The Wrinkle-Prone Area You Might Overlook but Shouldn’t

When addressing your top anti-aging skin concerns, you may be focused on your face and the fine lines and wrinkles that have developed on it. However, while this area may be the most noticeable to you, since you see it every time you look in a mirror, it doesn’t mean that common signs of skin aging aren’t developing elsewhere too. Fine lines and wrinkles tend to not only set in around your eyes, mouth and forehead, but across your decolletage, the area comprised of your neck, shoulders, and chest. Even if your face appears wrinkle-free, if fine lines are prominent across your neck and chest, your beautiful skin can appear older than it has to. Not to mention, other visible signs of aging—like dark spots and dry skin—can afflict your decolletage, too. That’s why, when you’re taking anti-aging measures, you’ll want to think beyond the skin on your face and care for your skin below your chin, too. To do just that, keep these decolletage skin care tips in mind: 

Anti-aging skin care tip #1: Prep the area with an anti-aging cleansing wipe

The skin across your neck and chest is likely to build up a little sweat throughout the day. And, if uncovered, dirt and makeup residue may also collect in this area. So, before applying any anti-aging skin care products, consider cleansing the skin across your neck and shoulders with a non-drying cleansing wipe; bonus points if the wipe is formulated with anti-aging ingredients or skin refining benefits. Try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes. The soft cleansing cloths, which are formulated with vitamin E, thoroughly remove dirt, sweat, and makeup with one wipe. 

Anti-aging skin care tip #2: Use a gentle scrub to exfoliate

Just like your face, your decolletage needs to be exfoliated. Making exfoliation a regular habit can transform dry, dull skin. Once or twice a week, when you’re in the shower, take a few minutes to slough away dead skin cells. Gently massage a sugar scrub into your neck and chest, then rinse off.

Anti-aging skin care tip #3: Layer anti-aging facial serum and moisturizer

It’s important to keep areas that are prone to wrinkling well-moisturized. If left unattended, dry skin can make fine lines and wrinkles appear more noticeable. To help hydrate this area, consider layering multiple layers of hydration. Start with a lightweight anti-aging facial serum, then apply a day or night cream overtop. That way, your decolletage is better nourished and existing fine lines and wrinkles will appear less obvious. 

Anti-aging skin care tip #4: Apply SPF to your decolletage on the daily

The sun’s rays are one defining culprit in the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Any areas of your skin that are left unprotected from the sun, including your decolletage, can become more prone to develop these common signs of skin aging prematurely. So, try to get in the habit of not only applying SPF with broad-spectrum protection to your face, but to your neck, chest, and shoulders, too—every single day. To stay protected, follow the Food and Drug Administration’s sun protection recommendations. Those include wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF value of 30 or higher, reapplying at least every two hours, avoiding the sun during its peak hours (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), seeking out shade, and wearing protective clothing and accessories.

Anti-aging skin care tip #5: Surge the neck and chest area with extra moisture at night

Take advantage of your sleeping hours, by applying a rich and nourishing anti-aging cream to your decolletage before bed. You can even look for a skin care product that is formulated to be used on the face, neck, and chest area specifically, like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition – Golden Balm Face, Neck & Chest.

Anti-aging skin care tip #6: Shorten your showers and turn down the temperature

Do you love long, super-steamy showers? Well, unfortunately, your skin isn’t quite as big of a fan. Those hot, lengthy showers could be drying out your skin. To take better care of your décolletage—and your skin in general—try taking shorter showers and switching to using lukewarm water. Your skin will be grateful!

Anti-aging skin care tip #7: Start sleeping on your back

Aside from the sun, environmental stressors and the passage of time, fine lines and wrinkles can also develop from years of sleeping on your side or back. When you sleep in those positions night after night, the beautiful skin across your decolletage—and your face, too—can be pressed and wrinkled. You may notice that you wake with a few lines in this area and that as the day goes on they fade, but overtime those fine lines and wrinkles can set in and become permanent. So, for an easy anti-aging measure that involves no creams or treatments, try to get in the habit of sleeping face up. And, spring for silk sheets, which are less likely to pull on your delicate, beautiful skin. 

Anti-aging skin care tip #8: Even your skin tone with self-tanner

Since you’ll be wearing sunscreen every day without fail, you may be wondering how you’ll ever get a tan? The answer is simple: self-tanner. Not only can self-tanner help you achieve the sun-kissed glow you want in a totally safe way, but it can also help even your skin tone if your decolletage is marked with sun spots. For a gradual self-tanner, use the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze™ Hydrating Self-Tanning Milk Medium. Or, if you’re on the go, try the ultra-convenient L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze™ Towelettes for Body.

Anti-aging skin care tip #9: Get an illuminated look

As you get older, your skin starts to lose its natural luminosity. However, all hope isn’t lost. If you want to achieve a youthful glow, all you need is a little highlighter. Use a fan brush to sweep the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Shimmerista Highlighting Powder onto your collarbones and shoulders and you’ll be ready to glow.

Encourage youthful, beautiful skin by caring for all of the areas that are likely to develop common signs of skin aging. And that includes your hands, too. To up your skin care game in respect to your hands, check out these 10 Ways to Show Your Hands and Nails Some Major TLC.