How to care for your neck and chest in your skin care routine

Whether you're tackling dark circles or focusing on those pesky breakouts, we create our skincare routine with specific goals in mind. 

But if you're not including your neck and chest -- or "décolleté," as the French call it -- in the process, you're missing out, especially if you're too focused on aging skin. 

Although this area is just as important as other areas of the face, it is often overlooked. Read on to learn all the reasons why your neck and chest should be cared for and learn how to care for both areas in your skin care routine. 

Why do you need skin care on your neck and chest? The skin on your neck and chest is very thin, so it's more susceptible to damage than other parts of your body (have you ever noticed how easy it is to get sunburned there?). 

Additionally, the neck and chest have fewer sebaceous glands than the face, which means less sebum is produced there. Since dryness is one of the unknown causes of fine lines and wrinkles, this explains why you might first notice signs of aging around the front of your neck (tech neck, anyone?). 

That's why we recommend applying formulas like our gentle Retinol Serum to your neck and chest. Something else to consider: If you only use skin care products on your face, your neck and chest will stand out. You don’t want to have a lighter skin tone but have the rest of your body look dull, right? 

Give these areas the same love for an overall even skin tone. What products should I use? If you've been wondering how to add another step to your skin care routine, don't worry. Luckily, your neck and chest don't need anything more than what you already do for your face (and no, you don't need that expensive neck cream). 

We recommend that you simply follow the following routine: 

1. Cleanse and exfoliate to remove dirt and bacteria in the shower, just like you would with the rest of your body. 

2. Treat the area with the same toners, serums, and exfoliants you use for your face, paying special attention to moisturizing and anti-aging products. 

3. Body acne sometimes shows up in the chest area; in that case, have a backup plan of spraying it there whenever you feel like an outbreak is about to break out. 

4. Use moisturizer and/or facial oil to keep the area smooth and soft. 5. Finally, apply sunscreen! Likewise, your neck and chest are highly susceptible to sun damage, so sunscreen is a must (and not just on your face). 

If you plan to be outdoors for long periods of time, consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat and finding some shade to provide extra protection for your skin. Can I use facial products on the front of my neck? 

While you can choose specific products for your décolletage, it's perfectly fine to use the same treatment on your face, neck, and chest. The main reason you choose to differentiate your products is whether your skin care regimen is suitable for oily skin. 

Since your neck and chest are drier, you don’t want these areas to lose any more moisture. This is why using a night cream like Recovery Mode on these areas can be so beneficial. 

Formulated with a blend of antioxidants and microalgae, this repair cream works at a cellular level to soften wrinkles and reduce the appearance of rough, wrinkled texture. 

Remember: everyone’s skin is different. Products that work on your face may not work on your neck and chest (and vice versa - if something is too strong for your face, consider using it on your neck, chest or body Other areas of testing to avoid wasting valuable time) resources (product).