Despite being one of the most visible areas of your body, the décolletage, or the chest area, is often neglected when it comes to skincare. Taking care of your décolletage is important for maintaining youthful, smooth skin. But what exactly is a décolletage, and how can you keep it smooth? We'll answer all of your questions and more in this article.
Décolletage: What Is It And How Do You Keep It Wrinkle-Free?
Décolletage vs. Décolleté: What's the Difference?
You might have heard the words décolletage and décolleté used to describe the chest area, but many people get confused about how and when to use each word. Both come from the French language with slightly different meanings.
Décolletage is a noun for the portion of skin revealed by a low neckline. This mainly includes the chest and sometimes the neck and shoulder areas. Décolleté is an adjective that means "low-cut," as in a low-cut garment that exposes the chest area. Therefore, décolletage is the more correct way to talk about the chest area, though many people use the words interchangeably.
What Causes Décolletage Skin Aging?
There are various reasons why our skin ages. Here are a few of the leading causes of wrinkles on the décolletage area:
- Decreased Collagen & Elastin: As we age, we naturally produce less and less collagen and elastin each year. These are essential building blocks in the skin responsible for keeping it bouncy and smooth. When levels decrease, the skin loses its youthfulness and becomes drier, more delicate, and wrinkles begin to form.
- Sun Damage: Photoaging caused by harmful UV rays speeds up the aging process, causing wrinkles and fine lines to form more quickly. Décolletage wrinkles are more likely to appear when skin is damaged by the sun.
- Lifestyle Factors: Genetics, diet, and daily habits also determine how quickly the skin ages. A poor sleep schedule, a diet that lacks essential nutrients, and not drinking enough water to keep the skin hydrated can exacerbate skin aging. Smoking also leads to premature aging.
How To Reduce And Prevent Décolletage Wrinkles
There are a few things you can do to help keep your décolletage looking its best.
1. Don't Skip The SPF
Since photoaging is one of the leading causes of wrinkle formation, make sure you wear sunscreen daily with a strength of at least SPF 30. Protecting your skin from the sun keeps it looking healthier and prevents other types of damage like skin cancer. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply often, especially if you're sweating or swimming.
2. Exfoliate
Exfoliating can help remove dead skin cells and make it more receptive to other skincare ingredients. The chest area is delicate, so you don't want to over-scrub or over-exfoliate and damage the skin. We recommend exfoliating a few times per week, but listen to your skin and develop a routine that works best for your skin needs. Gentler exfoliants can be used more often.
3. Hydrate Your Décolletage Generously
First, make sure you're drinking plenty of water to keep the skin moist and hydrated from the inside out. Moisturize the chest area daily. The skin on the chest is thin and delicate, so it needs extra hydration. Look for a moisturizer that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which help the skin retain moisture. You can even use serums on the chest area to give it a hydrating boost.
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4. Apply Retinoids
One of the most hydrating solutions is retinol cream. Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that helps to support collagen in the skin and fight fine lines and wrinkles. Use a retinol cream on your chest a few nights a week, gradually increasing to nightly use as tolerated.
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5. Try Innovative Décolletage Skincare Products
Cleansing and moisturizing are essential for basic skin maintenance, but there are other tools and tricks to up your skincare game even more. Try out innovative products like the Dēpology Moisturizing Caviar Multi Balm Stick, which is infused with luxurious and unique anti-aging ingredients like hydrating black caviar and squalene. You can use this anti-aging stick all over your face, neck, and décolletage to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and hydrate the skin.
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6. Try A Décolletage Massage
One thing you can try any time of the day from anywhere is to give yourself a décolletage massage. This will help improve circulation and promote lymphatic drainage. Gently massage the chest area up to your jawline with your fingertips, using circular and upward motions.
7. Pay Attention To Daily Habits
Cutting back on unhealthy foods and smoking can help slow down the aging process. Instead, try foods with powerful antioxidants that give your body the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Also, be sure to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night; your skin will thank you.
Don't forget about your posture. Good posture can help you avoid dowager's hump, a condition that can cause the skin on your chest to sag. So stand up straight and don't hunch over.
The Final Verdict
If you take care of your décolletage, it will take care of you. By following the simple tips above, you can keep your décolletage looking smooth, youthful, and wrinkle-free. So don't neglect your décolletage – show it some love, and it will pay you back in spades.