Top 16 Neck Firming Creams of 2024, Endorsed by Skincare Professionals

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Many of us spend time, effort, and hard-earned cash on skincare that lifts our face, opting for high-end treatments like red light therapy devices or microcurrent gadgets, but it’s important not to overlook what’s going on below the chin. As we age and the production of collagen and elastin decreases, the thin, delicate skin of the neck starts to become looser, giving it a wrinkled, crepey appearance. While the rate at which this occurs is certainly influenced by genetics, lifestyle plays a role, too. “Factors such as sun exposure, smoking, and poor diet can accelerate this process,” says dermatologist Dr. Hannah Kopelman, DO. “Additionally, repeated movements and postures, such as looking down at phones or computers (AKA “tech neck”) can contribute to the development of wrinkles and sagging.”

The good news is that the best firming neck cream can positively impact the skin’s appearance. “It can help by providing essential moisture and nutrients that the skin needs to stay firm and elastic,” explains Dr. Kopelman, naming peptides and retinol as two key ingredients to look for. Plus, “regular use of a quality neck cream can also help protect the skin from environmental damage and provide a barrier against free radicals,” thereby slowing the signs of aging.

To find the best of the best, we researched and tried dozens of options, judging them on active ingredients, price, and product size. Then, with guidance from Dr. Kopleman and New York-based dermatologist Dr. Aya Ahram, DO, FAAD, we created this definitive list of the best firming neck creams with the power to improve the look and feel of your skin.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, Spilanthol, Bearberry Leaf Extract | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free?: Yes

Our search for the best overall firming neck cream ended when Dr. Kopelman introduced us to StriVectin’s award-winning Tighten & Lift Advanced Neck Cream. This silky formula boasts a patented peptide, a type of anti-aging ingredient that’s “excellent for stimulating collagen production and improving skin firmness and elasticity,” says Dr. Kopelman. An NIH study also confirmed that peptide complex is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles when added to skincare routines.

Add to the mix hydrating hyaluronic acid, radiance-boosting bearberry leaf extract, and strengthening spilanthol (a fatty acid that forms a protective film over the skin), and we’re convinced this tightening neck cream really can do it all.

Use it as the final step in your morning skincare routine, smoothing the formula from your jawline to your décolletage for an instant confidence boost and noticeable long-term results. One word of warning: although the formula eschews all the usual nasties, including parabens and phthalates, some users with sensitive skin say their skin became itchy and rashy after using it. If you have reactive skin, we recommend checking the ingredients list and consulting a dermatologist before trying new products.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, quinoa, acacia senegal gum | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free?: No

It’s often said that nothing looks so good in your 50s than sunscreen in your 20s. Our necks often get the short end of the skincare stick. But when crepiness and sagging start to appear, it's time to give this delicate area the attention it deserves with this medical-grade treatment. Its clinically-backed formula is packed with proven ingredients that deliver results. Our tester noticed that her neck looked tighter, and her skin appeared plumper within four weeks of continuous use.

Why It's a Shape 2024 Beauty Award Winner: The powerhouse ingredient list includes a base of hyaluronic acid to plump, BHA to exfoliate, antioxidants to brighten, and a host of thickening emollients and humectants to help skin attract and retain moisture.

Key Ingredients: Coenzyme Q10, Creatine and Provitamin B5 | Size: 6.7 oz | Cruelty-Free?: No

With its antioxidant-rich, hydrating formula, NIVEA’s anti-wrinkle cream delivers impressive results at a budget-friendly price point. The formula’s biggest asset is a hefty dose of moisture courtesy of provitamin B5, glycerin, and macadamia nut oil, which plumps and smoothes the skin for up to 24 hours. Meanwhile, creatine (an amino acid) increases collagen production, and coenzyme Q10 (a potent antioxidant) speeds up cell turnover and protects against environmental damage. One downside, depending on your preferences, is the cream’s strong scent.

Key Ingredients: 0.2% Pure Retinol A, peptides, Glaucine complex | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free?: Yes

SkinCeuticals Tripeptide R Neck Repair Cream contains 0.2% pure retinol, an ingredient both of our experts referenced as one of the most effective for revitalizing the skin. Per NIH, Retinol increases cell turnover and boosts collagen, tackling wrinkles, horizontal lines, and crepiness in one fell swoop. Additionally, the formula includes peptides to plump and firm the skin and glaucine complex (made from yellow horn poppy) to reduce water retention and increase circulation. 

Retinol newbies, it’s important to expect an adjustment period. Your skin may be dry and flakey initially but the payoff will be worth it. SkinCeuticals recommends using one to two pumps of the formula twice a week to start with, before working your way up to every other night. And don’t forget to slather on high-SPF sunscreen because retinol lotions and serums make skin extra sensitive to UV damage. 

Key Ingredients: Green tea, red algae, rice extract, peony extract, vitamin C | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free?: Yes

Whether you’re dealing with horizontal tech-neck lines or just general crepiness, this wrinkle-smoothing neck cream from TATCHA can help. Like all formulations from the Japanese brand, the cream puts endemic plants front and center, including Uji green tea for detoxification, Okinawa red algae for moisture retention and Akita rice for a hit of skin-nourishing proteins. It also contains peony extract and vitamin C to aid cell turnover and leave your skin smoother and more radiant than before.

Key Ingredients: Hexinol, niacinamide, lipids | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free?: Yes

Although extravagant multi-step beauty routines like double cleansing are trending, we can see the appeal of a more streamlined skincare regimen. If that’s your goal, then RoC’s multipurpose Multi Correxion 5-in-1 cream is our top recommendation. This daytime formula is designed to be used on the face, neck, and chest, where RoC’s proprietary antioxidant complex works to eliminate fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots. It also doubles as sunscreen, protecting your skin against new sun damage. 

Key Ingredients: Peptides, dihydromyricetin, sandalwood, vitamins C and E | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free?: No

To improve the skin's texture below your chin, Dr. Kopelman recommends Revision’s Skincare Nectifirm. “It includes peptides, antioxidants, and plant extracts to smooth and firm the neck skin,” she says. “It's known for reducing the appearance of rough, crepey skin and fine lines.” 

The award-winning formula boasts a blend of five peptides, dihydromyricetin (a flavonoid found naturally in plants) to improve skin firmness, sandalwood to boost hydration, and vitamins C and E to reduce dark spots and create a more even skin tone.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, polysaccharides, tocopherol | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free?: Yes

If you’ve noticed an uptick in wrinkles, dryness, hyperpigmentation, and a general loss of bounce and radiance in your skin, this replenishing neck cream from Dr. Brandt will be an asset to your beauty routine. Inspired by results from in-office procedures, it aspires to lift and firm the delicate skin of the neck using star ingredients like peptides to stimulate collagen and elastin production, polysaccharides (sugar molecules that have been proved to aid anti-aging products) to hydrate and protect, and tocopherol (vitamin E) to guard against free radical damage.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin A (retinol), D, E, cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid, glycerin | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free?: Yes

Dry skin lacks sebum that gives oilier skin types a more plump appearance, making lines and wrinkles more prominent. To restore optimal hydration levels to your skin, reach for a moisture-rich neck cream like this one from Mario Badescu. It’s packed with vitamin E, cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin to make skin smooth and silky. Plus, it utilizes vitamin D to protect the skin against UV damage and vitamin A (retinol) to increase cell turnover, reducing wrinkles and dark spots. Use it every evening after cleansing and toning, and watch your neck become soft, nourished, and less lined.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, flax seed extract, phytoene, and phytofluene  | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free?: Yes

While there’s no magic quick fix for crepey skin, Dr. Ahram recommends this “neck complex” from Alastin, which helps to create a lifted effect. The formula’s key ingredients are phytoene and phytofluene (two phytonutrients found in lots of fruit and veggie varieties), which bring a hefty dose of antioxidants to help calm inflammation and improve radiance while the included flax seed extract reduces skin sensitivity and locks in moisture. It also contains the brand’s own cocktail of peptides to boost collagen and elastin production, creating a noticeable improvement in skin texture and tone.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, rose water, glycerin | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free?: Yes

If your skin tends to be oily, you’ll want to look for lighter products that add hydration to your neck and chest without clogging pores and causing unwanted breakouts. This serum ticks all the boxes, boasting a silky, non-comedogenic formula enriched with a clinical concentration of five peptides to support collagen production, niacinamide to clear up acne and replenish the skin’s natural moisture barrier, and rosewater to soothe and hydrate. It’s so good you could use it on your face as well.

Key Ingredients: Phytoretinols, protein peptides, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free?: N/A

Want impressive results, but your sensitive skin limits the types of ingredients you can use? This natural vegan cream is formulated with a plant-based retinol alternative to target lines and crepiness. Phytoretinol, from the Picão Preto plant, is said to be just as effective as conventional retinol, only without the common side effect of irritation. The formula is supported by protein peptides to boost collagen and hydrating hero hyaluronic acid to soothe and smooth the neck.

Key Ingredients: N/A | Size: 5.5 inches long | Cruelty-Free?: N/A

Ok, this one is technically not a cream, but it’s certainly a useful tool for firming the neck. The NuFace Trinity is a hand-held microcurrent device (like a less intense version of the treatment you might have had in your esthetician’s office) that stimulates the muscles beneath the skin. It’s like a workout for your face and neck, resulting in a more lifted and youthful appearance. Slather your neck with conductor gel, then glide the device from your collarbone to your jawline, avoiding the midline so you don’t accidentally zap your thyroid. Repeat this for a couple of minutes on each side several times a week, and you should start to see noticeable results in around a month.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, ceramides, vitamin E, shea butter | Size: 1.8 oz | Cruelty-Free?: Yes

If the skin on your neck doesn’t have the same elasticity it once had, Dr. Ahram recommends this formula from DRMTLGY. Moisturizing vitamin E and shea butter immediately nourish the skin and smooth wrinkles, while a potent blend of peptides and ceramides strengthens the skin barrier and fades areas of hyperpigmentation. The overall result is a hydrated, tightened, and more defined contour of the neck and décolletage. Because it's an ultra-moisturizing formula, it can feel a bit oily, which might not be ideal for anyone prone to body acne.

Key Ingredients: NeoGlucosamine, NeoCitriate, shea butter, glycerin, peptides | Size: 2.8 oz | Cruelty-Free?: Yes

The delicate skin of the décolletage area is prone to wrinkles, particularly among sun worshipers and side sleepers, so it’s important to apply your neck cream there, too. This formula is recommended by Dr. Kopelman, who says its blend of brightening neoglucosamine and collagen-forming NeoCitriate, the brand’s patented ingredient, “helps to build the skin’s support matrix, making it firmer and more resilient.” Smooth it from your neck to the base of your décolletage twice a day, and you should see an improvement in radiance, tone, and texture within a couple of months. If you’ve got brown spots or hyperpigmentation, this formula will help fade it.

Key Ingredients: Giant sea kelp, lime tea concentrate, whey protein, sesame seed oil, caffeine | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free?: No

Is it the rich texture of this La Mer cream or the fact it comes with a little brush for gentle application that makes it feel so fancy? Regardless, if you’re going to splurge on a neck cream, it should be this one. The balm-like formula is enriched with the brand’s signature blend of fermented giant sea kelp, vitamins, and minerals to strengthen the skin barrier and reduce inflammation, preventing premature aging. Another of LA Mer’s go-to ingredients, lime tea concentrate, infuses the skin with antioxidants to protect against environmental stressors. The silky consistency feels like a treat on your skin and gives the neck a smoother appearance.

Esme Benjamin is a freelance writer based in NYC whose work focuses on wellness, beauty, and travel. When she’s not penning stories for publications including Shape, Self, Elle, Byrdie, R29, Condé Nast Traveler, and Glamour, you’ll find Esme practicing yoga, dabbling in NYC’s spa and experiential wellness scene, or planning her next international trip. Esme has researched and tested hundreds of beauty products and drew on her own skincare experience to complete this list of the best firming neck creams.