Skincare Tips: How To Prevent Signs of Ageing on Your Neck and Chest Area

When it comes to keeping our face and body in check, we have the best skincare and make-up at our disposal. In fact, we are so focused on taking care of our face and bodies that we don’t think about caring for what’s below our chin. Both our necks and chests have been dismissed far too many times, and if we aren’t careful, we may regret this in the long run.

Many cleansers, moisturisers, serums and lotions have instructions that tell its users to spread some of the product on the décolleté, although that may not be enough to save our necks - quite literally. Why should we take care of these often-disregarded parts of our body, and how exactly do we go about this?

The importance of moisturising the neck

Next to the eyes, the neck and chest are the first ones to show signs of ageing. Just imagine a very youthful-looking face that is well-taken care of. One might not be able to guess the person’s age based on their face alone, but the neck will surely give the game away. After all, a turkey neck—which is an informal term for wrinkled, sagging skin on the neck—is quite difficult to ignore.

Despite preconceived notions, the neck is actually as fragile and delicate as the skin on your face. Through prolonged neglect and the generally dry skin on the neck, the area can lose its suppleness and start to sag prematurely, so it is crucial that the same amount of care given to the face is extended to the neck and chest. Not only will they match, but this will also allow for the neck and chest to stay youthful.

Thankfully, there are neck care products and self-care techniques that can help remedy years of neglect.

Caring for the neck and chest

It is strongly advised that people should start their neck skincare routine when they are in their 20s. Products to invest in include neck lift products, which comprise a neck firming cream or a neck moisturiser. One such product is the Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté, a non-oily neck firming cream that contains powerful Green Seaweed extracts, Sunflower auxins and Clarins’ Extra-Firming Complex that work to soften, smooth and firm the neck and décolleté. Another option to consider is the Super Restorative Decollete and Neck Concentrate, a product catered to more mature users, which can be used to promote more youthful-looking skin.

Once you get your hands on your favoured neck and décolleté cream, start practicing these steps to a more toned neck and chest:

1. Cleanse your neck every morning and night.

Just as how you would do for your face and body, remember to do the same for your neck. It only takes a couple of extra seconds or minutes.

2. Use the Clarins method when applying a neck moisturiser.

First, warm the product in your hands by rubbing them together. Next, apply the product by gently patting it onto your neck. Finally, drain by applying a light pressure downwards from your neck to the top of your chest.

3. Massage the neck and chest area often.

This will boost circulation in these areas, as well as help products penetrate the skin better. In fact, any part of the skin and body will benefit from a massage from time to time.

Preventing signs of ageing on the neck

Apart from taking the time to care for your neck and chest with the right kind of products, there are other ways that you can help boost neck and chest youthfulness:

1. Exfoliate the neck once a week.

The neck can harbour a lot of bacteria and dead skin that needs to be washed away. Set aside some time in your skincare routine, once a week, to give your neck a little extra care and attention. Be sure to avoid products that have harsh particles, as the skin on the neck is fragile and can easily be damaged.

2. Don’t forget to use sunscreen.

Along with your face, the neck faces most of the brunt of sun exposure, so it should receive the same amount of protection as the face.

3. Keep your entire body hydrated.

Wrinkles and sagginess can be attributed to a loss of moisture, so it is advisable to keep the body well-hydrated. Stick to a healthy amount of 8 glasses a day.

4. Do not smoke.

Smoking has been one of the main culprits of premature ageing, and smokers typically look older or are more susceptible to signs of ageing when compared to non-smokers. Make the right decision and stay away from this harmful habit.

5. Eat a healthy diet.

An antioxidant-rich diet can help boost youthfulness by way of expediting the production of collagen. Help your skin rejuvenate itself with a diet full of Omega-3 acids (which are derived from fish), or take supplements that offer the same benefits. Other foods that provide antioxidants include green tea, blueberries, pomegranates and acai berries.

6. Invest in the right pillow.

We all dream of plenty of fluffy pillows to lay on, but it can actually be harmful to our necks. High pillows force the neck to stretch for a long period of time, and this can cause wrinkles. Opt for a smaller and more comfortable pillow so your neck can relax while you doze.

7. Do neck exercises whenever you can.

We do use our necks a lot, so some forms of relaxing exercises can help with mobility as well as youthfulness. Here’s one simple exercise to do during your free time:

• Stick your chin out and move your lower jaw forward 10 times.
• Look up to the ceiling and hold this position for five seconds before resuming to a neutral position. Do this 20 times.
• Pull down the sides of your mouth into an ‘O’ shape, until you feel your neck muscles working. Do this 3 times, quickly, in 20 sets.
• Press the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth for a few seconds and release. Don’t only do this when you are being photographed, but also when you are going about your daily routine.
• Place your lower lip over your top lip and hold this position for a few seconds. Do this 10 times.