If you’ve ever kindly searched for a recommendation of a neck cream from me, then you’ll know there are virtually none on record. This is because, despite so many being marketed in my direction and so many requests for a column about the best of them, I am consistently grumpy about neck products on principle. I certainly don’t neglect my own neck in my routine, and encourage anyone engaged in their appearance to take good care of their entire skin, scalp to toe. And I can obviously understand why people seek out a specialist neck treatment when they notice changes in firmness and texture on the throat. But skin doesn’t become different when it passes the jawline, it responds in the same way to TLC as the face, so I can see few good reasons for spending extra money.
The things we know can help produce collagen lost on the face and neck as we age, naturally or prematurely, are retinoids and, to a lesser degree, antioxidants like vitamin C. So I use these on my face and neck (usually at both ends of the day).
If your neck is more sensitive, you could soften the blow by first applying a thin layer of bland moisturiser (like those from Simple, CeraVe or Cetaphil) underneath these punchier actives, or using something better tolerated all over, like Naturium’s well-priced Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% (£35 for 50ml). Just apply before nighttime moisturiser and take down to your chest.
No fancy product under the “anti-ageing” umbrella is worth a damn if you’re not applying sunscreen in sufficient quantities. You’re almost literally burning your cash. And so I’m saddened by how many people seek neck creams and yet stop applying SPF at their chin.
An ultra-light, fluid sunscreen like La Roche Posay’s exceptional new Anthelios UVAir SPF50+ (£25 for 40ml), sinks in instantly, so you can do up your shirt without delay or faff. If you hate most sunscreens, I think you’ll love this.
after newsletter promotion
If you still have an insatiable desire for a neck product, then try Beauty Pie’s Über Youth Neck & Chest Super Lift Serum-Spray (£17.50 for 95ml to members; £38 otherwise). I give this props for being incredibly easy to apply (just mist on to your neck and chest and stroke for fast absorption) and pleasantly refreshing in a hot spell. Optimal levels of niacinamide (from which our entire skin benefits) may help any with brown spots, while glycerin should help temporarily plump any fine, crepey lines.