Though it may seem excessive to use a separate product on your neck and décolleté, the skin in this area is actually much thinner than that of the face.
So, when this is combined with the fact that it tends to be exposed to the elements and thus free radical damage without the same level of care or SPF, women often find that it ages at a faster rate. Fine lines and pigmentation can appear a lot earlier, so choosing a specifically targeted product is worth the investment.
As gravity and sun exposure take their toll, opting for a product that works on boosting hydration and cell renewal can work wonders.
Here’s our pick of the best neck creams to trial now.
IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Neck Cream
There’s a reason this brand has got something of a cult following. Developed alongside plastic surgeons, its packed with collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid - all of which help to boost the skin’s natural ability to firm, plump, moisturise and stay youthful-looking. With a delicious orange fragrance and shea butter smoothness, it glides onto the skin easily, leaving it feeling silky smooth and supple from the off. A saviour for even the most delicate skin, it’ll nourish away those ageing signs from the inside out.
Clarins Super Restorative Décolleté and Neck Concentrate
If you’re over 45, this cream has been formulated specifically for you and your skin’s needs. Plant-based, it combines organic hiragana and Montpellier rock rose with the soothing silkiness of oats to deliver a cream that evens out skin tone, reduces the appearance of age spots and boosts radiance.
The directions state that you should use this both morning and night to maximise its effect and you should start to see a reduction in fine lines and neck creases within four weeks. We particularly loved the immediate tightening effect of this cream on application, which provides reassurance that it’s actually working. A little goes a long way with this one, so a small dab is all that’s needed to cover the area between the chin and breasts.
This Works Perfect Cleavage Lotion
One of our favourite things about This Works is that they never beat around the bush - there’s no overwhelming jargon, just simple ingredients and an unabashed objective that the products hope to achieve. The Perfect Cleavage lotion is a case in point. Though the claims may be bold, the product has all the right ingredients to deliver. Blending essential oils with various plant extracts such as larch extract, algae and vitamin C, the lotion aims to firm, tighten and brighten the skin around the neck and chest area. This one spread evenly and quickly, sinking into the skin and offering a fresh and bright fragrance. Fine lines and bumps across the décolleté also appeared reduced, particularly after a few uses.
£30.10 | Feel Unique *On sale from £38
bareMinerals Ageless Genius Neck Cream
Those suffering with sagging in the neck area should look no further than this cream from natural ingredient frontrunner bareMinerals. Combining anti-ageing peptides with mineral gold, algae and jasmine, it works to firm and tone thinning skin whilst reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
With a lightweight gel-like formula, a small dab of this brushed up the neck is plenty, so the pot should last for a while. We loved how quickly this one absorbed and the fact that the tightening effects felt almost instant, too.
Dr. Hauschka Regenerating Neck and Décolleté Cream
Specifically designed for mature skin, the Regenerating Cream from Dr. Hauschka is packed with essential fatty acids to boost the skin’s natural elasticity and firmness, such as red clover, acerola berries and shea butter.
Lightweight, it spreads easily across the skin and absorbs quickly without leaving residue, meaning you can throw on even the lightest clothes straight after and it won’t leave behind marks. With added coconut, macadamia and argan oils too, it benefits from that divine cocoa-like smell that warms and matures as the day goes on. Definitely one of the best buys on the list.
Sanctuary Spa Supercharged Hyaluronic Face and Neck Creme
Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs within the body, plumping the skin and keeping it hydrated, but the amount we’re able to produce lessens as we get older. That’s why opting for a product packed with the stuff will do wonders for your neck and décolleté - hitting it with intense hydration our skin cells need to look plump and replenished. With shea butter and Matrixyl Synthe’ 6™ (an ingredient that gives that all-important plumping effect) added, it nourishes the skin as well as irons out wrinkles. At under £20, this is an excellent option for those on a budget and also comes with that always-delicious Sanctuary Spa smell.
Clarins Extra Firming Neck Cream
As the name suggests, this cream doesn’t beat around the bush, working extra hard to plump up skin and smooth out wrinkles.
Filled with Green Seaweed and Sunflower extracts that naturally boost collagen, this neck and chest cream targets the fragile skin on your chest and neck, working to tighten it up from the very moment you smooth it on. More of a lotion than a thick cream, this formula absorbs into the skin quickly, making it a great choice for those who suffer with flare ups.
Q+A 5-HTP Face & Neck Cream
You don’t always have to fork out a fortune to get a great neck product - this one from Q+A, a UK brand that prides itself on simple, affordable skincare - is budget friendly and also suitable for both the face and neck. Key ingredients include caffeine to refresh and reduce fatigue, griffonia seeds to firm and biosaccharide gum to deeply moisturise, all of which adds up to encourage cell renewal, reduce inflammation and boost firmness and hydration.
As it’s water-based, it sinks into the skin quickly, meaning you are likely to need a generous dollop to cover the whole neck and chest area but given its price, we didn’t find this too irksome. Refreshing and residue free, we noticed the brightening effects of the caffeine immediately and fewer fine lines in the morning after a couple of weeks of sustained use.
Verdict:
Reasonably priced and with excellent results, our favourite has got to be the IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Neck Cream, which boosts the skin’s natural anti-ageing resources. Those on a tighter budget will love the Q+A 5-HTP Face & Neck Cream, which soothes and hydrates without clogging up pores.
