Why Your Skincare Routine Shouldn’t End With the Face, According to a Dermatologist

Without proper skincare, the décolletage can show early signs of aging. Here’s how to keep it radiant and firm.

When it comes to common skincare mistakes, only limiting your skincare routine to your face comes high on the list. “The neck and the chest should be considered just as important as the face,” says Skin Laundry’s Chief Medical Officer, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Roberta Del Campo. “If not cared for properly, the neck and chest can show signs of aging and sun damage as early as our late twenties or early thirties.”

In fact, the skin on the neck and chest tends to age faster than almost any place else on the body as it is very thin, making it more susceptible to damage, contains fewer sebaceous glands than your face, and has fewer stem cells and other structures that help to repair it.

The good news is, if you’re already wondering how to fit yet another step in your skincare routine, you can simply take your existing skincare regime down to the décolletage.

Ahead, learn how to care for the décolletage with our expert guide.

How is the skin on your neck and chest different from the face?

The skin on the neck and chest is truly different to the skin on your face. For one, it’s thinner, more delicate and more prone to stretching or loss of elasticity. The skin in the décolletage also has fewer sebaceous (or oil-producing) glands than the skin on the face, which means that it’s typically drier. Because this area is often exposed to the sun, the neck and chest can be more subject to damage from UV rays, including dark spots and wrinkles. It’s also worth noting that the skin in the chest and neck can be affected by sleeping position, and sleeping on the side can cause permanent fine lines and wrinkles.

The skin on the neck and chest tends to age faster than almost any place else on the body

Common Complaints

UV Damage: Because the décolletage is often neglected when it comes to SPF application, it can endure damage from UV rays that results in excess pigmentation, fine lines and laxity.
Tech Neck: The term “tech neck” refers to the premature appearance of horizontal lines on the neck, which are caused by the repetitive motions of glancing downward at smartphones, tablets and laptops.
Chest Creases: Wrinkles on the chest, known as cleavage rhytides, are another common concern. Triggered by aging, certain body positions (such as sleeping on the side) or extrinsic factors like sun exposure, these creases commonly appear on the upper chest.

Why should you apply skincare to the neck and chest?

The neck and the chest are subject to the same environmental aggressors—including UV rays—that cause wrinkles, sun damage, and other undesirable side effects on the face. Therefore, there’s no reason that the décolletage shouldn’t be treated to the same skincare regime as the face, especially considering that the skin in this area is even more prone to damage.

As mentioned, the skin on the chest and neck has fewer sebaceous glands and is inherently more prone to dryness. This area is oftentimes spritzed with alcohol-based perfumes, too, which can exacerbate dryness. Additionally, the skin on the chest and neck has fewer melanocytes, or cells that provide natural protection against UV rays, so it’s particularly vulnerable to sun damage.

To ensure that this area is not neglected, a good rule of thumb is to take your entire skincare regime down to the décolletage. Some creams are specifically designed for use on the chest and neck, but the difference generally comes down to marketing. It’s usually fine to use the same products that you use on your face and bring them down to the neck. The exception to this rule is if you have oily skin and use facial products that target excess sebum production. Because the skin on the décolletage is more prone to dryness, it’s generally best to use hydrating skincare in this region—and don’t forget to apply SPF.

“Something as simple as working your products from your face down to your décolletage can be a very impactful shift in your routine,” Del Campo notes. “This is a topic I discuss with my patients regularly. I specifically discuss focusing on preventing early signs of aging by using ingredients such as Vitamin C and a mineral sunblock.”

“To correct signs of aging, I recommend ingredients such as Vitamin A and peptides,” Del Campo continues. “These can help maintain skin health by minimizing harmful effects from UV radiation and building collagen to enhance skin resilience.”

Read more about peptides here.

There’s no reason that the décolletage shouldn’t be treated to the same skincare regime as the face, especially considering that the skin in this area is even more prone to damage.

Can I get treatments for the skin on my neck and chest?

To most effectively treat stubborn pigmentation, loss of elasticity, uneven texture, wrinkles and fine lines, supplement a good skincare regimen with medical-grade treatments that tackle all these concerns in a single session.

Skin Laundry’s Enhancements offer the option to extend the Signature Laser Facial and the Resurfacing Facial to the neck and chest for the same benefits seen on the face.

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Which Skin Laundry treatments target the neck and the chest?

Our Signature Laser Facial, which won Cosmopolitan’s Holy Grail Beauty Award for best laser treatment, uses gentle heat energy to target several common skincare concerns that can affect the face and the décolletage. These conditions include redness, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles and acne.

Skin Laundry’s Resurfacing Facial, an option for all clients who have already had a Signature Laser Facial, targets everything from fine lines and wrinkles to congestion, dullness, redness, hyperpigmentation, scarring and more. Using fractional technology, the treatment improves skin texture while creating microchannels in the skin. This allows for greater absorption (and therefore efficacy) of serums and other topical products.