Skin aging isn’t limited to the face. Parts of the body, like the neck and chest, are actually some of the first areas to show signs of premature wrinkles for a few different reasons.
Board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology Dr. Corey L. Hartman, said that he often sees these vertical-forming lines and wrinkles on chests because, unlike the face, people are less likely to apply sunscreen to this area.
“Side sleepers may also be more prone to chronic wrinkling on the chest, as sleeping in the same position each night can cause certain wrinkles,” he said.
According to Hartman, chest wrinkles are also the most challenging to treat. This is because the skin is thinner there compared to other parts of the body and thus more subject to wrinkling and damage from sun exposure.
“More moderate to severe chest wrinkles can also be deeper set in the skin, which makes them more stubborn and difficult to treat,” he said.
In-office treatments, such a laser and certain injectables, certainly do exist and can yield the most effective and visible results. However, if you don’t want to take a trip to your local dermatologist’s office or pay the high cost of these procedures, Hartman and several other skin care experts revealed all the best products and ingredients to use to treat and prevent chest wrinkles at home.
The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
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A drugstore-favorite ceramide and retinol serum
Board-certified dermatologist and Bucay Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics founder Dr. Vivian Bucay said that she recommends products that help restore skin health, such as retinoids, for their well-documented ability to increase collagen production. One such product that she likes is this cult-favorite drugstore option from CeraVe, which aims to target collagen loss, refine uneven skin texture and address other signs of skin aging.
Thoughtfully balanced with the brand’s signature trinity of skin barrier-strengthening ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, this skin-renewing serum uses encapsulated retinol, which means the active ingredient is slowly released long after application to ensure optimal absorption while reducing the chance of skin sensitivity.
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A wrinkle-smoothing retinol cream
Bucay also recommended the consistently mentioned Retinol Regenerating Cream by Neutrogena. It uses an accelerated retinol complex to promote cellular turnover — a process that can lead to greater collagen production, better skin texture and a reduced appearance of fine lines. It also contains a hydrating dose of hyaluronic acid and can be suitable for treating thinning and crepey skin.
Sephora
A growth factor serum for visible wrinkle repair
New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Hadley King mentioned that anti-aging topicals, like growth factors, can be effective at softening the appearance of chest wrinkles. There are tons of expensive formulas on the market that contain this reparative ingredient, but we found this affordable option by The Ordinary, one of my favorite no-fuss skin care brands.
This serum features a 15% concentration of three different growth factors and peptides that work in tandem to boost the elastin in skin, support its natural collagen production and enhance skin density.
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A wearable breast pillow for side sleepers
Bucay said that it’s best to avoid a side-sleeping position to avoid pressure on the skin between the breasts.
“If [you] find sleeping on your back difficult, there are special pillows and wedges that can be placed between the breasts to relieve pressure on the skin from side sleeping,” she said.
People with breasts might be interested in this wearable breast pillow that we found, made from a frictionless material to help prevent creasing on the skin. Its adjustable strap design secures the pillow on the chest to maintain lift and separation of the breasts and prevent wrinkles.
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A pack of reusable silicone chest patches
Both Bucay and King recommend these reusable medical-grade silicone chest patches by Wrinkles Schminkles.
“[These] are a great non-invasive option for lines resulting from folding and compression of the skin during sleep,” King said. “The patches help prevent transepidermal water loss [and lock in] moisture so the skin will be better hydrated and will be better able to repair itself and produce collagen.”
The brand also designs other shaped patches meant to treat other wrinkle-prone areas like the forehead and under eyes.
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A hydrating “morning after” serum for the chest
After removing the patch in the morning, King suggests applying the Wrinkles Schminkles Morning After Glow serum, a daily booster that she said contains humectants like glycerin to hydrate the skin, and emollients like squalene to support the skin barrier.
“It also contains antioxidants like green tea leaf extract to combat damage from free radicals, and niacinamide, which helps improve the tone and texture of the skin, and retinol, which boosts collagen production and supports healthy cell turnover,” King said.
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An SPF50 no-show mineral sunscreen
“The best preventive measures are daily and consistent application of sunscreen,” Bucay said. “I advise patients to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 after their moisturizer, even if they are wearing clothing that covers the chest. This is because not all fabrics will block penetration of UV rays.”
Bucay explained that infrared radiation (heat) is also not blocked by clothing, and IR radiation causes collagen and elastin breakdown, which is why a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects from IR radiation is important.
Based on this guidance, we selected Colorescience’s Total Protection No-Show mineral sunscreen, which uses a proprietary and broad-spectrum formula that protects skin against pollution, blue light and infrared radiation. It promises a sheer, very lightweight finish that hydrates and softens the feel of skin.
Because it’s an all-mineral formula, it might give a slight cast on deeper skintones, however, Colorescience also has a similar formula available in tints to better match all complexions.
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A UPF 50+ protective shirt that covers the chest
“You can also wear sun protective clothing with UPF 50 to help protect from sun exposure,” Hartman suggested.
We found the UPF 50 long-sleeve shirt that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, adequately covers the chest and promises to be breathable and moisture-wicking. You can shop for it in over 20 colors and women’s sizes XS-5X.
Check the product page for additional coupons and promo codes for up to 5% off.
A peptide-infused chest mask
Another effective ingredient for anti-aging? Peptides, according to King. Other experts have also previously concurred that these naturally occurring amino acid proteins help provide structure to skin, stimulate collagen and plump the complexion.
Knowing this, we found this single-use treatment mask for the décolletage that’s packed with two different types of peptides and a dual-molecule hyaluronic acid to draw moisture into the skin and promise lasting suppleness.
“Humectants like hyaluronic acid will hydrate the skin, which can help to temporarily plump and smooth the skin,” King said.
The mask also contains antioxidants in the form of vitamin B5, an ingredient that Vitamin E combats free radical damage caused by sun exposure, which can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, according to Hartman.
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A mega-moisture body cream with ceramides
A compromised or weak skin barrier is more likely to crease or wrinkle. According to King, emollients like ceramides and squalane help to repair and support a healthy skin barrier, and this body cream from Kiehl’s contains both. This rich and intensely moisturizing lotion promises to absorb into the skin and uses glacial glycoprotein and maintain lasting hydration.
LovelySkin
A clinical-strength 8-in-1 Bioserum
“For the chest and decolleté, I especially like a class of peptides known as defensins,” Bucay said. “These peptides stimulate dormant stem cells to produce a healthy epidermis, which in turn communicates with the dermis to make more collagen and elastin, for visibly smoother skin.”
She suggests the DefenAge 8-in-1 BioSerum, a clinical formulation that contains defensins and claims to have the efficacy of eight separate serums in one well-tolerated product. The BioSerum, which you can use on the face, neck and chest, claims to smooth the look of aging skin and define facial contours.
Skinbetter Science
A high-strength retinol treatment infused with alpha hydroxy acids
Hartman said to choose skin care products with key ingredients that can address wrinkling, like retinol and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). “I recommend SkinBetter AlphaRet to patients frequently; the formula combines a retinoid with alpha hydroxy acids for a potent product that delivers results,” he said.
This overnight cream is one of the highest retinol formulas available without a prescription. Here’s what one board-certified dermatologist previously said about the AlphaRet Overnight Cream:
“It combines retinoid with lactic acid and glycolic acids to exfoliate the skin and pairs those benefits with soothing, nourishing peptides, ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamins C + E, making the formulation gentle enough for most skin types, including those prone to dryness.”
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