Besides our face and hands, our necks and décolletage are most prone to signs of aging. Nevertheless, while most people spend a lot of time and money on their face, they often neglect to take care of these two areas, while constantly tilting the head downwards looking at gadgets, can fast-track premature aging of the neck.
Now, you can hide them with turtlenecks and scarfs during winter, but you can’t really hide them forever, especially during summer, can you? With that being said, are neck and décolletage creams really worth it though? What skincare ingredients can improve these signs of aging?
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Neck & Décolletage
The skin on the neck and décolletage has less sebaceous glands, fatty tissue and less of a support structure than the face, and additionally, the majority of the neck muscles are not connected to the bone, which means, it is more prone to dryness, loss of elasticity and sagging to begin with. On top of that, the skin naturally produces less sebum and our natural production of collagen and elastin slows as we age, while external aggressors such as UV rays, pollution, and free radicals, accelerate the degradation of these important proteins. And don’t forget, the neck and décolletage area also gets directly hit by sunlight on a day-to-day basis. All these factors combined, together with the accumulative UV-induced damages, can result in dry, sagging skin filled with creases, wrinkles, and large-scale pigmentation.
Just look at Gwyneth Paltrow, and she is not even 50 yet…
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So, Are Neck & Décolletage Cream Worth It?
Skin is skin, and an effective anti-aging product for the face is going to work just as fine for the neck and décolletage. In short, while a neck & décolletage cream tend to be richer (which can also clog pores), it is more a marketing ploy than an actual necessity. How else are skincare brands going to sell you another bottle of cream or serum?
The truth is, as long as you keep your posture upright, don’t keep looking down on your phone or computer, limit sun exposure, and apply your face products, including sunscreen, toner, serums, oils, and moisturizers, with the right ingredients from your forehead all the way down to the décolletage consistently, you should be able to keep signs of aging at bay.
What are some good ingredients for the neck and décolletage?
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Best Skincare Ingredients for Neck and Décolletage ① SPF
Preventing sun damage and photoaging is much easier than reversing it. The first step is to use sunscreen religiously both outdoor or indoor, and avoid sun tanning.
Remember, just because it’s cloudly does not mean you’re not exposed to UV. Whilst UV levels are highest under cloudless skies, and cloud cover generally reduces a person's exposure, light or thin clouds have little effect and may even enhance UV levels because of scattering. Even a long stay in open shade, for example between buildings and under a sun umbrella, may result in sun burns.
Staying indoor does not mean you could skip sunscreen either. Glasses used typically in car, home and office windows are designed to block most UVB rays, but it does not offer protection from all UVA rays. So even if you’re indoors but as long as you’re close to a window, you still run the risk of UVA exposure and skin damage. In fact, studies have shown that, for those that drive on the left, sun damage is significantly worse on the right face and right arm, and vice versa.
TWELVE BEAUTY
Artemisia Power Protection Moisturiser SPF50+ <- Click to shop
This 100% natural, mineral based SPF50+ day cream's non-greasy formula provides daily SPF 50+ protection with non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, whilst its hydrating, moisturizing and antioxidants properties like White Genepì, Butterfly Bush, Sodium Hyaluronate and Sunflower Seed Oil supports the skin’s hydration, improves water retention, replenishes key lipids and fights free radicals. The skin is left soothed, supple, comfortable and plumped with a matte finish, which makes it a great makeup base too!
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Best Skincare Ingredients for Neck and Décolletage ② Retinol
Ask any dermatologist and they will agree that retinol is one of the few ingredients that can help prevent and reverse signs of aging, such as collagen and elastin breakdown, wrinkles, texturized skin, hyperpigmentation, dullness.
Being one of the few potent anti-aging ingredients that is widely recognized and studied by both the dermatological and scientific communities, retinol works by literally augmenting the biology of the skin, and activating collagen, elastin and epidermal growth factor receptors, thereby reducing wrinkles and scarring, lightening hyperpigmentation, brightening skin, smoothing skin texture, firming skin, tightening pores, and improving and slowing down other signs of aging. It is also an excellent ingredient to combat acne. In short, retinol literally tells skin cells to make younger functioning cells!
KLUR
Stellar Restoration Corrective Complex <- Click to shop
Featuring star ingredient 1.8% Encapsulated Retinol, as well as Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Licorice Root, Gotu Kola, Willow Bark, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosehip Oil, Squalane, etc., the powerful yet gentle watery serum stimulates collagen synthesis and rejuvenates skin to effectively reduce wrinkles, acne and hyperpigmentation, smooth skin texture, slow aging, and minimize pores in a soothing, hydrating way.
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Best Skincare Ingredients for Neck and Décolletage ③ Ingredients That Target Photoaging
UV rays can accelerate the breakdown of collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and sagging. Ingredients like Mulberry, Cordyceps, Polygonum Aviculare, Broccoli Sprout, Bilberry, and Cilantro, can prevent such daily UV-induced damage, fight free radicals, promote cell regeneration, prevent degradation of collagen and elastin, and reverse photoaging at the cellular level.
OUMERE
UV-R™ <- Click to shop
With Mulberry, which has the highest concentration of resveratrol in nature (10x more than what is found in grape), Bilberry, and other sprecious organic botanical ingredients like Cordyceps, Broccoli Sprout, and Ginseng extracts etc., UV-R prevents and reverses daily UV-induced damages, promotes cell regeneration, fights oxidative stress, and reverses photoaging, thus keeping the skin youthful and radiant.
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Best Skincare Ingredients for Neck and Décolletage ④ Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Studies have shown that vitamin C, being a potent antioxidant, can protect the skin against UV-induced free radical damage. It also aids in the skin’s natural regeneration process, repairs damaged skin cells, boosts collagen production, and inhibits melanin production which can lighten and prevent dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Thus it is recommended to use in the morning to enhance protection and at night for rejuvenation.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is the gentlest and most stable form of vitamin C that is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and is safe to use during pregnancy. It does everything vitamin C can do for the skin, with an additional clinically proven benefit of banishing acne!
AGENT NATEUR
holi(c) The C Duo <- Click to shop
A highly concentrated product consisting of only two ingredients. Besides Calcium Ketogluconate that has been shown to have incredible clinical results, that formula's other ingredient, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, protects cells against free radicals, as well as clinically proven to reduce acne. It also acts on melanin formation process in the skin and prevents hyperpigmentation process.
KLUR
Brilliant Light Multi-Correction Repair Serum <- Click to shop
A wide array of brightening ingredients, including 20% Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Ferulic Acid and Licorice Root, works to dissolve and inhibit melanin formations, brighten skin, reduce hypigmentation, stimulate collagen synthesis, and increase elasticity, whilst Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Superoxide Dismutase, Vitamin E, as well as carefully selected botanical extracts and oils work in synergy to balance, calm, hydrate, and repair the skin.
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Best Skincare Ingredients for Neck and Décolletage ⑤ Peptides
Peptides are made up of amino acids that are fragments of proteins needed by the skin, like collagen and elastin. When amino acids are combined in certain formations they create specific peptides, which in turn become specific proteins that make up the skin’s foundation, and are responsible for its texture, strength and resilience.
Using products with peptides topically is like sending little messengers to the skin, which trigger the skin to perform specific functions like building collagen and elastin, fight free radicals, and reduce inflammations, depending on the type of peptide used——researches over the years have shown that different peptides work in very specific ways to target an exact skin care need, and they also teach skin how to help revitalize its building blocks and revive aging skin.
KLUR
Immersion Serum Concentrate <- Click to shop
Besides having a wide range of ultra hydrating ingredients, including Green Tea Water, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate & Sodium Hyaluronate, the serum is also packed with Acetyl Hexapeptide-37, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 to stimulate collagen synthesis and micro-circulation, improve skin barrier and hydration, reduce wrinkles and inflammation, regenerate collagen fibers, and rejuvenate skin. Whilst, Niacinamide, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Reishi, Gotu Kola, White Tea and Chamomile etc. are added to brighten, fight free radicals, hydrate and soothe.
MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON
Skin Quencher <- Click to shop
Enriched with 16% olive-derived Squalane, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, as well as Aloe Vera, this serum / lightweight moisturizer hydrates, soothes inflammations, and calms, whilst sending signals to cells to produce more collagen, plump skin, and smooth wrinkles, thus restoring and maintaining the skin’s youthful appearance.
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Best Skincare Ingredients for Neck and Décolletage ⑥ AHA
An acid-based product can help improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin by dissolving the bond between dead skin cells. With nothing forcing these cells to stick together, they can be shredded off much quicker and easier. This helps smooth skin texture, even skin tone, fade pigmentation faster, and allow skincare products to penetrate better. If used on a regular basis, they can also increase collagen and hyaluronic acid deposition and synthesis within the dermis, so the skin will appear more plumped, smooth and bouncy!
Scared of acid-based products? There really is no reason to, as long as the right type is chosen (we suggest avoiding glycolic acid). Click here to learn more about the different types of acids.
OUMERE
No. 9 Exfoliant <- Click to shop
Contains natural effective yet gentle AHAs, BHAs and PHAs, together with Mulberry, which has the highest concentration of resveratrol in nature, as well as Goldenseal, Licorice Root, and Aloe Leaf Juice, etc., it removes dead skin cells, speeds up cell turnover, brightens skin, reduces hyperpigmentation, unclogs pores and prevents acne, while providing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial actions.
AGENT NATEUR
acid(wash) Lactic Acid Brightening Cleanser <- Click to shop
Infused with premium organic ingredients, such as Peony Root Extract, Lavender Flower Water and Oil, Aloe Vera, as well as Lactic Acid, this gentle cleanser removes daily grime, soothes inflammation, and gently exfoliates to brighten dull skin, refine texture and pores, reduce hyperpigmentation, and reduce blackheads and acne yet without any irritation, leaving skin silky, supple, and youthful.
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Best Skincare Ingredients for Neck and Décolletage ⑦ Antioxidants
Free radicals damage the skin by triggering chronic inflammations, as well as breaking down the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin. Although invisible to the eyes, this gradually slows down our skin’s natural rejuvenation process, and appears on the skin in the form of dryness, dullness, loss of elasticity, wrinkles, pigmentation, redness, itchiness, and even chronic conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.
This is where topical antioxidants from our daily skincare routine come in. Used in the mornings, they would help fight free radicals we are exposed to during the day; used at nights, they help repair the ongoing damages accumulated during the day, whilst stimulating the our bodies’ own natural production of antioxidants.
Some excellent antioxidants include astaxanthin, fulvic acid, niacinamide, resveratrol, ferulic acid, beta-glucan, green tea, white genepì, açaì and goji berry, superoxide dismutase, mallow etc.
EATH Library
All Day Radiance Light Concentration Cream <- Click to shop
With a blend of hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Collagen and Allantoin, the anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory formula provides long-lasting hydration, soothes dryness, redness and sensitivity, and locks in moisture. Whilst, the brand’s patented core brightening complex, AYM, together with Ginsenocide, Niacinamide, Goji, Noni and Purslane, have been clinically proven to inhibit tyrosinase and melanin activity, lighten pigmentation, stimulate collagen synthesis, smooth wrinkles, fight free radicals, and strengthen skin.
KLUR
Symmetry Fluid <- Click to shop
Rich in rare ingredients Astaxanthin and Fulvic Acid, as well as resveratrol-rich Cranberry, Green Tea, White Tea Extract, Red Algae, Dandelion, Gotu Kola and Ginkgo, etc., Symmetry Fluid fights off inflammations and free radicals, detoxifies, removes heavy metals in the skin, brightens, reduces acne, promotes skin cell regeneration, strengthens and repairs the skin, and increases skin elasticity, whilst creating a breathable barrier on the skin surface.
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Best Skincare Ingredients for Neck and Décolletage ⑧ Restorative Oils Instead of Moisturizer
Oils, unlike moisturizers, are formulated without any emulsifiers, preservatives, texture enhancer, nor silicones, which means every single ingredient works to nourish and soothe the skin with their huge amount of essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phenols, phytonutrients, etc... Because of their lipophilic nature and their small molecular size, they can also penetrate the skin’s layers way faster and deeper to repair and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, create a protective barrier against external aggressors like pollution and allergens, fight free radicals, reduce inflammation, protect existing collagen and elastin, stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and ultimately slow down signs of aging.
MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON
Elixir™ <- Click to shop
Rich in Omegas-3, 6 and 9, Vitamins ABCDEK, Antioxidants, Phytonutrients, Proteins, and Minerals etc., the Apricot Oil, Marula Oil, Sunflower Oil, Neroli Oil, Frankincense Oil and Rose Geranium Oil in Elixir™ effectively brighten the skin, reduce scars and hyperpigmentation, repair the skin barrier, lock in moisture, slow aging, soothe sensitivity and eczema, fight inflammations, bacteria and free radicals, and promote skin cell regeneration.
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