Neck to chest: Why your skincare shouldn’t stop at your chin

Too many of us are forgetting about this vital area.

As an avid consumer of beauty content, it was drilled into me from a young age that your skincare shouldn’t stop at your chin. I’ve always taken it down my neck, and if I’m feeling extra diligent, I’ll cover my decolletage too. While other skincare aficionados I know are clued up on the importance of treating your neck and chest skin with the same care as your face, many people I speak to – my mum included – disregard these areas entirely when doing their skincare routine.

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Unfortunately, the delicate skin on your neck and chest naturally has less elasticity, collagen and fewer oil glands than the skin on your face, so if you don’t implement an effective skincare routine in these areas, you’ll notice the signs of ageing much quicker than you might expect. While proper cleansing, moisturising and overnight serums and creams are all important, they’ll only take you so far.

And with the rise of ‘tech-neck syndrome’ from the prolonged use of digital devices, and with over half of us sleeping on our sides, the fine skin on our necks and chests has become more susceptible to premature ageing than ever before. Thankfully, some practices and tools exist to target these areas specifically. 

Where should I start with a skincare routine for my neck and chest?

I know you’ve heard this one before, but at an absolute minimum, you need to be using SPF. We often miss our decolletage when applying sunscreen, but since the skin in this area is already more prone to wrinkles, you’ll want to be extra diligent about protecting it from the sun’s harmful rays.

If you want to keep things super simple skincare-wise, then sticking to good SPF, cleanser and a moisturiser will suffice. It’s important to remember to cleanse the skin on the neck and chest gently though – as it’s thinner than the skin on your face, vigorous rubbing and scrubbing can accelerate the signs of ageing. 

If you’re after products that won’t break the bank, there are an array of brands that offer affordably priced skincare that’s specifically made for your neck and chest, but most skincare products can be extended beyond your face. I often use a topical retinoid, a vitamin A-based derivative, on my face, neck and chest at night, as it increases collagen production and helps reduce fine lines. Just make sure you layer a thick night cream on top, to keep your skin hydrated and minimise the drying effects of the retinol.

What if I want to take my neck and chest routine further?

An industry leader, Australian brand Bon Charge is known for its range of premium wellness and beauty products, like its wildly popular Red Light Face Mask. Its innovative new beauty tool, the Red Light Neck and Chest Mask, is specifically designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on both our necks and chests (the first areas to show signs of ageing).

This science-backed mask uses the most optimal wavelengths of red light (630nm) and infrared (850nm), is suitable for all skin types and delivers visible results. For the uninitiated, red light therapy devices like this mask deliver red and near-infrared light waves that penetrate up to five to 10 centimetres below the skin’s surface.

Red light can reach the skin’s top layers, while near-infrared light can target deeper tissues without UV exposure. But don’t just take my word for it – in a host of peer-reviewed clinical trials, red and near-infrared light have been scientifically proven to have anti-ageing effects on our skin.

But back to the Red Light Neck and Chest Mask. Importantly, you don’t need to use it excessively to notice smoother, firmer skin in these areas – in fact, it’s made to be seamlessly integrated into your skincare routine. Bon Charge recommends using it three times a week for 10 to 20 minutes a session, the perfect amount of time to paint your nails, doom scroll TikTok or finish a chapter of that book you’ve been neglecting. If you’re a little on the forgetful side, don’t fret; the mask has a built-in 30-minute timer. 

Considering how often you’ll be reaching for this mask, it would be remiss of me not to touch on its design. Aside from being sleek and ergonomic, its soft, cushioned straps are adjustable, letting you find the most comfortable fit, and it’s made of grade-A silicone, making it ultra-hygenic and a breeze to clean.

As an added bonus, its cordless design means you can go about your day (or night) while having your session. (Just maybe think twice before opening your front door while wearing it. From experience, I can tell you you’ll give your Uber Eats driver the fright of their life.) 

For more red light therapy products ready for at-home use, try Bon Charge.