Our Lab Tests Prove This Drugstore Neck Cream Actually Tightens Sagging Skin

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We updated this article in February 2023 to add new product picks based on recent testing and expert recommendations.

You already know wearing moisturizer and SPF daily on your face is important for keeping skin healthy and youthful, but did you know the skin on your neck is 50% thinner than that on your face? That means it's more prone to wrinkles and looseness.

"Neck skin is super thin because it has less oil glands, meaning it needs more moisture than the face," says Neda Mehr, M.D., a dermatologist and founder of Pure Dermatology Cosmetic and Hair Center in Newport Beach, California. "Since dry skin leads to fine lines and wrinkles, hydration is key for the neck area." In addition, she says, "neck skin becomes crepey quicker than the face because the collagen layer is thinner."

To keep your neck skin looking youthful, you can use products like moisturizers that help strengthen the skin against signs of aging, says Dendy Engelman, M.D, a dermatologist in New York City. To find the neck creams that actually work, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists evaluate neck creams and treatments both in the Lab using technical instruments and on consumer testers over 12 weeks to find the best formulas proven to work. We parsed through 1,711 data points to find the best anti-aging neck creams and treatments that really work.

Our top picks:

For more information on how we test neck creams, plus shopping tips to find the best neck cream that actually works to firm sagging skin, scroll to the bottom of this article.

Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum

The winner of the GH Beauty Lab's neck cream test, this lightweight No7 serum with collagen-boosting retinoids and peptides was a heavy hitter for firming, outperforming the others. Before-and-after images taken with high-resolution professional photography showed the most improvement in tightening and lifting neck skin over 12 weeks.

Testers voted the drugstore buy the fastest-absorbing and most appealing in texture as well as least irritating. “This made my neck more firm,” one said. A heads up for those with sensitive skin: a few users noted that it didn't react well with their skin and caused inflammation.

Multi Correxion 5-in-1 Restoring Night Cream

GH Beauty Lab testers loved the lightweight texture of this great value firming night cream from RoC, which can be used on the neck. Noting its quick absorption and fruity scent — which a few users didn't love — they felt it left their skin feeling smooth and refreshed. "I noticed a difference in just three days," a tester marveled. "My skin looked firmer, smoother and brighter, with wrinkles decreased."

Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment

While not designed exclusively for the neck, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler uses it from her chin down and loves that the rich body cream contains retinol, a top anti-aging ingredient, at a gentle but effective concentration of 0.1%. "I found that it made my skin feel softer and smoother with regular use," she says.

"It has a very emollient texture, thanks to the included shea butter, grapeseed oil and evening primrose oil, which are super moisturizing and help counteract the dryness that retinol may cause." The one element that Butler doesn't love is that it's fragrance-free, "so it smells like its ingredients which I don’t prefer."

Daily Duet

Created by Dr. Mehr, this pricey hydrating cream combined with a replenishing serum is ideal for both the face and neck of dry and mature skin types. "The dual pump serum and moisturizer is full of potent antioxidants," she explains, plus plumping hyaluronic acid and strengthening ceramides. For extra hydration, layer a heavy moisturizer like Aquaphor Healing Ointment on top, Dr. Mehr recommends.

Techno Neck Perfecting Cream

If you have that telltale skin crepeiness and looseness known as "turkey neck" or even a double chin, turn to this SkinBetter Science neck cream, recommended by both Dr. Mehr and Dr. Brauer. "It not only improves the appearance of laxity and crepeiness, but also hydrates the skin, increasing its suppleness," Dr. Mehr explains.

Nectifirm Advanced Neck Firming Cream

Made with eight types of firming peptides, this Revision Skincare neck treatment is recommended by Dr. Brauer. "Ingredients like peptides can help improve skin's structure and support collagen," he explains. While it boasts some top notch ingredients, it is a pricier pick.

Black Tea Firming Corset Cream

A winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s neck cream test, this luxurious Fresh cream made with exotic botanical extracts like black tea, goji berry and lychee as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid was the most loved among testers. They gave the formula top points for making skin look and feel hydrated, and it scored well for visibly smoothing neck lines in before-and-after photo evaluations. “I definitely see a difference in my neck,” one said. “My skin looks much more even and brighter,” a second commented. While many users love the rich, creamy texture, a few noted it was too thick for daytime application.

Lift & Luminate Triple Action Night Cream

A winner of GH's Best Anti-Aging Skin Awards, No7's drugstore buy was one of the best-performing anti-aging creams tested that can be used on both the face and neck. Testers loved its long-lasting hydration, firming power and texture. "I've received compliments from friends, family and coworkers," one raved. Another reported: "I noticed particular improvement in skin texture on my neck." While some testers loved the fragrance, others reported that it was too potent and "perfume-y."

Resveratrol-Lift Firming Night Cream

In GH Beauty Lab testing, Caudalie's moisturizer made with plant-based natural ingredients was one of the most hydrating formulas, with reviewers noting its quick absorption and subtle scent, although a few felt the scent was strong. In Lab measurements with the Corneometer device, which measures hydration, it increased skin's moisturizaton by an impressive 43% over six hours. Nervous about creams feeling thick or greasy on the neck? Testers said it has a "light and fluffy" texture.

Hyaluronic Concentrate

While definitely a splurge, this Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winner can be used on the face and neck and has great instant and long-term benefits to the skin. It absorbs quickly and our Lab data evaluations found that the serum delivers immediate plumping and smoothing effects and will improve skin’s texture over time, thanks to the hyaluronic acid and peptides in the formula.

TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm Night Treatment With Retinol

With a powerful combination of retinol, peptides and plant stem cells, this Good Housekeeping Seal holder helps smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles and keeps skin — on the face and neck — hydrated for 12 hours. According to a four-week independent consumer study, a majority of women agreed that their skin texture was dramatically improved and that lines and wrinkles in the neck area were visibly softened. More specifically, 82% of testers said that their neck area looked noticeably smoother.

Regenerist Ultra Rich Face Moisturizer

Another Good Housekeeping Institute Seal Holder, this cream from Olay (which can be used on the face and neck) does more than just moisturize. Over 70% of testers said it "visibly improved skin's firmness and appearance." Testers also liked that it felt rich but not greasy (73%) and agreed that it improved skin's texture (70%). Plus, it's fragrance-free so it's ideal for anyone who doesn't like or can't tolerate fragrance. One thing to watch out for: a reviewer noted that it can pill after applying.

Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Anti-Aging Daily Face Moisturizer

"Protection and prevention from future damage, like limiting sun exposure and using sunscreen daily, is the best way to keep your skin bright, plump, and firm," says GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. A winner in the Beauty Lab's anti-aging day cream testing, this moisturizer from RoC, which can be used on the neck too, protects skin with broad spectrum SPF 30 and ranked the highest within the study at softening, firming and reducing wrinkles. Testers loved that it absorbed quickly and had a nice scent, but a few found that the applicator occasionally got clogged. "It made my skin feel plump, smooth and glowing and it smells so good," shares one reviewer.

Triple Firming Neck Cream

Tackle even stubborn neck lines with NeoStrata’s amino acid cream, a winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s neck cream test that earned the highest marks for smoothing wrinkles. It was the best of all products evaluated at minimizing the look of testers’ neck lines and wrinkles in standardized digital imaging, although may not given as much lift as some other products. Users also gave it high marks for making skin feel moisturized. The rich formula “improved my neck — I love it!” a fan said. “Both my neck and my décolletage looked smoother,” another reported.

Neck Correct Cream

Packed with smoothing peptides, SkinMedica's neck treatment is a new GH beauty editor holy grail. "This cream has actually noticeably reduced the band-like lines around my neck and made the skin feel tighter in a few weeks of use," GH's beauty director notes. "The gel-like formula is gentle and even feels soothing so I look forward to using it, plus the bottle lasts a very long time." Grace Wu, a product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute is also a fan, especially of the texture. "I love the gel consistency — my skin almost feels instantly hydrated and softer when I use this neck cream," she says. The one thing she doesn't love: the fragrance.

Prevage Anti-Aging Neck and Decollete Firm and Repair Cream

One of Dr. Engelman's favorite neck creams, Elizabeth Arden's formula is packed with peptides, plant oils and shea butter to fortify lax skin on both the neck and chest area. It "does take away the crepiness in the lines," a reviewer reported. A rich cream, some users commented on the thick consistency.

Restorative Neck Complex

This anti-aging neck treatment recommended by Dr. Brauer is hypoallergenic and made with ingredients to replenish sensitive skin. To treat redness and sensitivity in the neck area, "look for ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides," he suggests. The formula also contains peptides to help firm slack skin. "It makes my neck look smoother and less obviously horizontally lined, maybe a little tighter," says Stephanie Dolgoff, GH Deputy Health Director. "It is not thick and goopy so it doesn't build up, and has no scent, which is a plus for me.” The only downside: some complained that the pump in the container didn't work and they had to open the product to use it, potentially reducing its efficacy.

Overnight Restorative Cream

To treat discoloration on the neck and chest, look to Algenist's rich formula, which scored high for diminishing UV spots in GH Beauty Lab testing and testers saw visible changes. It reduced the appearance of hyperpigmentation by 11% in four weeks and raised skin hydration 33%, although didn't show as much change in firming the skin. "My skin looks so much brighter," and "it really is removing my dark spots," two testers reported.

Peptight Tightening Neck Serum Roller

Packed with peptides, this tightening neck serum claims to visibly tighten skin and smooth lines on the neck. Plus, it has a super application method: you turn the applicator on, squeeze to release the serum and roll it in an upward motion on the neck and jawline. "The formula was extremely moisturizing and I loved the cooling massage roller — it felt so nice on my skin," says Good Housekeeping Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn. While most reviewers noted the speedy results, a few felt they didn't see results for a while.

How we test the best neck creams

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab's neck cream test, experts measure each product's ability to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles on the neck and lift and tighten neck skin over 12 weeks of use. Consumer testers use the label-masked products at home and evaluated them on factors like texture, irritation, scent, absorption, moisturization effects and the look and feel of skin after application.

In the Lab, GH Beauty Lab scientists analyzed over 200 images taken with high-resolution professional photography to gauge changes in neck lines and skin laxity before and after 12 weeks of neck cream use, as pictured below. In total, Lab experts tallied 1,711 data points to find the winning neck creams.

A side-by-side photo of a woman's neck before and after our neck cream test.

Do neck firming creams actually work?

Yes — to an extent. "The purpose of neck creams and treatments is similar to those for skin of the face, to maintain healthy and youthful-looking skin, including the integrity of the skin's barrier function and moisture, all while attempting to protect against and repair environmental damage," says Jeremy Brauer, M.D., clinical associate professor at the New York University Department of Dermatology in New York City.

In GH Beauty Lab tests, users apply neck creams daily for twelve weeks to see changes in skin. "Neck creams are typically thicker than facial creams and are formulated with specific ingredients to help lift and tighten the loose, crepey neck and décolleté skin that occurs as we age, due to collagen and elastin loss," Dr. Mehr explains.

That said, there's no such thing as a neck lift in a bottle: "You shouldn't expect miracles from topical neck treatments," advises GH Beauty Lab Chemist Danusia Wnek. "If you are looking for a drastic change, you may want to visit a dermatologist or plastic surgeon." And remember, daily habits can have an effect, too: Laxity of the neck skin is happening earlier than ever thanks to "tech neck" from looking at our phones repeatedly, Dr. Engelman says.

What to look for when shopping for the best neck firming creams

You can use your regular anti-aging treatments on your neck, but products formulated for the neck tend to be gentler on skin and contain targeted ingredients. "Neck creams that contain ingredients to support the skin barrier and hydration, peptides and antioxidants can help in retaining moisture, while also protecting against and addressing UV damage," Dr. Brauer says. "In addition, topicals containing retinol may stimulate collagen formation, aiding in improvement of laxity and fine lines."

Seek out these key ingredients for specific issues to find an effective neck cream that addresses your skin's needs, dermatologists suggest:

✔️ Peptides and retinol, to help improve skin's collagen, boosting skin's smoothness and firmness.

✔️ Antioxidants, like vitamins C and E, to help repair and prevent signs of aging like wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

✔️ Hydrators, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane and natural oils, to combat skin dryness.

✔️ Anti-inflammatory and soothing ingredients, including niacinamide, ceramides and green tea, if you are prone to sensitivity.

What's the best way to apply a neck cream?

Most neck creams and treatments are applied once or twice daily, in the morning and/or evening. "Read the product label and follow the instructions carefully," Wnek says. "Stop product use or skip a day or two in between if you experience redness or irritation." Most importantly, always follow a neck treatment by applying a broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher to the neck skin as well, which "is a must to help minimize sun damage that can prevent signs of aging in the first place," Dr. Brauer explains.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

GH Beauty Lab Chemist Danusia Wnek developed and executed our most recent neck cream test, utilizing both Lab instrumentation and consumer feedback to recommend the best products on the market. She also provided expert commentary on neck cream testing protocols and results for this article.

GH Beauty Director April Franzino translated the GH Beauty Lab's neck cream test results into a shopping guide for this piece, as well as reported expert advice on how to shop for and best usage of neck creams. Franzino has over 15 years of experience researching, writing and editing skincare-related content, utilizing the expertise of the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists and top industry professionals such as dermatologists and aestheticians.

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