Body needs age-defying solutions, too (not just the face)

MANILA, Philippines - Not all body parts are created equal. Most of us would normally think only of our faces when faced with the issue of aging. But most of us would sadly be wrong. According to direct-selling company Mary Kay, there are some body parts that need more protection from the dangers of aging than others: that sun-damaged décolleté (that area from your neck all the way to your cleavage), those age-revealing hands and a body that may not be as firm as it was, say, 10 years ago. Good thing, though, that Mary Kay has finally come up with a solution for those age-susceptible areas: the TimeWise Body Hand and Décolleté Cream SPF 15 and Targeted-Action Toning Lotion. These two products were created to make sure that, as you work on keeping your face young-looking, your body also keeps up.

The TimeWise Body Hand and Décolleté Cream SPF 15 (yes, it is a mouthful) packs quite a powerful punch in an 85-gram bottle. It minimizes the appearance of crepiness to make skin look firmer. As Mary Kay senior marketing manager Criscy Camacho puts it, “It prevents your skin from looking like a piece of crepe paper — all wrinkly and saggy.”

It also delivers superior hydration and support for the skin barrier to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. “The skin barrier is that area between the dermis and the epidermis,” Camacho explains. “As it collapses with age, the epidermis above it also sags and wrinkles. By strengthening that part, we ensure that the skin layer above it doesn’t sag as well.” Dark spots and sun damage are also prevented by this wonder cream as it is enriched with SPF 15.

Body tone-tastic: The TimeWise Body Targeted Action Toning Lotion firms up your skin by keeping it smooth and hydrated.

The hand and décolleté cream is formulated using powerful ingredients. It contains an acai berry extract that is said to harness the berry’s powerful antioxidant properties. Also, part of the mix are lipid-rich pomegranate sterols for strengthening the skin barrier, caprooyl tetrapeptide-3 to boost collagen and elastin, vitamin B3 to minimize sun-damage from UV ray exposure, vitamin E, and Shea butter and glycerin for moisturization. With its non-greasy formulation, it is perfect for both day and night use.

According to their research, it is said that after two weeks, the appearance of crepiness is lessened. After four weeks, skin is said to appear firmer and fine lines are reduced. Lastly, after eight weeks, Mary Kay claims that skin will feel tighter, the appearance of wrinkles will be visibly reduced and dark spots will also appear less frequently.

The TimeWise Body Targeted-Action Toning Lotion, on the other hand, is said to tone, define and hydrate skin in one step. It not only works to tone and firm skin, it also moisturizes for up to 24 hours. The citrus-scented lotion promises to deliver three things with one swipe. One, it promises to fortify the skin’s support structure to help firm, tone and tighten it. Two, it promises to energize skin cells for optimum performance. Three, it promises to provide maximum hydration to minimize damage caused by UV exposure.

Like the hand and décolleté cream, the lightweight toning lotion also contains powerful ingredients designed to combat aging. It contains an acai berry extract with its antioxidant properties, pumpkin extract for collagen production, argan seed extract for stimulation of vital proteins, caffeine for cell energy level boosting, vitamin E for skin-conditioning and Hawthorne berry extract for the acceleration of fat breakdown.

Again, the numbers Mary Kay presents are astounding. Within two weeks, the lotion is said to make skin smoother. In four weeks, skin is said to be more toned and firmer. After eight weeks, the company claims that body contours will be firmed.

“These products are perfect for women over 30,” Camacho states. “But these are basically for anyone who wants to expand their age-fighting regimen and look younger for longer.” If the research holds true, and the numbers don’t end up lying, this TimeWise pair is sure to turn the anti-aging market on its ear. At a price of P2,100 for the Hand and Décolleté Cream SPF 15 and P950 for the Targeted-Action Toning Lotion, it sure is a small price to pay for making sure that your body stays as young as it can be.

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The Mary Kay offices are located at 2F Allegro Center, 2284 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City. View their products at www.marykay.com.ph.