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Wearing moisturizer and SPF daily on your face is important for keeping skin healthy and youthful, but 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." Adding one of the best neck creams with anti-aging properties to your skincare regimen can smooth, tighten and firm neck skin (as long as you continue wearing effective sunscreen).
To find neck creams that actually work, our scientists in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab evaluate neck creams and treatments both in the Lab using technical instruments and on consumer testers over 12 weeks, calculating over 1,711 data points in our last test to find the best neck creams.
1
Best Overall
No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum
Pros
Visibly firms and tightens skin
Absorbs quickly
Non-irritating for normal skin types
Cons
Not ideal for sensitive skin
The winner of the GH Beauty Lab's neck cream test, this lightweight No7 serum with collagen-boosting retinoids 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 the drugstore buy the fastest-absorbing and most appealing in texture as well as least irritating. “This made my neck more firm,” one said. A heads up for those with sensitive skin: a few users noted that it didn't react well with their skin and caused inflammation.
Main ingredients | Retinyl palmitate, peptides |
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Key benefits | Firming, lifting |
Size | 1 oz. |
2
Best Value
Roc Multi Correxion 5-in-1 Restoring Night Cream
Now 24% Off
Pros
Smooths skin
Lightweight and fast-absorbing
Bargain price
Cons
Some users didn't like the fragrance
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 — which a few users didn't love — 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 |
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Key benefits | Smoothing, firming |
Size | 1.7 oz. |
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3
Best for neck and body
Paula's Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment
Now 20% Off
Pros
Softens and smooths skin
Contains hydrating and anti-aging ingredients
Cons
Fragrance-free
While not designed exclusively for the neck, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler uses it from her chin down and loves that the rich body cream contains retinol, a top anti-aging ingredient, at a gentle but effective concentration of 0.1%. "I found that it made my skin feel softer and smoother with regular use," she said.
"It has a very emollient texture, thanks to the included shea butter, grapeseed oil and evening primrose oil, which are super moisturizing and help counteract the dryness that retinol may cause." The one element that Butler doesn't love is that it's fragrance-free, "so it smells like its ingredients which I don’t prefer."
Main ingredients | Retinol, shea butter, grapeseed oil, evening primrose oil |
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Key benefits | Firming, smoothing |
Size | 4 oz. |
Pros
Helps firm lax skin
Smooths crepey texture
Cons
Pricey
If you have that telltale skin crepeiness and looseness known as "turkey neck" or even a double chin, 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.
Key ingredients | Niacinamide, peptides, vitamin E |
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Main benefits | Firming, smoothing |
Size | Size1.7 oz. |
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5
Dermatologist-Recommended
Revision Skincare Nectifirm Advanced Neck Firming Cream
Pros
Helps firm skin
Smooths crepey texture
Cons
Expensive
Made with eight types of firming peptides, this Revision Skincare neck treatment is recommended by Dr. Brauer. "Ingredients like peptides can help improve skin's structure and support collagen," he explains. While it boasts some top notch ingredients, it is a pricier pick.
Main ingredient | Peptides, vitamin C |
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Key benefits | Smoothing, firming |
Size | 1.7 oz. |
6
Best for face and neck
Fresh Black Tea Firming Corset Cream
Pros
Visibly reduces neck lines
Softens skin
Luxurious formula
Cons
Formula is a little heavy for daytime
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. While many users love the rich, creamy texture, a few noted it was too thick for daytime application.
Main ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, peptides |
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Key benefits | Minimizing neck lines, moisturizing |
Size | 1.6 oz. |
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Pros
Hydrates and firms skin
Great texture
Cons
Strong "perfume-y" smell
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. 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." While some testers loved the fragrance, others reported that it was too potent and "perfume-y."
Main ingredients | Peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C |
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Key benefits | Moisturizing, firming |
Size | 1.6 oz. |
8
Best Natural
Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Night Cream
Pros
Measurably raises skin hydration
Light and fast-absorbing
Cons
Aroma may be polarizing
In GH Beauty Lab testing, Caudalie's moisturizer made with plant-based natural ingredients was one of the most hydrating formulas, with reviewers noting its quick absorption and subtle scent, although a few felt the scent was strong.
In Lab measurements with the Corneometer device, which measures hydration, 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 ingredient | Antioxidant resveratrol, hyaluronic acid, peptides |
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Key benefits | Firming, lifting |
Size | 1.6 oz. |
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Pros
Sinks into skin quickly
Has immediate plumping and smoothing effects
Cons
Pricey
While definitely a splurge, this Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winner can be used on the face and neck and has great instant and long-term benefits to the skin. It absorbs quickly and our Lab data evaluations found that the serum delivers immediate plumping and smoothing effects and will improve skin’s texture over time, thanks to the hyaluronic acid and peptides in the formula.
Main ingredients | Hyaluroniuc acid, peptides |
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Key benefits | Plumping, smoothing |
Size | 1 oz. |
Pros
Smooths wrinkles
Improves skin texture
Contains proven anti-aging active ingredient retinol
Cons
Retinol can be irritating; be sure to ease into application
With a powerful combination of retinol, peptides and plant stem cells, this Good Housekeeping Seal holder helps smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles and keeps skin — on the face and neck — hydrated for 12 hours. According to a four-week independent consumer study, a majority of women agreed that their skin texture was dramatically improved and that lines and wrinkles in the neck area were visibly softened. More specifically, 82% of testers said that their neck area looked noticeably smoother.
Main ingredients | Retinol, peptides, plant stem cells |
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Key benefits | Smoothing, wrinkle softening |
Size | 1.7 oz. |
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Pros
Rich formula but not too thick
Good for sensitive skin
Cons
Some find that it can pill
This cream from Olay (which can be used on the face and neck) does more than just moisturize. Over 70% of testers said it "visibly improved skin's firmness and appearance." Testers also liked that it felt rich but not greasy (73%) and agreed that it improved skin's texture (70%). Plus, it's fragrance-free so it's ideal for anyone who doesn't like or can't tolerate fragrance. One thing to watch out for: a reviewer noted that it can pill after applying.
Main ingredients | Vitamin B3, peptides |
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Key benefits | Firming, hydrating |
Size | 1.7 oz. |
12
Best with SPF
RoC Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Anti-Aging Daily Face Moisturizer
Now 17% Off
Pros
Softens, firms and reduces wrinkles
Absorbs instantly
Cons
Applicator spout may clog
"Protection and prevention from future damage, like limiting sun exposure and using sunscreen daily, is the best way to keep your skin bright, plump, and firm," says GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. A winner in the Beauty Lab's anti-aging day cream testing, this moisturizer from RoC, which can be used on the neck as well, protects skin with broad spectrum SPF 30.
It ranked the highest within the study at softening, firming and reducing wrinkles. Testers loved that it absorbed quickly and had a nice scent, but a few found that the applicator occasionally got clogged. "It made my skin feel plump, smooth and glowing and it smells so good," shares one reviewer.
Main ingredients | Glycerin, SPF 30 |
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Key benefits | Firming, reducing wrinkles |
Size | 1.7 oz. |
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Pros
Visibly reduces lines
Softens skin
Cons
Not as lifting as other formulas
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 smoothing wrinkles. It was the best of all products evaluated at minimizing the look of testers’ neck lines and wrinkles in standardized digital imaging, although may not give as much lift as some other products. 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 E, shea butter, amino acids |
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Key benefits | Wrinkle reduction |
Size | 2.8 oz. |
Pros
Minimizes neck bands
Makes skin feel tighter
Non-irritating
Cons
Some don't like the scent
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," GH's beauty director notes. "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."
Grace Wu, a product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute is also a fan, especially of the texture. "I love the gel consistency — my skin almost feels instantly hydrated and softer when I use this neck cream," she said. The one thing she doesn't love: the fragrance.
Main ingredients | Peptides |
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Key benefits | Line smoothing, firming |
Size | 2 oz. |
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15
Best for chest and neck
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Neck and Decollete Firm and Repair Cream
Pros
Concentrated treatment ingredients
Minimizes crepey skin
Firms loose skin
Cons
Expensive
Thick texture
Elizabeth Arden's formula is a favorite of Dendy Engelman, M.D, a dermatologist in New York City. This neck cream is packed with peptides, plant oils and shea butter to fortify lax skin on both the neck and chest area. It "does take away the crepiness in the lines," a reviewer reported. A rich cream, some users commented on the thick consistency.
Main ingredients | Antioxidant idebenone, retinol, hyaluronic acid |
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Key benefits | Firming, lifting |
Size | 1.7 oz. |
Pros
Gentle on reactive skin
Firms and smooths
No noticeable scent
Thin consistency
Cons
Pricey
Pump doesn't always work
This 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.
"It makes my neck look smoother and less obviously horizontally lined, maybe a little tighter," said Stephanie Dolgoff, GH Deputy Health Director. "It is not thick and goopy so it doesn't build up, and has no scent, which is a plus for me.” The only downside: some complained that the pump in the container didn't work and they had to open the product to use it, potentially reducing its efficacy.
Main ingredients | Niacinamide, ceramides, peptides |
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Key benefits | Replenishing, firming |
Size | 1.7 oz. |
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17
Best Neck Firming Serum
StriVectin Peptight Tightening Neck Serum Roller
Pros
Hydrating formula
Tightens and smoothes skin
Easy and cool application
Cons
Some reviewers didn't see results for a while
Packed with peptides, this tightening neck serum claims to visibly tighten skin and smooth lines on the neck. Plus, it has a super application method: you turn the applicator on, squeeze to release the serum and roll it in an upward motion on the neck and jawline. "The formula was extremely moisturizing and I loved the cooling massage roller — it felt so nice on my skin," said Good Housekeeping Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn. While most reviewers noted the speedy results, a few felt they didn't see results for a while.
Main ingredients | Peptides |
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Key benefits | Tightening, smoothing |
Size | 1.7 oz. |
How we test the best 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 and evaluated them on factors like texture, irritation, scent, absorption, moisturization effects and the look and feel of skin after application.
In the Lab, GH Beauty Lab scientists analyzed over 200 images taken with high-resolution professional photography to gauge changes in neck lines and skin laxity before and after 12 weeks of neck cream use, as pictured below. In total, Lab experts tallied 1,711 data points to find the winning neck creams.
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A side-by-side photo of a woman's neck before and after our neck cream test.
What to look for when shopping for the best neck firming 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. "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," Dr. Brauer says. "In addition, topicals containing retinol may stimulate collagen formation, aiding in improvement of laxity and fine lines."
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, 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.
April Franzino
Beauty Director
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Dori Price
Contributing Beauty Editor
Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.
Reviewed byDanusia Wnek
Senior Chemist
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.