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The delicate skin on your neck is exposed to UV rays and other environmental stressors on a regular basis, which is why it’s a good idea to incorporate some neck-specific TLC into your skincare routine. Neck-firming creams are formulated to improve elasticity, repair damage and minimize the appearance of fine lines, helping to restore skin below the chin to a more youthful appearance. Following extensive research, we determined 11 of the best neck firming creams: Our top pick overall is the Alastin Restorative Neck Complex, which is effective and recommended by experts, while the Yeouth Neck Firming Cream is an affordable option at around $20 a jar.
We rounded up the best neck-firming creams that tighten and smooth your delicate skin.
When choosing our top picks, we considered each formula’s active ingredients; while all of our selections promote firmer skin, each one offers its own unique set of additional benefits, from addressing hyperpigmentation to reducing redness. With the help of three skincare experts and deputy editor Jane Sung, our in-house beauty guru, we rounded up the best neck-firming creams so you can show off your elegant profile in no time.
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Best Neck-Firming Cream Overall: Alastin Restorative Neck Complex
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Best Budget Neck-Firming Cream: Yeouth Neck Firming Cream
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Best Neck-Firming Cream For Wrinkles: NeoStrata Triple Firming Neck Cream
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Best Neck-Firming Cream For Crepey Skin: SkinMedica Neck Correct Cream
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Best Neck-Firming Cream For Loose Skin: iS Clinical Neck Perfect Complex
- Best Neck-Firming Cream For Sensitive Skin: Nécessaire The Neck Serum
Cruelty-Free
ALASTIN Skincare
Alastin Restorative Neck Complex
Key ingredients: Peptides, phyotene, flax seed extract | Additional benefits: Evens texture, hydrates, reduces redness | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Non-greasy formula
- Fast results
- Works well for sensitive skin
Keep in mind:
- Some may not like pump dispenser
This hardworking hydrating treatment basically does it all: It improves laxity so skin is more bouncy, plus it evens texture, fights photo-aging and hydrates. The brand’s signature TriHex technology uses a blend of active peptides to promote collagen growth, while antioxidant-rich phyotene and phytofluene work to reduce redness. Meanwhile, flax seed extract supports skin’s natural hyaluronic acid levels. On top of all the youth-boosting benefits, it’s also cruelty-free, hypoallergenic and paraben-free.
What our experts say: This is a favorite of dermatologist Dr. Doris Day. “It has a proprietary blend called TriHex Technology that I’ve found works well and has clinical data behind it,” she says. “It helps with elastin and collagen production and works to firm and improve crepey skin.” It’s also relatively fast-acting. “I see a difference in my patients’ skin in six weeks,” says dermatologist Dr. Sapna Palep.
MOST POPULAR
Yeouth
Yeouth Neck Firming Cream
Key ingredients: Green tea, opeline, vitamin C | Additional benefits: Brightens and soothes skin | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Wallet-friendly
- Absorbs well
Keep in mind:
- Smell can be polarizing
This cruelty-free, antioxidant-rich cream boosts elasticity with key ingredients such as soothing and firming green tea and brightening vitamin C. The formula is free of artificial fragrances, although keep in mind that the ingredients do give the cream a distinct scent. Also take note that you have to dip your fingers into the jar each time you apply the cream, which isn’t as sanitary as using a pump.
Amazon
RoC Multi Correxion Even Tone + Lift
Key ingredients: Hexyl-R Complex | Additional benefits: Sun protection, reduces redness | Cruelty-free: No
What you’ll love:
- Includes broad-spectrum SPF 30
- Fast-acting
Keep in mind:
- Some don’t love the scent
This top-rated cream contains RoC’s Proprietary Hexyl-R Complex, which provides a whole host of skin benefits. It boosts radiance, fights redness and dryness, fades discoloration, normalizes uneven skin tone and also offers sun protection, which is not common in neck creams. Even better? It promises to visibly improve firmness in four weeks.
Amazon
StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream Plus
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, spilanthol, peptides | Additional benefits: Brightens, hydrates and strengthens skin | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Very moisturizing
- Evens out skin tone
Keep in mind:
- May be too heavy for certain skin types
- Contains fragrance
StriVectin’s neck cream is formulated with moisturizing peptides and hyaluronic acid, making it an excellent choice for those with particularly dry skin. The cruelty-free product also contains spilanthol, a phytotensor that strengthens the skin, as well as bearberry and clary sage extracts for brighter, more even tone overall.
ULTA Beauty
No7 Restore & Renew Multi Action Face & Neck Serum
Key ingredients: Collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, retinol | Additional benefits: Hydrates, evens skin tone | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Fast-acting and non-greasy
- Affordable
- Cruelty-free
Keep in mind:
- Strong fragrance
- May not be ideal for sensitive skin
As we age, it’s not uncommon for our jawlines to go from being taut and defined to softer and vaguely amorphous. This affordable serum provides a host of positives: It reduces the appearance of wrinkles, evens skin tone and increases firmness. For those who need near-immediate gratification, it’s helpful to note that in one study, users reported it smoothed and firmed in just two weeks.
NeoStrata
NeoStrata Triple Firming Neck Cream
Key ingredients: Neocitriate, pro-amino acids | Additional benefits: Evens out texture, stimulates collagen production | Cruelty-free: No
What you’ll love:
- Fragrance-free
- Noticeable difference in skin texture
Keep in mind:
- Oil-free
Let’s be honest: You may be looking for a neck lift sans needles or break-the-bank cosmetic treatments. Enter this inventive cream, featuring NeoStrata’s Neocitriate, which tightens and stimulates collagen production, and pro-amino acids to firm skin and reduce the look of wrinkles.
What our experts say: “I’m a fan because it does a great job of delivering alpha hydroxy acids without being irritating,” says Palep. Reviewers love that it’s lightweight but also extremely nourishing and moisturizing, and they note that it visibly improves horizontal neck lines.
Revision Skincare
Revision Skincare Nectifirm Advanced
Key ingredients: Lingonberry extract, peptides, red microalgae | Additional benefits: Boosts skin’s antioxidant response, smooths texture | Cruelty-free: No
What you’ll love:
- Non-irritating to sensitive skin
- Smooth, non-sticky texture
- Fragrance-free
Keep in mind:
- Some may not like the pump dispenser
- Expensive
Sometimes you want to bring out the big guns, and this product—beloved by discerning derms—targets crinkly, crepey skin head on. Specifically, ingredients like lingonberry extract boost skin’s antioxidant response, and red microalgae extract works to make skin appear more firm and lifted. It’s particularly effective in reducing turkey neck, and it layers well under makeup.
What our experts say: “This is another standout; the brand has clinical data and science behind its products,” says Day. “This formula has vitamin C and vitamin E, as well as different peptides and plant botanicals that brighten and firm the skin.”
Tatcha
Tatcha Ageless Revitalizing Neck Cream
Key ingredients: Lemon balm extract, vitamin C, green tea | Additional benefits: Evens texture, brightens | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- No synthetic fragrances
- Rich texture
- Comes with applicator spoon
Keep in mind:
- Expensive
- Some reviewers say consistency is sticky
Packed with nourishing ingredients including Uji green tea, Okinawa red algae and Japanese cornflower, this hardworking formula from Tatcha delivers essential nutrients to your skin while promoting a smoother texture overall. Peony is paired with vitamin C to encourage cell turnover, resulting in a brighter complexion. The luxurious cream comes with a small metal spoon for mess-free application.
SkinMedica
SkinMedica Neck Correct Cream
Key ingredients: Peptides, green microalgae, shiitake mushroom | Additional benefits: Boosts elasticity, hydrates, protects against free radical damage | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Smoothes and softens lines
- Easy to dispense
- Cruelty-free
Keep in mind:
- May cause irritation for some
- Expensive
Over time, the skin around your neck may develop fine lines or take on a crepey, fragile texture. SkinMedica’s formula remedies this with elasticity-boosting ingredients like green microalgae, lemon balm and shitake mushroom extract. The hydrating formula encourages dermal thickness and protects against free radical damage.
What our experts say: “We had very favorable feedback from patients when we did a case study using this cream,” says dermatologist Dr. Sabrina Fabi. “It has paracress extract, which is intended to help with the [vertical] lines caused from neck muscles, known as platysmal bands.”
Dermstore
iS Clinical Neck Perfect Complex
Key ingredients: Alpha hydroxy acids, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid | Additional benefits: Protects skin’s moisture barrier, prevents acne, lightens dark spots | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Exfoliates skin for a natural glow
- Packed with antioxidants
- Cruelty-free
Keep in mind:
- Expensive
Formulated with gently exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids, the iS Clinical Neck Perfect cream promotes tighter, more even skin without compromising your moisture barrier. Hyaluronic acid acts as a hydration booster, while salicylic acid works to treat and prevent acne on your neck. While it’s on the expensive side, the powerful product offers a host of benefits beyond firming skin—it also addresses hyperpigmentation and reverses free radical damage.
Amazon
Nécessaire The Neck Serum
Key ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, rosewater | Additional benefits: Soothes skin, strengthens moisture barrier | Cruelty-free: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Safe for sensitive skin types
- No artificial fragrances
- Lightweight formula won’t clog pores
Keep in mind:
- Some say they notice a light rose scent
This gentle formula from Nécessaire is ideal for those with sensitive skin—it’s made without fragrances, and contains soothing rosewater. Meanwhile, peptides and niacinamide work to hydrate your skin and boost its protective barrier. The serum-like product is lightweight and noncomedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores; it dissolves easily without any greasy residue. While there are no added fragrances, keep in mind that some customers notice a light rose scent from the rosewater. Another bonus: Nécessaire is a certified B Corp, which means that its products are made using sustainable practices.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we’ve published dozens of expert-backed beauty stories, including topics such as the best face moisturizers and anti-aging serums.
- This article was written by Forbes Vetted beauty writer Molly Calhoun, a seasoned reporter specializing in beauty and fashion.
- Deputy editor Jane Sung assigned and edited all iterations of this article and approved all product selections. She oversees the beauty and grooming category and has over two decades of experience as a lifestyle journalist.
- We enlisted the help of New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Doris Day, medical director at Spring Street Dermatology, as well as Dr. Sapna Palep and Dr. Sabrina Fabi of Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego for product recommendations and insights on what makes the best neck-firming creams.
- This article is routinely updated to keep availability and prices up to date. We also re-evaluate our product picks to ensure they’re still among the top in their categories.
How We Chose The Best Neck-Firming Creams
To curate this list of the best neck-firming creams, we conducted in-depth research on products from leading brands, including Tatcha, Yeouth, RoC and more.
- We dug into key ingredients to ensure we included formulas that cater to a wide variety of skin types.
- Price was also considered—we ensured there were options to suit every budget. The picks on our list range from around $20 to $160.
- In addition, our three experts, Day, Palep and Fabi, shared their top product recommendations: Palep recommends the NeoStrata Triple Firming Neck Cream, Day likes the Revision Skincare Nectifirm Advanced and Fabi endorses the SkinMedica Neck Correct Cream. Day and Palep both recommend the Alastin Restorative Neck Complex.
- Customer ratings were also taken into consideration; each neck-firming cream on this list has earned an average score of 4 out of 5 stars or higher.
What To Consider In A Neck-Firming Cream
Because the skin on your neck is thin, it’s particularly vulnerable. “It ages more quickly than the face, scars more easily, heals more poorly and is so much harder to fix,” says Day. And since we’re all busy applying serums, creams and oils to our faces, ours necks are often overlooked. Here’s what to consider in a neck-firming cream.
Ingredients
Ideal ingredients include retinols, peptides, hyaluronic acid and shea butter, which is a good hydrator. “The ingredients are similar to those in good face creams, but the concentrations and formula vary, so they’re more appropriate for the neck area,” says Day. “They often contain retinols, growth factors and antioxidants that are tested specifically for the skin of the neck.”
Application
As it turns out, appropriate application is also key. “When you apply neck cream, start where your clavicle meets in the middle and apply from your collarbone up rather than from the chin down,” says Day. “Don’t forget SPF and make sure you apply to the sides of the neck as well as in front.”
Formulation
In general, these are formulated as dense, thick creams that lift and tighten. Since neck skin has comparatively fewer oil glands, creams for the area need intensely hydrating ingredients—like hyaluronic acid, shea butter and peptide blends—to give you the most effective results. While neck treatments do exist in serum form, they’re less common because serums can have a slightly sticky finish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is There A Neck-Firming Cream That Actually Works?
Your neck works hard and has to move in all different directions, which means it may age and wrinkle prematurely. Experts agree that firming creams do work, but some may offer more results than others. “I do find value in using a neck cream for the neck,” says Day. “You can do various cosmetic treatments like Sofwave technology to improve your neck’s appearance, but you still have to improve the skin itself, and that’s where these targeted creams come in.”
Additionally, Day instructs users to follow up with a quality sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher since sun protection can also prevent collagen breakdown. “Nothing looks more beautiful in your 50s than sun protection in your 20s,” she says.
What Is The Best Skin-Tightening Cream For The Neck?
After comparing several different formulas, we named the Alastin Restorative Neck Complex as the best neck-firming treatment overall. It’s formulated with antioxidant-rich ingredients and active peptides that promote smoother, tighter skin with consistent use. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, however, we recommend the Yeouth Neck Firming Cream, which is made with potent green tea and vitamin C.
Is There A Difference Between Neck-Firming Creams And Neck Creams?
You’ll find that some products are labeled as neck-firming creams while others are simply billed as neck creams. However, the two terms are usually interchangeable—all neck creams more or less have the same goal of firming and tightening skin. “Neck creams work to prevent collagen breakdown and support collagen production,” says Day. So, while certain formulas may offer targeted benefits for specific skin types, you