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Byrdie / Joy Kim
Thin, delicate skin on your neck is susceptible to signs of aging, including, sagging, spots, wrinkles, and dryness. If it’s not properly protected and managed, crepey skin on the neck can manifest, and no matter how youthful your face may look, your neck can make you look older than you really are.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall pick is StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream PLUS a niacinamide-rich formula that contains Gravitite-CF Lifting Complex to boost skin elasticity and brightness while fighting the look of horizontal fine lines. For a more affordable option, consider RoC 5-in-1 Even Tone + Lift Chest, Neck & Face Cream with SPF 30, which provides your daily dose of SPF and contains Hexyl-R Complex to target discoloration, dryness, and fine lines.
Neck care is often neglected. “The neck is an area that gets a lot of sun exposure because it’s often not covered, and we don’t always protect it as well as we protect our face,” explains New York City board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD. “It also has very little subcutaneous fat, so a loss of volume and increased skin laxity are particularly apparent. And because it has fewer, less active oil glands than the face, it can be more prone to dryness,” she adds. While you can, in theory, use any of the skincare products you’re using on your face on your neck, a dedicated neck cream is specially formulated for thin, delicate skin that's prone to crepe.
We conducted hours of research on the best neck creams recommended by a dermatologist. We also took top-rated products out for a spin, evaluating each on active ingredient list, ability to tighten, fade dark spots, and minimize the appearance of lines and sagging. After considering dozens of neck creams, research insights, combined with King's recommendations, and third party reviews determined the products in this round-up.
Ahead, find the best neck creams for a smoother neckline.
Best Overall
StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream PLUS
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Amazon
Gravitite-CF Lifting Complex increases skin elasticity
Niacinamide-based NIA-114 formula protects skin barrier health and fades dark spots
Peptides and shea butter hydrate and plump skin
Doesn’t contain SPF
Expensive
Who else recommends it? Cosmopolitan, Allure, and CNN all picked StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream.
What do buyers say? 75% of 4,700+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
There’s a lot to love about this best-selling neck cream, which is why we’re ranking it number one out of the bunch. First, the formula recently got an upgrade and now includes the unique Gravitite-CF Lifting Complex, which not only improves the elasticity of the skin on the neck but also lifts and helps minimize the look of horizontal fine lines, perfect for combatting the appearance of tech neck. But it doesn’t stop there: The brand’s patented niacinamide-based NIA-114 technology helps to strengthen the skin barrier, which is key for keeping easily-irritated neck skin in check. In addition to being supremely hydrating, niacinamide also helps to minimize dark spots and even out the skin’s tone.
This cream supplies everything you could ever want and need to address all of your neck issues in one convenient jar. It may be on the pricier end of the spectrum, but for targeting multiple concerns in one fell swoop, we’d say it’s worth the splurge.
Price at time of publish: $95
Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides, shea butter | Benefits: Strengthens the skin barrier, minimizes dark spots, and instantly hydrates and tightens | Dosage: Thin layer in AM and PM | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Overall, Runner-Up
Revision Skincare Nectifirm
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Peptides hydrate and plump skin
Vitamins C and E target discoloration and improve cell turnover
Air-tight pump dispenser
Doesn’t contain SPF
Expensive
This formula contains antioxidants, youth-boosting peptides, and plant extracts to help the skin appear firmer and lifted, reduce the appearance of rough and crepey skin, and decrease the look of fine lines and wrinkles. “This is a great option for firming the appearance of the skin of the neck and décolletage,” says King.
Price at time of publish: $98
Active Ingredients: Peptides, vitamin C, vitamin E | Benefits: Reduces appearance of adipose tissue and rough, creepy skin | Dosage: 1 to 2 pumps twice a day | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
You can even apply it along your jawline to firm up that area as well. The formula is more lightweight than others in the round-up, and it absorbs into skin quickly.
Best Drugstore
RoC 5-in-1 Chest, Neck & Face Cream with SPF 30
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Hexyl-R Complex targets discoloration, dryness, and fine lines
Contains SPF
Can also be used on face
Affordable
Lightweight formula
It’s generally pretty tough to find a neck cream at the drugstore, making this all the more noteworthy. Its non-comedogenic formula can be used on the face as well. it’s also really hydrating and contains SPF protection.
Price at time of publish: $30
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Benefits: Clinically proven to reduce dark spots and discoloration, improve the look of elasticity, restore radiance, hydrate, and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles in just 4 weeks | Dosage: A layer 15 minutes before sun exposure and every 2 hours while outside | Size: 1.7 ounces | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Wrinkles
Prai Beauty Ageless Throat & Decolletage Creme
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Hyaluronic acid and shea butter plump skin
Sepilift technology boosts collagen and restores elasticity
Affordable
Doesn’t contain SPF
This daily cream, the brand’s number one best-seller, contains a proprietary Sepilift technology to boost collagen and restore elasticity, plus hyaluronic acid. You’ll start to see some results in as little as seven days, a major win for those of us who are seriously impatient.
Price at time of publish: $45
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, shea butter, squalane | Benefits: Creates a long-lasting barrier to lock in moisture, restores elasticity, and diminishes discoloration | Dosage: Pea-sized amount twice a day| Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Toning
Dr. Brandt Skincare Needles No More Neck Sculpting Cream
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Courtesy of Sephora
Comes with a gua sha
Caffeine decreases puffiness
Doesn’t contain SPF
Formula could be more hydrating
Expensive
An included gua sha stone encourages adding gentle massage to your neck cream routine, to help tone the area. The cream is packed with ingredients that help improve skin firmness and combat puffiness—caffeine, guarana extract, spirulina.
Price at time of publish: $95
Active Ingredients: Caffeine, guarana, extract, spirulina | Benefits: Leaves the look of your neck and jawline more lifted, sculpted, and smoother while increasing the feeling of firmness | Dosage: Pea-sized amount as needed | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Toning, Runner-Up
Emma Hardie Lift & Sculpt Firming Neck Treatment
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Hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps skin
Roller tip makes application easy and enjoyable
Doesn’t contain SPF
The formula is packed with hyaluronic acid, rosehip seed oil, and a proprietary ingredient that helps boost collagen production. But what really gets us excited is the application method. It comes with a roller tip that makes it super easy to apply the lightweight lotion in upward strokes along your neck, further enhancing the lifting and sculpting effects.
Price at time of publish: $77
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, rosehip seed oil | Benefits: Helps to firm, lift and tighten the skin on the neck and décolleté while boosting collagen and elastin | Dosage: Small amount as needed | Size: 1.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best With SPF
Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Neck Chest SPF 25
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Amazon
Niacinamide helps fade discoloration
Expensive
This SPF-formula helps prevent future damage and treats signs of skin aging with alpha-lipoic acid, known to boost collagen production. Niacinamide helps fade discoloration and strengthens skin barrier health, while glycerin keeps the formula lightweight enough for easy absorption.
Price at time of publish: $65
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, alpha-lipoic acid | Benefits: Visibly smooths crepey, fragile skin, reduces the appearance of sagging and wrinkles, and visibly firms the neck | Dosage: Pat a small amount in AM and PM | Size: 1 ounce | SPF: 25 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Splurge
SkinMedica Neck Correct Cream for Neck and Décolleté
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Peptides boost collagen production
Antioxidant-rich formula increases cell turnover and diminishes appearance of lines
Botanical extracts create non-greasy formula
Doesn’t contain SPF
Expensive
This serum-like cream, fortified with peptides to boost production of collagen and antioxidants to protect from free radical damage has a remarkable texture that melts into skin without feeling greasy. Reviewers note results include the improved appearance of creping skin.
Price at time of publish: $122
Active Ingredients: Rice protein, shiitake mushroom extract, antioxidants, peptides | Benefits: Encourages dermal thickness and elasticity and protects from free radicals | Dosage: A good amount in AM and PM | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Natural
Elina Organics Cleopatra Neck Cream
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Courtesy of Elina Organics
Hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates skin
Mandelic acid fades discoloration
Botanical extracts firm skin
Expensive
There are no questionable chemicals or synthetic fragrances to be found in this cream, which instead uses a litany of natural and organic ingredients. Hyaluronic acid hydrates and mandelic acid fades discoloration and gently exfoliates. Silk peptides, reishi mushroom extract, and blue-green algae hydrate and condition.
Price at time of publish: $34 for .5 oz
Active Ingredients: Mandelic acid, colloidal gold, silk peptides, reishi mushroom | Benefits: Stimulates collagen, reduced wrinkles, accelerates cell turnover and removes dead ones, and fights discoloration | Dosage: 1 to 3 pumps once or twice a day | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Crepey Skin
Alastin Restorative Neck Complex
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TrixHex technology targets appearance of wrinkles
Antioxidant-formula absorbs quickly
Air-tight pump dispenser
Doesn’t contain SPF
Expensive
This is another top pick of f King, who lauds it for the use of the brand’s patented TrixHex technology that helps to simultaneously boost the production of new collagen and elastin while also helping to clear out old and damaged collagen and elastin. As such, she says it’s great for improving the appearance of both crepey skin and fine lines; as an added benefit, it also reduces the look of redness and discoloration. It's also a bit on the pricey side, but you only need to use one pump per use.
Price at time of publish: $89
Active Ingredients: Peptide technology, antioxidants | Benefits: Addresses crepey skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and photo-aged discoloration on the neck and décolleté area | Dosage: 1 pump in AM and PM| Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Multi-Tasking
Dermalogica Neck Fit Contour Serum
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Ulta
Rambutan extract increases cell turnover
Absorbs quickly
Roller applicator makes application easy
Doesn’t contain SPF
Expensive
The formula contains antioxidants and anti-aging peptides and a resurrection plant-inspired polysaccharide to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier, smooth, and tighten, Rambutan extract, which has effects similar to retinol, helps to diminish the appearance of wrinkles.
Price at time of publish: $85
Active Ingredients: Peptides, antioxidants, plant-based retinol alternative | Benefits: Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles while toning skin over time and visibly lifts and sculpts | Dosage: A good amount in AM and PM | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Retinol-Alternative
bareMinerals Ageless Phyto-Retinol Neck Cream
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Ulta
Hyaluronic acid plumps skin and hydrates
Has a plant-based retinol alternative to smooth wrinkles
Doesn’t contain SPF
Retinol is undoubtedly one of the best anti-aging ingredients out there for both the face and neck, but the irksome side effects that come with it can be even more likely on the neck. “Because the skin of the neck is thin and contains fewer oil glands compared to the face, the neck may get irritated more easily by ingredients like retinol,” explains King. That’s why we appreciate that this alternative relies on a natural, plant-based retinol alternative to help deliver similar wrinkle-smoothing effects without the accompanying redness, dryness, or irritation. Peptides further up the anti-aging ante, while hyaluronic acid leaves it nice and hydrating.
Price at time of publish: $52
Active Ingredients: Phyto-retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Clinically shown to dramatically reduce wrinkles and crepiness while smoothing skin in just 1 week | Dosage: Good amount in AM and PM after cleansing | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Hyperpigmentation
Urban Skin Rx Even Tone Night Treatment
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Courtesy of Urban Skin
Niacinamide and kojic acid fade dark spots and signs of hyperpigmentation
3% Tranexamic Acid treats hyperpigmentation
Bakuchiol helps even skin tone
Doesn't contain SPF
If hyperpigmentation is a concern, this hydroquinone-free formula boasts three different active ingredients to target and fade discoloration without irritation. This day and night treatment glides on smooth and absorbs easily.
Price at time of publish: $58
Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, bakuchiol, kojic acid | Benefits: Clinically proven to fade discoloration and hyperpigmentation | Dosage: Good amount in AM and PM after cleansing | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream PLUS a niacinamide-rich formula that contains Gravitite-CF Lifting Complex to boost skin elasticity and brightness while fighting the look of horizontal fine lines. For a more affordable option, consider RoC 5-in-1 Even Tone + Lift Chest, Neck & Face Cream with SPF 30, which provides your daily dose of SPF and contains Hexyl-R Complex to target discoloration, dryness, and fine lines.
Meet the Expert
- John Diaz, MD, is a Beverly Hills-based board-certified plastic surgeon with advanced specialty training in cosmetic surgery of the face, breasts, and body.
- Hadley King, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. She is also a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and specializes in both medical and cosmetic dermatology.
- Rebecca Baxt, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at BAXT CosMedical who specializes in cosmetic procedures and the treatment of acne and acne scarring, psoriasis, eczema, and skin cancer.
What to Look for in a Neck Cream
Collagen-Boosting Ingredients
When it comes to effective neck creams, you should look for ones with ingredients that stimulate collagen production while protecting the skin. Plastic surgeon John Diaz, MD recommends retinol available over the counter to help stimulate collagen. “This can even reverse some of the fine lines and wrinkles on your neck,” he says. To protect the delicate skin on your neck from free radicals and damage, look for complexion-boosting ingredients like vitamins C and E.
Hydrating and Reparative Ingredients
Of course, ample hydration is also the key to a healthy and youthful neck. As dermatologist Rebecca Baxt , MD explains, hydrating ingredients can help smooth the surface, so lines and wrinkles appear less noticeable. One to look for? Hyaluronic acid, which will help your skin retain moisture and should diminish your neck’s crepey appearance while lending a subtle plumping effect.
Diaz also recommends looking for various peptides in the ingredients list: “They’re proteins that are essential to your skin’s growth and repair,” he says. “Using them provides your skin with the building blocks it needs to restore its youthful appearance.”
Non-Irritating Formulas
While all skin from the chest up is especially delicate, the skin on your neck and chest is much different than the skin on your face. “It's slightly thinner than on the face and has less naturally occurring oils,” he says. “This makes it more prone to redness and irritation.” That said, you should check to make sure whatever cream you choose to use in this area won’t irritate sensitive skin. Opt for formulas that are free of fragrance, dyes, preservatives, and essential oils.
How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Now that she’s in her 30s, she’s become even more diligent about taking care of the skin on places like her hands, chest, and yes, neck. A neck cream is now a non-negotiable part of her skincare routine. She consulted with a plastic surgeon and two dermatologists to consider products for this roundup.
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