ComScore

The Best Sunscreens for *This* Super-Susceptible Area (Hint: It’s Not Your Face)

According to Beverly Hills dermatologist Harold Lancer, it’s common for women who never fail to apply sunscreen to their face to skip over their chest area, resulting in skin that becomes sun spotted, crepey, saggy and wrinkly. (He’s even come up with his own snail venom–infused firming product to treat this area.) “If I see 50 people, ten of them have something to do with the neck and/or décolleté,” says Dr. Lancer.

Needless to say, that news is enough to make us want to wear turtlenecks forever. Fortunately, the best defense is staying out of the sun and using sun protection, as well as moisturizing and treating the décolleté area just as you would your face. And application is key, according to Dr. Lancer: He says you need to cover the front, back and sides of your neck all the way to the shoulder line, plus any part of the chest that is exposed (including, yes, any visible upper boob). We’ve picked some of the best sunscreens to use in this area, keeping in mind that since the neck and chest come into contact with clothing and jewelry, anything too messy is a nonstarter. Now go forth and bare that (protected) skin. 

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dermalogica sunscreen
Dermstore

Dermalogica Prisma Protect Spf 30

Say you want something that’s not tinted but still has a little something extra to make your face/neck/wherever look better. Prisma Protect SPF 30 has you covered, with microparticles that reflect light (so you’re glowing) and bio-fermented sage to even out skin tone.

supergoop sunscreen
SUpergoop

Supergoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist Spf 50

A hint of peppermint and rosemary oils makes this spray-on mist so refreshing that you’ll actually want to reapply every four hours (and it’s formulated to be spritzed on right over makeup or around your T-shirt collar).

elta md sunscreen
Dermstore

Elta Md Uv Replenish Broad-spectrum Spf 44

Feel like your neck and chest area needs a bit of plumping along with sun protection? UV Replenish Broad Spectrum SPF 44 contains not only 100% nonchemical sunscreen but also hyaluronic acid to add moisture to your skin.

beauty counter sunscreen
Beautycounter

Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Stick

This handy twist-up stick is a snap to swipe onto the exposed skin where you left a button or two undone. The non-nano zinc oxide formula creates a tight barrier screen that doesn’t leave a white residue, and the cocoa butter–infused formula glides right on and doesn’t stray where it’s not wanted (like onto your white silk shirt).

lancer
Nordstrom

Lancer Sheer Fluid Sun Shield Spf 30

Hate that barrier feeling when an SPF lotion sits on top of your skin (and you can practically feel it clogging your pores)? This formula is so lightweight you won’t notice you’re wearing it—until you’re glad in the sweltering late summer that it’s not making you break out.

la roche posay
Dermstore

La Roche-posay Anthelios 60 Melt-in Sunscreen Milk Spf 60

Pro tip for optimum sun protection: Keep a travel size of Anthelios 60 in your bag and reapply to your chest halfway through the day. Specially formulated to sink right in, it won’t stain your clothes.



dana dickey

Senior Editor

  • Writes about fashion, wellness, relationships and travel
  • Oversees all LA/California content and is the go-to source for where to eat, stay and unwind on the west coast
  • Studied journalism at the University of Florida