Caring for the skin on your décolletage (or lower neck and chest area)

The décolletage is defined as the area on the lower neck and your chest/cleavage area. This area is as exposed to the elements as is your face, and if not properly cared for can show signs of aging very quickly.

Often on display, and often overlooked, the décolletage area is prone to sun exposure and premature wrinkles. You should therefore make an extra effort to care for your décolleté to minimize damage and delay the aging process.

In this article we will look at factors that affect the appearance of your chest, how to care for the skin’s surface on this area and the negative results of not expanding your skin care routine for this area.

3 Reasons to start caring for your décolletage

The body is made up of 70% water and requires hydration and care in order to stay in optimal condition. Care for your décolletage is no different to caring for your facial area and a proper skin care routine should be implemented from a young age to maintain a youthful appearance.

Here are 5 reasons you should start a skin care routine for this skin area today!

First to show signs of aging

The skin on your neck is one of the first areas to begin to show aged skin. The reason for this is that a lot of sun damage happens during our childhood and teenage years.

The skin on your décolletage is also very thin and sebaceous glands, which aid in skin hydration, are not as readily present.

Added to this your décolletage contains limited melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin – giving you colour and protecting you from UV rays.

Chest wrinkles are a thing

Asides from sun damage, which can cause décolletage wrinkles to form, many of us choose to sleep on our stomach or sides. Doing this can cause the skin on your chest to crease and have a sagging effect, and we may worry that people are constantly staring at this part of our bodies and experience lack of confidence.

The beauty industry has researched and created many products that may work to help reduce skin damage. Further on in this article, we will touch on what skin care products to include in your beauty routine for your upper chest and neck  may help to avoid more wrinkles from forming in these delicate areas.

Special needs for this delicate area

The skin on your neck and chest is very fine and vulnerable to the elements. The neck and chest skin area is one of the most exposed areas – think of the low tops and t-shirts with low necklines that are worn every summer.

The skin in this area is susceptible to responding to these harsh elements and can result in redness. There are many products on the market, but ideally any products you use should be vetted by a board-certified dermatologist.

Investing in a skin care routine and using skin care products that may assist in skin firming, possible sun  damage and may help to reduce wrinkles.

What causes the décolletage to age?

Skin aging is part of the body’s natural process. There are, however, other factors that play a part in the way our skin ages, and in particular our décolleté area.

Simply put: Age

On its most basic level age causes aging of the skin. Our skin contains both collagen and elastin which assist in keeping your skin firm. As we grow older these proteins begin to breakdown. When collagen and elastin start to breakdown the skin begins to show fine lines and wrinkles . These fine lines later develop into deeper lines, which we refer to as wrinkles.

Sun Exposure

The UV rays of the sun are a huge factor in aging of the chest and neck. Sun protection measures such as a broad-spectrum SPF should be taken in order to avoid sun damage, as much of the damage caused by the sun may be  irreversible. Applying sunscreen and taking other sun protection measures, such as wearing a hat and staying out of the sun at midday are great precautionary methods to start practicing.

Sleeping patterns

As mentioned previously, another factor of premature wrinkles on the chest and neck area is the way in which we sleep. Sleeping on your stomach or your side can potentially have  an effect on the number of wrinkles that start to form on your skin.

Lack of Moisture

Skin hydration plays a pivotal role in the health and texture of our skin, especially on the chest skin area. The chest skin area does contain less sebaceous glands than other areas, meaning there is naturally less hydration in this area.

Regularly cleansing and moisturizing is key to avoiding very dry skin. The skin has a natural ingredient called hyaluronic acid, which locks in moisture – one way to increase skin hydration is to use products that contain hyaluronic acid to increase resistance to dry skin.

How do I care for my décolletage?

Caring for the décolletage is not much different to caring for your face. If you have a consistent and good cleansing routine for your face already, which includes a cleanser, toner and moisturizer, you could extend this beauty routine to the area below your chin. There are also special products that are specifically designed to help  the skin  on the chest and neck area.

The below steps are typical in good skin care, and are the basics in going about caring for this special area of the body:

Step 1: Cleanse

Looking after your skin begins with a good cleanser. Choose a cleanser that has active ingredients to encourage  a healthier looking skin. Using extra gentle, circular motions massage the cleanser into the skin, and rinse with lukewarm water, or cold.

SeraLabs’ Seratopical Revolution collection has a foaming facial cleanser that contains natural plant extracts and antioxidants that will leave your skin feeling clean, clear and refreshed.

Step 2: Tone

Using a toner after cleansing assists in getting rid of any surface level dirt that is still on the neck and chest as well as possibly  reducing the appearance of pores.

Try Seratopical Revolution’s Harmony Face & Neck Toner to fine tune your skincare routine. Ingredients include Witch Hazel, Coriander Seed Oil, and Coconut Water– all widely known for their hydrating properties– that can help to revitalize and replenish your skin.

Step 3: Moisturize

Hydration is key in reducing the, sometimes harsh, effects of aging skin. Those with very dry skin should look at a moisture rich product that combats the visible effects of this skin type.

When applying moisturizer, start with the face and work your way down to your neck and chest area. Regular use of moisturizer may show positive results and a nourishing look for your skin

Step 4: Protect

The final, and potentially most important, step in your beauty routine should be to apply sunscreen. Wearing sunscreen that is non-greasy and contains a high SPF (sun protection factor) may have positive effects on the skin’s appearance.

While the above four steps are the basic steps in a good skin care routine for the chest and neck area, there are other methods one can use to assist in protecting the skin.. One of these is exfoliation.

Introducing a weekly exfoliation to your skin care routine helps to remove dead skin and give the skin an instant glow.

Another thing to think about is sleep. A good night of sleep can have wondrous effects on the appearance of your skin. While you sleepyour skin is at rest and you may want to try Seratopical Revolution’s Radiant overnight peptide complex which will help your skin to look refreshed each morning.

Anti-aging for the chest and neck area

We’ve discussed how the skin below your chin area is very delicate. Often fully exposed to harmful UV rays from the sun and at the same time the effects of the environment. These factors, as well as the fact that it has limited melanocytes and produces less sebum than anywhere else on the human body, make for an area that is vulnerable to premature aging. In order to help with  the signs of getting older, such as delicate lines and wrinkles, proper skin care products should be used.

Maintaining a youthful look to the skin includes the routine of: cleanse, tone, moisturize, as well as using a high spf sunscreen. Regular exfoliation should also be added to the skin care routine to remove dead skin cells and allow the skin to properly absorb all products.

Introducing products to your routine that include natural plant extracts will help to hydrate, plump and brighten.

Additionally, hydrating products, such as SeraLabs Seratopical Revolution’s Harmony Face and Neck Toner, contain hydrating properties that will help revitalize and replenish moisture to the skin and should definitely be added to your skin care routine.

6 Skin care tips for your décolletage

Are you wondering how you may help to  avoid more wrinkles from forming on the exposed areas of your décolletage? Read on for a few tips that you can actively practicethat may help to keep the skin firm and possiblylessen skin damage and care for this delicate area.

Using products with green tea

Asides from using sunscreen to help with  damage, it has been said that this tea may also offer relief for sun damaged skin.

Products that contain this herbal tea have  may help reduce the appearance of age spots and wrinkles which is exactly what your skin could benefit from.

Due to its high antioxidant levels it not only helps on the outside, but from the inside too, offering plenty of hydration.

Buffing your body

Treating your body to a gentle scrub is so beneficial in removing dead skin cells. Rather than using harsh chemicals, choose to rather use a mild exfoliator or a body brush to remove dead skin cells and allow the products you use to be absorbed into your skin. Remember your chest needs as much help in hydrating as you can offer it.

Protection from the environment

It is so important to protect your skin from environmental elements that could cause damage. A broad-spectrum sunscreen is one such method that offers protection that may  help in preventing the signs of aging.

Showering with warm water

While a long, hot shower is heavenly, it’s not ideal for your body. The steam from the hot water can dehydrate your skin. Try to stick to a bath or shower with lukewarm water. Those with very dry skin, should try and avoid very hot showers altogether.

Vitamins and minerals

Topical Vitamin C has been shown to be a great fighter in premature aging of the skin , may also be beneficial with dark spots and discoloration. Be sure to include in your diet, fruit and vegetables that contain high doses of vitamin C, as well as include a supplement to boost your immune system.

If you’re looking for products that you can use on both your facial area as well as your chest and neck area to ensure an always healthy glow, visit SeraLabs Seratopical Revolution. Our Harmony Face and Neck Toner, is packed with natural plant extracts such as Witch Hazel, Coriander Seed Oil and Coconut Water, to hydrate and keep the skin looking and feeling young. Seratopical Revolution skincare is backed by scientific research and contains plant-based extracts as well as our P3P Triple Peptide delivery system.