Do I Need a Dedicated Moisturizer Just for the Neck?

First things first: Do we even need to moisturize our necks? Absolutely, says Erica Marie Gatt, a Los Angeles-based esthetician and founder of EM Skin Studio. “The skin on the neck is thinner and has fewer sebaceous glands, which means [it] produces less oil and can be drier,” she explains. “This can make the neck age faster than the face, revealing wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and sagging at a quicker rate. The neck is often more exposed to environmental factors, such as sun, which can also contribute to faster aging.” 

When it comes to a dedicated moisturizer for the neck, it isn’t required if your skin can tolerate your facial moisturizer without irritation. “If you don’t experience sensitive skin issues on your neck, then it’s typically safe to use the same products,” Gatt says. As for how and when to apply products to your neck, “as a typical rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to apply your skin care from your face all the way down your neck and décolleté,” she adds.  

But since the skin on the neck is thinner and can be drier than facial skin, it also may be more sensitive to active ingredients (such as vitamin C and alpha or beta hydroxy acids). “If you experience more sensitive skin on your neck than face, it’s a good idea to choose a separate neck cream or oil that is well suited for sensitive skin and contains fewer active ingredients that can increase the chance of redness and irritation,” she says. “Look for hydrating, calming ingredients, such as peptides, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, tsubaki, green tea, and seaweed.”