The best neck creams to tighten crepey skin, according to 150 testers
We’re going to put our neck out and say it: yes, it is possible to make a difference to skin’s trickiest troublespot. The neck is the blabbermouth of beauty, always ready to give away our age but, thanks to the latest skincare and technology, there are ways to mitigate damage.
The Good Housekeeping Institute has put the best neck creams to the test and we’re delighted to share the ones that impressed both our testers and lab team. We also quizzed the experts on how to defy gravity, including the best ingredients to look out for.
We’ve also reviewed the best neck toning devices – read about our experts’ top-rated devices.
Here are the neck creams that made the most noticeable difference, at a glance:
What causes ‘turkey neck’?
The neck is one of the first parts of our body to show signs of ageing, partly because the odds are stacked against it. “Anatomically, the neck isn’t supported by anything,” explains skin contouring guru Dr Galyna Selezneva. “There’s no bone structure and no bulky muscles to give you volume, and there’s almost zero fat layer. When you combine that with the inevitable pull of gravity, you start to see skin laxity, crepiness and horizontal lines.”
Our production of collagen and elastin also decline naturally over time, notes medical aesthetics expert Dr Johanna Ward. “However, the visible effects of this are exacerbated by factors such as sun damage, an unhealthy diet, lack of sleep and ‘tech neck’, aka lines from looking down at screens.”
How can I prevent a saggy neck?
From sun protection to moisturiser and key rejuvenating actives, make sure you take your facial skincare regime down to your décolletage. “We often overlook the neck, even though it’s just as exposed to UV damage as the face,” says Dr Ward. “The skin there also has fewer oil glands, making it prone to dryness and accelerated ageing.”
Wearing a good daily SPF50 is a non-negotiable, says Dr Selezneva. “The textures are very light and will make a real difference to how well your neck ages,” she explains.
Do neck creams actually work?
“A neck-specific cream can be worthwhile, as these are formulated for the neck’s thinner, more delicate skin,” Dr Ward says. “They can improve texture and hydration and prevent further damage.”
What ingredients should I look for in a neck cream?
Dr Ward recommends peptides to firm skin, antioxidants, such as vitamin C, to ward off free radical damage and hyaluronic acid to plump.
How we test
With the help of 146 panellists, we trialled nine market-leading neck toning creams over a four-week period. We asked testers to give detailed feedback on ease of use, design, instructions and, of course, performance. They focused on specific skin claims, noting any improvement in hydration, plumpness, firming, and smoothing of the neck, as well as any change to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They also told us what they thought of the texture and scent.
In the lab, we used our specialist machine, the Skin Test Centre, to measure the elasticity of testers’ skin on their neck before and after the trial period.
Smart Clinical Repair™ Lifting Face + Neck Cream
90/100
This is an impressive score for any skincare product, let alone one for such a tricky area to treat. According to our panel, it’s worth the investment. Everyone told us their neck looked younger, healthier, firmer and smoother after using this cream for just four weeks. They also said their skin stayed hydrated all day after slathering it on, and any wrinkles appeared instantly softened.
“I loved the consistency, as it’s not watery or jelly-like but sinks straight into skin,” one panellist told us. Another said they found the cream a little heavy on their cheeks and forehead, so they stuck to using it on their neck. However, the formula is alcohol-free to prevent any stripping, and non-comedogenic, so although the consistency is thick and creamy, it shouldn’t block pores.
Nectifirm® ADVANCED
Score: 86/100
Everyone loved the texture and spreadability of this luxury cream, although at this price, some said they were trying very hard not to get hooked! “The texture was really lovely – it was light and whipped and sank into my skin really beautifully, with absolutely no stickiness whatsoever,” said one tester. Another told us: “This feels classy and smells fresh and clean. It spreads easily and immediately made the skin on my neck feel nicer.” Others were pleasantly surprised at the difference it made to their skin.
In fact, nearly everyone said their complexion felt instantly hydrated after application and most agreed they would love to continue to use it after the trial. “The fine lines on my neck were definitely smoothed, so I’m sure over time they’d improve even further,” said one panel member. Although it’s a pricey buy, testers said a little went a long way.
£170.00 at revisionskincare.co.uk
CellLift Neck and Décolleté
Score: 86/100
With all our top scorers coming with a pretty hefty price tag, it seems that you often get what you pay for in this category. This indulgent cream promises to tighten and firm the skin on your neck and décolleté, and everybody who tried it said their skin looked smoother after the full four-week trial period.
The cream comes with a dedicated massage tool (in its own little bag), and our panellists liked this added touch. People told us it felt nice and “like a proper self-care moment”, while one was particularly impressed with the cream's firming effect, telling us: “My neck was so smooth and plumped.”
Everyone loved the subtle rose scent too, which made the cream a joy to use, and many praised the “premium, gold packaging”. Some struggled to dispense enough product without a few pumps, so they were concerned they wouldn’t be able to use every last drop.
perfect cleavage & neck serum
Score: 84/100
Containing hyaluronic acid for hydration and larch extract to provide an instant tightening effect, we had high hopes for this well-priced formula, and many of our testers were delighted with the results. Even those who typically suffer with dry skin said it left their neck feeling “plump and hydrated”.
The fragrance was divisive, however. Some liked the soothing scent from the essential oils, while one person thought it “smelt faintly of baby products.” One of our panellists bemoaned the fact it didn’t make her look 20 years younger, but did concede that it had a softening effect on fine lines. While it’s not a miracle worker, we’d say this one is simple yet effective.
Ageless Throat and Decolletage Cream
Score: 80/100
Many of us can feel like our necks are ageing faster than our face, but aren’t sure why. We often forget that our skin is a lot more delicate here and is desperate for a little extra TLC. That’s what this formula seeks to address and it’s the brand’s best-selling product for a reason.
While Prai claims the cream will make a significant visual difference in just one week, our panel found it took at least two to start seeing any change. They told us it was best at delivering extra plumpness rather than providing a tightening effect, but many were pleased to say their skin looked and felt smoother after the trial period. “It has left me looking younger within the month, with no more lines or dry bits at all,” one satisfied tester told us. “My skin looks and feels much smoother.” How’s that for a result?
Super Anti-aging Neck & Decolette Cream
Score: 80/100
Dr. Sturm needs no introduction if you’re into your skincare, and this is another stellar product from the aesthetics pro and anti-inflammatory expert. One panellist praised the “silky consistency” and “improved skin elasticity” it delivered, while another told us: “I could see and feel the difference to my skin, particularly in the décolletage area – this is honestly fantastic.”
It delivered a big dollop of hydration to dry necks, and many testers liked the subtlety of the pleasant fragrance. “It really helped with post-summer skin damage that often causes crepey skin for me in that area,” one person noted, which is likely down to the kombucha and daisy extracts that help to balance skin tone and diminish the appearance of dark spots. “I also think my chin looks a little lifted, too,” they added. Sign us up.
Cold Plasma Plus+ Sub-D / Neck
Score: 79/100
Combat crepiness with this clever formulation from Perricone MD, a brand known for its next-gen formulations that are all efficacy, no frills. One tester told us they could see the difference to their neck in just two weeks, and another claimed: “This product is amazing! I’ve really noticed the wrinkles on my neck – which were quite deep – have improved significantly.”
This lost marks for its smell, which was compared to both PVA glue and tartar sauce packets from the fish & chip shop. Which may or may not appeal! That said, we’d sacrifice a fancy fragrance for a cream that’s super effective any day.
Deep Lift Neck & Decollete Cream
Score: 71/100
This deliciously rich, sumptuous cream uses a blend of collagen-boosting peptides to help soften the appearance of sagging skin and folds on the 'neck and dec'. A few testers had gripes about the deceptive packaging – the heavy pot makes you think you’re getting more product than you are. The results were impressive, though, with one panellist telling us: “It absorbs straight into the skin, leaving it looking immediately refreshed, plump and nourished.”
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