Do neck creams really work? Dermatologists weigh in (2024)

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Selected.Our top picks Related selectExperts say our skin gets drier as we age. Here are the best moisturizers for mature skin Best overall: Strivectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream Plus Strivectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream Plus Best for dry skin: Neocutis Neo Firm Neck Cream Neocutis Neo Firm Neck Cream Editor’s pick: La Mer The Neck & Décolleté Concentrate Best for dark spots: Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Neck & Chest Broad Spectrum SPF 25 Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Neck & Chest Broad Spectrum SPF 25 Best for sensitive skin: BareMinerals Ageless Phyto-Retinol Neck Cream BareMinerals Ageless Phyto-Retinol Neck Cream Best pregnancy-safe: Neostrata Triple Firming Neck Cream Neostrata Triple Firming Neck Cream Best for mature skin: Revision Skincare Nectifirm Revision Skincare Nectifirm Best for oily skin: Caudalie Resveratrol-lift Retinol Alternative Firming Night Moisturizer Caudalie Resveratrol-lift Retinol Alternative Firming Night Moisturizer Best with SPF: No. 7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Cream SPF 30 No. 7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Cream SPF 30 Best budget: RoC Multi Correxion Crepe Repair Face & Neck Cream Best splurge: Tatcha Ageless Revitalizing Japanese Neck Cream Tatcha Ageless Revitalizing Japanese Neck Cream Best overnight treatment: SkinCeuticals Tripeptide R Neck Repair Cream SkinCeuticals Tripeptide R Neck Repair Cream Most lightweight: Nécessaire The Neck Serum Nécessaire The Neck Serum Related selectSerums aren’t just for your face. Here’s why you should consider using a body serum Frequently asked questions References

Your medicine cabinet is probably filled to the brim with lotions for your face and body. But what about creams for your neck? Although some may argue that moisturizers for your face, body and neck are all the same, a neck cream is designed to target specific skin concerns in that area in ways that other moisturizers cannot, says Dr. Arash Akhavan, a board-certified dermatologist who focuses on the neck area among others.

Like the face, the neck can develop fine lines and crepey skin over time as we mature. Luckily, neck creams can help prevent and target these concerns, experts say. To determine the best neck creams, I spoke to board-certified dermatologists about what active skin care ingredients to look for to help combat these concerns and other factors to consider when shopping for one to implement into your daily skin care routine.

SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best neck creams | The best neck creams | What do neck creams do? | How to shop for neck creams | Why trust NBC Select?

Selected.Our top picks

How I picked the best neck creams

We spoke to experts about what to look for to make sure your neck cream is effectively helping your skin. They recommend considering the following in mind:

  • Skin type: It’s important to shop based on your skin type — the same way you wouldn’t use a curly-hair shampoo if you have straight hair, you should find a neck cream that matches your skin type. Oily and acne-prone skin should look for a noncomedogenic cream. Dehydrated skin, which may feel itchy or dry, will probably respond better to a formula with hyaluronic acid. Those with mature and sensitive skin should look for a hydrating cream, but if you also have sensitive skin avoid irritants like fragrance.
  • Ingredients: Neck creams will generally help moisturize the skin. To help get even more out of your creams, look for formulas with added ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. If you want to promote skin cell turnover and improve texture, retinol-based creams will be best, experts say. Hyaluronic acid and ceramides are also helpful ingredients to have in a formula since they can reduce the appearance of fine lines and add hydration. You should also look for formulas with antioxidants, like vitamin C, to help protect the skin from sun exposure and stimulate collagen production, experts say.
  • Neck concern: When shopping, first figure out what problem you are trying to address. If you are looking to add moisture to the neck area, look for formulas that are specifically targeted toward hydration. If you’re taking preventative measures, consider a morning neck cream with an SPF. To combat crepey skin, consider a firming neck cream that will target loose skin.

Related

select

selectExperts say our skin gets drier as we age. Here are the best moisturizers for mature skin

The best neck creams in 2024

Below, I rounded up dermatologist-recommended neck creams, plus some highly rated options to consider that align with my experts’ guidance. Every option on this list focuses on hydration — our necks do not produce as much oil as our faces and are therefore naturally dry. We also included options that have retinol, retinol alternatives and antioxidants to suit various skin concerns and types.

Best overall: Strivectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream Plus

What we like

  • For vertical/horizontal lines
  • Improves sagging skin
  • Evens out crepey texture

Something to note

  • Higher price point

This Strivectin cream is a favorite of NBC Select editor Lindsay Schneider’s because of its rich, thick consistency. “It’s quite thick, but that’s exactly why I like it,” she says. “It feels like it is making a difference on my neck, chest and décolletage. A little goes a long way; plus, I can still apply SPF or makeup over it.” The neck cream comes in two other sizes including a travel version.

Fragrance-free: no | SPF: no | Key ingredients: peptides, spilanthol, bearberry leaf extract

Best for dry skin: Neocutis Neo Firm Neck Cream

Akhavan recommends this neck cream since it’s especially good at helping with hydration. It can also help firm up loose skin from the glycolic acid, jojoba oil and vitamin C in its formula since they exfoliate, hydrate and boost collagen production, says Akhavan. You can use it both day and night and should apply it in an upward motion, according to Neocutis.

Fragrance-free: yes | SPF: no | Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, jojoba oil, vitamin C

Editor’s pick:

What we like

  • Easy to apply
  • Strengthens the skin
  • Lifts and tightens

Something to note

  • Higher price point

To wrap up her nighttime skin care routine, NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown reaches for this rich cream because of how hydrating it is. “It has a thick consistency but absorbs at a surprisingly fast rate and leaves behind a beautiful sheen,” says Brown. It also comes with an applicator to help evenly spread the cream across your neck and decollete. “The mini brush made applying the cream feel like a ritual and something to look forward to every day,” she says.

Fragrance-free: no | SPF: no | Key ingredients: glycerin, miracle broth, lime tea concentrate

Best for dark spots: Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Neck & Chest Broad Spectrum SPF 25

What we like

  • Smooths fine lines
  • Improves sagging skin
  • Available in multiple sizes

Something to note

  • Not enough SPF

This firming neck cream has a lightweight, whipped texture that’s fragrance-free, making it great for all skin types, even for those with sensitive skin, according to the brand. It has vitamin C and vitamin B3 to help even skin tone and dark spots, peptides to firm the skin and mineral-based sunscreen so you can wear it during the day, according to Perricone. Reviewers say this neck cream, which has a 4.1-star average rating from 1,200 reviews on Amazon, is also fast-absorbing and noticeably tightens the skin on their neck, jawline and décolleté.

Fragrance-free: yes | SPF: yes | Key ingredients: vitamin C, vitamin B3, peptides

Best for sensitive skin: BareMinerals Ageless Phyto-Retinol Neck Cream

What we like

  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Smooths fine lines
  • Increases hydration

Something to note

  • Natural odor from ingredients

Retinols can be irritating for certain skin types, so this retinol alternative neck cream is a good swap. The plant-based retinol, which has hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides, helps reduce the chances of sensitivity, while also improving the skin’s texture, says Green. Since it has a retinol alternative, it is safe to use in the morning and at night, according to the brand.

Fragrance-free: yes | SPF: no | Key ingredients: Phyto-retinol, protein peptides, hyaluronic acid

Best pregnancy-safe: Neostrata Triple Firming Neck Cream

What we like

  • Improves discoloration
  • Smooths fine lines
  • Increases elasticity

Something to note

  • For dry, normal or oily skin

This cream, which has a 4.2-star average rating from over 800 reviews on Amazon, is pregnancy-safe, and helps tighten and firm your skin, according to the brand. The nonsticky formula is fast-absorbing, so it doesn’t transfer onto your clothes or settle in the creases of your neck, according to the brand. For the best results, apply one pump of the cream to your neck and dedécolletage in the morning and at night.

Fragrance-free: yes | SPF: no | Key ingredients: shea butter, glycerin, amino acids

Best for mature skin: Revision Skincare Nectifirm

What we like

  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Improves photodamage look
  • Evens out crepey texture

Something to note

  • Higher price point

Akhavan has seen positive results from his patients — specifically those with mature and dry skin — who use this. It has natural oils, which help with hydration, as well as antioxidants and peptides, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines, according to Akhavan. You can use this on your décolletage and even your jawline, too.

Fragrance-free: no | SPF: no | Key ingredients: peptides, vitamin C, vitamin E, dihydromyricetin

Best for oily skin: Caudalie Resveratrol-lift Retinol Alternative Firming Night Moisturizer

What we like

  • Very moisturizing
  • Rich and silky texture
  • Refillable

Something to note

  • Added fragrance

Green recommends this moisturizer because it won’t clog pores or cause any unwanted breakouts, and it’s suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. Instead of using retinol, which can be irritating, it instead uses a retinol alternative to help firm the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, according to the brand. Safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding, you can apply this to your face and neck at night after using a serum, according to Caudalie.

Fragrance-free: no | SPF: no | Key ingredients: vegan collagen, hyaluronic acid, resveratrol

Best with SPF: No. 7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Cream SPF 30

What we like

  • For face and body
  • Firming
  • Protects skin

Something to note

  • Only one size

To prevent visible signs of aging from sun damage, this neck cream has the dermatologist-recommended SPF minimum of 30 and ingredients to target neck area concerns, says Green, so it’s a great option to use during the day. The fragrance-free formula also has peptides and hyaluronic acid to firm up skin, and vitamin C for brightening.

Fragrance-free: yes | SPF: yes | Key ingredients: ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C

Best budget:

What we like

  • For face and body
  • Reduces crepey skin
  • Rich consistency

Something to note

  • Natural odor from ingredients

This face and neck cream is great for those with oily skin, but can also work for mature skin and all other skin types, too, according to Green. “It plumps creases and fills out the lines and wrinkles around crepey skin,” she says. The scented cream is also the most affordable option on our list.

Fragrance-free: yes | SPF: no | Key ingredients: shea butter, glycerin, sweet almond oil, safflower seed oil

Best splurge: Tatcha Ageless Revitalizing Japanese Neck Cream

What we like

  • Firming
  • Easy to apply
  • Improves dull skin

Something to note

Nothing to note at this time

Suitable for dry skin, this Tatcha formula is also especially hydrating, according to Green. That’s because it has ingredients that help promote water retention and smooth fine lines, she says. Each tub comes with a gold spoon, so you can easily scoop out the right amount needed for your neck and décolletage.

Fragrance-free: no | SPF: no | Key ingredients: squalane, glycerin, cornflower extract, vitamin C

Best overnight treatment: SkinCeuticals Tripeptide R Neck Repair Cream

What we like

  • Fast absorbing
  • For vertical/horizontal lines
  • Improves tone and texture

Something to note

  • For nighttime use

This cream smooths fine lines caused by early aging or repetitive movements like looking down at devices, commonly known as tech neck, according to the brand. Reviewers say that it is worth the price because it effectively improves firmness and sagginess. This cream has a 4.0-star average rating from over 200 reviews at SkinCeuticals.

Fragrance-free: yes | SPF: no | Key ingredients: retinol, peptides, glycerin

Most lightweight: Nécessaire The Neck Serum

What we like

  • Prevents fine lines
  • Fast absorbing
  • Firming

Something to note

  • Small size

Unlike other options on our list, this neck treatment is a serum, which is a lighter alternative to lotions and creams. Reviewers say this serum, which has a 4.5-star average rating from over 160 reviews at Nordstrom, is suitable for all skin types, gradually helps increase the skin’s firmness and creates an overall tighter appearance on the neck and décolletage. It has five types of peptides that work to trigger the skin’s own collagen production, according to the brand.

Fragrance-free: yes | SPF: no | Key ingredients: peptides, niacinamide, squalane, glycerin

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What do neck creams do?

Unlike a regular daily face or body moisturizer, neck creams are designed to target the neck area specifically and have ingredients you won’t always find in your standard lotion or cream. Although there is some overlap between all three skin care products, neck creams tend to have more actives with higher concentrations, says Akhavan. They also tend to have heavier oils than a standard face cream because there is less worry about clogging pores since the oil production is lower on your neck.

For example, when the neck area gets depleted of collagen and elastin, you might start to see fine lines and loose skin. A neck cream can help the skin at a cellular level by boosting collagen production and elasticity, which helps fill in those fine lines, improve the texture of skin and hydrate the skin, according to Akhavan.

How to shop for the best neck creams

When shopping, experts recommend keeping in mind certain ingredients and your specific skin type. Below, we break down how to decide which eye cream is best for you.

Neck concerns

Neck creams can help soften fine neck lines, protect skin from sun exposure and treat existing concerns like discoloration and skin elasticity. To find the best neck or face cream for you, you should first identify what you’re hoping to achieve.

Skin Type

The skin on our neck can be drier than the skin on our face because it doesn’t produce as much oil. Because of this, it can be especially helpful to use heavier oils and fats in neck creams to make sure the skin on your neck is getting the moisturize it needs, says Akhavan. When shopping, look for formulas with hydrating ingredients — especially if you are also using a retinol that can dry out the skin, experts say.

If you have sensitive skin, look for creams without any irritants, including fragrances and dyes, to avoid any reactions or redness. If you have oily or acne-prone skin and are concerned about clogging your pores with oils or rich creams, look for formulas that are noncomedogenic.

Ingredients

Like face and body lotions, neck creams will have various ingredients to help moisturize the skin; they will also have ingredients that help address neck-specific concerns, whether it is tone and texture or fine lines. Experts recommend looking for four categories of ingredients when shopping: retinol, hyaluronic acid and ceramides, antioxidants and exfoliants.

  • When it comes to smoothing fine lines, retinol is the best ingredient to have in a formula, according to Akhavan. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that promotes skin cell turnover to improve skin’s texture, says Green. However, since the neck area tends to be drier because of its lack of oil production, retinol can exacerbate that issue. Consider products that also have ingredients like glycerin to counteract this issue, according to Akhavan.
  • Hyaluronic acid and ceramides are great when you want something smoothing and hydrating, according to Green.
  • Antioxidants are another category to look for; they play a major role in neck creams. Vitamin C specifically is a popular ingredient you may find since it helps even skin tone and stimulate collagen production, according to Green. (Collagen is the building block and underlying support of your skin; when your skin has enough support, it can improve fine lines, sagging skin and elasticity according to Akhavan.)
  • If you want a cream that will remove dead skin and help renew the skin at a faster rate, look for glycolic acid, according to Akhavan. The chemical exfoliant helps by causing minor yet healthy inflammation. “The inflammation activates the body’s natural wound healing pathways to generate collagen and elastin,” says Akhavan. Glycolic acid is typically safe to use on all skin types. However, it may cause irritation for those with sensitive skin or can be irritating improperly combined with retinol, according to experts in our guide on alpha-hydroxy acids.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, depending on what you are trying to achieve. Neck creams are formulated with specific concentrations of ingredients to help improve the overall appearance of your neck. For example, they can promote new skin cell growth to help with the tone and texture of the skin on your neck, according to experts.

In some cases, neck creams are not enough to combat issues like loose skin and fine lines, however. After speaking to your dermatologist, noninvasive procedures like laser treatments and injectables may help further reduce your concerns and may be the better route, according to Green.

Many people begin introducing neck creams into their routines in their 20s and 30s, experts say. Once we turn 20, our bodies slowly start decreasing collagen production; by 25, we begin to see signs like fine lines, says Green.

You can apply a neck cream twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. “Neck creams should be layered after lightweight products, such as treatments or serums, to hydrate and protect the skin from environmental factors,” says Green. It’s also recommended to follow up with sunscreen in the morning if your cream does not already have SPF.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

  • Dr. Arash Akhavan is a board-certified dermatologist and founder and director of The Dermatology & Laser Group in New York City.
  • Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at her own private practice in New York City.
Why trust NBC Select?

I am an associate reporter covering skin care and hair care, including recent stories on the best eye creams and the best body washes. For this story, I interviewed two dermatologists, shared their recommendations as well as NBC Select-staff favorites and highly rated options that met their guidance.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.


Bianca Alvarez

Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter at NBC Select.

Do neck creams really work? Dermatologists weigh in (2024)

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