15 Best Neck Cream Formulas for Hydrating and Smoothing Fine Lines

The virtues of extending a face cream to the neck and décolletage are widely known, but how about adding a the best neck cream to your skin regime? These dedicated moisturizers can smooth, firm, and lift the delicate skin on the neck, making signs of aging—and endless phone scrolling—far less prominent with consistent use. Formulated specifically for the skin on the neck, these creams deserve a top spot in any routine mindful of keeping skin radiant and wrinkle-free. Ahead, find the 15 best neck creams for dry skin, sensitive skin, and more, according to dermatologists and Vogue editors.

Our top picks

• Best for Dry Skin: Alastin Restorative Neck Complex with TriHex Technology, $145
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Nécessaire The Neck Serum, $65
• Best Drugstore Pick: RoC Multi Correxion Chest, Neck & Face Cream, $25
• Best With SPF: Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Neck & Chest Broad Spectrum SPF 25, $95
• Dermatologists’ Pick: SkinMedica Neck Correct Cream, $135
• Best Anti-Aging: SkinCeuticals TriPeptide R Neck Repair Cream, $136
• Best Splurge: Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Neck & Décolleté Cream, $225

In this article:

• What is a neck cream?
• What causes neck wrinkles?
• Why does the skin around the neck and décolletage age more rapidly?
• What to Look for in a Neck Cream
• The best way to apply neck cream
• Meet the Experts

Best for Fine Lines & Wrinkles: Revision Skincare Nectifirm ADVANCED

• Why we love it: Harnessing peptides and smart antioxidant technology, this firming cream has a smoothing effect on fine lines and wrinkles.
• 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

Best SPF: Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Neck & Chest Broad Spectrum SPF 25

• Why we love it: With SPF 25, Perricone MD’s lightweight salve protects the skin from sun damage while firming the neck and décolletage.
• Ingredients: Vitamin C
• Who it’s for: Those seeking a two-in-one solution for suncare and smooth, lifted skin
• Size: 1 fl oz

Best for Tech Nech: StriVectin Tighten & Lift Advanced Neck Cream Plus

• Why we love it: Infused with tightening technology and proprietary peptides, this high-tech cream minimizes the appearance of horizontal lines and creases in the neck.
• 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

Best Anti-Aging: SkinCeuticals TriPeptide R Neck Repair Cream

• Why we love it: Packed with pure retinol, the anti-aging cream has been clinically proven to restore firmness and elasticity to the skin of the neck over time.
• 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

Best Drugstore Pick: RoC Multi Correxion Chest, Neck & Face Cream

• Why we love it: RoC’s multipurpose cream is an all-in-one, wrinkle-smoothing salve for the chest, neck, and face. What’s more, it’s enhanced with SPF.
• 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

Best for Firming: NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Firming Neck Cream

• Why we love it: This active cream uses amino acids and the patented ingredient Neocitrate to tighten the skin, trigger collagen production, and give the neck a noticeably firmer appearance.
• Ingredients: Amino acids, antioxidants, dimethicone, herbal extracts, shea butter, vitamin E
• Who it’s for: Beneficial on mature skin, the cream also targets hyperpigmentation and damage from free radicals.
• Size: 2.8 oz

Best for Acne: iS Clinical NeckPerfect Complex

• Why we love it: The complex doesn’t stop at sculpting, tightening, and exfoliating the skin. Thanks to salicylic acid, it also helps keep blemishes at bay.
• Ingredients: Acacia Senegal gum, hyaluronic acid, mixed fruit acids, quinoa
• Who it’s for: The cream has a clearing effect on acne-prone skin; it’s also ideal for mature skin types.
• Size: 1.7 oz

Best for Sensitive Skin: Nécessaire The Neck Serum

• Why we love it: Packed with peptides, Nécessaire’s clinical-grade cream was designed to stimulate collagen production and address the signs of tech neck.
• Ingredients: Multi-peptide, niacinamide, rose water
• Who it’s for: Dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic, the gentle serum is soothing on sensitive skin.
• Size: 1.7 fl oz

Best for Dry Skin: Alastin Restorative Neck Complex with TriHex Technology

• Why we love it: Flax seed extract, a key ingredient in the formula, boosts the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid levels to keep it hydrated.
• 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

Best for Radiance: Tatcha Ageless Revitalizing Neck Cream

• Why we love it: Hydrating and smoothing, Tatcha’s silky cream is infused with antioxidants to boost the skin’s health; vitamin C helps it glow.
• Ingredients: Vitamin C, lemon balm and artichoke leaf extracts, Hadasei-3, peony, Japanese cornflower
• Who it’s for: The dermatologist-tested cream is safe for all skin types.
• Size: 1.7 oz

Dermatologists’ Pick: SkinMedica Neck Correct Cream

• Why we love it: Both board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Tiffany point to SkinMedica’s neck cream as a standout in the category “It’s clinically proven to lift, firm, and reduce crepiness,” Engelman notes.
• 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

Best Night Cream: Révive Fermitif Neck Renewal Night Cream

• Why we love it: The clinically tested night cream works overnight to repair damage. In eight weeks, it’s said to improve skin’s tone and texture, makes fine lines less visible around the neck.
• Ingredients: Bio-renewal peptide, bio-firming peptide, firming and brightening complex, skin defense antioxidants, vitamin E, lespedeza stem extract
• Who it’s for: Suited for all skin types, the decadent cream is particularly effective on aging skin.
• Size: 2.5 oz

Best Splurge: Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Neck & Décolleté Cream

• Why we love it: The doctor-developed cream yields results worth splurging on. Its potent ingredients’ list (ceramides, lemon balm, prickly pear, to name a few) work together to make the skin plumper, smoother, and tighter. It’s also packed with antioxidants that defend the skin from free radicals.
• Ingredients: Ceramides, purslane extract, lemon balm, prickly pear, mangosteen, kombucha and daisy extracts
• Who it’s for: The high-performance cream is well-suited for dry and aging skin.
• Size: 1.7 oz oz

Best Retinol Pairing: Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide Cream

• Why we love it: According to Engelman, Medik8’s creamy, ceramide-packed treatment “visibly plumps, smooths, and firms the neck.”
• Ingredients: Multi-ceramide complex, iron hexapeptide, N-Acetyl Glucosamine (NAG)
• Who it’s for: Those who use a vitamin A serum in the evening can follow it up with the night cream and wake up to more supple, hydrated skin.
• Size: 1.7 oz

Best Rapid Results: PCA Skin Perfecting Neck and Décolleté

• Why we love it: The corrective cream firms the skin while balancing redness and discoloration—and it works quickly—thanks to the inclusion of vitamin A. Results can be seen in one week.
• Ingredients: Tripeptides, grape cell extract, vitamin A, calcium hydroxymethionine
• Who it’s for: The cream was specifically formulated to address loose, sagging skin in the neck and décolletage.
• Size: 3 oz

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.

What causes neck wrinkles?

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.

What to look for in a neck cream

According to Engelman, the best neck creams have a thick consistency and are made with ingredients that tackle signs of aging. “I recommend looking for neck creams that contain antioxidants, which combat damage from free radicals that contribute to premature aging,” she says. She favors creams with ceramides and peptides, which strengthen and repair the skin barrier; and retinol or phyto-retinol, which stimulate collagen and elastin production. Plus, the more moisturizing a cream is, the better. “Hyaluronic acid is a great hydrating ingredient that helps plump the skin and reduce the appearance of lines,” Engelman says.

The best way to apply neck cream

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.”

Meet the Experts

• Dr. Tiffany J. Libby is a Rhode Island-based board-certified dermatologist and the Director of Mohs Micrographic & Dermatologic Surgery at Brown Dermatology in Rhode Island.
• Dr. Dendy Engelman is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology.