How to Care for Your Décolletage: The Complete Guide

The term "décolletage" describes the part of a woman’s upper chest, from the base of her neck down to the bust.¹ This delicate area is more prone to signs of aging than other parts of the body since the skin here is thinner.² So here, we’ll give you some effective tools and strategies for preventing sun spots and wrinkles on this often-neglected and sensitive area.

Protection from the Sun

One of the most important steps in décolletage skin care is daily sun protection. UV rays can accelerate the aging process, leading to wrinkles, discoloration, and loss of elasticity. To prevent these issues, it’s crucial to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to your décolletage daily. Even on cloudy days or when you’re indoors, UV rays can penetrate through windows and cause damage.³ 

Aside from wearing sunscreen, you can also wear clothing that covers the area if you’re outside for long periods of time. If you’re on a hike, you can wear a sports bra or top that comes up to your collarbone; you can even find a wide variety of UV-protective clothing and swimwear online. 

Cleanse Gently

You probably wouldn’t use an old bar of soap and a loofah to wash your face, and you shouldn’t do so for your decolletage either. Just like the face, the skin here is thinner and more delicate than, say, your arms or legs, so you should cleanse this area more gently as well. Choose a cleanser that won’t strip away natural oils or irritate the skin. Instead, opt for a mild, hydrating cleanser that removes dirt and impurities without disrupting the skin’s natural barrier. Plan to cleanse your décolletage only as often as you’re in the shower; there’s no need to overwash the area. 

Exfoliate Regularly

This might seem like a juxtaposition with our above point, but regular exfoliation can help to remove dead skin cells, promote cell turnover, and enhance the absorption of other skin care products.⁴ Since this area is so sensitive, though, you should exfoliate with care, and only according to your skin type. 

For example, if you have thicker, oily acne-prone skin in this area, you should aim to gently exfoliate ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), once or twice per week.⁵ 

If your skin tends to be thin, dry, and does not break out, you may want to exfoliate rarely or not at all. If you do, simply gently using a washcloth may be enough.⁵ A great option is the Azelaic Acid Cream that is formulated in a very hydrating cream and can exfoliate gently and can greatly help with hyperpigmentation (melasma, post acne scars, subtle brown age spots, sun damage) and also acts as an anti-aging product to help remove fine lines, wrinkles, dull and poor skin texture). 

For anyone, over-exfoliating can lead to irritation, especially in the sensitive décolletage area.⁵ 

Eat Well & Stay Hydrated

Eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats, and low in sugar and processed ingredients can significantly impact the appearance of your décolletage, and skin overall. Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids into your diet to support skin health from the inside out.⁶ 

Staying hydrated is also crucial. Mayo Clinic recommends drinking at least 11.5 cups of water per day, for women; if you’re active or losing sweat, it should be more.⁷ Getting enough water and avoiding dehydrating things like cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine can help keep your skin plump and elastic.⁷ 

Add Serums into Your Routine

A skin serum is a lightweight, water- or oil-based liquid that delivers a concentrated dose of ingredients when applied to the skin. Serums are different from moisturizers in that their ingredients are more concentrated and their consistency is more liquidy. Additionally, they’re designed to be put on before moisturizers.⁸ 

The concentrated ingredients in a serum can target specific skin concerns like age spots commonly found on décolletage. Look for serums formulated with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps to retain moisture and plump the skin, and peptides, which support collagen production. For even more of a skin boost, you can start by applying Foundation Skincare’s Niacinamide Lotion 10% to the decolletage area, which contains 10 percent Niacinamide and ceramides to help moisturize, reduce free radicals, and protect and repair the skin’s barrier.

Wait at least a few minutes for it to absorb, and then apply Foundation Skincare’s Hyaluronic Acid Lotion. This lotion contains hyaluronic acid for deep moisturizing, as well as anti-inflammatory components from shea butter and extracts from chamomile, green tea, and olive. Applying this thicker moisturizer over the slightly thinner Niacinamide Lotion will help lock in the potent ingredients in the serum. 

Use Products That Contain Antioxidants

Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting your skin from free radical damage caused by environmental stressors.⁹ We recommend incorporating products that contain antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, or green tea extract into your décolletage skin care regimen. These ingredients help to neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation, and brighten the skin.⁹ 

Some products from Foundation Skincare that may be able to help: 

Foundation Skincare’s Vitamin C Lotion 20%: Not only does the Vitamin C Lotion 20% contain the highest possible concentration of Vitamin C for a brightening effect, but it also includes another powerful antioxidant, Vitamin E to help boost results. 

Foundation Skincare’s Firming Neck Cream: The Firming Neck Cream is specifically formulated to treat the delicate skin on your neck and décolletage. It includes ingredients like peptide growth factors and natural moisturizing agents to help stimulate collagen production and can lift, strengthen, hydrate and firm loose, crepey skin.

Foundation Skincare’s Niacinamide Lotion 10%: This formula includes a concentration of 10% Niacinamide, plus ceramides to moisturize and reduce free radicals. It can be used for skin conditions from hyperpigmentation to dullness to redness, and can be applied both morning and night. 

Foundation Skincare’s Spectrum Antioxidant Supplement: Studies show that antioxidants can help skin when applied directly to the skin– and when taken orally.9 This two-capsule per day supplement includes powerful antioxidants like Vitamin D, Nicotinamide, Milk thistle leaf, and Polypodium leucotomos leaf– all of which can help combat pigmentation, wrinkles, and collagen degradation, from the inside out. 

Apply Topical Retinoids

Topical retinoids, derived from vitamin A, are renowned for their ability to improve skin texture and can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage.10 Using a retinoid product on your décolletage can stimulate collagen production and promote cell turnover, leading to smoother and more youthful-looking skin. We recommend starting with a small amount of Foundation Skincare’s Night Renewal Cream on your chest, which contains 2% Granactive Retinoid as well as Matrixyl Synthe’6 peptide serum and antioxidant properties, all of which can lead to more youthful-looking skin. 

This type of retinoid is designed to be less irritating than some harsher or prescription products– however, it is still a retinoid. This means you may want to start slowly, just once per week at first and then build up to every night as your skin gets accustomed to the product. 

You should also always remember to apply sunscreen if you’re using a retinoid product, as it will make your skin more sensitive to the sun!

Caring for your décolletage is an essential part of maintaining overall skin health and appearance. By incorporating a comprehensive décolletage skin care routine— sun protection, gentle cleansing, regular exfoliation, a healthy diet, serums, antioxidant-rich products, and topical retinoids—you can help preserve the youthful, radiant look of this delicate area.

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References:

1. Pattillo, Kelsie. “On the Borrowability of Body Parts”. Journal of Language Contact. brill.com/jlc

2. https://www.westlakedermatology.com/blog/chest-aging-treatments-and-prevention/ 

3. https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/do-i-need-to-wear-sunscreen-indoors-.h15-1593780.html 

4. https://www.nivea.com.au/advice/skin/benefits-of-exfoliating 

5. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home 

6. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/23-foods-good-skin 

7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4529263/ 

8. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/skin-serum-what-it-can-and-cant-do-2018061214029 

9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5514576/ 

10. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-retinoids-really-reduce-wrinkles