Our faces often gets the bulk of our attention when it comes to skincare — they are, after all, front and center for all to see. But the skin on our neck and chest deserves some love too: According to experts, it’s equally vulnerable to sun exposure and other environmental stressors, as well as visible signs of aging.
It can also benefit from similar routine steps like cleansing, moisturizing, and applying SPF, which help to maintain smoother texture, more even tone, and a more youthful appearance overall.
On the flip side, overlooking the skin on our neck and chest can have several lasting effects. “Damaging environmental elements, such as pollution and sun exposure, can lead to a loss of skin elasticity, sunspots, dullness, uneven skin tone, broken capillaries, and more visible wrinkles,” says Kami Leitza, advanced-practice esthetician at LifeSpa in Edina, Minn.
Some unexpected daily habits can also have undesirable effects on the skin of these upper-body areas. “Sleeping on your side for prolonged periods of time, for example, can negatively affect the chest,” Leitza explains. “Side sleepers have a higher chance of causing vertical chest wrinkles because if they’re in this position every night, gravity can eventually bring about permanent lines.”
Repeatedly looking down at your phone — also known as “tech neck” — is another common cause of wrinkles or lines in the skin, Leitza notes. “While tech neck is commonly known for causing muscle strain and other ailments, another result is wrinkles and lines from the motion of always having the neck bent forward.”
All this in mind, Leitza emphasizes three strategies that are especially important when it comes to taking care of the skin on your chest and neck. She shares a daily skincare routine for those areas, too.
3 Tips for Neck and Chest Skincare
1. Make SPF a nonnegotiable part of your routine.
Leitza’s No. 1 tip is to apply SPF daily on all exposed skin — rain or shine. “UV rays can still cause skin damage when shining through car and building windows,” she explains. “Skipping sun protection can speed up the breakdown of collagen and elastin, which can cause sagging, leathery-appearing skin and deeper lines. Sun damage can also cause hyperpigmentation or dark spots on the skin. Most importantly, protecting your skin from the sun can also help prevent skin cancer.”
When applying daily SPF, it’s common for people to focus on their face instead of continuing down to the neck and chest. “Don’t stop sunscreen application at the jaw line,” Leitza advises. “Be sure to extend it down to your neck and chest. And if you’re in the sun for an extended period, reapply sunscreen every 45 minutes.” (Learn more: “What’s the Difference Between Mineral and Chemical Sunscreens?”)
2. Look for skincare products that gently exfoliate and hydrate.
The skin on the neck and chest benefits from many of the same ingredients used in facial skincare, such as ceramides, gentle exfoliants, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C. When the chest and neck are ignored in daily skincare regimens, the skin can appear duller and have deeper wrinkles and lines than the skin of the face.
When you include the neck and chest in a gentle cleanse followed by other skincare steps, including weekly exfoliation and daily moisturizing, the skin from face to chest can have a more uniformed glow.
Leitza recommends reaching for products with a gentle chemical exfoliant like Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs). These water-soluble acids work on the skin’s surface to sweep away dead skin cells, revealing smoother skin with a more even tone and texture. Exfoliating also preps the skin to better absorb serums and moisturizers.
Hydration is also crucial for healthy skin, and products like serums and moisturizers can help lock in moisture. “Look for serums with hyaluronic acid, which can be extra hydrating — it acts as a humectant and helps to bind moisture to the skin,” says Leitza. “I also recommend choosing a moisturizer with ceramides, as they work with the hyaluronic acid from the serum to protect the skin barrier. If your skin barrier is vulnerable or compromised, you may notice redness, irritation, or a feeling of tightness, itchiness, or discomfort — and these ingredients can help.”
Leitza also suggests incorporating a vitamin C serum if you’re concerned about hyperpigmentation or sun damage. “Vitamin C can help prevent past sun damage or dark spots from coming up to the surface by slowing down skin’s melanin production.”
3. Consider in-spa treatments if you’re seeing signs of skin damage.
If you already have an established skincare routine for your neck and chest but still see signs of damage such as discoloration or dehydration, in-spa treatments can take your results to the next level.
“I’ve found that consistent use of quality skincare products at home and committing to a series of spa treatments catered to your skin’s needs can be a game changer,” says Leitza. “It can help address existing concerns while also preventing further damage,” Leitza says.
Two of her favorite treatments are the Hydrafacial and SkinPen. “A Hydrafacial is a medical grade facial that helps deeply cleanse and hydrate the face and can be just as beneficial for the neck and chest,” Leitza explains. “A SkinPen service helps stimulate collagen production using 14 stainless steel microneedles to create controlled micro-injuries, which trigger the body’s natural healing process. This can improve skin texture, smooth acne scarring, boost firmness, trigger collagen production, and help to reduce the effects of aging on the neck and chest.” (Learn more: “What Is Microneedling?”)
When booking an appointment with your esthetician, let them know you’d like to include your neck and chest in the service. “Work with your esthetician to set up a timeline or cadence for regular services that works best for your skin goals and budget,” she says.
A Daily Skincare Routine for the Neck and Chest
Neck and chest skincare doesn’t have to be complicated, according to Leitza. In fact, she uses the same skincare routine on her face for her neck and chest. Here, she provides the daily step-by-step routines she often recommends to her clients.
Morning and Evening
Cleanse
Gently cleanse your neck and chest at the same time you’re cleansing your face using your preferred facial cleanser. Cleansing with a facial cleanser (vs. body wash in the shower) helps prep the skin on the neck and chest for additional serums and moisturizers.
Leitza’s recommended products: Cleansing Complex by iS Clinical or Stonecrop Cleansing Oil from Eminence Organic Skin Care
Exfoliate
Leitza recommends exfoliating the skin one to two times a week, morning or night, with a cleanser with alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHA and BHA) for gentle exfoliation in place of your regular cleanser. AHAs and BHAs work on the top layers of skin to promote skin renewal. They remove dead skin cells and improve overall texture and tone. Exfoliants also prep the skin to receive the effective ingredients in serums and moisturizers.
Leitza’s recommended products: The BHA/AHA Exfoliating Cleanser by Skin Medica or Cleansing Complex Polish by iS Clinical
Apply Treatment Serum
Choose a serum(s) for your desired skin outcomes. For the neck and chest, Leitza prefers serums for firming and brightening during the day and hydration at night. Apply your serum(s) just after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Leitza’s recommended products for morning: TNS Advanced Serum for firming by Skin Medica or Bamboo Firming Fluid from Eminence Organic Skin Care
Leitza’s recommended products for evening: HA5 Hydra Collagen by Skin Medica or Hydracool Serum by iS Clinical
Moisturize
Moisturizing is essential for softening the skin and locking in the benefits of your serum. It helps to maintain hydration and enhances the overall smoothness and suppleness of the skin.
Ideally, Leitza suggests using a moisturizer with firming benefits in the morning, and one more focused on hydration while you sleep. “Your skin soaks in all those moisturizing benefits while it is at rest,” she explains.
Leitza’s recommended products for morning: Reparative Moisture Emulsion by iS Clinical or HA5 Hydra Collagen by Skin Medica (if you prefer a less dewy finish)
Leitza’s recommended products for evening: Youth Intensive Creme or Reparative Moisture Emulsion, both by iS Clinical
Morning-Only Additions
Apply Vitamin C Serum
Leitza advises applying this during the serum step. Vitamin C can help brighten dark spots and combat the appearance of dull skin on the neck and chest.
Leitza’s recommended products: Super Serum Advance by iS Clinical or Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil by Eminence Organic Skincare
Apply SPF
You’ll want this to be the last step in your skincare routine, following the application of your moisturizer and before makeup. UV rays can damage to the skin, causing wrinkles, discoloration, and in some cases, cancer. SPF protects the skin while you’re outside or from sunlight through a window.
Leitza’s recommended products: Extreme Protect 30 by iS Clinical or Intellishade Original Tinted SPF 45 by Revision Skincare.
