3 Reasons Why Your Boobs Deserve More (Skincare) Love!

Many of us are heroes when it comes to tending to the skin on our face. Even our scalps get some TLC in the shower, our hands enjoy a good hand cream, and our feet undergo the occasional pedicure. We recently talked about how our bums are worthy of the same attention, and today we’re talking about tending to the thin, delicate skin on our boobs.

It turns out, there are three major concerns when it comes to the health of boobs, and there’s a good chance you’ve dealt with at least one or two of them. Those three include sun damage (particularly on the chest and exposed cleavage), acne/pimples, sensitive nips. Let’s dish on all three.

Sun Damage & Dryness

The thin, delicate skin on our decolletage is often an area where sun damage shows up.

“We wear plunging neck lines and open shirts, and we don’t always protect this skin as well as we do facial skin,” says Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to discolorations and a loss of collagen and elastin, leading to fine lines, thin skin and crepiness. Add to that the effects of gravity on the breasts themselves, as well as creasing between the breasts.”

Of course, sun-damaged skin is also prone to skin cancer. One of the best things you can do for any exposed area of your boobs is to liberally apply moisturizing sunscreen every two to four hours. A spray-on product will make this job way more convenient and therefore way more likely to get done.

We like Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spray, $16, for its ultra-fine mist and yummy scent. EltaMD UV Aero Full-Body Spray Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 45, $33, is a mineral-free option and a dermatologist favorite.

To combat dryness, you can extend your facial care routine down to your breasts. We also recommend using a breast-approved mask, like Anese’s Calm Your Tits Nourishing Boob Mask, $35. It combines green tea with honey and kaolin clay for soft, hydrated skin. It’s also safe for your nips! Boob sheet masks are also always fun! Try INC.redible Baddie Double Perks Rainbow Sheet Boob Mask, $9.

Blackheads, Whiteheads & Pimples

Yes, breast acne is a real thing and it’s not as uncommon as you think. There are a few things at play here that ultimately leads to acne, discoloration, and sometimes even acne-related scarring.

“After wearing a tight-fitting bra all day or a sports bra that doesn’t breathe at the gym, you can start to experience acne, redness, or irritation,” explains Lynnsee van Gordon, the founder of Anese. “Removing oil and dirt build-up from your pores with a gentle exfoliator after working out can help with acne, and then following with a nourishing mask can calm redness and irritation.”

Dr. King recommends using a body wash formulated with salicylic acid (BHA) if you’re dealing with boob acne.

“Salicylic acid is excellent for oily and acne-prone skin because it is oil-soluble and can penetrate into pores. It also helps to prevent pores from becoming clogged and can help remove clogs that have already formed,” says Dr. King.

Her go-to is Acne Free Blackhead Removing Exfoliating Face Scrub with 2% Salicylic Acid, $8. Another goodie is SLMD Skincare Salicylic Acid Body Spray, $29.99, which just needs to be sprayed onto your skin as a treatment. (BTW, the SLMD was formulated by the one and only Dr. Pimple Popper, Sandra Lee).

If you’re seeking a physical scrub instead, try Truly Acai Your Boobies Lifting Boob Polish, $28, or Anese Those Boobies Tho, $30.

Nipple Chafing & Sensitivity

Nipples are known for being extremely sensitive. While a great perk, this isn’t always a good thing. Some people experience chaffed nipples, usually caused by consistent friction when our nipples rub against clothing. This can create soreness, dryness, and sometimes even bleeding. Gordon adds, “Those of us that are mothers also experience nipple chapping from breastfeeding.”

If you’ve ever looked closely at your areola then you might have noticed some small, white bumps in the area. These are called Montgomery’s glands, says Dr. King, and they’re responsible for producing oil to keep nipples soft, hydrated, and protected. Sometimes these glands don’t quite match up against constant friction or breastfeeding. That’s where manual moisturization comes into play.

The Calm Your Tits Nourishing Boob Mask is a hero here, and a leave-on nipple cream can do wonders, too. Try Cora Life Nipple Balm, two for $15, a clean, plant-based salve that absorbs quickly. Straight up coconut oil can help, too. Happy Dance Head-To-Toe CBD Coconut Melt, $25, is pure coconut oil and CBD – nothing else!

Do you think you’ll start tending to your boobs more after reading the above?