When it comes to ageing, we all naturally focus on the ever-increasing number of lines that seem to appear on our forehead and around our mouth, or the crow’s feet that one day popped up around our eyes. However, one of the first places to show signs of ageing is the neck, yet this area is frequently neglected. There’s no need to add any more worry lines, we’re here to make sure that your neck doesn’t give away your age. You should find the answers to your questions about caring for the skin on your neck and décolletage here. If not, please do get in touch.
Why Should I Use a Separate Neck Cream?
The skin on your neck is different to the skin on your face:
- The skin on your neck and décolletage is thinner and often more sensitive than on your face. It also has fewer oil glands which can cause dryness, which leads the neck to show signs of ageing faster than other parts of the body.
- As the skin is thinner any damage, such as from the sun or ageing, will be more apparent and harder to repair. To look after it properly, you need a product with an SPF factor and a formulation that is formulated with targeted ingredients to help smooth, moisturise and firm the skin.
- The properties of the skin on your neck, combined with the daily twisting and turning that it endures, means that your neck is more likely to have visible fine lines and sagging. Think about it too; your neck is constantly exposed to the elements too. As a result, the neck requires richer, age-repairing products that are also gentle to sensitive skin.
- Products that are specifically formulated for your neck will be specially designed to treat its unique needs without irritation. In the same way that you have a separate eye and face cream and body and face wash, it is a good idea to use a separate neck cream.
While you can use your existing anti-ageing facial products on your neck, be careful that they aren’t too harsh for the thin, delicate skin on this area.
What Ingredients Should I Look for in a Neck Cream?
- Peptides - Peptides are compounds containing two or more amino acids. They have been found to help the skin repair itself as well as to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.
- Vitamins - Vitamin C and E are beneficial ingredients to look for as they protect skin against harmful and ageing free radicals, brighten skin tone and improve the appearance of dry or damaged skin. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is also a good ingredient as it helps to strengthen skin. Vitamin A (retinol) helps to stimulate collagen production, speed up cell regeneration and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is a great ingredient to use at night as it helps with the skin’s natural renewal process. If using products containing retinol it’s wise to also protect skin against UVA/UVB rays by applying SPF during the day.
- Moisturising ingredients - As the skin on your neck is prone to dryness, it is a good idea to look for a neck cream which will replenish and nourish skin. There are three main types of moisturisers - emollients, humectants and occlusives - which can boost moisture, smooth and soften skin and plump fine lines. Emollient ingredients can help to soften and smooth skin; they include beeswax, aloe vera, shea butter, jojoba oil and coconut oil. Humectants help to hydrate by attracting water from the environment and from lower levels of the skin. Examples of humectants include glycerin, lactic acid and hyaluronic acid. Lastly, occlusives help to form a protective layer over the skin which seals moisture in, including cocoa butter, lanolin and dimethicone.
How Should I Apply Neck Cream?
Don’t forget to cleanse your neck as well as your face at night to remove any dirt, makeup or fragrance. When applying a neck cream, massage in upward strokes rather than circular motions. Don’t forget your décolletage, as this area is also exposed to the elements.
How Can I Keep My Neck Looking Youthful?
- Exfoliate - It is important to exfoliate your neck as well as your face, as exfoliating helps active ingredients to be absorbed effectively and will help keep your neck looking smooth with an even tone. As the skin on your neck is delicate it is important to exfoliate gently.
- Masks - Don’t neglect your neck when you are applying a face mask, it too can benefit from the treatment. All Temple Spa masks are ideal to use on both face and neck, whether you want hydration, to treat breakouts or to soothe irritated skin.
- SPF – Delicate, fair and thin skin is more prone to sun damage, so ensure that you apply SPF to your neck as well as your face in order to protect it from the ageing effects of the sun.
- Phones/Laptops - Looking down at your phone or being hunched over a computer can cause the neck to sag. Adjust your computer screen to ensure that it is straight ahead of you and try to hold your phone at eye level.
- Sleep - Ensuring that you get enough sleep is key in helping the body to regenerate and repair. Sleeping on your back also helps to minimise wrinkles on your face and neck.
- Exercises - There are many stretches and exercises that you can do to help firm the muscles in your neck. Exercise in general is highly beneficial for your skin, as it increases oxygen and blood flow helping to nourish skin cells.
How Do I Stop Turkey Neck?
Terms like turkey neck, crêpey skin and necklace lines are just some of the everyday ways we describe the bits under our chins that give our age away and makes us a little wistful of the smooth plumpness of youth. The good news is help is at hand.
Age shows up in certain places first: the hands, eyes, neck and chest. These areas are more delicate and have thinner skin than other parts of the body. They are also the parts of our bodies that receive the most exposure to attack from the sun, free radicals and the elements. As such, they are guaranteed to show signs of wear and tear first.
The good news is you can do something about, by protecting your skin, using targeted products, exercising and a healthy diet.
Where the neck is concerned, over time we lose muscle tone and collagen production slows down, which together adds up to more sagging and more wobble as the skin becomes unsupported.
Using a neck cream or gel that helps to keep the skin supple and moisturised and targets collagen production will make a difference. Combine this with neck exercises that work on muscle fitness, and your neck has a fighting chance of staying youthful for longer. Yes please!
Oh and another thing, start early! Future fit your neck because if it’s not a problem for you today it might be in the future – don’t let turkey neck creep up on you. Prevention is far better than cure.
How Do I Get Rid of Turkey Neck?
Here’s some help in how to get rid of turkey neck in 3 steps ….
Step 1: Are You Sitting Comfortably?
Take a look at how you’re sitting. Rounded shoulders? Slumped and starring down at your smart phone or lap top? This is doing nothing but training your neck muscles to loosen up. Sit tall and straight and check yourself to hold your head high. This will educate your muscles and teach the skin to remain taut.
Try ditching one of your pillows while you sleep at night, so your head is at right angles to your neck and your chin is high rather than pressing on your neck and wrinkling up your skin. Muscles have memory and so will train themselves to stay a certain way, and 8 hours of training every night is a lot!
Step 2: TLC
Love your neck gently and carefully and it will pay you back. The delicate skin structure of the neck means it’s thinner and contains fewer oil glands than other parts of the body, so it gets dry and parched more easily. That’s when the crêpey texture creeps up.
Prep and cleanse your neck as you would your face and treat it well. Lather with a neck cream or gel. We recommend our Gold Award-Winning EXALT firming neck cream gel; it’s the perfect post-cleanse choice to keep your neck and décolletage deeply hydrated and well cared for. Use our unique “kitten” application technique (demonstrated in the video below) to ensure the gel or cream is applied to all the right areas. It’s an easy technique that mirrors the actions of a therapist standing behind you. And the backs of your hands also get a treat!
Step 3: Get Physical
Regular use of a jaw, neck and face Massager will not only help sculpt and lift your neck, jawline and cheek area but it will improve the overall health of your skin. We’ve developed THE ELEVATOR for this specific job; it’s a rather odd-looking wishbone massager with rubbery, soft nodules that work like a therapist’s knuckles, kneading and manipulating your skin as they gently roll and stipple over it. This action of regular massage stimulates skin to help increase facial muscle tone and tighten slack skin. In addition, their action encourages lymphatic drainage by moving toxins out of your skin cells so that beneficial and vital nutrients plus oxygen can move in.
A 15-minute session a day is a great neck-saving habit to get in to. You can do it while you’re watching your favourite TV show!
Another top tip is to always sit back when sitting and with your back straight. Practise slowly leaning your head back until you’re looking at the ceiling. Make a pout with your lips and a long kiss to the ceiling and hold the pose for a few seconds. Repeat this exercise 20 times. This will help muscles stretch and strengthen and keep the tight and your neck in tip top condition.