Far too many of us—yes, even us skincare obsessives!—tend to neglect an area that’s just as prone, if not more, visible aging as our faces: the neck, jawline, and décolletage. “Your face ends at your nipples,” is a saying estheticians often use to remind you to take your skincare down further than your face. Though this is a great reminder, it’s also important to note that the skin on your neck and décolletage is actually quite different from that on your face and can benefit from a more targeted approach.
Why should you care for your neck?
Your neck has a thinner dermis, the layer of skin that contains collagen, than your face and also fewer oil glands. That means it’s extra prone to sagging and loss of elasticity as well as other visible signs of aging like wrinkles and dark spots. Our texting habits aren’t helping either. The constant looking down at our cell phones causes our necks to fold and crease, causing horizontal wrinkles. Sagging, crepey skin at the jawline and neck (aka, “turkey neck”) is one of the most common complaints from our clients. As with all skincare, prevention is the best cure, so start early and be diligent!
How to care for your neck, jawline, and décolletage
1. Watch your posture
Be conscious of your phone habits and try to position your screens so that you aren’t staring down for long periods of time. It can also be helpful to check your pillow and sleeping posture to make sure your neck is staying straight.
2. Always wear sunscreen
We're sure the need for sunscreen goes without saying! When applying your daily sunscreen, don’t forget to take it down to your neck and décolletage to protect this delicate area.
3. Exfoliate weekly
It’s a common mistake to skip exfoliating the neck and chest, but all skin can benefit from regular exfoliation. Weekly exfoliation can help even your skin tone and discourage wrinkles, plus it’ll help your skincare absorb even deeper. Since your neck is delicate, we recommend a gentle enzyme or acid exfoliator like the Enzyme Exfoliant. Simply apply a thin layer over your face, neck, and décolletage before your shower—easy peasy!
4. Use a tightening & lifting serum
Look for a serum like the Resculpting Neck & Body Serum that’s formulated to help boost your skin’s elasticity. It includes energizing amino acids and enzymes along with snow mushroom extract that keeps your skin feeling springy and bouncy. Witch hazel has also been shown to potentially improve skin firmness as well as pumpkin seedcake, which not only has anti-aging antioxidants but also supports your skin's youthful firmness over time. [1]
5. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
Always take your face moisturizer down to your neck and chest, being careful not to tug. Bonus points if it contains antioxidants and nourishing botanical oils like the Face Resculpting Cream!
6. Call the professionals
Professional treatments like radiofrequency and microcurrent therapy can give you incredible results without the need for surgery. Any treatment that boosts your body’s ability to produce collagen and elastin will be helpful, but microcurrent therapy in particular helps “train” your facial muscles and can help prevent drooping in the jawline. Book an appointment with your Tracie Martyn esthetician to find the treatment that's right for you.
7. Try gua sha
If professional treatments are unavailable to you, you can also try gua sha, an ancient Chinese practice that invoices scraping a specially shaped stone tool across your skin. Prep your neck and jawline with the Resculpting Neck & Body Serum, and then take the gua sha tool and, starting at your chin, hold it at a 45 degree angle and swipe it up wards towards your ear and then wiggle it at the back of your ear to release tension, before moving down the neck. For your neck, move the gua sha tool up, starting at the bottom of the neck, up to your chin. While you won't get as dramatic or instant results with gua sha as you will with treatments like microcurrent therapy and radiofrequency, regular practice can make a difference over time for some!