How To Look After Your Décolletage?

Oh skincare - we've been told for years about washing our faces, but often neglect the area right below: the décolletage. This area includes the neck and upper chest, and it's just as prone to dryness and signs of ageing as the face. Let's get into understanding how to properly care for this delicate area and how to maintain a youthful, healthy look from your forehead through to your chest.

First off, let's understand the décolletage:

Did you know, it's actually a French term referring to neck, shoulders and chest area? (No, neither did we!). The area is particularly susceptible to environmental damage due to its really thin skin and lack of oil glands, making it more prone to dryness, wrinkles, and yup - you guessed it - sun damage, especially if you're wearing lower-neckline tops. The décolletage often gets less attention compared to the face, leading to a noticeable contrast in skin texture and appearance between the two areas.

Why you shouldn't neglect your décolletage:

By prioritising this area of your skin, you can help maintain its elasticity and youthfulness. Remember, the area is delicate and thin, making it more vulnerable to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging.

If you decide to neglect this area, this can actually lead to hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone, creating a start contrast between your face chest. If the area is exposed to sun, it also runs the risk of sunburn, thus, damaged, dry skin occurring.

How to look after the area:

Okay, okay, you've been using one of our cleansers (or both!) and it's been working a dream and your face is clean and supple. Keep going down. Yup. Take either Oju Omi or Orinrin and massage onto the neck and chest area. This will support with removing dirt, sweat and general pollutants.

We would actually recommend jumping in the shower and using an African Cleansing Net to scrub off the cleanser off your neck and chest, this will remove dead skin cells, promote cell renewal and allow for better absorption of the products you'll follow up with. However, do not use the net on your face - gently emulsify in the cleanser in the shower and wash off as you normally would.

Once you're out the shower, it's time to keep this part of your body hydrated! And when it comes to hydration, there are only two products that should be on your radar:

1. Our cult-and-fan-favourite, Idan Oil, is a truly luxurious and indulgent fast-absorbing, non-greasy nourishing multi-purpose oil. Infused with hydration and immediate moisturisation properties, it'll penetrate your décolletage leaving it feeling soft, smooth and luminous. 

2. Our Shea Butters are also perfect for deep hydration and moisturisation from dry skin. Rich in Vitamin E and A, the balms support a healthy skin barrier. Dry skin no more!

We also highly recommend applying SPF50 to this area, and reapply every two hours if you're spending time outdoors. 

Caring for your décolletage is an essential part of a comprehensive skincare routine. By extending your routine beyond your face and onto your body, you can ensure your skin looks radiant and youthful all over. Remember, a little extra care goes a long way in preventing dryness, signs of aging, and maintaining an even skin tone.

We'd love to hear about how you look after your décolletage. Send your tips over to us on Instagram @LIHABEAUTY, as we'd love to hear all about them.

Read our other blogs:

How To Keep Your Skin Radiant
Let's Talk about Your Menstrual Cycle
How Long Should You Leave between Skincare Steps