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Let’s be honest: signs of aging extend beyond the face. Although my skincare routine has everything from facial cleansers and toners to anti-aging serums and under eye treatments, it’s time I admit that I’ve neglected the thin skin of my neck, and it’s starting to show. Due to creasing from tech neck, I’ve noticed a whole lot of fine lines, as well as a loss of elasticity, and a bit of sagging below my jawline. Though it bothers me, surgery feels too drastic and medical treatments are out of my budget. So, I have officially started my hunt for the best neck firming creams to add to my skincare lineup.
Meet the Experts: Jeannette Graf, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine; Marisa Garshick, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist at M.D.C.S. Dermatology.
Neck firming creams claim to do just that: tighten and firm loosening skin on the neck. But do they actually work? Marisa Garshick, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist at M.D.C.S. Dermatology says that yes, in fact, they do. “Because the neck skin is prone to crepiness and skin laxity, by helping to firm and tighten the skin, it can improve the overall appearance of the skin on the neck and help with signs of skin aging.” Yes, you could just use a thick moisturizer to help revive that delicate skin, but Jeannette Graf, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine adds that “neck firming creams work by using a blend of firming, hydrating, brightening, and retexturizing ingredients to improve the overall appearance of the area.” AKA, the more specific, the better.
Although it’s important to remember that a cream will not have the same kinds of results as surgery or in-office procedures, a neck firming cream is a great place to start. Keep reading to see which neck firming creams professional dermatologists recommend their patients to see which one could be best for you.
1
Best Neck Firming Cream Overall
StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream Plus
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Pros
highly reviewed
good for fine lines and wrinkles
good for sagging skin
Cons
might not be suitable for sensitive skin
StriVectin is the gold standard in neck firming creams, and for a good reason. Its advanced formula contains a unique blend of peptides and extracts to not only moisturize your neck skin, but actively reduce sagging and horizontal wrinkles in just four weeks, according to the brand’s studies. Reviewers agree, with many of them wishing they’d started using the cream sooner for its visible results.
What a reviewer says: “I love this product. I have been losing weight, and the turkey neck is a real struggle. This is helping to keep it firm as I lose weight—as much as can be expected with aging. But, seriously my neck and decolletage look great. I use this at least once a day.”
Key Ingredients | Peptide blend, spilanthol, botanic extracts |
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Size | 1.7 fl oz |
2
Best Budget Neck Firming Cream
Olay Micro-Sculpting Cream
Pros
affordable
hydrating formula helps plump skin
highly-reviewed and tested
Cons
some reviewers complain it leaves a greasy residue
This neck firming cream boasts a 4.6 star Amazon rating from over 17,000 reviews for its ultra-hydrating properties at an affordable price point—especially since it’s frequently on sale. Reviewers love that this cream instantly plumps and smooths neck skin, plus it’s safe to use on the face, too.
What a reviewer says: “Wouldn’t say it makes me look dramatically younger (nothing really can), but it does make me look my best at age 70. Takes good care of my aging dry skin; I have no wrinkles and my skin does not look dry or crepey. I no longer wear foundation as this skin moisturizing cream helps my skin look radiant, smooth, and natural.”
Key Ingredients | Vitamin B3, hyaluronic acid |
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Size | 50 ml |
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Pros
extremely hydrating
antioxidants protect skin barrier
Cons
no user reviews to collaborate
Dr. Graf recommends this cream for “those who have lost skin elasticity and are experiencing sagging, creasing, and wrinkles on their necks and decollete. This thick and luxurious cream contains a peptide complex and thick, hydrating ingredients like shea butter to nourish dry skin on the neck, increase firmness, and improve texture.”
Key Ingredients | Peptide complex, vitamin C, shea butter |
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Size | 2 fl oz. |
Pros
moisturizing without being greasy
strengthens skin barrier with antioxidants
good for hyperpigmentation and lessening age spots
Cons
not suitable for oily skin
“Not only does this incorporate a peptide complex to help smooth the texture of the skin, but it also works to strengthen the skin barrier and has antioxidants such as apple fruit extract to help with hyperpigmentation,” Garshick tells us. “With the Advanced Neck Cream, the skin appears more hydrated as it contains ceramides and shea butter to help strengthen the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss, making it a great option for those with dry skin. It can be used once or twice daily and is easy to apply as it layers in to nourish the skin without leaving the skin feeling greasy.”
What a reviewer says: “I noticed a lightening of my wrinkles within just a couple of weeks. The wrinkles in my neck feel softer to the touch and a shade lighter than they were before I started using this product. I’m hoping with long term use to keep the improvement and prevent further deepening of wrinkles. I use four pumps for one application, once every night, and it lasted me about two months.”
Key Ingredients | Peptides, vitamin E, and shea butter |
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Size | 1.8 fl oz |
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5
Best Neck Firming Cream for Oily Skin
Drmtlgy Neck Contouring Serum
Pros
can be layered with other products
fragrance-free and non-comedogenic
sculpting roller for application
Cons
some reviewers don’t think it’s moisturizing enough
Garshick also has a recommendation for those with oily skin from the same brand. This cream uses “key ingredients including a biomimetic marine vegan collagen, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to help tighten, smooth and nourish the neck while also improving overall tone and texture, making it a gentle yet effective option.” Other desirable features are the bottles stainless-steel roller, which helps sculpt and define the neck during application for instant results.
What a reviewer says: “I am blown away by this new product. The roller is genius and the application feels good. Starts out sticky, but as soon as it dries, the area feels smooth and looks brighter.
Key Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, sea moss extract, peptides |
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Size | 1.7 fl oz |
6
Best Neck Firming Cream for Sensitive Skin
Colorescience Pep Up Collagen Renewal Face & Neck Treatment
Pros
safe for sensitive skin
fast-acting results
good for fine lines and wrinkles
Cons
pricey
Garshick recommends this neck firming cream as her pick for those with sensitive skin. “This helps to boost collagen and elastin production while remaining gentle on the skin,” she tells us. “Incorporating peptides, glycerin and antioxidants, it works to nourish the skin, while also improving overall texture and tone.” Though pricey, she claims you only need one pump of this cream to start seeing results.
What a reviewer says: “I love this product. It starts working immediately, making your face look younger, tightened, glowing!! After longer use, your face looks like it did years ago!!!”
Key Ingredients | Peptide blend, hyaluronic acid, decaplex-10 |
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Size | 1 fl oz |
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7
Best Drug Store Neck Firming Cream
RoC Multi Correxion 5-in-1 Chest, Neck, and Face Moisturizer
Pros
good for hyperpigmentation and dark spots
has SPF protection for daytime use
affordable
suitable for all skin types
Cons
some reviewers complain of its fragrance
If a splurge isn’t in your budget, Garish tells us there are drug store options as well that are effective as well as affordable. “This lightweight day cream, containing SPF, 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,” she says. “It is easy to apply to the neck and chest and incorporates Hexyl-R complex technology, and still remains gentle enough for daily use.”
What a reviewer says: “As I’ve aged I’ve noticed that my chest was looking dryer and more wrinkled due to sun damage over the years. I tried so more expensive products but saw that this was much less expensive so gave it a try. I feel it works just as well as the expensive products without the large price tag. I apply it to my chest and neck twice a day and it has really helped the appearance of both. Do I look like a 20 year old? No, but it’s definitely made a difference.”
Key Ingredients | Gycerin, hexyl R-complex |
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Size | 1.7 oz |
How to choose the best neck firming creams
Look for hydrating ingredients. The delicate skin of your neck loses moisture at a faster rate than the rest of your skin, which can contribute to signs of aging like horizontal wrinkles, crepey textures, and sagging. Garshick says to keep an eye out for “hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which are humectants that draw moisture in, and can help to leave the skin more plump and more hydrated.”
Peptides are essential. “Peptides are chains of amino acids and are considered the building blocks of proteins. When peptides are applied to the skin, they provide a signal to the body to boost collagen production,” Garshick tell us. ”This in turn helps with sagging skin, improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and can improve texture, elasticity and tightening of the skin, overall restoring a youthful appearance to the skin.”
Consider other collegen-boosters like Retinol. “Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, helps to boost collagen production, improving the tone and texture of the skin of the neck,” Garshick says.
Protect further damage with antioxidants. Garshick likes looking for formulas with Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, which an be applied to the neck and help to protect against free radical damage. Graff also adds that niacinamide is a great antioxidant which not only protects but can even skin tone and support firm-looking skin.
Opt for a formula with SPF. Everyone knows the first rule in skincare is to protect yourself with SPF, so why not extend that down to your neck? For best results, both dermatologists advise using SPF on the neck every day, regardless of whether it is in your neck cream or not.
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When should you start using neck firming creams?
According to our experts, anyone can start using a cream at any time. But Garshick suggests using it as soon as your 30s. “It can be particularly helpful for those noticing signs of skin aging on their neck, including fine lines, wrinkles, textural changes, sagging and skin laxity. For those who are motivated, it can help to even start using a neck cream in your 30s or 40s to help prevent some of the signs of neck aging.”
How we chose
We received recommendations from two board-certified dermatologists, Jeannette Graf, M.D., from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and Marisa Garshick, M.D., F.A.A.D., from M.D.C.S. Dermatology. We also compared their advice to ingredient lists of highly reviewed and tested neck creams, and pored over hundreds of real people’s reviews to bring you the best neck firming creams to shop right now.
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Why trust us
For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.
Charlotte Lewis
Senior Commerce Editor
Charlotte Lewis is the Senior Commerce Editor at Prevention. After a decade of working in Hollywood writers’ rooms and contributing pop culture writing to ETOnline, Bustle, TVGuide, and CBS, she underwent bariatric surgery and changed her focus to health and wellness. Previously, Charlotte was the Sexual Health & Wellness Writer for Refinery 29. There, she wrote and edited shopping content about new wellness trends, beauty launches, and sex-positive products. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her girlfriend—and the love of her life, her senior dog, Rory. All three can typically be found perusing the Fort Green farmer’s market for fresh produce or curling up on the couch to watch Survivor.