Unless they’re causing us pain or health problems, our breasts often get forgotten about when it comes to self-care and skincare, but it’s worth considering how we can look after them a little better. Consider this your ultimate guide to healthier breasts that you love. 

1. START YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE FROM THE BREASTS UP  

Your skin on your breasts, decolletage, and neck is thinner, more delicate, and therefore more prone to aging. This is especially true because this area of your body tends to be neglected when you moisturize and apply SPF. Dermatologists recommend applying your daily and nightly skincare routine right down to your breast to avoid premature aging like sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. 

2. BE SMART WITH YOUR SKINCARE INGREDIENTS 

Since the skin around your breasts is more prone to sensitivity and premature aging, it’s important to use nourishing, hydrating, anti-aging ingredients. Turn to hyaluronic acid – dry and aging skin’s enemy – for deep hydration and skin plumping, and peptides and retinol to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and boost collagen and elastin. 

3. STOCK UP ON ANTIOXIDANTS 

Since this thin, sensitive part of our body needs extra protection from harmful external aggressors like UV rays, it’s important to stock up on antioxidant ingredients to reduce oxidative stress and protect it from further harm. Vitamins C and E are your antioxidant-rich breast-health besties to combat and prevent free-radical damage (and even more so if you don’t apply SPF to this area.) 

Harmful rays mean that free radicals cause oxidative stress on the body. Oxidative stress has been linked to various health conditions like heart disease, stroke, and cancer, we want to avoid it all costs. 

4. TRY LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE 

Our body is full of lymph nodes, and there are some located around our breasts. Our lymph nodes are full of a liquid called lymph that helps to combat illness. Therefore, stimulating lymphatic drainage in this area is a great way to maintain balance, release stagnation, and reduce any swelling. Regular lymphatic massage can help to reduce improve circulation of the lymphatic system which can benefit people with skin disorders, fatigue, insomnia, stress, digestive problems, arthritis, migraines, and fibromyalgia. 

Using moisturizing body oil or firming cream can take your self-massage to the next level. Taking the time to nourish your body physically with your hands can help you develop self-confidence, and make your skin appear younger, firmer, and smoother in the process. 

5. EXERCISE 

While your breasts cannot get bigger through exercise, working your pectorals (the muscles that your breasts sit on top of) can make your breasts appear perkier thanks to the strengthening and lifting of this muscle. If you want to work your pectorals with strength training (that is also great for your overall health), you could include chest press, press-ups, and tricep dips. 

While we’re on the subject of exercise, you can look after your breasts no matter what area of your body you’re training with a supportive sports bra. This will depend on your cup size and the type of exercise you're doing. Use low impact for doing yoga, walking, or strength training (with no running, burpees, or jumping), the medium impact for dancing, cycling, or skiing, and high impact for HIIT, running, and aerobics. 

6. CHECK YOUR BREASTS MONTHLY AS PART OF YOUR SELF-CARE ROUTINE  

Every month, after your period, has ended, you should be checking your breasts for any changes. (Around your period, your breasts are likely to be sore and tender so avoid doing your monthly checks then.) Breast cancer affects 1 in 3 women worldwide, and performing a breast examination is one way to catch any changes early before they could develop into something more serious. Use a nourishing breast care oil to make this monthly routine a more enjoyable and sensorial experience. Wondering how to check your breasts? Women's health expert, Dr. Ravina Patel, gives a step-by-step guide on how to do a breast care examination at home. 

HOW TO DO A MONTHLY BREAST CARE EXAMINATION 

1. “Look at yourself in the mirror or whilst in the shower. Ensure your breasts are their usual size, shape, skin colour. Look out for skin changes, dimples in the skin, swellings or lumps, nipple discharge and nipple inversion (pushed inwards instead of sticking outwards). Look at your breasts again but this time raise your arms towards the ceiling.” 
2. When lying down in your bed, place your arm behind your head. With your other hand, use the length of your fingers to feel around each quadrant of your breast in circular motions. Ensure you cover all areas of the breast in a clockwise motion, including the nipple.”  
3. “Move your fingers up towards your collarbone and then down into your armpit. Push your fingers deep into your armpits (as you have deep lymph nodes here). The key things to feel for are new swellings, lumps and tenderness. Some people have lumpy breasts; the key thing to look and feel for are particularly new changes to your breast.” 
4. “Check your breasts standing up – the best time is whilst you are in the shower. Repeat the same motions of feeling your breasts when standing. Lift your arm into the air and use the fingers from your hand to cover all quadrants of the breast in an organised way to ensure you don’t miss any areas.” 

If you notice any changes, you should visit your GP. Many lumps end up being benign, but it’s always best to get it checked. Make this a part of a monthly self-care ritual to keep on top of your breast health.  

7. GET ENOUGH SLEEP 

The importance of beauty sleep shouldn’t be underestimated. Not getting enough sleep can result in premature aging, including on your breasts, chest area, decolletage, and neck. It’s one of those tell-tale areas that ages more quickly but with the right skincare ingredients and lifestyle changes you can defy age, and nourish skin. Sleep soundly with a nourishing bubble bath and wind-down routine before bed. Fill your bath with relaxing essential oils, then slather on body oil to smooth, firm, and hydrate skin overnight. 

DO WHAT’S BEST FOR YOUR BREASTS 

To take a whole-body approach to your health means looking after your breasts too. From declining collagen and premature aging to an increased risk of breast cancer as you get older, adding a breast care routine to your self-care and skincare is another step in the right direction to taking care of every part of you!