A 5-Step Skincare Routine for Your Décolletage

You’re likely aware that maintaining a consistent facial skincare routine is one of the best things that you can do to promote a balanced, healthy-looking complexion. But if you’re not giving your décolletage the same level of care, you’re not being as thorough with your routine as you thought. Like your face, your décolletage area is frequently exposed to potentially harmful stressors, including air pollution and UV radiation. Neglecting to cleanse, hydrate, and protect this area could leave you vulnerable to skin concerns like chest wrinkles down the line.

If you need some help creating a décolletage skincare routine, keep reading. Ahead, we’ll explain what, exactly, the décolletage is, share tips on how to care for it, and answer a few common questions about this oft-overlooked area. 

What and Where Is the Décolletage Area?

Décolletage is a French word that, loosely translated, means “neckline.” In the skincare world, décolletage is used to describe an area spanning from your chin to just above your cleavage. 

The skin on the décolletage area tends to be thinner and more delicate than many other areas of the body. Because of this—and the fact that it’s rarely completely covered by clothing—it’s uniquely susceptible to age-related skin concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, and laxity. Frequently tilting your head down to look at your tablet or phone can make neck wrinkles more prominent, too (this concern has its own name: “tech neck”). Using anti-aging neck and chest treatments and keeping the area protected from stressors such as sun exposure can help to keep these concerns at bay. 

How to Care for Your Décolletage

Now that you know what your décolletage is and why it’s important to care for, we can get to the how. Ultimately, the best skincare for the neck and chest depends on your skin type and concerns. That being said, most products that you use on the face can be used on the décolletage, too. Ahead, we’ll share a simple five-step routine to care for the décolletage area, plus product recommendations to get you started.

Step 1. Wash away impurities

The first step in any skincare routine should be cleansing—this can help rid the surface of your skin of any impurities (like dead skin, dirt, and oil) that may have built up throughout the day. To save some time, you can start your skincare routine in the shower by using a gentle body wash to cleanse your décolletage. Or, use a facial cleanser to cleanse your face and neck. We love the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser. It provides gentle exfoliation and helps remove all traces of makeup and impurities to leave the skin smooth and radiant-looking. After you’ve cleansed your face and décolletage, pat—don’t rub—excess water away with a towel to dry off. 

Step 2. Target concerns with a serum

After patting your skin dry, reach for a serum to help hydrate your skin and target your visible skin concerns. You can think of your serum as a décolletage treatment designed to help promote smoother, healthier-looking skin. 

If you’re noticing dark spots or discoloration on your neck and chest—as many do after years of sun exposure—we recommend reaching for the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 12% [Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid] Dark Spot Serum. The powerful yet gentle formula helps visibly fade all types of dark spots, including sun spots, to promote brighter, clearer-looking skin over time.

Alternatively, give your neck and chest some TLC with a gentle hyaluronic acid serum. We like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, which boosts hydration and helps plump the skin without a greasy feel.

Step 3. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

As skin matures, one of the biggest changes is the loss of moisture that minimizes skin’s elasticity on the face, neck, and chest, leaving it feeling dry and looking loose. Moisturizing consistently can help keep your skin feeling hydrated and promote a smoother, more supple skin texture. When it comes to the neck, the best décolletage cream is the one that you use—consistency is key in skincare. That being said, we do have a couple of recommendations. 

If you’re looking for a lightweight moisturizer that you can apply as part of your morning skincare routine, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Anti-Aging Moisturizer. This face, neck, and chest wrinkle cream helps visibly reduce wrinkles, firms the skin, and boosts brightness within one week of consistent use. Plus, it’s non-greasy and won’t clog your pores—so you don’t have to worry about it contributing to breakouts. 

In the evening, reach for a targeted anti-aging moisturizer, such as the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Pressed Night Moisturizer with Retinol + Niacinamide. This non-greasy night cream helps visibly reduce wrinkles, firms the face and neck, and improves the look of skin texture and tone—all without leaving the skin feeling dry. When using retinol on your neck and chest, it’s best to start slowly. Apply a pea-sized amount to your décolletage twice weekly to start and gradually increase your usage as your skin acclimates.

Editor’s tip: When applying products to your décolletage area, use a gentle touch. Start by smoothing your product onto the skin right above your cleavage and gently rub it in working upward—rather than downward—to help “lift” the skin.

Step 4. Protect against UV rays

When applying SPF in the morning, be sure to cover your neck and chest, too. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends opting for a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of at least 15. You’ll also want to take care to reapply it at least every two hours—more often if you’re swimming or sweating. 

If you need a recommendation, try the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion. It helps protect against both UVA and UVB rays and shields the skin from environmental stressors that can accelerate the visible signs of aging. Plus, it’s non-greasy and won’t leave behind a chalky white cast. If you plan to be in the sun for some time, take additional precautions to help protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Consider wearing a high-necked T-shirt to cover your décolletage, or don a wide-brimmed hat to help shield your skin from direct sun exposure.

Step 5. Use makeup to add a glow

While this isn’t a 100 percent necessary step to include in your décolletage skincareroutine, using a self-tanner or bronzer can give your skin a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow (without the sun damage) year-round. For a natural-looking tan, consider adding the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse to your décolletage routine. The hydrating, coconut water-infused formula goes on clear and develops gradually to give your skin a healthy-looking sun-kissed glow. If your face is on the paler side (in comparison to your faux-tanned body), mix a few drops of the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Drops into your moisturizer every day. The lightweight formula will instantly give your skin a soft, illuminated glow, but you can continue using it daily to deepen your tan as desired. 

If self-tanner isn’t your thing but you want to give your décolletage a boost, use the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer to do just that. The tinted face and body moisturizer hydrates the skin and leaves behind a subtle tint of color with a luminous, glowy finish—as if you’ve just come off a seriously relaxing tropical vacation. Use a color that closely matches your skin tone for a subtle, natural-looking glow, or highlight the high points of your décolletage (like your collarbones) with a slightly lighter shade.

Can You Reverse Décolletage Wrinkles?

Chest wrinkles are a common concern as you get older, but if you’re wondering “How do I get rid of chest wrinkles?,” we have some bad news for you: You can’t—not entirely. Using a targeted chest wrinkle treatment can certainly help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but there’s not much you can do to completely reverse the visible signs of aging on your décolletage (or anywhere else, for that matter). 

Ultimately, maintaining a consistent skincare routine is the best thing that you can do to keep your skin smooth, healthy-looking, and youthful. Protecting your skin from the sun is a key part of that. In fact, research shows that sun exposure is responsible for up to 80% of visible facial skin aging. So don’t skimp on the SPF—it’s a must all year round.

Can You Use Retinol on Your Décolletage?

Yes, you can use retinol on your chest, provided you’re using a formula delicate enough for the sensitive skin in this area. Generally, experts recommend starting slow. Look for the lowest percentage of retinol you can find and incorporate it into your routine gradually. As your skin acclimates, you can slowly increase the frequency of use to a more consistent schedule (exactly how often will, of course, depend on the product you’re using). Always read the package instructions for usage guidelines, and consult with a dermatologist if you’re unsure how to use a specific product in your décolletage skincare routine. 

Next Up: How To Brighten Dull Skin

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris