September 28, 2021
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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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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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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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.
Product Recommendation
TWELVE BEAUTY
Artemisia Power Protection Moisturiser SPF50+ <- Click to shop
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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!
Product Recommendation
KLUR
Stellar Restoration Corrective Complex <- Click to shop
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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.
Product Recommendation
OUMERE
UV-R™ <- Click to shop
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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!
Product Recommendation
AGENT NATEUR
holi(c) The C Duo <- Click to shop.
Product Recommendation
KLUR
Brilliant Light Multi-Correction Repair Serum <- Click to shop
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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.
Product Recommendation
KLUR
Immersion Serum Concentrate <- Click to shop
Product Recommendation
MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON
Skin Quencher <- Click to shop
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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.
Product Recommendation
OUMERE
No. 9 Exfoliant <- Click to shop
Product Recommendation
AGENT NATEUR
acid(wash) Lactic Acid Brightening Cleanser <- Click to shop
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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.
Product Recommendation
EATH Library
All Day Radiance Light Concentration Cream <- Click to shop
Product Recommendation
KLUR
Symmetry Fluid <- Click to shop
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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.
Product Recommendation
MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON
Elixir™ <- Click to shop
Product Recommendation
KLUR
Unseasonal Kind Lipid Replenishment Oil <- Click to shop
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