Anti-ageing body products on test

We know the importance of skincare as we get older and that shouldn't stop at the face. We test out a selection of body products that promise to tighten, smooth and lift

Organic Pharmacy Firming Body Cream,

£146.81 www.theorganicpharmacy.com

Being a fan of natural beauty products, I was attracted to this cream by its contents, including guarana, ivy, meadowsweet, bladderwrack, horsetail and green coffee.  These are all known for their diuretic, cellulite-reducing, stimulating and toning properties. And when I opened the tube, I was glad I'd paid attention to what's in it, because that's what it smells of. There's no non-specific perfumy scent from this cream; it's quite pungent, herbal and antiseptic, reminding me of the taste of guarana, with a touch of pine. And that's fine by me: so many creams that purport to contain natural ingredients smell only of manufactured perfume, with no trace of what's on the label.

The Firming Body Cream has an impressive list of claims: [it is] ‘A unique blend of actives that work together to: detoxify; drain; inhibit lipogenesis ; stimulation of lipolysis (breakdown of fat); decongest; tighten & firm the skin including neck & bust; reduce and reverse sun damage;  tone & reduce cellulite.'

Where I used it

Given the list above, I found many areas to apply it to! My décolleté, for the sun damage to my naturally fair skin; my upper arms, for loose skin and a touch of mild pimpliness (correctly known as keratosis pilaris); my stomach (jelly belly); my thighs and buttocks (yes, you've guessed it: cellulite), and a small patch of rough skin on my left calf.

Did it work?

To be fair to the product, I have to confess that I didn't apply it twice a day, massaging it in for five minutes a time, as recommended. I used it once a day - so it could be argued that my testing was flawed. When applied, the beige cream has a pleasant chilly, tingling effect, and, although thick, it rubs in easily. And the smell doesn't linger.

As I scrutinise myself after three weeks' use, my décolleté is smoother and more even-coloured, with less redness, despite sun exposure (SPF'd of course) during the test. My upper arm skin is also smoother, and the rough skin on my calf is much improved. With the stomach, buttocks and thighs, it's harder to say... The skin does seem smoother and a touch more toned, but I've lost quite a few pounds in weight during this time, so I'd expect my fattier areas to look smoother and sleeker anyway.

However, I will carry on using the cream - there's about half left because I reckon with that concentration of naturally active ingredients, it probably is doing some good, even if not staggeringly obvious. Adrienne, 5/10

AAY Reader Review

No7 Protect and Perfect moisturising body serum,

£24.50 www.boots.com

I was pleased to be chosen to try this particular product, I had read and heard a lot hype about it in the media. But having been let down so many times by product claims, I did wonder if it actually did what it said on the label!

Where I used it

I duly showered and popped open the lid, it smelt divine, lovely and light and flowery. I started to apply to my most worrying areas, neck, chest, shoulders, arms and the back of my hands. I also applied to my shins and elbows which are prone to being dry.

The serum "melted" into my skin, it is very easy to apply and a little goes a long way. There was no stickiness and immediately my skin felt "nourished" and soft. The delicate perfume lingered all day. I continued to use it religiously daily, every morning after my shower, it wasn't a chore, I actually looked forward to it! 

Did it work?

After the first 7 days I started to notice that the skin tone on my shins, where the skin had been damaged from too much sun years earlier, now looked more even toned and softer, my elbows were no longer dry and sore. I had a closer inspection of my chest and neck and yes they too were looking and feeling softer. I asked my husband if he could see a difference, he had no idea I was testing a new product, he peered and had a "feel" and said that it did feel and smelt different. High praise from a man!!

Yesterday was day 14 of the trial and I can honestly say that yes there is definitely an improvement in both my skin tone and texture.  It is softer and seems to be a lot tighter, the ageing lines on my neck and chest seem to be fading, its hard to explain but my skin feel supple and looks radiant, younger.  I'm not sure if continued use will improve my skin more or whether the product has reached the limit of improvement possible on a ageing skin, but I am very happy with the results so far.

Would I buy it? 

Yes definitely

Would I recommend it? 

Certainly, in fact I intend to take some to my sister-in-law's in the Middle East, they will love it.

Pat, 10/10

Elizabeth Arden's Prevage® Body Total Transforming Anti-ageing Moisturizer, £95 available from Boots

Elizabeth Arden's Prevage® Body Total Transforming Anti-ageing Moisturizer occupies the hard-hitting end of the anti-ageing market. And this comes with a hard-hitting price tag; the cost for 200ml is £95. And so I expect it to do a hard-hitting job. Promising to address the effects of oxidation on the skin, a leading cause of visible signs of ageing, the product is a collaboration between Arden and a leading dermatological research company, using the ingredient Idebenone, proven to be a powerful antioxidant for protecting skin from damage.

Where I used it

I decide the best way to test its claims is to use it on one side of my body only, making it easy to compare results. The cream itself is all you would expect from a luxury product - rich, silky texture, pleasant fragrance - and it does feel both hydrating and nourishing as it goes on. My skin feels softer instantly, but not only softer, firmer also.

Did it work?

At the end of the test period I carry out my comparisons. The skin on the Prevage side feels more supple and pliable than the untreated side, which is drier and feels a bit crepey. Plus those tell-tale aged areas around my elbows look more wrinkled on the untreated side.

So yes, I would recommend this body cream for its anti-ageing effects, despite the higher than normal price tag. On the plus side it will last for quite a long time (though I would recommend applying it to both sides of the body!) and it's nice to treat your body to a luxury product that will tackle the signs of ageing. See it as an investment in yourself!

Berni, 8/10

Clarins Renew-Plus Body Serum,

£32.30 www.uk.clarins.com

This intense moisture treatment from Clarins promises to smooth, firm and brighten skin, with the added advantage of reducing lines and creases on the décolleté and inside the upper arms and thighs. With the arrival of summer, and hence the unveiling of body parts more used to being covered with a cardi, I'm keen to put this age-defying serum to the test.

Where I used it

Clarins advise application morning and night, so over the next two weeks I religiously apply the lotion, and monitor my skin closely. The serum is cool to the touch, has a light, fresh smell and sinks into the skin almost instantly, which is great for busy mornings. The silky texture gives an immediate glisten, which does make my skin look brighter. After a few days of use my skin does indeed feel smoother and I notice the places on my upper arms where creases naturally appear are not looking so dry.

Did it work?

The serum contains vitamin A and extracts of water lily, cashew and olive trees to ensure maximum moisture levels. Over the next couple of weeks I felt my décolleté and upper arms were softer than usual, and also my skin did have a healthy glow, especially when the lotion was first applied.

Karen, 9/10

This Works Perfect Clevage,

£35 www.thisworks.com

This Works Perfect Cleavage Cream was an interesting experience. The stuff does work, living up to its claims to plump and tone the neck and chest - it gives your cleavage a kind of luminescence, thanks to the Larch extract, and feels as if the skin is tightened too.

What's in it?

The other key ingredients are algae which stimulates the formation of collagen and pomegranate oil which is an excellent antioxidant with moisturising and nourishing properties as well as rose, patchouli, tonka bean, frankincense and Vanilla Bean and Organic orange essential oils.

On the downside ...

Perhaps it was the combination of ingredients, but the thing I didn't like about it was the smell. I thought it smelt a bit medicinal and I didn't like that. If your boobs look good enough to ravage, someone might presumably ravage them and if they do, they don't want to be met by an offputting whiff. I didn't taste the stuff but I don't imagine it tastes all that good either!

I'd recommend this product for prepping your clevage for its public outings this summer, but the smell did let it down a bit for me.

Carol, 5/10

Click here for more fantastic anti-ageing body product reviews

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