7 Best Neck Creams for Women Over 50 + Why Dermatologist Say You Should Use One
We lavish our faces with serums, moisturizers and masks, but one area often gets left behind — the neck. And it's just as prone to sun damage, wrinkles and the effects of gravity as the skin on our face. So if you’re over 50 and are looking for a way to keep your neck looking as youthful and radiant as your complexion — it’s all about incorporating a neck cream into your skincare regimen. Here, dermatologists share the benefits of using a dedicated neck cream, particularly for women over 50. And they get into how these targeted formulas can address specific concerns, from crepey skin to loss of elasticity. But with so many options available, what should you look for? Keep reading for the ingredients to look for, the best neck creams to buy and how often you should be using these creams. You'll want to stick your neck out for this!
The benefits of using a neck cream
The skin on my neck is among the thinnest and most sensitive on the body, says board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. Because the neck doesn’t get the same attention that the face does, it tends to be exposed to more environmental damage and start to wrinkle early, he adds. And that's where neck creams come in. Neck creams usually contain concentrated actives to strengthen the foundation of the skin, hydrate, and plump, and stimulate collagen.
“It is important to care for the neck using ingredients that will help to hydrate, nourish and support the neck to improve the overall appearance,” advises board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD. “Neck creams have ingredients that can help to hydrate, nourish, plump, tighten and firm the neck, improving the overall texture and tone of the skin on the neck. “
And Kristine A. Romine, MD, board-certified dermatologist and CLn Skin Care Medical Advisor also notes that just like the face and hands, our necks are on display the majority of the time. “In a moment, our eyes create a first impression as to age and health of another,” she says. “When our necks display clear youthful glowing tight skin, we not only feel better about ourselves, we exude that confidence and others take note of gorgeous skin.”
Related: Dermatologists Weigh In On the #1 Beauty Blindspot for Women Over 50: A Crepey Neck
Why women over 50 need a dedicated neck cream
Women of all ages can use a neck cream, says Megan Portz, lead esthetician at Naturopathica. “However since the neck is what usually starts to age first, having a dedicated neck cream to help prevent sagging and tighten the skin will be more effective than using a regular moisturizer,” she says. “The aging process is accelerated tremendously after 50 so implementing a neck cream can help slow down that aging process and prevent new lines and wrinkles from forming.”
Related: MDs Share the Best Menopause Skin Care Routine + Products for Women Over 50
What to look for in a neck cream
Dr. Zeichner says to look for neck cream that addresses your particular issue. “For most people, this means skin laxity and wrinkling." As far as ingredients to look for, Dr. Garshick says that many neck creams are formulated with antioxidants, retinol, peptides, growth factors, in addition to hydrating ingredients. All of these help improve the overall texture and tone of the neck.
A few more nutrients that can help? Dr. Romine adds that she loves to use a neck cream to decrease fine lines and wrinkles that comes infused with a retinoid. Other ingredients she likes are “antioxidants like vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid to defend against free radicals." And "niacinamide is always wonderful to curb redness and irritation."
How to apply a neck cream
“A neck cream may be applied one to two times per day,” says Dr. Garshick. And when actually using it, Dr. Zeichner recommends applying a neck cream from the lower part of the neck and working your way up. “I’d like to avoid any activities that add additional downward stretch, even if it means pulling downward on the skin as you apply your cream,” he says. That's because you want to work against gravity and not with it when it comes to addressing aging concerns.
Bonus: Don't forget to use SPF on your neck
In addition to anti-aging neck creams, sunscreen use on the neck is extremely important, says Dr. Zeichner. “With chronic UV light exposure a condition called poikiloderma can develop,” he explains. This is a combination of redness and broken capillaries, brown spots, and thinning of the skin with wrinkling. And the sides of the neck are particularly at risk for environmental damage, he adds. “In fact, the front of the neck commonly is spared because your chin has a shadow that protects the central neck skin."
Portz agrees that neck cream can be used day and night depending on the formula, which should incorporate sunscreen for day time. “If you’re using a tightening neck cream with retinol this would be more effective at night; and to ensure you’re protecting your skin, using a cream with SPF in the morning is imperative when using retinols,” she explains.
Related: Should I Use a Mineral or Chemical Sunscreen? Pros Weigh In + Share the Best SPF Formulas
The best neck creams for women over 50
Keep scrolling to see the 7 best night creams that will take years off of your neck.
Best cream for neck and chest
Alchimie Forever Firming Gel for Neck & Bust
This is our go-to neck and decolletage product. It comes in a large and small size for easy travel and is formulated with green tea to reduce inflammation and free radical damage. Plus, its rosemary extract also helps tighten sagging and loose skin.
Best neck cream for crepey skin
RoC Multicorrection Crepe Repair
Dr. Romine and Dr. Zeichner both recommend this product. “This cream is specifically designed for the neck,” says Dr. Zeichner. “It delivers a pot antioxidant to neutralize radical damage and support healthy collagen function. Plus, it delivers smoothing and plumping ingredients to improve the appearance of lines and crepey skin.”
Best budget neck cream
Eucerin Immersive Hydration Gel Cream
Dr. Zeichner likes this one for ultralight moisture. “The formula also contains antioxidants to protect the skin against free radical damage and further support hyaluronic acid production,” he explains. This cream isn’t specifically designed for the neck, but Zeichner adds that he thinks it’s an ideal formula for the thin skin on the neck.
Best neck cream with SPF
RoC Multicorrexion 5-in-1 Chest and Neck Cream
RoC really excels in the area of affordable neck cream and this one, recommended by Dr. Garshick, is also a favorite of ours. “This lightweight day cream, containing SPF, has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of discoloration, crepiness, dryness, dull tone and wrinkles with some people noticing results as early as four weeks,” she says. “It is easy to apply to the neck and chest and incorporates Hexyl-R complex technology to help firm the skin and still remains gentle enough for daily use.”
Best serum neck cream
No7 Restore & Renew MultiAction Face and Neck Serum
Both Dr. Romine and Dr. Garshick like this formula for the neck. It's a neck serum that “includes a combination of wrinkle-fighting, firming and brightening complexes to help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and improve overall texture of the skin," says Dr. Garshick. "Not only does it help to moisturize, but also helps to firm the skin as well, helping to target key signs of aging.”
Best lightweight neck cream
Naturopathica Argan & Peptide Advanced Wrinkle Remedy Water Cream
Portz says this formula pairs anti-aging actives with hydrating ingredients like peptides, sunflower oil and argan oil. Best of all, it's a lightweight formula that sinks into neck skin quickly.
Best overnight neck cream with retinol
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max
“This overnight facial moisturizer can be used on both the face and neck and includes retinol to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while also evening out skin tone, but won’t leave the skin feeling dry,” Dr. Garshick says. “It also contains niacinamide and is fragrance-free making it a good option for those with sensitive skin.”
See more age-defying skin care secrets:
I’ve Been a Dermatologist for More Than 25 Years – These Are My Go-to Products I Use on My Own Skin
Chemical Peel Before and After Photos + Why the Treatment Is Great for Women Over 50
