Derms and Plastic Surgeons Agree: These 12 Neck-Firming Creams Are Incredibly Effective

Pros: Firms, lifts, and sculpts the skin on the neck.

Cons: None.

Size: 0.5 or 1.7 oz | Texture: Cream | Hero Ingredients: Lingonberry extract, eight peptides, red microalgae extract

Sanan puts this neck cream at the top of his list. He calls it the "industry gold standard," and says it's formulated with "clinically proven peptides and antioxidants that target the neck’s unique dermal structure." Camp agrees. "This popular neck cream can also be used on the chest, and it is formulated with peptides, plant extracts, and antioxidants for a smoother, younger-looking neck, décolletage, and jawline."

Pros: Firms, lifts, and sculpts the skin on the neck; can be used on both the face and the neck; affordable

Cons: None.

Size: 1.7 oz | Texture: Cream | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, retinol, swertiamarin

This neck cream was developed in partnership with dermatologists and plastic surgeons and is clinically proven to firm, lift, and contour aging skin. In fact, it promises to reduce horizontal neck lines in one week. It's all thanks to active ingredients like hyaluronic acid (to help plump the skin), retinol (the gold standard for skin renewal), and swertiamarin (an herbal firming extract). This isn't just an exceptional drugstore neck cream; it's an exceptional neck cream, period.

Pros: Firms, lifts, and sculpts the skin on the neck

Cons: Expensive.

Size: 1.7 oz | Texture: Cream | Key Ingredients: Retinol, peptides, glaucin

As I mentioned, retinoids (like retinol) are still considered the gold standard for slowing, preventing, and even reversing premature signs of aging. It's why retinol is such an effective ingredient in neck creams. It can improve skin tone, texture, and overall quality. "Retinol serums or moisturizers, when used regularly over time, are known to improve collagen production," Camp says. "Remember to gradually ease into the use of a retinol because they can cause side effects like redness, dryness, and itching, especially on the delicate skin of the neck."

Not every retinol neck treatment is the same. Camp recommends this SkinCeuticals one. "This daily retinol neck cream is formulated with 0.2% slow-release retinol for improved tolerability, as well as a peptide concentrate to target early to advanced signs of neck aging, including lines and wrinkles due to repetitive movements from looking down at mobile devices."

Pros: Firms, lifts, and sculpts the skin on the neck; can be used on both the face and the neck.

Cons: Expensive.

Size: 0.5 oz | Texture: Serum | Key Ingredients: Exosomes, hyaluronic acid, arginine

Exosomes are one of the buzziest skincare ingredients in the beauty industry. They're essentially vesicles secreted by cells that contain growth factors, RNA, and other important cell messengers. When used topically, they can offer anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and collagen-building benefits, among other things.

Sanan recommends this "high potency exosome serum aimed at signs of neck aging," because "it helps improve fine lines, tone, and texture irregularities." Over time, it targets lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dark spots, and even redness for 360-degree skin enhancement. (I can attest to its power. A facialist practically begged me to use its sister serum, and it transformed my skin in 30 days.)

Pros: Firms, lifts, and sculpts the skin on the neck

Cons: Expensive.

Size: 1.7 oz | Texture: Cream | Key Ingredients: Amino acids, peptides, niacinamide

Here's another high-tech, expert-recommended neck treatment. Sanan is a big fan of Skinbetter Science's Techno Neck Perfecting Cream, because it "visibly improves tone and texture with peptides and energy-boosting ingredients," and it has an "elegant feel patients love." It uses a whole host of active ingredients, like amino acids, peptides, and antioxidants, to support the skin's collagen network and reduce the appearance of everything from crepey skin to sagging, texture, and dryness.

Pros: Firms, lifts, and sculpts the skin on the neck

Cons: None.

Size: 1, 1.7, or 3.4 oz | Texture: Cream | Key Ingredients: Bearberry, clary sage, proprietary Alpha-3 Peptide

I was introduced to this best-selling neck cream by my friend and colleague Erin Jahns, Who What Wear's beauty director. She tried it after it did wonders for her 75-year-old mom's "crepey neck" (her words, not ours!), and saw results in as few as four weeks. You can read her full review for more in-depth info. As for me, I've seen visible improvements in my horizontal neck lines and overall skin quality after only a few weeks as well. Erin has never steered me wrong, but this has to be one of the best product recommendations she's ever given me. Thanks, Erin!

Pros: Firms, lifts, and sculpts the skin on the neck

Cons: Some people might prefer a less thick-textured cream.

Size: 1.7 oz | Texture: Rich cream | Key Ingredients: Polypeptides, goat milk, milk protein exosome

King recommends this rich neck treatment for multiple reasons. "It contains the perfect combination of humectants like glycerin, polyglutamic acid, and collagen to hydrate the skin, emollients like triglycerides, squalane, ceramides, and shea butter to support the skin barrier, and occlusives like mango seed butter to lock in moisture," she says. "It also contains niacinamide, which helps to improve tone and texture, and allantoin, which soothes the skin." Last but not least, it also contains milk protein exosomes that strengthen the skin barrier and reneseed polypeptide, which can increase collagen production.

It has a thick, decadent texture, which some reviewers don't love. However, it's just what the dry, thin skin on the neck might need. "Because there are fewer sebaceous glands in the skin of the neck, there is less oil produced, so moisturizers are essential," King says. "You may be able to use heavier moisturizers than you would on your face because you're less likely to cause clogged pores and acne in this area." The more you know!

Pros: Firms, lifts, and sculpts the skin on the neck; can be used on both the face and the neck.

Cons: Expensive

Size: 1.7 oz | Texture: Serum | Key Ingredients: All-trans-retinol, tea polyphenols, hyaluronic acid, caffeine

Shim Ching, MD, is a double board-certified plastic surgeon based between Honolulu and Dubai. He's also the creator of his namesake skincare line: Shim Ching MD Skincare. When it comes to treating lax, sagging, and wrinkling skin on the neck, he recommends this targeted anti-aging serum, which is a "​retinol and a strong moisturizer" in one. Spiked with all-trans-retinol, tea polyphenols, hyaluronic acid, and caffeine, it's a highly effective skin-enhancing serum that will get the job done.

Pros: Firms, lifts, and sculpts the skin on the neck; has SPF 25

Cons: Some people might prefer a nighttime neck cream with no SPF.

Size: 1 oz | Texture: Cream| Key Ingredients: Peptides, vitamin C ester, vitamin B3, mineral sunscreen

If you want a neck cream that pulls triple duty as a 1) treatment, 2) moisturizer, and 3) sunscreen, then this is the one for you. Apply it every morning for a one-step, neck anti-aging routine before heading out the door. "Ingredients in this neck cream, like peptides, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid, reportedly help to improve the appearance and feel of skin by sculpting, firming, tightening, and contouring," Camp says.

Pros: Firms, lifts, and sculpts the skin on the neck; can be used on both the face and the neck.

Cons: None

Size: 1 oz | Texture: Serum | Key Ingredients: Retinol, peptides

King recommends another dual-face and neck treatment. This time, it's Face Reality's Retinol Peptide Serum. "It uses microencapsulation technology to decrease the risk of irritation—perfect for the delicate skin of the neck," she says. "It also contains anti-aging peptides and humectants like glycerin to hydrate the skin, and emollients like triglycerides to support the skin barrier."

Pros: Firms, lifts, and sculpts the skin on the neck

Cons: None

Size: 1 oz | Texture: Serum | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ascorbic acid, retinol

King also loves this dermatologist-created neck treatment. It contains humectants (glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and glyceryl glucoside) to hydrate, plump, and smooth the skin. There are also antioxidants (tocopherol and ascorbic acid) to fight free radicals. Finally, retinol helps stimulate the production of collagen for a tighter, firmer appearance. "In their clinical study, users saw firmer, lifted necklines, smoother, brighter skin, and more youthful contours in just 4 weeks."

Pros: Firms, lifts, and sculpts the skin on the neck.

Cons: Expensive.

Size: 2 oz | Texture: Cream | Key Ingredients: Peptides, green microalgae, lemon balm, shitake mushroom extracts

Here's another clinical study-backed neck treatment, and I can't help but be effusive about it. It's a good, non-retinol option for those who'd rather opt out of using the vitamin A derivative, but make no mistake, it's still incredibly effective. With ingredients like peptides, green microalgae, lemon balm, and shitake mushroom extract, it thickens the dermis, boosts elasticity, and reduces the appearance of platysmal bands (vertical neck lines). I would say it's like a magical, neck-firming potion, but I can't, cause it's all science.

Ching says that "​LED light therapy can help reverse aging of the neck" as well, so you may want to consider incorporating an LED mask into your nightly or weekly skincare routine. Read more about the anti-aging benefits of LED masks.