by It’s a common refrain in the beauty world: your skin care routine should not stop at your chin. As any professional will tell you, it is essential to bring your products up to your neck and décolleté, as these are some of the first areas on your body that show signs of aging. But as a new line of neck and breast care products begins to hit the market, a question has been on the mind: Are these points worth a special skin care routine?
To find out, we spoke with three professionals who complemented us on whether or not it is worth spending the extra time and money to take care of those parts of your skin that you often overlook. Keep reading about what they have to say.
Understanding the skin on your neck
The skin on your neck and décolleté is thinner than the skin on your face, so these areas are more prone to aging than other parts of the body, explains Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at the Shafer Clinic in New York — but that’s not the only reason they need a little extra TLC.
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“The neck is an area that is very exposed to the sun because it is often not covered and we do not always protect it as we protect the face,” says Hadley C. King, MD, MD, FAAD-certified dermatologist. “And it is an area with very little subcutaneous fat, so the loss of volume and the increased looseness of the skin are very obvious. “The skin of the neck also has fewer, less active sebaceous glands compared to the face.”
In addition, there are some lifestyle habits that can cause the skin on the neck to age faster than the skin on the face. “Now, with the addition of the repeated examination of our phones, we see changes in the neck even earlier,” says Dr. Englman. “Along with the ‘technological neck’ we also see ‘technological points’ due to the blue light from our mobile phones, computers, and other technology, which can also lead to signs of premature aging.”
Are neck creams * really * worth it?
The short answer: Yes.
Although the effects of aging skin on the neck and chest are similar to what you would see on your face (ie sagging, wrinkles and discoloration), skins say it may be better to use a product designed to target it. the area instead of dropping your facial products south of your chin.
“Neck creams tend to be thicker than face creams and help tighten the skin in this area,” says Dr. Engleman. “The thicker and more moisturizing tendencies of these creams work to keep your skin hydrated and firmer.”
In addition, as the skin is thinner on the neck, the products you would use on the face can be very hard on this sensitive area. “Because the skin of the neck is thinner and contains fewer sebaceous glands than the face, the throat can be more easily irritated by ingredients such as retinol and alpha-hydroxy acids,” says Dr. Englman, adding that you may need lower endurance. . acids to avoid sensitivities.
Of course, using your neck and chest care products is better than ignoring them altogether – so if this is your MO, go ahead (just make sure you are not using anything overly aggressive or annoying). But if you are thinking of dropping a coin on a product dedicated to the area, the elders agree that it is worth the investment.
What to look out for in a neck cream
When it comes to treating skin problems on your neck, Dr. King suggests looking for formulas that include peptides and growth factors (which stimulate collagen and elastin production) as well as antioxidants and niacinamide (which reduce discoloration and protect against future damage). All of these are effective anti-aging ingredients, but they are mild enough not to irritate the skin.
Retinoids can also help, as they work to rebuild the skin from its deeper layers, boosting your body’s natural collagen and elastin stores, which in turn smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. However, this particular active ingredient is known to cause sensitivities. To minimize the risk of reaction, try introducing retinol into your routine using the “low and slow” method: Choose a low retinol serum and incorporate it into your late night routine.
The holistic aesthetic of Amity Murray reflects the feelings of Dr. King on the importance of antioxidants and retinoids in your neck care routine. “For optimal skin health, including the neck, use a well-formulated vitamin C serum in the morning to protect and stimulate collagen, and then a retinoid at night to increase cell turnover,” he says.
After applying your favorite serums and neck creams, do a good massage on your neck. Murray suggests: “The neck also hosts lymph nodes, so when I start a facial massage, I start from the neck area to open everything and let the lymph fluid and blood flow upwards. “Towards the end of the massage, I use light downward movements and press to rinse off any liquid.” For a home massage, Murray recommends using your fingers and hands to create upward movements from your wrist to your chin. For a more serious neck care practice, he suggests doing facial yoga a few times a week.
Buy neck care products
Revision Skincare Nectifirm – $ 94.00
It is never too early to incorporate a neck cream into your routine. If, however, you find that you are experiencing severe neck problems such as creepy skin, sagging and wrinkles, this may be just the cream you need. Dr. Engelman says that this cream “helps to smooth out the neck, décolleté and jaw, reducing fine lines, wrinkles and creepy skin”.
SkinBetter Science Techno Neck Perfecting Cream – $ 140.00
Both Dr. Engelman and Dr. Kings recommend this cream, as it is hard on wrinkles and chills, while remaining soft on the sensitive skin of the neck. The formula contains peptides, a key ingredient in the formation of new skin cells, as well as antioxidants to protect the skin from free radical damage.
Alastin Restorative Neck Complex with TriHex technology – $ 112.00
If you’re looking for skin tightening cream, Alastin is one of the top brands in the industry that you should crave. This cream contains a proprietary blend of peptides that help thicken the skin of the neck, effectively reducing the appearance of fine lines and chills.
Dermalogica Neck Fit Contour Serum – $ 85.00
If you find yourself living in a cooler climate, consider giving a spin on this mega-moisturizing formula. Along with protective antioxidants and skin-building peptides, Dermalogica neck serum also contains rambutan extract and a refreshing plant-inspired polysaccharide to boost skin moisture barrier and smooth your skin.
bareMinerals Ageless Phyto-Retinol Lack Cream – $ 52.00
As the skin on the neck is quite thin, you should avoid using harsh amounts of retinol to avoid irritation (remember: low and slow). Fortunately, this neck cream contains a phyto-retinol, a plant retinol derived from the Picão Preto plant. What is nice about phyto-retinol is that it is just as effective as traditional retinol, but it does not cause as much redness or irritation. So do not hesitate to put it on your neck without fear of damaging its thin skin.
Nécessaire The Neck Serum – $ 60.00
If you need a serum that will be absorbed almost as quickly as you applied it, try the new Nécessaire throat serum. This formula contains a mixture of 9 percent peptides containing five peptides that work to stimulate collagen production. In addition, this serum also contains niacinamide, squalene and rose water, which all work in synergy to fill and hydrate your skin while protecting it from free radicals. This is the * chef’s * kiss perfect serum if you are looking for something that feels light during hot weather.
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