If your skin-care routine stops at your chin, I have some unsettling news. The skin on your neck and chest is actually thinner than the skin on your face. (If you thought the opposite, you’re not alone.) Thanks to this unfortunate design, constant smartphone use and (as unintentional as it may be) neglect of the area, this delicate skin is especially susceptible to signs of aging. Before wrinkles, horizontal lines, crepiness, loss of elasticity and dehydration pass a point of no return, consider a skin-care product for your neck; it’s just as essential as your face.
Is neck cream necessary?
The skin on our necks is some of the thinnest on our bodies. Add in environmental factors like sun damage, pollution and our addiction to hand-held screens, the neck and chest are uniquely at risk for signs of aging like sagging and horizontal lines. Including a dedicated product designed for this type of skin is a no brainer.
Can’t I just use my face moisturizer on my neck?
There are great all-in-one formulas made for the face, jawline, neck and décolletage. (Several favorites made this list.) Just make sure the product specifies neck care so you know you’re giving the area the TLC it deserves (and not wasting precious product where it’s not effective.)
What ingredients should I look for in a neck product?
You’ll notice peptides are a key ingredient in many neck care products because of their proven ability to improve firmness and skin elasticity (the skin’s ability to stretch and bounce back into place). Retinol is another popular ingredient thanks to its abilities to speed up cell turnover and reduce the look of wrinkles. Dry, dehydrated skin exacerbates lines and wrinkles, so hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and shea butter make a lot of ingredient lists as well. But by far, the most important skin-care tip for your neck and chest is sun protection. Because sun exposure is the biggest culprit of premature skin aging, it’s a non-negotiable to wear SPF on your neck and chest daily.
The 14 Best Anti-Aging Neck Creams
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