Which part of the body part do you think we neglect the most in our skin care regime?
We invest so much time, money and thought into the products that we use on our face, but in fact, studies show that the part of our body that gives us away and reveals our true age, is considered to be the Décolletage (neck area).
The skin around the neck is a lot thinner than on our face. It is more sensitive and susceptible to damaging environmental factors such as the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays and pollution. Exposing our vulnerable skin areas in this way causes damage such as age spots, pigmentation and wrinkles. The skin and muscles of the neck support the jawline, which in turn support the eye area and then the forehead. Strange as it may seem, by protecting the delicate skin of the neck, you are helping to support all of the areas of the face that lie above it. Think of your face and neck as one body area and treat them with the same level of care and attention to achieve an all-over youthful appearance.
My tips for a healthy, happy, Décolletage….
1. Expand your cleansing area
Incorporate your neck and the tops of your shoulders into your daily cleansing routine. I recommend using a calming cleanser suitable for all skin types such as Agera Ultra Mild Cleanser, SkinCeuticals Foaming Cleanser or SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser.
2. Hydrate the skin
After cleansing, apply your serum or moisturiser to your neck as well as your face. Keeping the skin hydrated a very important factor in achieving healthy firm skin. I recommend using a daily hydrating serum such as SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Serum or Obagi Hydrate. It’s also important to try and drink at least 2 -3 litres of water a day to keep the skin hydrated.
3. Apply a daily high SPF
I recommend using a high SPF and applying it to your face, neck and to the backs of your hands every morning, reapplying throughout the day if you are exposed to direct sunlight. For me, Heliocare XF Gel SPF 50 works a treat!
4. Be cautious with your perfume
Try to avoid spraying perfume directly onto your neck. Over time, this has been known to cause potential pigmentation and irritation to the skin. Spray behind your ears or on your wrists for minimal skin damage.
5. Exercise regularly
Exercise is very important to keep your skin healthy and happy, exercise increases blood flow and nourishes skin cells. Healthy body = happy skin!
