Décolletage is the area between the collarbones and the beginning of the upper chest. It’s a sensitive area for many women, as this is where we get our double-takes from others. Furthermore, this area of skin is prone to showing signs of aging sooner than other areas on the body. Wrinkles, sun spots, blemishes and sagging are all common here and prone to developing at a rapid pace. Anatomy aside, you need to know that your décolletage is just as important as the rest of your body when it comes to taking care of your skin. The condition and appearance of this skin impact how you feel about yourself every single day.
Everyday Care for the Décolletage
When taking care of your décolletage, start with a good moisturizer. Make sure to use an oil-free moisturizer that is specifically formulated for sensitive or aging skin. If you suffer from dry skin, make sure to exfoliate two to three times a week. Most people only exfoliate their face but fail to realize that the rest of the body needs this just as much. Exfoliation will get rid of dry, dead skin cells, allowing your moisturizer to penetrate more effectively. This will help you achieve more hydrated skin, while also reducing the signs of aging. When choosing a cleanser, look for one that is free of sulfates and parabens. These are known to strip your skin of its natural oils, which can lead to dehydration. You don’t want your cleanser to be too harsh, but you also don’t want it to be too gentle.
Double Cleansing
Double cleansing is a process of first using an oil-based cleanser to remove your makeup and other products, followed by a water-based cleanser to remove any oil remaining on your face. Double cleansing may seem like excessive washing, but it is an essential part of proper skincare. This process ensures that there is no excess oil, dirt or debris sitting on your skin, clogging pores and leading to breakouts. A double-cleansing routine is essential for all skin types but is even more critical for those with sensitive or aging skin. If you wear makeup, then you should always use a makeup remover. You might think that you don’t need to use a makeup remover on your décolletage because you can’t see it, but you would be wrong. Makeup can settle into pores on your décolletage, leading to breakouts and skin irritation.
Exfoliation Is Key
Exfoliation is the act of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. It is an essential part of skincare for most people and for the décolletage, it is even more critical. Applying moisturizer to skin that has not been exfoliated can be like trying to put a water-logged sponge on a table. It might sit there, but it certainly won’t stay there. Exfoliating your décolletage helps keep pores clean, clear and unblocked, which can help reduce breakouts. Exfoliating also enables your moisturizer to penetrate more effectively, leading to more hydrated skin. Exfoliating the décolletage is simple. Make sure to use a gentle loofah or sponge, free of harsh chemicals. You want to focus on the sensitive area under the crease of your arm. You can also use a chemical exfoliator, but be sure to test it on a small patch of skin first to make sure it doesn’t cause irritation.
Don’t Forget the SPF
You have to be vigilant about protecting your skin. You should be applying SPF daily, regardless of what area of your body you are protecting. However, when it comes to the décolletage, you may want to consider a stronger SPF, especially if you are over the age of 35. The skin here is thinner and less able to protect itself from UV light. The décolletage area is also very visible and exposed to UV rays from the sun, which can lead to early signs of aging. Protecting yourself from sun damage can help you prevent wrinkles, dark spots and an increased risk of skin cancer. If you are going to be outside, you should apply SPF 30 or higher at least 15 minutes before going outside. This way it has time to absorb and protect your skin.
Protect Your Skin from UV Rays
While we briefly mentioned above how protecting yourself from UV rays can help prevent wrinkles and dark spots, it bears repeating. In addition to wrinkles, UV rays can cause an increased risk of skin cancer, especially if you have fair skin. You can prevent these issues by using daily sunscreen on your décolletage, even if you aren’t going to be outside. Do not skip this step, no matter how small the area is. UV rays can pass through glass, so even if you are just indoors, the sun can still be damaging your skin.
Conclusion
As you can see, taking care of the skin on your décolletage is just as important as taking care of the rest of your skin. The condition of this skin impacts how others see you, how you feel about yourself and how you present yourself to others. You don’t need to spend hours in the bathroom taking care of your décolletage. You just need to make sure you are using gentle cleansers, applying SPF and exfoliating once or twice a week. If you follow these simple tips, your skin will be more beautiful than ever. It will be soft, clean and protected against the sun. The décolletage area may be small, but you can make a big impact on its appearance.