It's a universal truth that the neck is the first to show signs of aging. Unlike the face, which is often showered with serums, SPF, and the occasional in-office treatment, below the jawline is usually an afterthought. The skin there is thinner, oil glands are fewer, and there's little structural support beneath the surface. Add in sun damage from years of forgetting to blend SPF all the way down and the modern-day curse of "tech neck," and the neck and décolletage can often look a little older than the face, even when the rest of your routine is solid. My advice? Invest in a dedicated neck cream for mature skin.
Even my mom admits to me that she's just as guilty of scrolling as I am—a 26-year-old who's on TikTok more than I'd like to admit. All those hours with our chins tipped forward? They basically fast-track the neck's aging process. "The neck is one of the first areas to reveal your age, and our tech-heavy lifestyle accelerates it," says board-certified plastic surgeon Akshay Sanan, MD.
Here's the thing: no cream is going to hoist drooping skin back in place—that job belongs to procedures like lasers and, eventually, surgery. But! The right formulas can absolutely make a difference; retinol and peptides boost collagen, hyaluronic acid plumps away crepiness, and niacinamide tackles age spots while strengthening the skin's barrier, allowing it to resist further damage.
Think of neck creams less like a facelift in a jar and more like maintenance—they won't necessarily lift, but they will firm, smooth, and keep things looking youthful, longer. Here are the eight best neck creams for mature skin, tested by women over 50, and recommended by plastic surgeons and dermatologists.
Musely takes the guesswork out of neck care with a prescription-strength formula that's not just a hand-me-down face cream. Every jar is mixed just for you after a dermatologist signs off—no middle steps or sitting on a shelf, ensuring it's at maximum potency for better results. It blends tretinoin (the gold-standard, Rx version of retinol) with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to smooth, firm, and hydrate. You can even target sun damage and dark spots with a chest-specific version. At $35 a month, it's a derm-level treatment that doesn't feel outrageously expensive or require more effort than filling out a form on your couch.
Key Ingredients: Tretinoin (promotes cellular turnover); Niacinamide (evens skin tone); Hyaluronic Acid (hydrates)
What I Love: Affordable, prescription-strength retinol; Offers another version for the chest too
What I Don't: You are not guaranteed approval; it depends on your dermatologist’s discretion in reviewing your case
Review for MC: "I've never tried a prescription skincare treatment online. I'm used to waiting forever for a dermatologist appointment and spending a whole day commuting. Musely's process was so easy to do, and the formula is the real deal. I particularly love how they customized it for my skin and it's not too irritating as a new prescription tretinoin user." — Colleen Rutherford (54)
Colleen Rutherford applies the Musely The Neck Cream.
This Dr. Barbara Sturm cream isn't just a fancy lotion; it's a serious treat for your neck and chest. The texture is rich yet silky, absorbing quickly to deliver intense moisture without any greasy residue, leaving the skin feeling soft and supple. Beneath that luxe feel, ceramides and lipids from shea butter, marula oil, and mango seed oil work to support the skin's natural barrier and lock in hydration. Then, hyaluronic acid and prickly pear extract swoop in to provide an extra boost of moisture and plumping effects. It's the kind of cream that makes you actually look forward to applying it at night.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, lipids (supports skin barrier); Shea butter, marula oil, mango seed oil (seals in moisture)
What I Love: Great for dry skin; Adds a natural sheen that looks youthful and healthy, not greasy
What I Don't: Most expensive option on this list
Review for MC: "This feels like a treat every single night I apply it. It's so silky, rich, and moisturizing. I just love how my neck looks so smooth when I wake up every morning." — Mindy Holender (56)
Mindy Holender applies the Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Neck and Décolleté Cream.
Lightweight, delightfully rose-scented, and oh-so silky, this glides across the skin while the peptide-packed blend works in the background, supporting firmness and elasticity. CoQ10—a naturally occurring antioxidant that helps support skin cell energy and function—amps up barrier health, while vitamin C protects and brightens over time. Use the dual-ended brush to apply for a luxe experience.
Key Ingredients: CoQ10 (energizes skin cells and supports collagen production); Vitamin C (brightens); Glycolic acid (exfoliates for smoother texture)
What I Love: Gorgeous rose scent is spa-like and not overpowering; Liquid texture absorbs quickly into the skin
What I Don't: Although the scent is beautiful, people with sensitive skin may have issues with the fragrance
Review for MC: "This formula is like a facial in a bottle. It comes with a skincare brush that makes application something I genuinely look forward to. I also love how it's a lightweight texture, so it doesn't feel heavy or suffocating at night. I've noticed it makes my fine lines on my neck look smoother." — Jackie Witherow (76)
Jackie Witherow applies the RéVive Fermitif Neck Renewal Serum Firming Treatment.
While this isn't a quick-fix miracle cream, it might be the closest thing to it. Glycolic acid gently smooths and exfoliates, while peptides and antioxidants work to support elastin and collagen, helping skin feel firmer and more resilient over time. It's an excellent choice for anyone noticing thinner, less springy skin on the neck and chest. Plus, it layers beautifully under sunscreen and plays nicely with any other products in your routine.
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid (exfoliates); Peptides (supports collagen production for firmer skin); Antioxidants (protects from environmental aggressors)
What I Love: Silicones in the formula work like a blurring filter; Pump-like design avoids bacterial contamination
What I Don't: Testers note that they run through it rather quickly
Customer Review: "I'd sell my car if I had to choose. My dermatologist recommended this, and it works beautifully. I've been using it for about 7 years now, and it hasn't disappointed from the first use." — Dermstore
Affordable but potent, this neck cream delivers serious skin benefits in a budget-friendly jar. With the hero ingredient vitamin C, it helps protect against free radical damage while encouraging collagen production and brightening uneven tone—exactly the kind of support mature skin loves. Combo that with hydrating hyaluronic acid and a barrier-supporting peptide blend, it’s a cost-effective choice with nearly flawless Amazon reviews.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C (brightens); Hyaluronic acid (hydrates); Peptides (supports collagen production for firmer skin)
What I Love: Most affordable option on this list; Uses luxury-level ingredients for a budget-friendly price; Available on Amazon Prime; Fragrance-free, so safe for sensitive skin
What I Don't: Will take time and consistent use to see results
Customer Review: "It goes without saying that we live in a time when anyone can make anything and sell it anywhere. I am now in my 50s and careful about what I buy and put on my face. A couple of years ago, my neck started to crinkle up and looked like my face probably would if I hadn't been taking care of my skin all of those years...My neck smoothed out within a couple of weeks, using night and morning, I was and still am really shocked at how well this works...My skin on my neck and my chest looks healthy! Not blotchy or dehydrated or sickly, like I need to cover it with a scarf. I am absolutely blown away!" — Amazon
Not all neck creams are created equal; this one is science-backed and actually uses the body's own signals to support firmness and smoothness. Dr. Sanan calls out its NOw Complex (i.e., the brand's proprietary blend) for its ability to help boost nitric oxide in the skin—a natural molecule that signals your cells to strengthen and firm the skin over time. Translation: your neck gets a little extra backup, so crepiness and sagging feel less noticeable. In addition, peptides and plant-based growth factors smooth out any uneven texture, while a slew of antioxidants adds an extra layer of protection.
Key Ingredients: NOw Complex (brand's proprietary firming complex); Peptides (supports collagen production for firmer skin); Growth factors (stimulates cell renewal)
What I Love: Uses heavy-hitter ingredients that are proven to firm; Fragrance-free, so safe for sensitive skin types
What I Don't: Not super available at mass retailers
Customer Review: "I noticed improvement in my neck from using this product within the first month and continued to see benefits. This cream absorbs well into the skin and doesn't feel heavy, but it is extremely moisturizing." — SkinBetter Science
Dr. Sanan calls Nectifirm Advanced a "perennial favorite for mature skin," and the secret is in its peptides. Eight powerhouse peptides work in tandem with antioxidant-rich extracts to smooth lines, firm the skin, and enhance the resilience of an already delicate area. When combined post-treatment (like lasers or microneedling), it amplifies the formula's benefits.
Key Ingredients: Peptides (support collagen production for firmer skin); Antioxidants (protect from environmental aggressors)
What I Love: Cult-favorite formula; Really targets crepey skin for a smoother, more youthful look
What I Don't: Some testers report pilling if they don't let it dry for a few minutes before SPF
Customer Review: "The ONLY treatment product I have found to help with neck lines, along with regular facials and peels. Been purchasing for years." — Dermstore
If you want a tight, defined jawline and a more sculpted neck, the Age Contour line is a no-brainer. Dr. Sanan calls it a luxurious face and neck cream, thanks to its potent blend of peptides and crosslinked hyaluronic acid—a longer-lasting version of regular HA that locks in moisture for a firmer, plumper feel. Dr. Sanan also notes its antioxidants and protective molecules that help safeguard your skin's natural structure. While this formulation is great for nighttime use, try the regular, less heavy version of Age Contour during the daytime.
Key Ingredients: Peptides (supports collagen production for firmer skin); Crosslinked hyaluronic acid (intensively hydrating); Antioxidants (protects from environmental aggressors)
What I Love: Uses amped-up versions of skincare's most reliable active ingredients; Face looks snatched and lifted
What I Don't: Night cream is much too rich for morning time, you'll need to buy the other version
Customer Review: "I’ve used the ISDIN Rejuvenate Age Contour Night Cream before, but I’ve never taken the time to review it—until now. This cream is absolutely fantastic. It comes in sleek, standard packaging that’s both elegant and practical. Honestly, I can’t say anything negative about this product. It’s gentle, effective, and reliable. I’ll keep repurchasing it month after month. If you’re looking for a night cream that delivers real results and feels like a treat to use, this is it!" — Amazon
Why Does the Neck Age Faster?
Neck skin tends to age faster than the face because of a combination of anatomy and lifestyle. "The skin of the neck is thinner, oil glands are sparse, and there’s minimal underlying fat or structural support," says Dr. Sanan. That thinness means it's more prone to showing fine lines and crepiness, and the platysma muscle just beneath the surface starts to show vertical bands as elasticity diminishes, he explains. Add in years of neglecting SPF on the neck and the repetitive forward-tilt posture we all adopt from screens—what dermatologists now call "tech neck"—and wrinkles and texture changes can appear sooner.
Board-certified dermatologist Karan Lal, DO, also points out that fewer sebaceous glands play a role, since those glands normally help with cell turnover.
Best Ingredients for a Neck Cream
"A high-quality neck cream should hydrate, firm, and shield," says Dr. Sanan. He recommends the following:
- Retinol: Encourages cellular renewal and collagen synthesis.
- Peptides: Signal the skin to increase collagen and elastin production.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Attracts and retains moisture, smoothing crepey texture.
- Vitamin C: Fights free radicals and brightens skin tone.
- Niacinamide: Fortifies the skin barrier, calms irritation, and reduces pigmentation.
Dr. Lal doubles down on the peptides and mentions that another favorite ingredient of his is growth factors. "Growth factors and peptides help hydrate the skin and stimulate collagen production," he says, adding that over time, they can gradually help the skin's appearance. However, the best results are achieved when combined with procedures.
Do Neck Creams Actually Tighten Sagging Skin?
Neck creams can absolutely improve the look and feel of your skin, but they can't truly lift sagging tissue. "While topical formulations can visibly improve hydration, texture, and temporarily cause firmness, they do not lift or reposition sagging tissues," says Dr. Sanan. In other words, that "tightening" effect you sometimes notice is usually the result of plumping from hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin—not an actual structural change.
That doesn't mean they're useless, though. As Dr. Lal noted previously, ingredients like those mentioned can help support firmer, healthier-looking skin, especially when combined with in-office treatments. But both experts agree: creams are best for optimizing skin quality and buying time, not for delivering the kind of lift only aesethetic procedures or surgery can provide.
How We Tested
Women aged 50 and above were selected to undergo a rigorous testing period, during which they reviewed dozens of neck creams. After consulting with dermatologists and facial plastic surgeons to determine the top picks, they tested each neck cream for its ability to smooth fine lines, firm the neck area, and overall how it felt to compile this list of the best neck creams for mature skin. They also evaluated customer reviews and best-selling products across our favorite retailers.
Why Trust Marie Claire?
Meet the Experts
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
Dr. Sanan is a highly skilled cosmetic and reconstructive facial plastic surgeon and is double board-certified in facial plastic surgery and head and neck surgery. He is the founder of Dr. Sanan Facial Plastic Surgery in Boston and Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
Raised in the Boston suburbs, Dr. Sanan is a proud third-generation doctor. Dr. Sanan’s family ties originate in Punjab, a region in India known for its beauty, art, and culture. This early exposure to medicine and beauty contributed to Dr. Sanan’s decision to pursue a career as a facial plastic surgeon.
Dr. Sanan was accepted to the Boston University School of Medicine out of high school through the highly competitive and prestigious seven-year accelerated medical program at Boston University. Upon graduation, he received the Dean Eleanor Tyler Award, given to the top graduate of the medical program, and was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society.
Karan Lal, D.O., F.A.A.D., is a native New Yorker now living in Scottsdale, Arizona. He practices in both Scottsdale and New York. Dr. Lal is the only double fellowship-trained pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist in the USA. He is a key opinion leader and international speaker with interests including social media medicine, LGBTQ health, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, laser surgery, melasma, and soft tissue augmentation. He is the chair of the social media committee for the Society of Pediatric Dermatology and is on the ASDS DEI committee.
