Your Neck Ages First, FYI—Here’s What to Do About It

We’ll take a wild guess and say that the bulk of your skincare efforts tend to occur from the chin up. It’s a natural habit to do this, but neglecting your neck can lead to notable signs of premature signs of aging—like wrinkles and drooping—on this very vulnerable part of your body. 

“The neck skin is thinner than the skin on the face, making it reflect even a small decrease in collagen support with sagging and crepiness,” explains Carmen Castilla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “It also has fewer sebaceous glands, hair follicles, and stem cells that support skin renewal.” 

She says that common signs of an aging neck include jowling, deep horizontal lines, vertical bands, thin/papery skin, and laxity. While it’s impossible to completely prevent neck aging, you can adopt some essential neck care tips that help protect this delicate skin from damage and keep it looking refreshed and youthful.  

Neck Care Tips Everyone Should Follow

Generally speaking, tending to the skin on your neck is as simple as extending your skincare regimen down to the decolletage. That means squeezing out one more pump of that hydrating serum or scooping out slightly more cleanser or cream so your neck can get in on the action, too. There are a few extra steps you can take when caring for neck skin. 

1. Cleanse Daily 

Don’t forget to wash the skin underneath your chin and down to your chest. It’s prone to getting dirty just like the rest of your face, and makeup can even migrate downward. This can be an awkward area to wash, so consider following up with a micellar water and cotton pad to make sure you’re wiping away every trace of the day. Try the Then I Met You Living Cleansing Sea Tonic ($32; Soko Glam) or Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Makeup Remover ($13; Target). 

2. Wear Sunscreen On Your Neck (And Re-Apply)

Just like your face and the rest of your body, your neck needs daily sun protection to help delay signs of aging. “Sun exposure over time will change the skin quality,” says Dr. Castilla. “This will be seen as crepey skin, or reddish brown discoloration.” She recommends applying an SPF of 30 or higher every day. Make sure to re-applying once every two to four hours, or more frequently if you’re outdoors, sweating, or swimming. 

According to experts, Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defense SPF50 Daytime Moisturizer ($20; Ulta) is a great option since it’s non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and plumps and hydrates while it protects from the sun.

3. Apply an Antioxidant Serum in the Morning 

While sunscreen protects your skin from the sun, antioxidants shield your skin from free radical damage that can also lead to premature signs of aging. That said, taking an extra 15 seconds to apply an antioxidant serum to your neck in the mornings will pay off in spades. Try Superegg Vitamin Collective Vitality Elixir ($65; Bergdorf Goodman), which protects from free radicals, brightens skin, and moisturizes. 

4. Use a Gentle Retinoid at Night

After cleansing your face and neck in the evenings, follow up with a moisturizing serum and then go in with a mild retinoid. “Retinoids can help increase collagen production. giving the skin more support,” notes Dr. Castilla. Just make sure to either dilute the product a bit with another cream, or choose a mild option since the skin on your neck is thin and delicate, and therefore more prone to irritation. 

Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum ($21.99, Target) is a great option, or you can try a retinoid alternative such as Herbivore Moon Fruit 1% Bakuchiol + Peptides Retinol Alternative Serum ($62, Sephora). 

5. Slather On a Neck Cream 

Neck creams are specifically formulated for the delicate neck skin. They’re often thicker and more emollient to help make up for the lack of sebaceous glands in this area, and many include ingredients that help promote collagen and elastic production.  

“Use one pump of the neck cream and apply in upward strokes. You’ll want to do this twice daily,” says Jaimie DeRosa, MD, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa. In the mornings, make sure to follow up with that SPF. Try SkinCeuticals Triple-R Neck Repair ($135; Dermstore) or Tatcha Ageless Revitalizing Neck Cream ($112; Amazon). 

6. Consider Professional Treatments 

As we get older, gravity starts to take more of a toll on our neck which can lead to laxity. A handful of professional treatments can help firm a sagging neck by stimulating our natural production of collagen, elastic, and hyaluronic acid, notes Dr. DeRosa. Other treatments can address issues such as wrinkling and hyperpigmentation. 

• Hydrating or Oxygenating Facials: “These can help improve neck texture, smooth lines, and make the skin more ‘available’ to active ingredients found in good neck skin care products,” says Dr. DeRosa. 
• Microneedling + Radiofrequency: Also known as collagen induction therapy, microneedling works by creating micro-injuries in the skin, which helps stimulate new, healthy skin. It can also address pigment issues. Dr. DeRosa says you can elevate this treatment even more by introducing radiofrequency, such as Vivace RF or Candela Profound RF. “This can be used on the neck skin, especially under the chin (submental region) to help treat aging neck skin.” 
• Lasers: “Vascular lasers, such as Vbeam and Xcel V, can be used to treat red discoloration that often goes along with someone having had excess sun exposure,” notes Dr. Castiall. She notes that the lasers used on your face are generally too strong to be used on the delicate neck skin.