Save this story Save Story Save this story Nora Ephron made the sentiment iconic, but she certainly wasn’t alone. At 46, I, too, feel bad about my neck. (Live footage of myself from the chin-up on Teams doesn’t help.) Therefore, it’s no surprise that the best neck creams are at the top of many a shopper’s list—and not only for those of us with mature skin.
“The neck has become a frequent topic of conversation in our practice, particularly among younger patients who are beginning to notice signs of ‘tech neck,’ or the visible creases that can develop from repeatedly looking down at a phone,” says Emily Lebowitz Luks, MD , a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. “The rise of remote work and virtual meetings has brought heightened attention to an area that is often overlooked in skin-care routines, despite being one of the first places to show signs of aging.”
Dr. Lebowitz Luks says fine lines, crepey texture, and skin laxity are the most common concerns for patients booking in-office neck treatments such as radiofrequency skin tightening and microneedling—but these treatments don’t act alone. “They are often complemented by topical skin-care regimens to help maintain results,” she notes. “Rather than waiting for visible signs of aging, many younger patients are embracing the concept of ‘prejuvenation’ by proactively incorporating targeted skincare into their routines.”
According to Noah Gratch , MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York and Long Island, prejuvenation starts with sunscreen. “Applying a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher to the neck every single morning is the most important step in slowing collagen breakdown,” he says. With that baseline established, layering on neck creams with increasingly sophisticated active ingredients is the new norm in neck care.
“Using a neck cream can help maintain the skin’s suppleness and complement professional treatments,” Dr. Gratch confirms—but he stresses that routine use is key. “I often tell my patients that a high-quality cream on the neck is not about overnight results but about consistency and supporting the skin long-term.” According to the pros, the nine formulas ahead are the true standouts in the neck-care category.
What is a neck cream? What causes neck wrinkles? Why does the skin around the neck and décolletage age more rapidly? Do neck creams actually work? What to Look for in a Neck Cream The Best Way to Apply Neck Cream What are the best ways to prevent neck wrinkles? What do dermatologists recommend for neck wrinkles? How We Tested Meet the Experts Best Daily Treatment: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Moisturizer Save to wishlist Save to wishlist L'Oréal Paris
Ingredients: Pro-retinol, centella asiatica Who It’s For: Those seeking a daily cream to hydrate, soften, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and give skin a firmer appearance overall. Size: 1.7 oz Love It Leave It Layers beautifully under makeup The scent is fresh, but somewhat strong Instantly softens and hydrates Can be used daily Dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin Best With Retinol : SkinCeuticals TriPeptide R Neck Repair Cream Save to wishlist Save to wishlist SkinCeuticals
Ingredients: Pure retinol, tripeptide concentrate, glaucine complex Who it’s for: The cream is ideal for aging skin, and has been proven to combat dryness. Size: 1.7 fl oz Love It Leave It Hydrating, clinically tested Can feel slightly irritating at first Best Pre-Event: U Beauty The Sculpt Neck + Décolleté Concentrate Save to wishlist Save to wishlist U Beauty
Ingredients: Ectoin, hexapeptide, 4D hyaluronic acid Who It’s For: Those looking to improve skin elasticity, hydration, and texture while reducing the look of crepiness on the neck, jawline, and décolleté. Size: 1.7 fl oz Love It Leave It Hydrating, firming, blurring The packaging can make it difficult to get every last drop of the product, and it doesn’t show how much is left Can firm up the jawline as well as the neck It feels a bit sticky before it dries down Best for Fine Lines & Wrinkles : Revision Skincare Nectifirm Advanced Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Revision Skincare
Ingredients: Lingonberry extract, everlasting flower, red microalgae extract, eight peptides Who it’s for: Ideal for aging skin, the cream is also well-suited to dry and sensitive skin types. Size: 1.7 oz Love It Leave It Visible results within weeks Opaque packaging makes it difficult to see how much product is left Best for Tired Skin: Neuraé Énergie The Cream Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Neuraé
Ingredients: N|A3 technology, red indigo, seaweed extract, vitamin C Who It’s For: All skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive, and those looking to firm and revitalize skin on the face and neck. Size: 1.6 fl oz Love It Leave It Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive Not ideal for those who prefer unscented products Made with 96% naturally derived ingredients Gives skin a fresh, revived appearance Best Drugstore Pick : RoC Multi Correxion Chest, Neck & Face Cream Save to wishlist Save to wishlist RoC
Ingredients: Vitamin C, tocopheryl acetate, hexyl-R complex Who it’s for: Clinically proven to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles in four weeks, the cream will appeal to those looking for fast results. Size: 1.7 oz Love It Leave It Accessible price Not fragrance-free Best for Tech Neck : StriVectin Tighten & Lift Advanced Neck Cream Plus Save to wishlist Save to wishlist StriVectin
Ingredients: Alpha 3 peptides, spilanthol, bearberry leaf extract Who it’s for: Anyone prone to scrolling Instagram or texting on endless group chats could benefit from the crease-smoothing benefits. Size: 1 fl oz Love It Leave It Includes cutting-edge ingredients and technology May irritate or cause itching on sensitive skin Best for Crepey Skin : SkinMedica Neck Correct Cream Save to wishlist Save to wishlist SkinMedica
Ingredients: Green microalgae, paracress extract, knotgrass extract and dunaliella salina Who it’s for: Suited for all skin types, the cream targets loss of firmness. “It improves elasticity on the neck,” Libby says. Size: 2 oz Love It Leave It Quick-absorbing May cause slight irritation or peeling at first Best for Dry Skin : Alastin Restorative Neck Complex with TriHex Technology Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Alastin
Ingredients: TriHex technology, phytoene & phytofluene, flax seed extract Who it’s for: In addition to dryness, the cream treats pigmentation, wrinkles, and redness. Size: 1.7 oz Love It Leave It Visibly smooths fine lines and wrinkles The pump on the packaging can be faulty Everything You Need to Know What is a neck cream?
“Neck cream is a moisturizer that is formulated to address skin concerns of the neck. These are usually crepiness, sagging, lines—including ‘tech neck’ lines—and wrinkles,” says Engelman.
The neck is notoriously quick to show signs of aging, and biology bears at least some of the blame. “Neck skin is thinner than facial skin and remains exposed to the same environmental stressors, like UV light and pollution,” says Libby. “Neck skin also has a lower oil gland composition than facial skin, and thus produces less of the necessary oils to keep the skin barrier well moisturized.”
Plus, the latest gadgets don’t help the quest for crease-free necks. “This generational focus on constant tech use has increased downward motions [of the neck,]” Libby says. “These downward motions physically cause creasing, which is not doing any favors for an area of the body that has thinner skin to begin with.”
Why does the skin around the neck and décolletage age more rapidly?
Not only is neck skin prone to aging in general; it’s likely to sag and wrinkle fast . “Because there is naturally less collagen in the neck due to the thinness of the dermis in that area, the neck is particularly prone to premature aging,” Engelman says.
“This is also an area that is highly exposed to the sun and the elements, which contributes to more rapid aging.” Then, of course, there’s human error. “Oftentimes, the neck is a place that people forget or neglect when applying serums, moisturizers, or sunscreen ,” says Engelman. “I always remind my patients that skin doesn't just stop below the jawline.” Lucky, a well-formulated neck cream can swoop in to save the area from neglect, and offer a range of benefits beyond that.
According to Kristina Collins , MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon in Austin, Texas, neck creams do work—assuming you swipe them on with realistic expectations. “Neck creams can improve hydration, skin texture, and the appearance of fine lines, but they won't produce facelift-level results,” she says. However, she says that consistent use of a well-formulated neck cream can make a visible difference over time, particularly when it’s combined with sun protection.
“The skin on the neck is thinner and more prone to sagging due to fewer oil glands and frequent movement, but targeted ingredients can help maintain firmness and elasticity,” Dr. Collins says. When choosing a neck cream, she specifically recommends looking for ingredients—including those listed below—that support collagen production, improve hydration, and protect against environmental damage.
Neck creams can be used day and night, with an emphasis on SPF-infused creams in the morning. “Apply the cream in a gentle upwards motion to not tug downwards on the skin,” says Libby. “As mentioned, the skin of the neck is very thin so it’s important to treat this area with care,” Engelman cautions. “Tugging or pulling on the skin can exacerbate its lines and crepiness.”
What are the best ways to prevent neck wrinkles?
Preventing neck wrinkles is a holistic affair. Below, Dr. Collins breaks down her top tips—from the best skin-care ingredients to use to the best posture to adopt—for keeping the neck smooth and supple.
What do dermatologists recommend for neck wrinkles?
To treat active neck wrinkles, Dr. Collins suggests “neck-specific skincare,” such as the creams listed in this edit, and prescription retinoids like tretinoin. “They are more potent than over-the-counter retinol options and can significantly improve fine lines and texture,” she says. Certain professional treatments, such as those listed below, can also help diminish the appearance of neck wrinkles.
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue 's vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry's standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to neck creams, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, packaging, finish, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you. Read more about our testing methodology here .
Dr. Alexandra Bowles is a board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist at MONA Dermatology in Cincinnati. Dr. Mona Foad , MD, MHS, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of MONA Dermatology in Cincinnati. Lindsay Holdorf is Dermstore’s resident esthetician. Dr. Brooke Jeffy , MD is a Scottsdale-based, board-certified dermatologist and the founder of BTWN skincare. Rosalba Martone is the director of education at Perricone MD . Dr. Howard Sobel , MD is a clinical attending cosmetic dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital. Dr. Connie Yang , MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York and a medical advisor for Dermstore . Kristina Collins , MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon in Austin, Texas. Kseniya Kobets, MD, Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at Montefiore-Einstein Advanced Care Emily Lebowitz Luks, MD , is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. Alexa Persico is a celebrity makeup artist and brand founder. Discover More Beauty Recommendations From Vogue Shopping The Best Eyebrow Pencils for Older Women Create Natural-Looking Volume and Fullness
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Source: Lifestyle
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