When it comes to skincare, many people spend a lot of time focusing on their faces, but completely forget about their neck, even though it’s just as visible.
It’s a mistake Joanne Evans, one of the UK’s top facialists, and her team at Skin Matters often see, which is why she’s shared her top tips with us on how to keep your neck looking lovely.
Here are the six things she wants you to know…
The skin on your neck is thinner than your face
You might not realise it, but the skin on your neck is actually very thin, so skincare is very important in this area.
‘The skin on the neck doesn’t have a lot of collagen support and sun damage is worse there’ says Joanne. ‘Elasticity and muscle change happen sooner in the neck than the face too’ she adds.
‘I was always taught by my mum that the face ends at the chest and not at the jawline, and this is where lots of ladies go wrong. You must include the neck in your home-care and treatments, especially in the winter months.’
Scarves are not your friend
You might think wrapping a big woollen scarf around your neck is the best thing you can do for it, but in fact you’d be mistaken, says Joanne.
‘While scarves are one of the most consistent winter fashion trends, they can really dry the neck out’ she reveals.
Obviously, we’re not suggesting you should forego your cosy woollies come winter, but just be aware of the extra hydration your neck will require.
‘The neck area already has very little oil production so make sure you’re using heavy cream here and choosing scarfs made from soft natural materials’ says Joanne.
You should cleanse your neck as well as your face
If you’re used to just splashing some product and water on your face, then it’s time to change up your cleansing regime, according to Joanne.
‘Washing your face and neck with a gentle cleanser before applying makeup for the day is best for the skin’ she says. ‘At night, a double cleanse is recommended if you’re in the routine of blending foundation onto the neck area.’
She continues: ‘One cleanse is normally not enough to make sure the skin is completely clean, especially at night. I recommend a double cleanse, using an oil followed by a cream.
‘Do not rub and pull at your neck; use gentle upward movements. This is not just to remove makeup but any perfume as well.’
Avoid scrubs on the neck
One of the biggest beauty mistakes people make is using scrubs on the neck area, according to Joanne.
‘While a scrub may be the perfect solution to exfoliate your body, they are often too harsh for areas where the skin is thinner such as the neck’ she says.
‘Since the neck is more sensitive, exfoliate using a glycolic once a week’.
Joanne also recommends using retinol products once a week on your neck, especially in winter.
Don’t go wild with your perfume
For some of us, more is more when it comes to perfume, and we won’t leave the house without a liberal spritz all over the neck.
However, according to Joanne this is bad news, as spraying all over the neck ‘can aid in discolouration and make the skin more sensitive to sun.’
Instead, spritz a little perfume behind each ear where the skin is less visible.
Embrace the chill for an anti-ageing effect
‘Anti-ageing is one of the common queries that people come to me with’ explains Joanne. ‘I always recommend using a cold mask at home.
If you don’t have time for a mask, there are also quicker solutions, says Joanne.
‘Personally, I plunge my face and neck into ice cold water every morning as well, as this reduces symptoms of ageing’ she reveals.
