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.
