The neck and decolletage: the area we often overlook

We carefully apply our skincare products to our faces, then stop abruptly at the jawline. The neck and décolletage, however, are often the most overlooked parts of the skincare routine. Yet these are areas that age visibly and sometimes reveal one’s age more quickly than the face itself.

The skin on the neck and décolleté is thin and delicate, and highly exposed to the sun: including them in your skincare routine is the best way to maintain their appearance over time. Here's why this area deserves your attention, and how to care for it easily.

Why do the neck and décolletage age so quickly?

The skin on the neck and décolletage has several distinctive characteristics. It is thinner than the skin on the face, contains fewer sebaceous glands, and has less dense supporting structures. It is also very mobile and constantly subjected to the movements of the head. These characteristics make it more vulnerable to dehydration, sagging, and the appearance of horizontal wrinkles.

Added to this is significant exposure to external stressors, which is often underestimated. Repeatedly bending the neck toward screens and phones puts mechanical strain on this area, while a lack of care and protection accelerates the appearance of signs of aging, such as horizontal wrinkles or a creased appearance of the skin.

The sun: the main culprit

Just as with the face, ultraviolet radiation is the leading cause of aging in the neck and décolletage. Yet these are precisely the areas we often forget to protect. Cumulative exposure over the years leaves its mark: loss of firmness, dark spots, and uneven skin tone.

A characteristic sign of this chronic exposure is Civatte’s poikiloderma, a reddish, mottled pigmentation that appears on the sides of the neck and the V-shaped area of the décolletage, sparing the shaded area under the chin. First described in the 1920s, it is now recognized as a typical manifestation of photoaging. That is why applying sunscreen daily to this area is the most important preventive measure, as regular sun protection is the best-documented measure against sun-induced aging.

How do you take care of your neck and décolletage?

The good news is that you don't need to add a separate, complicated routine. The simplest—and most effective—way is to extend your facial routine to include this area.

In the morning, protect your skin: apply your antioxidant serum, and then—most importantly—your sunscreen to your neck and décolletage, just as you would to your face. In the evening, nourish and moisturize by extending your cream down to your neck, moving upward from the décolletage to your jawline. You can also apply a stimulating active ingredient like retinol, but do so with caution: since the skin there is thin and sensitive, it’s best to introduce it gradually. Finally, don’t forget the sides and back of the neck, which are often overlooked.

PERS skincare should be extended to the neck and décolletage

To protect your skin, apply the 10% PERS Vitamin C Serum followed by the PERS SPF 50+ Sunscreen to your neck and décolletage every morning. To nourish and moisturize, follow up with the PERS Rich Cream to this area, depending on your skin’s needs.

To boost firmness, the 0.3% PERS Retinol Serum can be applied to the neck and décolletage every other night, introducing it gradually to accommodate the sensitivity of this thinner skin. In just a few simple steps, this area receives the same care as the face.

Key Takeaways

The skin on the neck and décolleté is thin, delicate, and highly exposed to the sun, which is why it often ages quickly and visibly. Neglecting these areas in your skincare routine means letting them give away your age. The solution is simple: extend your facial skincare routine to include the neck and décolleté, protecting them during the day with an antioxidant and, most importantly, sunscreen; nourishing them at night; and gently firming the skin. Caring for this area every day helps maintain a lasting harmony between the face and the décolleté.

Scientific Sources