Collagen is responsible for giving your skin strength, structure, and elasticity. But as we reach our mid-20s, the body starts to produce fewer amounts of collagen each year. While this is normal, a lack of collagen results in visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, fines lines, and saggier skin.
One of the first areas to show signs of aging is your neck. With some extra care and by implementing easy steps into your routine, you can try to prevent visible signs of aging on your neck. Keep reading to learn about these simple skincare tips!
Exfoliate
The body sheds thousands of dead skin cells every day, but skin that doesn’t shed entirely leads to clogged pores. It’s important to rid the neck of dead skin cells with an exfoliator regularly. If you don’t, your skin can appear dull and signs of aging can be more evident.
Using a gentle exfoliator can eliminate dead skin cells from your neck and make room for new cells to grow. Keep in mind, if you have sensitive skin, you don’t have to exfoliate every day. Just exfoliate from the chin all the way down to your collarbone two to three days per week.
Apply Skincare to Your Neck
Whatever you do to your face for skincare, make sure to do the same to your neck. After all, your neck deserves the same tender loving care your face is receiving each day and night.
All you have to do is continue your cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing routine from your face down to your neck. That way, the radiance your face emits won’t come to a sudden stop at your chin.
Moisturize Every Night
Make sure to include moisturizers in your skincare routine. A lack of moisturizer can lead to dull and scaly-looking skin. Moisturizing one to two times a day will give your neck a smooth and nourished canvas.
To take your moisturizer to the next level, use a serum at night as well. A couple of drops will give your skin a boost in essential nutrients and oils. It will keep your skin moisturized longer and allow products applied in the morning to appear smoother. There are tons of different serums to choose from online or at your local drug store.
Wear Sunscreen
It can be hard to hide your neck from the sun, which is why sunscreen is your biggest ally in preventing the signs of aging. The skin on the neck is thin and more prone to wrinkles caused by sun damage. It’s also one of the first parts of the body to show signs of aging. Wearing sunscreen with high SPF can give your neck the protection it needs.
More importantly, sunscreen is crucial in preventing skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation says that one in five Americans will get sun cancer by the age of 70. Daily use of an SPF 15 or higher can lower your risk of developing this disease. And as a bonus, SPF can help slow down signs of aging caused by sun damage.
Use Retinol
Another product that’s great for anti-aging is retinol. This can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while also boosting collagen levels. It’s also good for unclogging pores and speeding up cell turnover.
Just be careful — Allura Clinic says retinol should never be worn in the sun, so only apply it before you go to bed. Make sure to do your research and understand what retinol is safe to use alongside your other skincare products.
Quit Smoking
There is an endless list of reasons why smoking is bad for your health. If you’re a smoker and concerned about your skin health, then it’s a good idea to quit.
Mayo Clinic says nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes can lead to wrinkles and premature aging of the skin. One of the reasons is because those chemicals cause blood vessels to narrow, therefore reducing oxygen flow and nutrients to skin cells. This damage cannot be reversed, so you’re better off quitting rather than dealing with the consequences.
Accept the Aging Process
Ultimately, you can’t defy something as natural as aging. It’s normal and inevitable no matter who you are or how many products you use. But it can’t hurt to implement some healthy habits into your daily life. It could slow down signs of aging and ensure your skin is getting the nourishment it needs as you grow older.
