Body care is an important part of the anti-aging process. Often left forgotten, the  neck and décolleté  are  some of the first places to show signs of aging. We place so much emphasis on the face, that we easily forget that other parts of our body matter as well.

The skin on the neck and the décolleté is just as delicate if not even more delicate than the skin on the face, and must be handled with the utmost care. Missing out on the opportunity to preserve the delicate skin on our décolleté can result in an anti-aging disaster. 

We all want to age gracefully, and the earlier you start to treat this area the better your skin will look in the long run. Prevention is better than cure, and it’s best to implement good practices before the first signs of aging appear to ensure that the skin on your neck and décolleté stand the test of time.   
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Here are some tips on how to protect your décolletage.

• Always wear SPF

This is the number 1 rule! Sunscreen is a must. People remember to put SPF on their faces, but always forget about the neck and décolleté. If you wear low cut tops and frequently have your neck exposed, it’s important to use SPF. Using a good sunscreen will protect the décolletage against sun damage. Make sure to choose a formula  that protects against both UVA and  UVB rays.

• Remember to exfoliate

The skin on your neck and chest needs to be exfoliated on a regular basis. The neck and chest area accumulate dead skin cells which can make the skin appear rougher, and (unfortunately) older. Using a gentle exfoliator regularly can combat this problem. For manual exfoliation, try using an exfoliating glove in the shower. Remember not to scrub hard as this can damage and irritate the skin, and always use gentle circular motions.

• Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Hydrating the neck and décolleté should be top priority. This will help to keep the skin hydrated and radiant, as well as maintain the skin’s youthful appearance. Use a good moisturizer to help lock in moisture. If you have yet to experience the first signs of aging in this area, try using a rich nourishing body cream or some of your face cream on your neck area. 

For those of you who are already experiencing slackness in this region, invest in a good neck cream. Products formulated specifically for this concern work best on aging skin, and can be less irritating than anti-aging products designed for the face. Keep in mind that the skin on the neck is delicate. 

For an extra boost of hydration, look for products that contain hyaluronic acid.  Hyaluronic acid will help to draw in moisture, while visibly plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines.

• Always apply products using upward strokes

When applying products to the neck and décolleté, always use long upward motions.  This will help to defy the effects of gravity and enhance the lifted appearance.

• Never use hot water on your neck and décolleté

As a rule of thumb, you should never use hot water when showering. Hot water can cause premature aging.  Heat from the water strips  your skin’s of it’s protective oils and lipids, making your skin excessively dry.  

We all love a nice hot shower after a long day, but remember to use hot water sparingly. Use lukewarm water instead. This will help to keep the epidermis intact without causing damage.

Make sure to finish your shower with cold water for at least 60 seconds, concentrating on the neck and décolleté. Cold water doesn’t dissolve oils essential to the skin’s moisture barrier. Using cold water also helps to soothe, tighten and firm the skin.  So if you want to preserve your décolletage, a dowse of cold water will help maintain its youthful appearance. 

If you’re looking for an instant neck lift in a jar, then you’ve found the answer. StriVectin TL promises to lift, tighten and firm the décolletage in as little as 8 weeks.  This cream also prevents moisture loss and strengthens the skin barrier. 

​Clarins Bust Beauty Firming Lotion was formulated specifically for nighttime use.  Apply after your evening shower in gentle upward motions.  This product penetrates easily into the skin, and contains natural plant extracts  which act as a “natural bra”. The skin will become visibly firm and tighter when applied regularly.

Clarins Super Restorative Décolleté and Neck Concentrate was formulated with mature skin in mind. This anti-aging décolletage cream contains plant extracts that target skin slackness caused by hormonal changes. It works specifically to reduce chest creases and improve skin texture in as little as 4 weeks. This cream should be applied twice daily for best results.

Revision Skincare Nectifirm contains a potent cocktail of peptides, plant extracts and biotechnological ingredients that target mature aging skin.  If you’re looking to turn back the hands of time without a neck lift, this is the answer. This product improves the skin’s appearance by reducing crepey skin, and improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  It also firms the neck and jawline, giving a more lifted appearance.

SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair is a corrective retinol cream which promises to diminish the visible signs of aging.  Clinically proven to improve crepey skin, and reduce the appearance of fine and wrinkles.  This product also increases firmness and improves skin tone. This product works best in conjunction with the Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2.

This is a lightweight roll-on serum that tightens, tones, and gives the skin a lifted appearance. Neck Fit Contour Serum contains plant extracts and biotech ingredients to give a retinol-like effect.  For best results, use both morning and evening.

Clarins Extra-Firming Body Cream is an allover body lotion that visibly firms, tightens, and revitalises  skin in one fell swoop.  This age-defying body cream is a great pick for those with youthful looking skin, who are looking  to prevent the first signs of aging.  Formulated with organic shea butter and organic aloe vera, this cream delivers a dose of profound hydration.

A good product at a great price point for those of you on a budget.  L’Oréal Revitalift Face and Neck Moisturizer will deliver visible results in just 4 weeks.  Formulated with pro-retinol and Centella Asiatica, this cream strengthens and repairs the skin barrier leaving the skin smoother. It also helps to reduce wrinkles and increase overall firmness.  This cream is a wonderful option for mature skin.

If you’re looking for a do-it-all cream that won’t break your pockets, then this is your best bet. Roc Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Cream delivers in a way that no other cream can.  This cream is formulated with Hexyl-R Complex technology  for a brightening and firming effect.  It also contains SPF 30, and will protect your delicate décolletage against harmful UV rays. Your skin will become visibly firmer, more radiant, and youthful looking in a matter of weeks.

Confidence In A Cream contains a powerful blend of hyaluronic acid, collagen, ceramides, peptides and antioxidants that will definitely strengthen your skin barrier and improve skin health. With consistent use, this cream promises to increase moisture, reduce fine lines, smooth skin, even tone, plump and also brighten the skin.  That's a lot for one one cream.  But considering the price tag, it’s worth a try.

Growing up I always heard the phrase, "prevention is better than cure". My father is a medical doctor, and he probably said this at least once a day. My brain was naturally programmed to prevent things before they actually happened. Coupled with the fact that I was raised around extremely glamorous women who spent a fortune on skincare and looking after themselves, it was only logical that I combine the two perspectives.

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to skincare.  From the very beginning my approach to skincare has been preventative.  Take care of yourself now, look good later.  There's no sense in waiting until your skin has problems, before you start taking care of it. 

First and foremost, I've always used sunscreen.  I really started using sunscreen in the late 1990's - early 2000's. I can't remember the actual date, but it's been part of my skincare regimen for over two decades.  I remember seeing an article in Elle Magazine about the damage UV rays can cause to skin.  I was absolutely horrified to see what people's skin  actually looked like using UV photography.  I was amazed by all the hidden  sun damage  that the UV photos revealed.

When I was in my late teens - early  twenties, I had a pretty basic skincare routine that consisted of about six products that I used on a consistent basis: cleanser, toner, moisturizer, mask, scrub and eye cream.  From time to time I would additional products to combat acne or hyper pigmentation if needed.

Once I got to my late twenties, I implemented a really good moisturizer that I used both night and day. As I reached my thirties, I started investing in night creams for more hydration.  By the time I reached my late thirties, I added serum for an extra boost of hydration.  Keeping the skin well hydrated is essential if you want it to remain supple and avoid fine lines prematurely.  ​

By the time I reached forty one, I had officially graduated to the world of retinoids.  As we age, cellular turnover decreases. Retinoids help to give the skin a boost by increasing cellular turnover. I use a retinoid based serum at least three nights a week.  

Now at the ripe age of forty six, people always me, "what are you using?" I've had a pretty consistent skincare regimen throughout the years.  I've always had a natural approach to skincare, avoided doing too much, but carefully observing how my skin changed over time.

The human body changes every decade or so, as well as your skin. The skin you have in your teens is not the same as the skin you have in your twenties, nor the same as the skin in your thirties or forties.  This is why it's important to adjust our skincare regimen every so often to keep abreast of these changes, because the products that worked for us in our twenties will not work for us when we reach our forties.  
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Genetics play a huge part in aging gracefully. It's also important to keep in mind that all DNA was not created equal.  There are people out there who have "super genes", and age incredibly slowly.  That said, you cannot rely on DNA alone.  There are three other factors to keep in mind: diet, lifestyle, and melanin.  

Diet is important for your overall health, not just anti-aging.  As the saying goes, "you are what you eat". Avoiding consuming certain foods that age you can help to keep you looking younger for longer.  Your lifestyle choices play a big part as well.  Choosing a healthy lifestyle over destructive habits will help you retain that youthful glow that people often lose over the years.  And lastly, melanin plays a huge role in the aging process.  People with darker skin tones tend to age slower.  Having more melanin can help delay the signs of aging. Melanin can provide some protection against wrinkles and skin cancer.  But that doesn't mean people with heavily pigmented skin do not age quickly or get skin cancer either.   

It's always a good idea to keep these four factors in mind when creating a skincare regimen.  By sticking to a consistent skincare routine right from the start that is suited to your skin type, a healthy lifestyle, and clean diet, you'll be able to have youthful looking skin for longer.

I am a firm believer in preserving what you have.  It's worth it to invest in your skin, because prevention is better than cure. ​