Skin on the neck is exposed to the same sun as the face, and it is easy to forget in a routine. Before buying a dedicated neck cream, it helps to know what actually does something.
Sunscreen comes first
The NHS recommends SPF 30 or higher with at least 4-star UVA protection on exposed skin, reapplied about every two hours outdoors. That includes the neck and chest.
Moisturisers soften and hold water
Moisturisers combine humectants that attract water with occlusive ingredients that slow water loss. They improve how skin feels and looks, but they do not remove deep lines.
Retinoids have the most research
Clinical studies have looked at retinol on fine wrinkles and roughness on the face and neck and found improvement, though the effect is not maintained if you stop. The main side effect is redness, dryness and scaling, so introduce them slowly. Avoid them in pregnancy unless a doctor advises otherwise.
Be realistic
A neck cream is a moisturiser, and sometimes a retinoid or sunscreen, in a different jar. Check the ingredient list and the label claims rather than the price.
Sources: NHS: Sunscreen and sun safety, Wikipedia: Retinol and Wikipedia: Moisturizer.
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