and even health risks. Between all of the cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturising, it’s understandable that some of the finer details might be missed. So read on and see where you could make a little extra effort in your beauty regimen to reap big rewards!

Nails and cuticles

Aim to keep your nails and cuticles moisturised on a daily basis to prevent pesky breakage and your hands looking older than their years. And remember, your nails and cuticles require thicker ointments to hold in hydration in comparison to your hands, as they dry out very easily.

Knees and elbows

Now, this is one beauty faux pas you don’t want to commit! Dry, flaky elbows and knees are usually only noticed once they’re past the point of no return. The skin on your elbows and knees is much thicker than the skin on the rest of your body and requires more aggressive exfoliation. Physical exfoliators like your in-shower scrubs are only part of the equation. Add daily chemical exfoliation with glycolic acid pads or a glycolic acid lotion. Look for moisturisers with ingredients like vitamin C and licorice root to brighten the skin and help prevent the darkening of skin on the elbows and knees.

Ears

Did you know that ears are the third most frequent location for the most common type of skin cancer?! According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, less than a third of people routinely apply sunscreen to their ears, so now it’s time to start! Take care and be sure to apply sunscreen all year round, especially if you wear your hair up a lot or live in sunnier climes.

Neck and Décolletage

It’s not just your face that gives away your age! Your neck and décolletage are in close second place and the skin here is just as delicate and even thinner than that on your face, meaning sunspots, fine lines and wrinkles show up first in these areas. Let’s be honest, we are all guilty of overlooking these areas when it comes to skincare and sunscreen. Forget the expensive creams, instead,  just treat your neck and chest to the same anti-ageing skincare routine your face gets. Retinol used in these areas one or two times a week will also make a big difference and help boost cell turnover.

image:istock.com/deagreez