Do You Need a Neck Cream? Not Always—But These Ones Are Impressively Good

As a beauty editor and esthetician, one of the questions I hear most often (usually once someone has finally nailed the essentials of their skincare routine) is what to add next. Clients will come to me proudly announcing that they’ve got their cleanser, serum, moisturiser and SPF sorted, and then, almost inevitably, the next wave of curiosity hits: Do I add a neck cream? An LED mask? An eye cream? It’s that moment when people start looking beyond the basics that this question inevitably lands in my inbox.

And the honest answer? No, a neck cream isn’t essential. For most people, simply taking the skincare you already use on your face and applying it down your neck (and ideally your chest) will do a perfectly good job. With consistent sunscreen, gentle exfoliation, and a well-formulated moisturiser, you’re already covering the fundamentals of keeping the area smooth, healthy, and supported.

But there are exceptions, and that’s where dedicated neck treatments come in. Some concerns go beyond what a standard moisturiser or serum can comfortably tackle: skin laxity, "tech neck" lines from constant screen time, crepiness, sun-induced pigmentation, or overall loss of firmness. Because the skin on the neck is thinner and because we don't tend to look after it until it's too late, it's one of the first to show signs of skin ageing. We invest in face serums and treatments, only for the neck and décolleté to quietly reveal our age, posture and sun habits long before our complexion does. For this reason, formulas designed specifically for the neck often feature peptides, resurfacing acids and collagen-supporting actives in richly hydrating textures that suit the neck better than face products do.

So while you don’t necessarily need a neck cream, if this area is one you’re especially concerned about—or you simply enjoy a more intentional, extended routine—a specialist product can make a difference. Below, I’ve curated a line-up of the very best neck creams and serums across every category, from brightening and hydrating to firming, smoothing and budget-friendly options that still deliver.

What does neck cream do?

Before we get into this list of the best neck creams, we'll take a look at what neck cream actually does, and to understand this, it's important to understand what the neck needs. I spoke to esthetician and skincare educator Katie Onyejekwe, who told me that since the skin on the neck generally is thinner and has lower sebaceous glands, less muscle and less fat, it's more prone to dryness and sensitivity. "Additionally, the skin doesn't turn over as fast as that on the face, and it's a very used part of the body—we're turning our heads all the time, looking down, looking around and looking at our phones, which is why we're seeing an increase of concern around 'tech neck' lines across the neck."

Most neck creams are designed to address this combination of concerns, so they will typically have quite rich, thick, hydrating formulas, but contain potent amounts of active ingredients to help address loose skin, lines and wrinkles. "Retinoids might be too strong for this area, so you could buffer these by applying them over a moisturiser," says Onyejekwe. "Peptide-based serums made with the neck in mind may help with signs of ageing, and formulas rich in antioxidants will help protect and support the skin there."

Do you need a neck cream?

"You can use dedicated neck creams if you are concerned about the appearance of the neck, but I'd recommend starting by extending your skincare down to your neck," explains Onyejekwe. If you're breakout-prone, she advises avoiding heavy products that may cause congestion, and to ensure that the neck is being properly cleansed to prevent product buildup. "Applying sunscreen is imperative as your neck is constantly on display so you need to work hard to protect it," she adds.

The Best Neck Creams

1. Best Overall: Necessaire The Neck Serum, £65
2. Best Hydrating Neck Cream: This Works Perfect Cleavage and Neck Serum, £36
3. Best Brightening Neck Cream: Alpha-H Retinol Reboot Exfoliating Body Treatment, £24
4. Best Firming Neck Cream: NIOD Elasticity Catalyst Neck Serum, £57
5. Best Nourishing Neck Cream: Cellcosmet Cellbust-Xt Cellular Gel-Cream, £375

1. Nécessaire The Neck Serum

2. This Works Perfect Cleavage and Neck Serum

3. Alpha-H Retinol Reboot Exfoliating Body Treatment

4. Niod Elasticity Catalyst Neck Serum

5. Cellcosmet Cellbust-Xt Cellular Gel-Cream

6. Révive Fermitif Neck Renewal Serum

7. Is Clinical Neck Perfect

8. Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Sub-D/Neck

9. Trinny London the Elevator Neck and Decollete Concentrate

10. Sisley-Paris Neck Cream

11. The Ordinary Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion

How We Tested

To build this list, I approached neck creams the same way I do any niche-but-hotly-debated category: by treating them like real routines, not isolated products. Over several weeks, I rotated each formula into my morning and evening skincare routines. Because the neck can react differently to strong actives, I paid attention to how quickly each product absorbed, whether it pilled under SPF, how it layered with retinoids, and if it encouraged (or irritated) my sensitive skin. Alongside hands-on testing, I also combed through verified customer reviews and expert commentary to identify which products consistently delivered on firmness, brightness, smoothing or hydration, and which formulas are the most impressive.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.