We updated this article in March 2022 to add more information about each featured product, additional expert commentary and new product picks based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab.
You already know wearing moisturizer and SPF daily on your face is important for keeping skin healthy and youthful, but did you know the skin on your neck is 50% thinner than that on your face? That means it’s more prone to wrinkles and looseness. “Neck skin is super thin because it has less oil glands, meaning it needs more moisture than the face,” says Neda Mehr, M.D., a dermatologist and founder of Pure Dermatology Cosmetic and Hair Center in Newport Beach, California. “Since dry skin leads to fine lines and wrinkles, hydration is key for the neck area.” In addition, she says, “neck skin becomes crepey quicker than the face because the collagen layer is thinner.”
To keeping your neck skin looking youthful, you can use products like moisturizers that help strengthen the skin against signs of aging, says Dendy Engelman, M.D, a dermatologist in New York City. “Neck creams are typically thicker than facial creams and are formulated with specific ingredients to help lift and tighten the loose, crepey neck and décolleté skin that occurs as we age, due to collagen and elastin loss,” Dr. Mehr explains.
But not all neck products are created equal: Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists evaluate neck creams and treatments both in the Lab using technical instruments and on consumer testers over 12 weeks to find the best formulas proven to work. Our GH Beauty Lab scientists parsed through 901 data points to find the best anti-aging, firming neck creams and treatments that really work to tighten sagging, mature skin, below:
The winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s neck cream test and a Good Housekeeping Seal star, this lightweight No7 serum with collagen- boostingretinoids and peptides was a heavy hitter for firming, outperforming the others. Before-and-after images taken with high-resolution professional photography showed the most improvement in tightening and lifting neck skin over 12 weeks. Testers voted it the fastest-absorbing and most appealing in texture as well as least irritating. “This made my neck more firm,” one said. Another reported that after use, “my jawline is firmer.”
• Main ingredients: Retinol, peptides • Key benefits: Firming, lifting • Size: 1 oz.
Visibly firms and tightens skin
Absorbs quickly
Non-irritating
Best Value Neck Cream
Multi Correxion 5-in-1 Restoring Night Cream
GH Beauty Lab testers loved the lightweight texture of this great value firming night cream from Roc, which can be used on the neck. Noting its quick absorption and fruity scent, they felt it left their skin feeling smooth and refreshed. “I noticed a difference in just three days,” a tester marveled. “My skin looked firmer, smoother and brighter, with wrinkles decreased.”
• Main ingredients: Shea butter, vitamin C, hexylresorcinol • Key benefits: Smoothing, firming • Size: 1.7 oz.
Smooths skin
Lightweight and fast-absorbing
Bargain price
Best Dermatologist-Recommended Neck Cream
Nectifirm Advanced
Made with eight types of firming peptides, this Revision Skincare neck treatment is recommended by Jeremy Brauer, M.D., clinical associate professor at the New York University Department of Dermatology in New York City. “Ingredients like peptides can help improve skin’s structure and support, collagen,” he explains
• Main ingredients: Peptides, vitamin C • Key benefits: Smoothing, firming • Size: 1.7 oz.
Helps firm skin
Smooths crepey texture
Best Drugstore Neck Cream
Lift & Luminate Triple Action Night Cream
A winner of GH’s Best Anti-Aging Skin Awards, No7’s drugstore buy was one of the best-performing anti-aging creams tested that can be used on both the face and neck — and it’s backed by the GH Seal. Testers loved its long-lasting hydration, firming power and texture. “I’ve received compliments from friends, family and coworkers,” one raved. Another reported: “I noticed particular improvement in skin texture on my neck.”
• Main ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C • Key benefits: Mositurizing and firming • Size: 1.6 oz.
Hydrates and firms skin
Great texture
Best Neck Cream for Turkey Neck
Techno Neck Perfecting Cream
If you have that telltale skin crepeiness and looseness known as “turkey neck,” turn to this SkinBetter Science neck cream, recommended by both Dr. Mehr and Dr. Brauer. “It not only improves the appearance of laxity and crepeiness, but also hydrates the skin, increasing its suppleness,” Dr. Mehr explains.
• Main ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides, vitamin E • Key benefits: Firming, smoothing • Size: 1.7 oz.
Helps firm lax skin
Smooths crepey texture
Best Neck Cream for Mature Skin
Total Effects Anti-Aging Night Firming Cream
In GH Beauty Lab tests, Olay’s rich firming night cream earned top marks in hydration, key for mature skin which can suffer from moisture loss. “It felt substantial but never overpowering, and seemed to keep my skin moist for a long period of time — and I have dry skin that really soaks up moisturizers,” a tester reported.
• Main ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamins E and C • Key benefits: Hydrating and firming • Size: 1.7 oz.
Deeply hydrating
Rich formula
Best Anti-Aging Neck Cream
Black Tea Firming Corset Cream
A winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s neck cream test, this luxurious Fresh cream made with exotic botanical extracts like black tea, goji berry and lychee as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid was the most loved among testers. They gave the formula top points for making skin look and feel hydrated, and it scored well for visibly smoothing neck lines in before-and-after photo evaluations. “I definitely see a difference in my neck,” one said. “My skin looks much more even and brighter,” a second commented.
• Main ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides • Key benefits: Minimizing neck lines, moisturizing • Size: 1.6 oz.
Visibly reduces neck lines
Softens skin
Luxurious formula
Best Chest and Neck Cream
Prevage Anti-Aging Neck and Decollete Firm and Repair Cream
One of Dr. Engelman’s favorite neck creams, Elizabeth Arden’s formula is packed with peptides, plant oils,and shea butter to fortify lax skin on both the face and chest. It “does take away the crepiness in the lines,” a reviewer reported.
• Main ingredients: Antioxidant idebenone, retinol, hyaluronic acid • Key benefits: Firming and lifting • Size: 1.7 oz.
Concentrated treatment ingredients
Minimizes crepey skin
Best Tightening Neck Cream
Neck Correct Cream
Packed with smoothing peptides, SkinMedica’s neck treatment is a new GH beauty editor holy grail. “This cream has actually noticeably reduced the band-like lines around my neck and made the skin feel tighter in a few weeks of use,” says GH Beauty Director April Franzino. “The gel-like formula is gentle and even feels soothing so I look forward to using it, plus the bottle lasts a very long time.”
• Main ingredients: peptides • Key benefits: line smoothing, firming • Size: 2 oz.
Minimizes neck bands
Makes skin feel tighter
Non-irritating
Best Neck Cream for Wrinkles
Triple Firming Neck Cream
Tackle even stubborn neck lines with NeoStrata’s amino acid cream, a winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s neck cream test that earned the highest marks for reducing wrinkles. It was the best of all products evaluated at minimizing the look of testers’ neck lines and wrinkles in standardized digital imaging. Users also gave it high marks for making skin feel moisturized. The “rich” formula “improved my neck — I love it!” a fan said. “Both my neck and my décolletage looked smoother,” another reported.
• Main ingredients: Vitamin C, amino acids • Key benefits: Wrinkle reduction • Size: 2.8 oz.
Visibly reduces lines
Softens skin
Not as lifting as other formulas
Best Neck Cream for Sensitive Skin
Restorative Neck Complex
This Alastin anti-aging neck treatment recommended by Dr. Brauer is hypoallergenic and made with ingredients to replenish sensitive skin. To treat redness and sensitivity in the neck area, “look for ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides,” he suggests. The formula also contains peptides to help firm slack skin.
In GH Beauty Lab testing, Caudalie’s moisturizer was one of the most hydrating formulas, with reviewers noting its quick absorption and subtle scent. In Lab measurements with the Corneometer device, it increased skin’s moisturizaton by an impressive 43% over six hours. Nervous about creams feeling thick or greasy on the neck? Testers said it has a “light and fluffy” texture.
• Main ingredients: Antioxidant resveratrol, hyaluronic acid, peptides • Key benefits: Firming and lifting • Size: 1.6 oz.
Measurably raises skin hydration
Light and fast-absorbing
Best Neck Cream for Dark Spots
Overnight Restorative Cream
To treat discoloration on the neck and chest, look to Algenist’s rich formula, which scored high for diminishing UV spots in GH Beauty Lab testing and testers saw visible changes. It reduced the appearance of hyperpigmentation by 11% in four weeks and raised skin hydration 33%. “My skin looks so much brighter,” and “It really his removing my dark spots,” two testers reported.
• Main ingredients: Vitamins C and E, peptides • Key benefits: Reducing dark spots, moisturizing • Size: 2 oz.
Evens skin tone
Highly hydrating
How we test neck creams
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab’s neck cream test, experts measure each product’s ability to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles on the neck and lift and tighten neck skin over 12 weeks of use. Consumer testers use the label-masked products at home for 12 weeks and rated them on factors like texture, irritation, scent, absorption, hydration effects and look and feel of skin after use.
Our pros used over 200 before-and-after images taken with high-resolution professional photography.
Above, you can see before-and-after GH Beauty Lab digital imaging after 12 weeks using No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum. In total, GH Beauty Lab scientists tallied 901 data points to find the winners.
What to look for when shopping for the best neck creams
You can use your regular anti-aging treatments on your neck, but products formulated for the neck tend to be gentler on skin and contain targeted ingredients. Seek out these key ingredients for specific issues to find an effective neck cream that addresses your skin’s needs, dermatologists suggest:
Peptides and retinol, to help improve skin’s collagen, Dr. Brauer says, boosting skin’s smoothness and firmness
Antioxidants, like vitamins C and E, to help repair and prevent signs of aging like wrinkles and hyperpigmentation
Hydrators, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane and natural oils, to combat skin dryness
Anti-inflammatory and soothing ingredients, including niacinamide, ceramides and green tea, if you are prone to sensitivity
Do neck firming creams really work?
Yes — to an extent. In GH Beauty Lab tests, users apply neck creams daily for twelve weeks to see changes in skin. “The purpose of neck creams and treatments is similar to those for skin of the face, to maintain healthy and youthful looking skin, including the integrity of the skin’s barrier function and moisture, all while attempting to protect against and repair environmental damage,” Dr. Brauer says. “Neck creams that contain ingredients to support the skin barrier and hydration, peptides and antioxidants can help in retaining moisture, while also protecting against and addressing UV damage; in addition, topicals containing retinol may stimulate collagen formation, aiding in improvement of laxity and fine lines.”
That said, there’s no such thing as a neck lift in a bottle: “You shouldn’t expect miracles from topical neck treatments,” advises GH Beauty Lab chemist Danusia Wnek. “If you are looking for a drastic change, you may want to visit a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.” And remember, daily habits can have an effect, too: Laxity of the neck skin is happening earlier than ever thanks to “tech neck” from looking at our phones repeatedly, says Dr. Engelman.
What’s the best way to apply a neck cream?
Most neck creams and treatments are applied once or twice daily, in the morning and/or evening. “Read the product label and follow the instructions carefully,” Wnek says. “And stop product use or skip a day or two in between if you experience redness or irritation.”
Most importantly, always follow a neck treatment by applying a broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher to the neck skin as well, which “is a must to help minimize sun damage that can prevent signs of aging in the first place,” Dr. Brauer explains.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Danusia Wnek is a chemist in the GH Beauty Lab who has a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University, an M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati and 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing. Danusia develops and oversees the testing of skincare products including neck creams, utilizing both Lab instrumentation and consumer feedback to recommend the best products on the market. She has experience in using specialized skin evaluation lab equipment to gauge changes in skin moisturization, firmness and facial features like wrinkles and texture before and after product use. Danusia also regularly polls GH’s consumer panel on their purchasing and product use habits as well as weighs in on the benefits of skincare ingredients like vitamin C, retinol and niacinamide. She enjoys researching and translating scientific data for consumers so they feel empowered in their purchasing decisions.
April Franzinohas over 15 years of experience researching, writing and editing skincare-related content, utilizing the expertise of the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists and top industry professionals such as dermatologists and aestheticians. She is an expert in all face and bodyskincare product categories, including anti-aging treatments like neck creams. April works closely with the GH Beauty Lab to coordinate skincare product testing and translate test results into best-in-class compelling, factually accurate science-backed content for Good Housekeeping.
Blake Bakkilais a former Good Housekeeping associate editor who regularly covered beauty with the Institute.
Blake Bakkila Associate Editor Blake is a former Associate Editor for GoodHousekeeping.com covering beauty, celebrity, holiday entertaining, and other lifestyle news.
April Franzino Beauty Director April Franzino is the Beauty Director at Good Housekeeping, part of the Hearst Women’s Lifestyle Beauty Group.
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