The lowdown on your neckline

Latest News, Skincare — February 23, 2010 at 10:05 — no comments  

The delicate skin on the neck and chest is often overlooked in beauty routines. But paying it some attention can pay dividends. By Linda Drummond

Chances are you’ve been cleansing and moisturising since your teens. But how many of us take that routine down to include our neck and chest?

Because this skin in this area is so thin, it can show age much more quickly than the skin

on our faces. But a well-cared-for neck and décolletage keeps you looking youthful for longer. Christine Snow is a paramedically trained beauty therapist with 32 years’ experience in the skincare industry. Snow says that paying attention to our neck and décolletage can pay dividends. “When it comes to skincare, most women stop at the face, but that’s only 10 per cent of our skin. What about the other 90 per cent?” Snow says a good rule is to double up when it comes to this delicate skin. “The [décolletage] area has less oil glands so needs to be kept well moisturised,” she says. “Use body products up to the neck, and face products down to the bust.” The harsh rays of the sun also have an impact on our neckline. Snow says most Australian women have what she calls the great Aussie V: an area of sun damage on our chests, thanks to years of exposure in V-neck tops. To fight that, cover up with clothing or sunscreen when you’re outside.

Here are some easy ways to keep your décolletage looking beautiful.

■ Block out the sun. A broad hat and high neckline are your skin’s best friends, but unless you’re into the Victorian era, these can be impractical. Instead, never leave the house during daylight without slathering on a broad-spectrum sunscreen. And remember to reapply.

■ Cleanse as you go. A cleanser you can use in the shower is simple to incorporate into a twice-daily routine. Tie back your hair and extend your facial cleanser down your neck and over your décolletage. If you like a foaming cleanser, try Natio Gentle Foaming

Facial Cleanser. This soap-free cleanser contains shea butter and jojoba oil, with a micro-foam to deeply cleanse your pores, while leaving your skin hydrated.

■ Exfoliate gently. Every second day, make it a habit to exfoliate the skin on your neck and décolletage with gentle, circular strokes, to eliminate dead skin cells and stimulate and exercise the skin. For well-polished exfoliation, consider Dr LeWinn’s Facial Polishing Gel. This deliciously scented gel contains jojoba beads that help buff your skin and melt away flakes.

■ Keep it hydrated. The skin on your neck and chest area is much thinner than the skin on your face and has less sebaceous glands, so it has special moisturising needs. Try Gatineau Defi Lift 3D Throat & Decolleté Lift Cream, a gloriously light cream that keeps the area well nourished with a range of ingredients that help tighten and lift the skin, while stimulating cell renewal.

■ Fabulous facials. When you give yourself a weekly face mask treatment, don’t forget to head south. A face mask can invigorate your skin, so after cleansing, apply a mask to your face, neck and décolletage and lie back and relax while it works its magic.

Try Trilogy’s Purifying Masque. Applying this gentle treat about once a week will balance, tone and smooth your skin. Active ingredients such as rose geranium, kaolin clay, rosehip oil and witch-hazel draw out impurities and leave your skin soft and gently exfoliated.

■ Cover up. When you’re applying foundation, for a truly seamless look, extend application to your neck and chest. If you’re after serious coverage of sun spots, blemishes or birthmarks, try Dermablend Cover Crème, which provides opaque coverage to totally cover even major skin imperfections. While the décolletage is a broad expanse of area, there are very few muscles holding it up. That’s why our cleavage tends to look crepey as we age. The larger your bust, the quicker gravity will show an effect, but Snow says there is a way to exercise the area.

“The same muscles you use when you grimace are the ones that maintain your chest area. Making a grimace helps pull the area tight,” says Snow. “Firming creams also help support the area, as can regular exfoliation.”

Once you get into the habit of including your neck and chest area in your skincare routine, it won’t be long before you see results.

TIP Never spray perfume on your neck or décolletage during the day as it can react with the sun and cause discoloration. Instead, spray your perfume before you and walk through it for a subtle waft of scent.

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