The trajectory of neck creams from niche products to skin care routine staples is well-warranted. The neck weathers the same skin threats as the face, such as UV exposure, but because it’s such a delicate area, the décolletage is ill-equipped to fend off damage. “The skin on the neck and décolletage is much thinner than other parts of the body, which is why you can see signs of aging much more quickly here,” explains Dhaval Bhanusali, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “The neck also has fewer sebaceous glands than other parts of the body, making it more susceptible to dryness and an impaired skin barrier.”
What’s more, habits like staring down at the phone or even your sleeping position can affect the neck’s appearance. This is all to say: Don’t neglect your neck. To find the best neck creams, we consulted three dermatologists and a plastic surgeon and ultimately recommended these 15 top picks.
PHOTO: SkinMedica
Why We Love It: Beloved by dermatologists and beauty editors alike, this serum-like formula packs a hefty punch: It’s clinically proven to reduce sagging, tighten crepey skin, smooth fine lines, ease tech-neck wrinkles, and even out skin tone and texture. It’s also chock-full of hardworking (though lesser known) ingredients, including microalgae, mushroom extracts, peptides, rice protein, and knotgrass extract. “It also contains paracress extract to help reduce the appearance of platysmal banding,” explains board-certified plastic surgeon Jennifer Levine, M.D., who cites the neck cream as her all-time favorite. A floral extract, paracress also “helps with collagen and elastin synthesis, which increases the thickness of the skin.”
Who It’s For: While this can be used on all skin types, it may be particularly beneficial for aging and mature skin. The higher price tag caters to those willing to make an investment in their neck care routines (though one bottle does last a remarkably long time). In the humble opinion of this formerly tech neck-afflicted beauty writer, it’s worth every last penny.
Size: 2 oz | Key Ingredients: Green microalgae, shiitake mushroom, paracress, peptides, knotgrass | Fragrance-Free: Yes
PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: A perennial drugstore favorite, this five-in-one cream is a serious multitasker. “This lightweight day cream has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of discoloration, crepiness, dryness, dull tone, and wrinkles, with some people noticing results as early as four weeks,” explains board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD. It contains the brand’s proprietary Hexyl-R complex technology (an antioxidant), plus shea butter, vitamin E, and SPF 30 to fend off potential sun damage. “Sun protection is key when it comes to skin changes on the neck, but especially for dark spots and discoloration,” Dr. Garshick adds.
Who It’s For: The most affordable neck cream on our list, this is ideal for those who prefer the convenience and ease of a simplified routine without sacrificing efficacy. Its lightweight consistency, SPF 30, and lack of any chemical exfoliants means it’s also safe for every skin type and gentle enough for daily use.
Size: 1.7 oz | Key Ingredients: Hexyl-R Complex, vitamin E, shea butter | Fragrance-Free: No
PHOTO: Dermstore
Why We Love It: Chantecaille is renowned for its innovative, luxurious plant-powered formulations, and the brand’s Bio Lifting Neck Cream is as enjoyable to slather on as it is effective. Formulated to moisturize, tighten, and brighten the skin of the neck and décolletage, its potent botanical blend comprises watercress, raspberry stem cell extract, magnolia bark extract, and glaucine, an extract from yellow poppy flowers. The formula has a base of pure rosewater and contains hexapeptides, tripeptides, and amino acids to plump fine lines and deeply hydrate skin.
Who It’s For: The rich, decadent texture makes it ideal for dry, mature, and sensitive skin. Chantecaille’s plant-based blends are known for their soothing properties, as well as what they don’t contain (synthetic fragrance and color, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, and GMOs).
Size: 1.7 oz | Key Ingredients: Peptides, amino acids, glaucine | Fragrance-Free: Yes
PHOTO: Skinstore
Why We Love It: This dermatologist favorite delivers the potent skin-resurfacing power of retinol in slow-release form, at a low 0.2 percent concentration. “Incorporating retinol as well as a 2.5 percent tripeptide concentrate, this cream helps to firm the skin while also improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crepiness,” Dr. Garshick explains. Since retinol increases the photosensitivity of skin, always apply retinol at night and layer on SPF during the day. “When using retinol on the neck, it’s important to use it sparingly to minimize the potential for dryness and irritation,” advises Dr. Garshick.
Who It’s For: Though anyone can benefit from its anti-aging ingredient lineup, mature skin types and those looking to blur existing fine lines will reap the most benefits. Those with sensitive, dry, or fair-toned skin should proceed with caution.
Size: 1.7 oz | Key Ingredients: Retinol, peptides, glaucine | Fragrance-Free: Yes
PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: This vegan neck cream promises the potency of retinol without irritation, courtesy of a plant-based retinol alternative. Paired with peptides to stimulate collagen production and smooth skin texture, plus hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate, this noncomedogenic formula delivers all of the benefits of a quality neck cream, sans redness or irritation.
Who It’s For: Anyone prone to retinol’s side effects—redness, irritation, peeling—will appreciate this neck cream made from a popular retinol alternative.
Size: 1.7 oz | Key Ingredients: Phyto-retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-Free: No
PHOTO: Dermstore
Why We Love It: “It’s important to extend SPF application from your face down to your neck,” Dr. Bhanusali says. “Constant UV exposure can lead to collagen breakdown and poor skin texture, as well as discoloration.” Formulated with mineral-based broad-spectrum SPF 25, this neck and chest cream simultaneously protects skin from future damage while also helping to repair it. It contains ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, and copper peptides. Finally, DMAE (short for dimethylaminoethanol) helps to firm and even out skin.
Who It’s For: Although everyone can (and should) benefit from daily SPF application on the neck and décolletage, this two-in-one cream is ideal for helping to address existing signs of sun damage, such as dark spots and discoloration.
Size: 1 oz | Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, DMAE, copper peptides, niacinamide | Fragrance-Free: Yes
PHOTO: Drmtlgy
Why We Love It: This moisturizing neck cream contains a blend of five different peptides to smooth uneven texture and firm sagging skin. “It also has antioxidants, such as apple fruit extract, which help with hyperpigmentation,” explains Dr. Garshick. “The skin also appears more hydrated, as it contains ceramides and shea butter to help strengthen the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.”
Who It’s For: Though particularly helpful in replenishing dry skin, this gentle yet potent formula can benefit all skin types with regular use.
Size: 1.8 oz | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, peptides, shea butter, vitamin E | Fragrance-Free: Yes
PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: Fast-absorbing like a serum with the heavy-hitting benefits of a cream, this restorative emulsion stands out. It contains a 9 percent concentration of a multi-peptide blend, which helps boost skin’s elasticity. “Products that are comprised of skin barrier-repairing peptides such as palmitoyl tripeptides are important to treat skin laxity, as they can quickly catalyze the stimulation of collagen,” explains board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry, M.D., FAAD. In combination with hyaluronic acid, soothing rosewater, and niacinamide, this lightweight serum delivers on its promise of firming and hydrating without weighing skin down.
Who It’s For: This fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula is ideal for those seeking a lightweight option. It also works well layered underneath a heavier cream as part of a multistep neck care routine.
Size: 1.7 oz | Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, rose water | Fragrance-Free: Yes
PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: “Alastin Restorative Neck Complex is a dermatologist favorite, formulated with antioxidants and peptides to help support neck skin health,” Dr. Bhanusali says. It contains the brand’s Trihex technology, a patented “combination of peptides and actives that work to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.” This neck cream packed with actives works to replace damaged collagen and elastin fibers, thereby visibly improving the appearance of crepey, sagging skin.
Who It’s For: This serum-like cream helps restore skin’s natural hyaluronic acid levels, making it a fit for dry, sensitive and mature skin types.
Size: 1.7 oz | Key Ingredients: TriHex technology, flax seed extract | Fragrance-Free: Yes
PHOTO: Dermstore
Why We Love It: The ingredients in this expert-approved neck cream read like a laundry list of the best in anti-aging skin care. Most notably, it contains an eight-peptide blend that works to smooth fine lines, even out skin texture, and improve firmness. “Ingredients that help to firm the skin and boost collagen production, such as peptides, can be effective ingredients to help address skin laxity,” explains Dr. Garshick. Antioxidants, courtesy of lingonberry and everlasting flower extracts, help brighten, while the addition of red algae extract provides lifting and tightening benefits.
Who It’s For: “This is a great option for those with signs of moderate to advanced aging on the neck,” Dr. Garshick says. “It combines technology to utilize the microbiome, as well as a peptide blend Smart Antioxidant Technology and red microalgae extract to help the skin appear more firm and lifted, while smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Size: 1.7 oz | Key Ingredients: Eight-peptide blend, red microalgae extract | Fragrance-Free: No
PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: The concept of tech neck, Dr. Bhanusali says, is “the idea that chronically looking down at screens can also affect the appearance of your neck via the repetitive motion causing a breakdown of collagen over time.” Cosmetically, this translates to double horizontal necklines—which this high-tech cream is specifically formulated to target. It contains the brand’s proprietary alpha-3 peptides, which the brand says tighten, firm, and smooth the skin by enhancing its natural production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.
Who It’s For: Anyone prone to scrolling will love this neck cream. Because the formula is thicker than others on this list, dry and mature skin types may enjoy it most. Those with sensitive skin would be wise to patch test before full application; according to reviews, some customers experienced itchiness after use.
Size: 1.7 oz | Key Ingredients: Alpha-3 peptides, spilanthol, bearberry leaf extract | Fragrance-Free: No
PHOTO: AMAZON.
PHOTO: PHOTO: AMAZON
Why We Love It: This neck cream works with salicylic and alpha hydroxy acids to gently exfoliate skin, sloughing off any potentially pore-clogging dead skin cells. Helping to offset these skin-smoothing exfoliants are hyaluronic acids and quinoa to hydrate and help protect against environmental aggressors.
Who It’s For: The inclusion of salicylic acid in the formula makes it an ideal option for oily skin types and those prone to breakouts and bumps. The formula also helps those wanting to address uneven skin tone or texture.
Size: 1.7 oz | Key Ingredients: Alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-Free: No
PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: “This face and neck serum includes a combination of wrinkle-fighting, firming, and brightening ingredients that help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and overall skin texture,” Dr. Garshick says, highlighting the formula’s blend of peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. “Not only does it help to moisturize, but it also helps to firm the skin as well.” From moisturizing to strengthening, this serum checks every preventative skin care box.
Who It’s For: The hydrating and skin barrier-strengthening formula is also one of the more affordable options on our list—making it a prime choice for anyone on a budget, on the fence, or new to neck care.
Size: 1.7 oz | Key Ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, ceramides | Fragrance Free: No
PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: As its name implies, this ultrarich cream contains vitamin E for antioxidant protection, vitamin D to soothe skin and promote cell turnover, and a form of vitamin A called retinyl palmitate, a mild retinoid that stimulates collagen production. But it’s a trio of emollient ingredients in the formula—nourishing cocoa butter, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and skin-softening glycerin—that really level up its plumping power.
Who It’s For: Anyone who wants all the benefits of retinol—just at a slower, more gentle rate—will enjoy this supremely hydrating and affordable option.
Size: 1 oz | Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid, vitamins A, D, and E, glycerin | Fragrance Free: No
PHOTO: Dermstore
Why We Love It: What makes this beloved neck cream a triple threat is its special trio of ingredients: NeoCitriate, which boosts collagen synthesis, NeoGlucosamine to gently stimulate cell turnover, and pro-amino acids to firm and tighten skin. Moreover, the addition of vitamin E provides antioxidant support, while shea butter combats dryness and helps lock in moisture. One important thing to note: NeoStrata recently tweaked the original product formula, upgrading it with the addition of bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative, and MicroDiPeptide229, a proprietary firming peptide blend. What’s been removed: all added fragrance.
Who It’s For: All skin types can use this neck cream daily, though dry and mature skin types may benefit most.
Size: 2.8 oz | Key Ingredients: NeoGlucosamine, pro-amino acids, vitamin E | Fragrance Free: Yes
What to Keep in Mind
Neck Cream vs. Face Moisturizer: While nobody’s stopping you from simply extending your face moisturizer below your jawline, there are additional benefits to using a dedicated neck cream. This is because the skin comprising each area is so inherently different—and therefore, so are their corresponding products. “Neck creams are thicker than face creams and typically more hydrating, as the skin on the neck is thinner and produces less oil than the face,” Dr. Levine explains.
Key Ingredients: Because of its thin nature and lack of oil glands, the name of the game in neck care is moisture. “Hydrating products formulated with glycerin, squalene, or hyaluronic acid as the first key ingredient are crucial to lock in moisture and plump the skin,” Dr. Henry says. Once you’ve got the moisturizing base covered, the addition of specific ingredients can help target specific concerns. “Key ingredients to look for are cell-turnover powerhouse retinols, which tackle the erasure of fine lines, and wrinkle-reducing, smoothing peptides,” Dr. Henry explains.
Your Questions, Answered
What causes neck wrinkles?
“Neck lines can occur as a result of a combination of intrinsic and environmental factors,” explains Dr. Garshick. Cumulative UV exposure, air pollutants, and certain lifestyle habits (i.e. repetitive movements that crease and stretch the skin, like staring down at our phones) are the primary offenders comprising the latter category.
“Collagen and elastin tend to degrade quicker in these areas due to the aforementioned environmental effects and lifestyle behaviors,” Dr. Henry adds. “Skin degradation could in part also be attributed to a lack of focus on the area, as people tend to focus on facial skin care, and perhaps only part of the neck.”
Intrinsically speaking, genetics do play a role—some people are just more prone to developing wrinkles in this area. But what’s more: The structural integrity of the skin on the neck and chest makes it more susceptible to dryness, collagen breakdown, and in turn, the formation of fine lines.
Why does the skin around the neck and décolletage age more rapidly?
“Since the dermal layer of the neck—which is the layer that contains collagen—is thin, it can show signs of aging faster than other areas,” Dr. Garshick says. It’s a sort of one-two punch: Not only is the skin on the neck and chest inherently more prone to degradation, we’re also more prone to overlooking it. “The skin on the neck and décolletage, in comparison to the face, is thinner and has a less robust blood supply,” explains Dr. Levine. “Also, most people are good at applying creams and sunblock to their face but often neglect the neck and décolletage.”
When should you apply neck cream?
“There is no rigid rule for application, so I’d recommend applying the cream based on how well skin tolerates it,” Dr. Henry says. Most neck creams can and should be applied each morning and night, with the exception of those containing retinol. For those, “start with once every other night and work up to once a night if you’re tolerating it well,” Dr. Henry advises.
Why Shop With Us
Rebecca Dancer is a beauty writer, editor, and consultant with nearly 15 years of experience in the industry. Curious to a fault, her childhood nickname was “Talkie” because she asked so many questions—a trait she has yet to outgrow, especially as it pertains to skin care ingredients. She interviewed the below skin experts to inform this story and utilize their expert insight on what makes the best neck creams.
Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery in New York City.Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Manhattan and Englewood, New Jersey.Dr. Michelle Henry is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon who serves as the founder and CEO of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan. She also founded The Henry Research Group.Dr. Jennifer Levine is a double-board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City specializing in face and neck lifts.