14 Best Neck Creams - Top-Rated Neck Creams of 2022

2022-05-27 23:17:11 By : Mr. Allen Lin

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

#WFH might have our neck suffering.

Nothing is more soothing than the ritual of taking time for yourself each night a la your nighttime routine. But are you taking care of your neck too? While it may seem like a funny question, the skin below our chin is just as delicate as the skin above it, and is equally as vulnerable to sun damage, age spots, sagging, and wrinkling over time. Whether your concern is "turkey neck" (the term used to describe the sagging or loosening of skin around the chin) or "tech neck" (the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles resulting from constantly straining or necks to look at our computers or phones), it's time to invest in your precious neck skin. Start showing some love with a dedicated cream. Ahead, we combed through reviews and scoured the top-rated neck creams–and consulted a few experts–to find the 14 best neck creams that actually work.

This bestseller is the holy grail of neck creams. Slather it all over your neck and décolleté and expect minimized wrinkles, firmer texture, and an overall smoother feel. One reviewer claimed it even delayed her aging process—"I am 66, almost 67, and when I recently started talking about retiring, I found [out] my coworkers thought I [was] in my early 50s."

Yeouth's neck cream is chockfull of antioxidants like green tea, which encourages cell healing, and vitamin C, which fights the free radicals that cause aging. One reviewer claimed it helped firm up excess skin from a dramatic weight loss. "I've tried multiple exercises to tighten up the muscles but they haven't worked all that well. I finally decided to do some research on neck creams and found this one," she wrote, "WOW! After only a few applications my neck had tightened up considerably."

A powerful combination of glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, and hyaluronic acid make this neck cream a sure bet for restoring elasticity to thin, crepe-y skin. "My skin instantly feels supple and firmer, and it lasts all day," a review said.

This potent moisturizer is like an "undo" button on sun damage. It features retinol, vitamin C, green tea extract, and hyaluronic acid to address wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. "This is one amazing product and it goes on super smooth and super easy," one review said, "It leaves my skin feeling refreshed and smooth and I never look oily when I wake up in the morning. It firms my skin and feels great."

You might be familiar with Neutrogena's other cult-favorite skincare products, but have you tried their retinol face & neck cream? With over 33 thousand reviews raving about how immediate results were—"After years of applying retinol based acids and moisturizers, this is the one that is finally doing the trick. Friends even notice the difference in my skin and asked what I was using!" one reviewer shared—this affordable option will be quite the bang for your buck.

With 558 reviews and 4.5 out of 5 stars, this formula is a proven winner. Avocado oil, caffeine, and green tea leaf extract are among the ingredients that lift and tighten the delicate skin on your neck. "[My] neck was feeling and even looking a bit tighter... I can't believe a topical cosmetic cream can actually product these effects. It almost feels and looks like I had a neck lift," one enthusiastic customer wrote.

Shisheido's concentrated neck cream just works. The cream not only nourishes and moisturizes to eliminate those dreaded lines, but it utilizes chlorella extract to prevent wrinkles as well. One loyal user enthuses,"Just a dab of the cream gives the skin moisture that lasts all day or night."

Founded by cosmetics chemist Ron Robinson, this moisturizer is made for all skin types and provides ultimate hydration for the face that can also be used on the neck. Its lightweight feel is perfect for sensitive areas like the neck and decolletage with ingredients like mushroom extract, Vitamin E, and Hyaluronic Acid. One reviewer is making the switch to this cream saying it, "Leaves a beautiful glow to your face, non-greasy or shiny but just a great look and feel, perfect for year-round but especially for summer!"

Hyaluronic acid, and the peptides argireline and matrixyl are the heroes behind this uber moisturizing cream. It's gentle—so recommended if glycolic acid or retinol are too harsh for your complexion—but visibly smoothes out wrinkles in as quick as four weeks. "I was using all kinds of serums, lotions, creams, etc... I threw them all away and just use the Anavita cream," one reviewer claimed.

The skin on the neck is very delicate, so sometimes using any ordinary cream can be counterproductive to the nourishing and anti-aging effect desired. Utilizing Vitamin A, D, and E the Mario Badescu cream is thick, but absorbs quickly and works on even the most sensitive skin. This reviewer knows that firsthand and said, "This is awesome! I had a rash on my neck for MONTHS because I couldn't find a moisturizing product that didn't irritate my super sensitive skin, but this cleared it up in two weeks! I LOVE it".

NeoStrata knew EXACTLY what they were doing when they created this moisturizing and strengthening neck cream! With their hero ingredient Neocitriate that thickens the skin, it's easy to see why it's a holy grail item. Take it from ELLE's Digital Director, Jessica Roy, "When quarantine started and I found myself in a less-than-ideal WFH desk setup, I noticed the lines on my neck becoming more pronounced. I immediately ordered this cream and I swear within a week I noticed a difference. It WORKS—like actually—and doesn't cause any kind of breakouts or irritation on my sensitive skin. 5 stars!"

Dermalogica is cutting out the need for an extra tool with this neck serum that also includes a roller for an easy skincare workout that can be used daily and nightly. "This is the 1st neck product I've tried that not only doesn't irritate my skin but also gives AMAZING results. In just a week of using it day and night, my lines are barely visible and the skin feels hydrated and lifted where before it felt dry and creepy," said one reviewer.

All you need is four weeks to see results from this drugstore favorite, which features vitamin E as an anti-aging ingredient. Immediately, it drops a moisture bomb on tired skin. Over time, it targets aging signs like wrinkles and sun damage. "It truly works for me. It softens my wrinkles and just gives me a healthy, slight glow," one reviewer said.

A common theme presents itself in the Ulta comments section for this powerful neck cream. "For me immediate results," said one user. Another added, "definitely makes a quick difference." If you're looking for something that works fast, grab It!

Dr. Kevin Sadati, Plastic Surgeon

Do neck firming creams actually work?

If you're concerned about loose skin, fine lines and wrinkles around the neck area, topical creams can minimize those issues. "Neck firming creams are a great place to start- and they do work," says Dr. Lal. However, like most skincare, results take time. "Neck firming creams will not provide overnight results, with most clinical products requiring 12 weeks of use before results are visible," adds Dr. Sadati. While neck creams may not provide the same results that in-office treatments would, "They do help add moisture to the delicate skin around the neck which can over time smooth the texture and reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the skin, but it is best to pair products with a procedure to achieve desired results," says Dr. Akhavan.

What ingredients are good to have in a neck firming cream?

"Hyaluronic acid, peptides, retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, and squalane are some examples of good ingredients to look for in a neck cream as they are ultra hydrating and beneficial for increasing collagen production," says Dr. Akhavan. For increased anti-aging, "Good neck creams will have a retinol which stimulates collagen and also helps fade dyspigmentation that occurs from sun exposure," says Dr Lal. However, it's important to remember that retinol is a powerful ingredient. "The skin on the neck area is thin and sensitive," says Sadati. "It’s best to use retinol products on the neck every 3 days and gradually increase the frequency as tolerated. Applying moisturizer after will help soothe the skin and help it to appear smoother."

What in-office treatments can you receive for the neck area?

For more intense and long-lasting results, in-office treatments are available. "There are both surgical and non-surgical options available for neck rejuvenation," says Dr. Sadati. "If you are looking for dramatic improvement a neck lift will deliver these results. Depending on your age and the condition of the skin non-surgical options such as radiofrequency, micro needling, resurfacing lasers and injectables can also provide significant improvement."