No matter how committed you are to your skin-care products, there’s one significant area many of us seem to forget: the décolletage. This delicate area — from the chin to the chest — is one of the first places on our bodies to develop signs of aging, which is why it deserves special attention.
“The neck area has thin, sensitive skin compared to other parts of the body,” Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, previously told Allure. “Combine that with gravity and the constant craning over smartphones, and it’s an area uniquely at risk for fine lines and sagging.” In other words, “tech neck” isn’t as much of a myth as we might have thought.
If you’ve noticed any difference in skin laxity around your neck and chest area, Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist James Y. Wang, MD, of Metropolis Dermatology says, first and foremost, to consult a dermatologist for an evaluation of any inflammation, lumps, and nodules. He adds that significantly loose skin likely requires procedural intervention, but neck creams can be beneficial for replenishing hydration and subtly decreasing the look of neck lines. Of course, this all depends on which ingredients are added to the formula.
Dr. Wang notes that retinol is a common additive to these moisturizers for its ability to promote collagen production, which is what makes it a crown-jewel ingredient for addressing the appearance of wrinkles. “This can help with skin sagging, wrinkles, and some crepiness,” he says. “Since the neck is a sensitive area, the retinol concentrations tend to be low and the results are subtle.” He also says peptides are a new area of exploration for neck creams, and the jury is still out on whether they are effective — but many formulas (as you’ll soon read) nowadays feature the ingredient for its skin-firming benefits.
Whether you’re looking for temporary skin-tightening benefits or formulas with discoloration-reducing ingredients, we rounded up the 17 best neck creams, as recommended by dermatologists, that will nourish the delicate skin below the chin.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Triple-R Neck Repair, $135
- Best Tightening: StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream, $95
- Best Dermatologist-Recommended: Revision Skincare Nectifirm, $106
- Best SPF-Infused: RoC Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Chest, Neck & Face Cream, $25
- Best Splurge: SkinMedica Neck Correct Cream, $135
- Best for Discoloration: NeoStrata Triple Firming Neck Cream, $88
- Best Exfoliating: Neocutis Neo Firm Neck & Décolleté Tightening Cream, $135
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