Look Younger by taking care of your Chest and Neck

Decolletage Care: Rejuvenate your Neck and Chest

What is your "decolletage"?

The literal meaning of the word decolletage is "expose the neck". Often used to describe a plunging neckline on a blouse or dress, it most commonly refers to our neck and chest area that is typically exposed even when we wear clothing. Think of where your necklace hangs. That is your decolletage.

My previous blog, How to Prevent, Delay, and Diminish Those Sagging Jowls - No More Turkey Neck! discusses ways to firm up your neck and jowl area.

I'm going to give you my top 5 tips for keeping, or regaining, a youthful-looking neck and chest area. And I will give you some product suggestions and additional beauty tips for each one! Are you ready?

5 Tips for a Youthful Decolletage

Tip #1: Gentle cleansing and daily moisturizing

Treat your neck and chest like you do your face when it comes to achieving and maintaining a youthful glow! This skin is particularly thin and delicate, so be sure to keep these suggestions in mind:

• Use a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and impurities without stripping the skin.

• Product Recommendation: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser.

• Follow up with a hydrating moisturizer containing ingredients like Hyaluronic acid and peptides to maintain skin elasticity.

• Product Recommendation: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel.

• If you don't have products on hand specifically for the decolletage area, simply extend the application of your skincare products to include your neck and chest. You can do this both day and night.

• Product Recommendation: NEW Mary Kay skincare line

Tip #2: Sun protection

The best defense is a great offense! Prevent damage by applying sunscreen to your neck and chest daily. Mineral sunscreen is best because it needs no time to absorb and is safe for sensitive skin. More details below:

• Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect against UV damage.

• Product Recommendation: Mary Kay® Mineral Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30

• Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when in direct sun or after sweating or swimming.

Speaking of sunscreen, did you see last week's blog, Chemical vs. Mineral Sunscreen: which one should you choose?

Something to note: these tips are given in order of importance. If you are interested in knowing the order of application, I suggest the following: 

chemical exfoliation (2 x weekly in evening); gentle cleanser & moisturizer (2 x daily); additional hydration (evening); age-defying supplements (2 x daily); sun protection (morning).

TIP #3: Anti-aging treatments

You guessed it! The very same anti-aging treatments that you use for the wrinkles, sun spots, and crepey skin on your face can be used on your neck and chest as well. There are many products on the market specifically for the decolletage, but consider using what you already have on hand. Here are some suggestions:

• Incorporate Retinol or vitamin C serums into your decolletage skincare routine

• Product Recommendation: Timewise Replenishing Serum C+E

• Consider adding a product that targets sagging skin and fine lines.

• Product Recommendation: Timewise Repair Volu-firm Advanced Lifting Serum

TIP #4: Exfoliation

You may be surprised that I recommend exfoliation of the decolletage area since I previously pointed out that this skin is particularly delicate. Nonetheless, exfoliating dead skin will help reduce discoloration. Because you want to avoid harsh scrubbing, this is the perfect time to use a chemical exfoliant such as a glycolic acid peel.

TIP #5: Additional hydration

In addition to the basic steps of cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing, adding hydrating products to your regimen is another way of maintaining a youthful decolletage. Consider trying any of the following:

• Use a hydrating mask or cream to replenish moisture and nutrients.

• Product Recommendation: TimeWise® Moisture Renewing Gel Mask

• Incorporate a toning lotion to improve skin firmness and elasticity..

• Product Recommendation: TimeWise Body Targeted-Action® Toning Lotion

Check this out: self-adhesive overnight silicon pads are available to wear over your decolletage to help hold in moisture and prevent compression wrinkles while you sleep. View Silc Skin Decollette Pad HERE.