These skin-firming moisturizers from SkinCeuticals, Revision Skincare, and RoC are beloved by experts for their wrinkle-targeting properties.
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 16 best neck creams, as recommended by dermatologists, that will nourish the delicate skin below the chin.
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Triple-R Neck Repair
SkinCeuticals is, without a doubt, one of the most impressive skin-care brands on the market (it’s garnered many Allure Best of Beauty Awards over the years), especially when it comes to tackling the concerns of mature skin. Living up to the clinically-inspired brand’s hype is the Triple-R Neck Repair, a daily, fragrance-free retinol cream created solely for the delicate skin around your neck and chest to target a variety of signs of aging, including wrinkling and sagging.
Since it’s infused with retinol — which is a beloved active ingredient that’s known to boost cell turnover and promote collagen production — we recommend using this moisturizer as an intensive night cream. And always remember to wear sunscreen during daylight hours, as skin becomes more sensitive to UV damage while using retinol.
Best for Tightening: StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream Plus
StriVectin’s TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream Plus is loved by both beauty editors and derms alike because of the brand’s patented skin-barrier-repairing technology called NIA-114, as well as its “Gravitite-CF Lifting Complex,” which both help reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin along the neck, jawline, and décolleté in as little as four weeks.
The luxe formula also features hydrating ingredients like soothing shea butter, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to moisturize and condition skin, so it really has all of the key ingredients you could possibly want in a neck cream.
Best Dermatologist-Recommended: Revision Skincare Nectifirm
Dr. Wang says one of his all-time favorite neck creams is Revision Skincare’s Nectifirm lotion because it absorbs quickly and contains nourishing ingredients like skin-firming peptides, hyperpigmentation-brightening vitamin C, and moisture-retaining vitamin E. “It provides a nice dose of antioxidants for a brightening effect,” he says.
Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans, also recommends this formula and calls out its inclusion of “red algae to lift and firm” in addition to the “superior blend of peptides” that’ll boost skin elasticity.
Best Neck Cream with SPF: RoC Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Chest, Neck & Face Cream
Besides Father Time, the sun is the number one culprit behind skin aging. Suffice it to say that daily SPF is a must. Dr. Wang says RoC’s Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Chest, Neck & Face Cream is a great choice because it moisturizes skin with glycerin and shea butter while shielding you from UV-induced sun damage with broad-spectrum SPF 30. And, as the name suggests, it can double as your daily daytime face moisturizer.
Best Splurge: SkinMedica Neck Correct Cream
Yes, the SkinMedica Neck Correct Cream may be pricey, but boy is its skin-plumping formula worth every penny. This luxuriously rich cream treats your skin to a hefty dose of microalgae, which is rich in antioxidant vitamins A (also known as retinol) and E. This skin-firming cream also contains peptides and moisturizing mushroom extract for a lifted appearance and smooth feel.
Best for Discoloration: NeoStrata Triple Firming Neck Cream
Combat the look of fine lines and crepey skin while replenishing much-needed moisture with the help of the NeoStrata Triple Firming Neck Cream. This rich, indulgent moisturizer is enriched with amino acid chains (also known as peptides) to firm the skin while shea butter and antioxidant vitamin E condition. A favorite of Dr. Turegano’s, this formula also contains a special ingredient called neoglucosamine, which is “an amino sugar that helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” she explains.
Best Exfoliating: Neocutis Neo Firm Neck & Décolleté Tightening Cream
If you’re looking to target dryness and fine lines on your neck and chest, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Arash Akhavan, MD, suggests adding the Neocutis Neo Firm Neck & Décolleté Tightening Cream to your routine. “This cream firms and tightens the neck and décolleté by diminishing the look of wrinkles with glycolic acid and leaving a more youthful look with enhanced collagen production and hydrated, smooth skin,” he says.
Best Neck Cream with Vitamin C: Tatcha Ageless Revitalizing Neck Cream
All skin types can enjoy Tatcha’s Ageless Revitalizing Neck Cream, considering the fact that it omits synthetic fragrances and mineral oil from its formula. This nourishing cream gets its brightening, firming, and moisturizing abilities from vitamin C-rich peony extract and the brand’s proprietary Hadasei-3. The latter is a complex made up of antioxidant-rich green tea and red algae extract along with moisturizing rice extract to significantly enhance the look of your skin.
Best Softening: iS Clinical Neck Perfect
When it comes to the iS Clinical Neck Perfect, alpha hydroxy acids are the name of the game. This cream targets the look of fine lines and wrinkles while diminishing the appearance of dark spots with an AHA blend while salicylic acid provides added discoloration-improving exfoliation and antioxidants deliver protection from free radical damage. This intensive moisturizer also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin for a plumper, suppler appearance.
Best Brightening: Perricone MD Cold Plasma+ Neck & Chest
The Perricone MD Cold Plasma+ Neck & Chest is one of Dr. Wang’s favorite picks for its rich, soothing feel and niacinamide-spiked formula to brighten and moisturize skin. Plus, vitamin C (more specifically, a very stable version called Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) and copper peptides offer loads of antioxidants to prevent photodamage.
He notes that this cream also contains broad-spectrum SPF 25, but you may want to wear a separate sunscreen with this moisturizer — as the American Academy of Dermatology suggests using formulas with a broad-spectrum rating of SPF 30 or higher. (Luckily, we’ve compiled our favorite sunscreens — take your pick.)
Best Affordable Neck Cream: No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum
On the more affordable end, there’s No7’s Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum, a multitasking formula that employs a blend of peptides (the brand’s proprietary blend of peptide technology called Matrixyl 3000 Plus), ceramides, amino acids, and calcium to reverse dry skin and boost cellular repair for overall smoother and firmer skin.
Best Lightweight Neck Serum: Nécessaire The Neck Serum
For those of you who want to create a whole routine for your neck and chest, we suggest slathering the intensely moisturizing yet lightweight Nécessaire The Neck Serum on before whipping out your neck creams. Not only does it contain peptides to lift and firm the look of skin, but it’s also infused with soothing rosewater to reduce inflammation and niacinamide to replenish moisture and even skin tone.
Best Plumping: IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Neck Cream
IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Neck Cream is hyperfocused on plumping skin and improving skin texture and elasticity. A powerhouse blend of collagen, hyaluronic acid, fucoidan seaweed extract, and ceramides coats the delicate neck and décolleté area in a soothing blanket of moisture (while also preventing future water loss) and barrier-repairing goodness.
Best for Fine Lines: Colorescience Pep Up Collagen Renewal Face & Neck Treatment
Colorescience’s Pep Up Collagen Renewal Face & Neck Treatment certainly gives your skin a “pep up” — both immediately (plumping) and in the long run (less visible fine lines). To thank for those results is a blend of peptides, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid, all of which work in tandem to support the skin’s own natural collagen production. After just a month or two of consistent use — depending on your age and genetics — you may notice a visible improvement in fine lines, wrinkles, and even the firmness of your skin.
Best Soothing: Sisley Paris Neck Cream
If you’re looking to splurge while making your décolleté feel très chic, consider the Sisley Paris Neck Cream, which is as beautiful as it is effective. Oat seed extract and rhatany (a plant-based astringent) provide an immediate tightening effect, while soy fiber and vitamin E work overtime to create a more permanent lift. Oh, and this cream is blended with super-soothing shea butter and sunflower oil for unparalleled softness.
Best Double-Duty Formula: Estée Lauder Resilience Multi-Effect Tri-Peptide Face and Neck Crème
Looking to save steps in your skin-care routine, all while treating an entirely new body part? Estée Lauder has you covered with this face and neck cream combo, formulated to encourage collagen and elastin production over time with the help of skin-firming peptides. Tech neck aside, it’s only natural that anyone who wants to smooth and strengthen neck skin would also want those same results for the face. Double the use makes this cream extra splurge-worthy.
