11 ways to care for the décolleté area

We all know the basics care for our facesbut what about skin on the rest of our body? One of the most neglected areas of the skin is the neckline, that is, the skin on the neck and chest. While we lather our faces gentle cleansers и anti aging face creamsoften our chests and necks don't get the same level of attention. “The skin around the décolleté is thin and delicate,” says a certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant. Dr. Elizabeth B. Houshmand. "This is one of the first areas of your body to show signs of aging and it's important to take care of it."

As Dr. Houshmand mentioned, the skin in the décolleté area deserves attention. “The skin on the neck and chest contains fewer sebaceous glands and a limited amount of melanocytes, so it is easier to damage,” explains Dr. Hushmand. “And with age, collagen and elastin begin to break down. These proteins keep your skin supple. When collagen and elastin start to break down, your skin starts to sag inward, leading to wrinkles that eventually turn into wrinkles.”

If you're noticing a change in the texture or appearance of your skin around your décolleté—pimples, dryness, or a feeling of sagging, to name just a few—then you might need to upgrade your skin care routine. Dr. Houshmand shared some tips on how to keep your chest and neck happy, hydrated and fresh. Read on to find out how to recharge your décolletage.

Best Decollete Skin Care Tips

Tip #1: Moisturize

“The décolleté is often one of the first places to show signs of aging, so using a cream specifically formulated for the décolleté and keeping that area hydrated is critical,” says Dr. Hushmand.

To keep your breasts hydrated and looking healthy, let's IT Cosmetics Neck Moisturizer Confidence attempt. This treatment helps to rejuvenate sagging, dry skin, making it perfect for people who want their cleavage to look its best. SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Revitalizing Neck Cream another favorite among our editors; with retinol and tripeptide concentrate has corrective properties, fighting the early signs of aging.

Tip #2: Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen

One of the main factors in the aging of the décolleté area is sun damage, according to Dr. Houshmand. “Just like on the face, sun exposure accelerates the aging process in this area,” she says. “This is because the ultraviolet rays of the sun cause collagen and elastin to break down faster than on their own. At the same time, UV rays can damage your skin cells, making it harder for them to repair themselves and create new, healthier cells.”

Dr. Houshmand recommends applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to your face, neck, and décolleté to protect your skin from the sun's rays, and taking other sun protection measures. She also notes that it's crucial to wear sunscreen on your chest and neck, even if you're not worried about aging, because most sun damage occurs between childhood and early adulthood. 

To avoid the harmful effects of the sun's rays, try Sunscreen with melting milk for face and body La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 100. Its fast-absorbing formula leaves a velvety texture and is gentle enough for all skin types. Take your sun protection to the next level by wearing protective clothing, seeking shade and avoiding peak hours of sunshine.

Tip #3: Be gentle

“Because the skin in the décolleté is very delicate, it needs to be handled very carefully,” says Dr. Huschmand. "Rubbing, stretching, or pulling on the décolleté can damage and increase wrinkles and folds." Dr. Houshmand advises gently lathering your cleansers when you're in the shower, and always be careful when applying sunscreen, moisturizers, or serums to your neck and chest.

Tip #4: Use a Healing Balm 

If you notice that the décolleté area is very dry, try using moisturizing serum or healing balm. Some skin care products are just for moisturizing and contain nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated and looking plump. One of our favorites is Calming Collagen Algenist Genius, formulated with collagen and calendula to help soothe stressed skin and promote hydration.

Tip #5: Watch your posture

Correct posture can help minimize décolleté wrinkles, according to Dr. Hushmand. "These days, we're all constantly looking at our smartphones, tablets and laptops, which is terrible for your cleavage and neck," she says. “When you drop your shoulders or sit hunched over, the skin in the décolleté area becomes wrinkled and folded. This can lead to damage and wrinkles over time.”

To prevent posture-related wrinkles, Dr. Houshmand recommends sitting upright and keeping your shoulders back. She also states that upper back strengthening exercises can also be helpful.

Tip #6: Clear your skin 

Like the rest of the body, the décolleté area needs daily care to look healthy and clean. It is extremely important to use a gentle cleanser that will cleanse your chest and neck without stripping moisture. If you have oily skin try SkinCeuticals Glycolic Acid Renewal Cleanser. It helps to gently exfoliate the skin, removing impurities, leaving it feeling soft and fresh.

Tip #7: Exfoliate Your Skin

Exfoliating your neck and chest helps remove any buildup of dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, making your cleavage look more radiant. Since the chest and neck are more delicate areas than the rest of the body, we recommend using a gentle exfoliator on the décolleté area, such as Lancôme Rose Sugar Exfoliating Scrub. It polishes the skin, giving it a brighter and more even tone.

Tip #8: Sleep on your back

Do you tend to sleep on your side or on your stomach? Dr. Housemand recommends breaking this sleep habit, especially if you're worried about wrinkles. “Sleep wrinkles it’s a thing that can be shown on the chest,” she says. “Sleeping on your side can also speed up the appearance of chest wrinkles and flabbiness.” Dr. Houshmand recommends changing your sleeping position and sleeping on your back to reduce the risk of wrinkles during sleep. 

Tip #9: Use a hydrating mask

We all love good face masks, but why should we stop at just our faces? A moisturizing mask can help replenish the lack of moisture in the décolleté area. MMRevive Neck and Chest Mask can give your cleavage heightened hydration while also soothing, smoothing and repairing the skin to hide wrinkles and uneven tone.

Tip #10: Get rid of stains

If you suffer from chest acne, you can easily use spot treatments to reduce their appearance. When we see a pimple appear on our chest, we like to use La Roche-Posay Effaclar Acne Spot Treatment, which quickly eliminates rashes and reduces redness.

Tip #11: Ask about office procedures

If all else fails, schedule a visit with a dermatologist or trusted skin care professional. They have a variety of in-office treatments that can help you with your specific cleavage needs.