The best neck creams 2020

Do you really need a specific neck cream?

Firstly, we know the mere thought of adding yet another cream to your arsenal feels a little superfluous right now, and there's also the school of thought that any moisturiser will do.

However, the neck differs from the face in its very composition. Neck muscles are long and thin, so don't give good support to the skin, plus it contains fewer sebaceous glands, so it is more vulnerable to dryness and ageing.

The skincare buffs at Valmont, the science-led skincare brand from Switzerland has found that we abuse our necks without even realising it. Agnès Teffaud, International Public Relations Manager for the company, says, 'While many women are conscious about protecting their face with SPF and makeup, the neck and décolleté are often forgotten. A daily dose of UV or occasional sunbathing is all it takes to age rapidly.'

If you think about it, there's also irritation and friction from our clothes (we're talking to you, itchy rollneck), along with shaving and aftershave for the men, and the liberal spritzing of your favourite scent. Teffaud reminds us that: 'Lots of perfumes are 90% alcohol and contain molecules that can be sensitive when exposed to the sun, this can speed up the whole aging process even further.'

(FYI: We recommend dabbing behind the ears or spraying a cloud of scent and walking through it.)

Then there's stress and tech neck. Teffaud says, 'Who hasn't experienced a rash on the neck when stressed? Even if they don't happen frequently, those little irritations create inflammation that can age the skin quicker. Plus, the neck undergoes so many different movements throughout the day, with all of these repeated motions leading to loose skin and wrinkling. Added to this is the fact that bad posture – constant bending of the neck over a smartphone or a computer – helps gravity do its work… and can leave the skin saggier.'

Patricia Fisas, Senior VP Research & Innovation at the Natura Bissé Group, agrees, 'When I first started working at Natura Bissé, the first thing I learned from our skincare experts is that face-neck balance is essential to a harmonious appearance.'

With this in mind, the brand has continued its research and has found that this area has 'finer muscles, the skin is thinner and has less collagen and fatty acids'" says Fisas, and needs to be treated appropriately. In February, they launched a treatment plan, with science-meets dream-inducing treatments in Harrods, so you not only look good but feel younger after the 90-minute massage-fest. And there's the at-home recovery-plan with the Inhibit Tensolift Neck Serum. Findings are promising: the serum boosts collagen production by 111% and sagginess is reduced in just three weeks.

Valmont has just launched the V-Neck Cream; with over 20 years of research, this peptide cocktail helps to improve skin by smoothing, reducing the depth of folds and plumping, so the décolletage appears visibly refined and lifted.

Whatever route, cream, or treatment you decide to take, there is one thing that can instantly help slow the ageing process: SPF. Try Eve Lom's Daily Protection SPF 50; it offers high protection without ghosting and is super-nourishing. Smooth over the face, neck, and décolletage and finish by rubbing the residue into the backs of your hands.

The best neck creams and serums, 2020

So if you don't want to risk your neck – it might be time to invest in the latest innovative décolletage products to help refresh, protect and renew.

​Valmont V-Neck Cream, £229

This has just landed in Harvey Nichols, and the cream is unctuous to use, easily absorbed and smells divine.

Valmont V-Neck Cream, £229 – buy here

​Natura Bissé Inhibit Tensolift Neck Mask, £22

This mask is made from biodegradable bamboo fibres and can be used around the neck and jawline or neck and décolletage to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and blur imperfections from pollution and sun damage.

Natura Bissé Inhibit Tensolift Neck Mask, £22 – buy here

Natura Bissé Tensolift Neck Serum, £294

This super-concentrated, high-tech serum is like shapewear for the neck. It softens the look of crepey skin and helps repair sun damage and sagging while adding luminosity to the neck and chest.

Natura Bissé Tensolift Neck Serum, £294 – buy here

​NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Firming Neck Cream, £55

You don't see this brand on every high street – however, it's in clinics and dermatologist's offices for a reason. Its state-of-the-art efficacious formulations deliver. This award-winning cream plumps and firms and a gentle exfoliant helps to reduce the appearance of sunspots.

NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Firming Neck Cream, £55 – buy here

​It Cosmetics Confidence in a Neck Cream, £44

This contains all the skin-loving ingredients like shea butter, niacin, ceramides and seaweed to help tone and tighten.

It Cosmetics Confidence in a Neck Cream, £44 – buy here

​Eve Lom Daily Protection SPF 50, was £70, now £52.50

This lovely lotion intensely hydrates and protects from environmental damage. Plus, it includes lactic acid to keep complexion smooth and refined while protecting against further sun damage – and is on sale now.

Eve Lom Daily Protection SPF 50, was £70, now £52.50 – buy here

Dr Sophie Shotter Décolleté Complexion Fix

The 3-step system, with clinic visit for rapid results:

Step 1 – The patient uses at-home peel product – Peel2Glow on the chest the night before the GF microneedling appointment. This is a two-stage application method. One ampule features the Purifer Peel which contains a powerful acid combination of glycolic acid, mandelic acid and maleic acid to slough off dead skin, brighten the skin and stimulate fibroblasts. This is applied first and left on the skin for 2-3 minutes before it is washed off. The second ampule is then applied - Glow – featuring pigmentation targeting Tranexamic Acid and highly stabilised vitamin C for brightening. The same application action applies.

Step 2 – AQ GFIT (Growth Factor Mirconeedling) is performed in clinic. The award-winning AQ Skin Solutions Recovery Serum is used in this treatment to infuse the skin with Growth Factors to stimulate cellular growth for a rejuvenated and plumper appearance.

Step 3 – At home use of Cyspera Intensive Pigment Corrector once a day, leaving the product to work for 15 minutes each time before washing it off with a light cleanser. Then the application of AQ Active Serum to the area. To finish, SkinBetter Science Interfuse Face & Neck is liberally applied to the area.

Results

This treatment combination will gently resurface, even uneven skin tone, and stimulate

neocollagenesis within the delicate skin in this area. The result will be firmer, radiant more even-toned skin.

Cost from £1400 visit Dr Sophie at The Cosmetic Skin Clinic or Illuminate Skin Clinic.

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