Cellulite creams don't work and nothing replicates a facelift – but here's what you CAN do about ageing

The Sun

07-06-2025

ELIZABETH HURLEY turns 60 this week - and no doubt attention will turn to how well she looks.
Having interviewed her many times, I can confirm she really does look as good close up as she does in photos. So what's her secret?
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She has the best products, aesthetics doctors, hairdressers, nutritionists and personal trainers on speed dial - and it is also her job to look good.
But what about the rest of us?
As a beauty expert, it's my job to sort through the noise and discover what really works - and aged 62-and-a-half, I've tested thousands of products, treatments and tweakments.
This is everything I've learned.
SKINCARE
You may be surprised to hear that you don't need to spend a fortune on expensive products.
Dermatologists I've spoken to all say the same thing.
'Use a vitamin C serum every morning, top it with an SPF50 in place of your moisturiser and then use a vitamin A retinoid at night,' advises my dermatologist, Dr Emma Craythorne from Discovery+'s The Bad Skin Clinic.
Everything else is window dressing.
Just choose the supporting gentle cleanser, moisturiser and serums that you enjoy using and can afford.
Avène Ultra Fluid Invisible SPF50 for Sensitive Skin, £21
Use this in place of your moisturiser because it does it all, and remember to use it on your neck and chest, too (I have learned that lesson the hard way).
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This brightens skin, boosts collagen to keep skin firmer, and protects against pollution and sunlight.
A gold-standard night-repair product, this will help reverse signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, dullness, hormonal breakouts and enlarged pores.
TWEAKMENTS
In the 30 years I have been writing and talking about beauty, there has been a revolution in tweakments.
Back then only celebrities had Botox and lip filler, and now they're commonplace.
But what's really worth your money?
'Neuromodulators (Botox) for sure,' says This Morning 's expert Dr Wassim Taktouk of The Taktouk Clinic.
'In 15 minutes, you can erase expression lines caused by frowning, smiling and raising your eyebrows in a way that no product can match.
'During the few days after your treatment, you will slowly notice your lines softening and then maybe even disappearing,' he adds.
Trust me, 99% of famous people are having tweakments, they just like to deny it!
Lasers are a great way of erasing sun damage, which if you're in your 60s you will undoubtedly have because we all sunbathed in SPF4 oil.
Don't feel guilty: no one knew better at the time.
A doctor can use a laser to target redness, brown spots, large pores, uneven texture and even those annoying chin hairs.
The key is to find a clinic you trust and an aesthetician who knows their stuff.
Don't be afraid to ask friends and contacts for recommendations.
FILLER
I am reluctant to recommend filler simply because it does not suit all face shapes.
I have a large face that's prone to puffiness, so it's not for me.
If, however, you have a fine bone structure, thin face or lips and want to put that young, plump look back into your face, then it can work wonders.
SURGERY
I am going to say this once and very loudly: if you are looking in the mirror and lifting your skin up with your fingers in an attempt to get rid of a turkey neck and sagging cheeks or jowls, no tweakment can replicate that effect.
That's when celebrities choose deep plane facelifts.
Hollywood can forgive smile lines and grey hair, but it's very unforgiving of a lax jawline or neck, so a lot of famous women and men over 50 have lower facelifts.
It's why looking at celebrities the same age as you should never make you feel bad, as they have all had a lot of work done.
Having said that, if you are considering surgery and can afford it, a facelift will restore the facial contours you had 20 years ago.
BODY
If you want to look and feel better, you need to do three things - walk everywhere, lift weights to build muscle and bone strength, and do some sort of core exercise like yoga or Pilates.
I haven't worked out in three years since moving house and I have noticed the difference in my flexibility and strength, and I've developed the dreaded bingo wings.
Elizabeth Hurley works out to look good when she's wearing a bikini.
In their 20s, many women are blessed with good genes, but in their 60s, anyone who still feels confident wearing a bikini has worked really hard for it.
They will also have watched what they eat very carefully.
When it comes to skin, the body needs the same ingredients as the face.
Skin is skin, so no neck cream or cellulite cream, no stretchmark cream or miracle slimming gel is going to work.
It's simple – wear SPF when you go in the sun and use a retinol body lotion every night.
Suitable for daily use, this thick body lotion sinks in quickly, smooths rough texture and moisturises limbs while fading scars and stretch marks over time.
Don't expect miracles - slow and steady wins the race with bodycare.
HAIR
Your hair changes texture as it ages – it can become thin and fine and what's there can change to weirdly frizzy if it goes grey.
To colour or not colour is up to you, but if you go lighter, remember to keep your roots and underneath sections slightly darker as that is far more youthful.
Apply a hair oil to your mid-lengths and ends before shampooing, and also use it afterwards to smooth and add shine.
Pantene Repair & Protect Hair Oil, £7.99
Don't overspend on haircare – trust me, the big beauty brands really deliver.
If your hair is starting to thin, have a blood test.
'You need to check your hormones and nutrition levels, as knowing the cause of hair loss and the type of hair loss means we can treat it,' explains trichologist Lisa Caddy at Philip Kingsley.
No supplement can replace good medical advice.
Finally, remember what Hollywood legend Bette Davis said: 'Getting old is not for sissies.' But it's also a huge privilege.
Follow Nadine on Instagram @Nadinebaggott where she answers your beauty questions, and watch her on ITV's This Morning.
Everything you need to know about hair loss
Marie Nieuwoudt, a Group Education Manager at CLOUD NINE told Fabulous everything you need to know regarding hair loss.
What are the common causes of hair loss?
Marie explained: "There are so many reasons why someone may face hair loss.
"The number one reason is usually hormonal changes or underlying health conditions (like thyroid conditions), and stress of
course also plays a big part in changes to your hair health.
"But another very common day-to-day cause is excessive damage to your hair created by mistakes in your styling routines – and this a
big one to be aware of for people who are regularly applying heat to their hair!
"It's important to know the right temperature for your hair type when using styling tools, as this is essential in reducing unintentional heat damage.
"I also see a lot of people facing hair loss resulting from hereditary conditions, which are passed down from generation to generation."
What are the best hairstyles people should try to reduce their hair loss?
According to Marie: "Less is more when it comes to hair loss! It's important to be gentle with your hair, so a low-maintenance style that limits pulling on your scalp will be your best option.
"Putting your hair up in a tight ponytail or adding hair clips can cause stress points at the roots.
"Instead, try leaving your hair down, or out.
"You're not limited in your options, but it pays to be intentional with your hair styling. Using tools which limit damage to your hair is vital.
"Discussing your concerns with a hairdresser or hair loss specialist is also a great way to find styles that suit your specific needs, whilst still making sure you look and feel your best."
How long does it take for hair loss to stop?
If you're itching to know when your hair will grow back, Marie confirmed: "Hair loss is a personal journey – and it's different for everyone, so it's very difficult to put exact timings on this process.
"Every head of hair is unique, and so too is your hair loss experience.
"As always, you can speak to a professional hairdresser or trichologist about your specific concerns and hair changes, and they'll be able to help you manage those expectations.
"I can't emphasise enough how important it is to be kind to your hair. Most people treat their hair quite roughly, and this is something you definitely want to avoid when dealing with hair loss in particular.
"Make sure you're choosing products and styling routines that you know are good for your hair, rather than causing additional damage."