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A close-up of two skincare products from La Roche-Posay: a blue serum labeled "HYALU B5" and a sunscreen labeled "ANTHELIOS 50+" displayed on a woven surface.

Loose skin on neck

Struggling with lack of firmness and the appearance of neck wrinkles and sagging? Discover the causes and how you can use targeted creams, serums, and SPF to help improve the appearance of skin on your neck.

With most skincare routines focused mainly on the face, the health and appearance of the skin on our necks is often an afterthought or missed out of skincare regimens entirely.

Loose skin on neck, sometimes referred to as "turkey neck", is a natural and common part of the ageing process. As skin matures, it can gradually lose some of its surface suppleness and hydration, and the neck is an area that is often overlooked in everyday skincare routines.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to changes in the appearance of neck skin over time, including the effects of UV exposure, the natural redistribution of fat that occurs with age, and a gradual reduction in the skin's surface moisture levels.

While significant changes to the structure of neck skin are beyond the scope of skincare products alone, targeted creams and serums can help to improve the appearance of the skin on the neck — supporting hydration, helping skin feel more supple, and reducing the look of fine lines at the surface level. Alongside this, daily SPF application can play an important role in protecting the skin from further UV-related changes to its appearance.

In this article, we explore how to care for the skin on your neck, including how to choose creams and serums that may help to improve its surface appearance, and simple everyday habits that can support your skincare routine.

Loose skin on neck

Loose skin on neck: Key takeaways

  1. Loose skin on the neck is a common part of the ageing process, and tends to happen due to decreased collagen production, excess fat, or UV damage over time.
  2. Targeted creams and serums containing ingredients like retinol can be used to help improve the appearance of firmness, reduce the visible signs of neck ageing, and help tighten the feel of skin
  3. Daily SPF application is an important step in any skincare routine. UV exposure over time can contribute to the appearance of premature skin ageing, so protecting the skin on your neck each day may help to maintain its appearance.

We'll cover:

What is loose skin on neck?

Loose skin can occur on many areas of the body, and the neck is no exception. As skin naturally matures, it can gradually lose some of its surface smoothness and hydration, which may affect its overall appearance. The neck is often overlooked in everyday skincare routines, despite being an area where the visible signs of skin ageing can become noticeable over time.

For some people, changes in the appearance of the neck, including a less defined look, can be a natural part of getting older. While significant structural changes are beyond the reach of skincare products, understanding what contributes to these changes can help inform the right everyday skincare habits.

Woman applying a moisturising cream to her neck

What contributes to changes in neck skin appearance

Changes in the appearance of neck skin over time are rarely caused by a single factor. Instead, a combination of the following can influence how the skin on the neck looks as we age.

  • Skin structure changes with age
    As skin matures, the structural proteins that give it its surface resilience — including collagen and elastin — gradually change. This can affect how the skin surface looks and feels over time, contributing to the appearance of fine lines and reduced suppleness.
  • UV exposure
    Years of exposure to UV rays can contribute to changes in the surface appearance of skin, including uneven texture and the look of fine lines. This is why daily sun protection is an important part of any skincare routine.
  • Fat distribution
    The natural redistribution of fat that occurs with age can affect the contours and definition of the neck and chin area, contributing to changes in its overall appearance
  • Bone structure
    The position of the hyoid bone — a small U-shaped bone in the neck — varies between individuals and can influence the natural definition of the chin and neck area

How to care for skin on the neck

While significant changes to the structure of neck skin are beyond the scope of skincare products alone, targeted moisturisers and serums can help to improve the appearance of skin on the neck, while daily application of sunscreen helps protect the skin from further UV-related changes to its appearance.

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Cream for ageing neck skin

Creams for ageing neck skin

Incorporating a targeted cream into your daily skincare routine can be a positive step in caring for the skin on your neck. The right formulation can help to improve surface hydration, support a more supple appearance, and reduce the look of fine lines. If you have noticed changes in the appearance of your neck skin, the following La Roche-Posay creams may be worth considering as part of your routine.


Hyalu B5 Suractivated Anti-Wrinkle Firming Cream is an advanced treatment formulated with three forms of Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin B5, and Ectoin to replump the skin and correct visible signs of ageing. This high-performance cream is clinically proven to deliver 1H Repair* and 1H Replump** efficacy, and intensely hydrates and helps to restore bounce and a supple feel to the skin. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and oily, and tested across all skin tones and ethnicities, it significantly increases skin firmness and tonicity. To achieve a smoother, firmer appearance on the face and neck, apply a pea-sized amount to clean skin every morning and evening, followed by SPF in the daytime.

*Instrumental test, 24 subjects. **Clinical study, 40 subjects. ***Study of 78 Consultant Dermatologists, Jan-April 2024


Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Cream is an intensely hydrating solution specifically formulated for dehydrated skin showing signs of ageing, such as a loss of volume and elasticity, making it an ideal choice for those looking to tighten loose skin on the neck. Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid to effectively plump the skin and Vitamin B5 to stimulate the natural repairing process, this cream is clinically proven to reduce the depth of wrinkles and fine lines. By effectively locking in hydration, it restores "bounce" to tired-looking skin and improves the quality of skin tone for a more even, unified complexion. This minimalist, hypoallergenic formula is rigorously tested for mildness, making it an ideal choice for sensitive skin.

*Survey conducted on 249 dermatologists at a La Roche-Posay sponsored symposium in the UK, July 2016.


La Roche-Posay's Redermic R Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Night Cream is specifically formulated to combat the visible signs of anti-ageing, including deep wrinkles, uneven skin tone, crow's feet, and dark spots, making it an effective treatment for sagging skin on the neck. Enriched with 0.3% retinol to stimulate collagen and elastin production, this award-winning formula features a synergistic retinol booster complex (retinol linoleate and adenosine) to enhance firming and smoothing efficacy. This clinically proven treatment is designed for even the most sensitive skin, utilising a minimalist, hypoallergenic formula that contains no preservatives, fragrance, parabens, colorants, or lanolin.

*Survey conducted on 267 dermatologists by La Roche-Posay in the UK, July 2019.

Serums for ageing neck skin

Alongside a targeted cream, incorporating a serum into your daily neck skincare routine can be a beneficial additional step. Serums typically contain higher concentrations of key skincare ingredients, which may help to further support the appearance of skin.

The following La Roche-Posay serums may help to improve the look of neck skin as part of a consistent daily routine.


La Roche-Posay's 0.3% Retinol + Vitamin B3 Serum is our first retinol serum specifically designed to fight the visible signs of ageing while remaining suitable for sensitive skin. This unique, clinically proven formulation uses retinol to target fine lines and wrinkles while improving the appearance of uneven skin texture and tone. Enriched with vitamin B3, a powerful soothing agent that helps keep skin soft and supple by improving moisture retention, and glycerin for intense hydration, the serum helps restore the skin's precious moisture barrier. It is an ideal solution for those concerned with dehydration, skin irregularities, and wrinkles, consistent with why 9 out of 10 dermatologists recommend La Roche-Posay.*

*Survey conducted on 267 dermatologists by La Roche-Posay in the UK, July 2019.


Vitamin C12 Serum for Ageing Skin is a dermatologically approved, concentrated treatment designed to reveal radiance and provide powerful anti-wrinkle benefits for all skin types, making it an ideal choice for ageing neck skin. Formulated with a gold-standard 12% Pure Vitamin C, it boosts skin elasticity and natural cell regeneration to visibly smooth fine lines and wrinkles. This antioxidant-rich formula is uniquely enriched with Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and unclog pores, alongside Neurosensine, a soothing peptide that ensures the serum remains gentle and calming even on reactive skin.

Clinically proven to correct skin irregularities and signs of ageing, this serum achieves a more even and uniform complexion. In just two weeks, 93% of women saw an improvement in radiance and 76% noted more even skin tone*.

*Self-assessment, 63 women, after 2 weeks.

Everyday habits to support your neck skincare routine

While targeted creams and serums can play a positive role in supporting the surface appearance of neck skin, the everyday habits built around your skincare routine matter just as much. Small, consistent choices, particularly around sun protection, can help to support the overall appearance of your skin over time.

Protecting your skin from UV exposure: One of the most beneficial everyday habits you can adopt is applying a broad-spectrum SPF every morning, to the neck as well as the face. UV rays are present throughout the year regardless of the season, and daily exposure over time can contribute to changes in the surface appearance of skin, including the look of fine lines and uneven texture. Incorporating sun protection into your daily routine may help to protect your skin from further UV-related changes to its appearance.

At the end of your morning skincare routine, consider applying La Roche-Posay's Anthelios Age Correct — a daily sunscreen offering broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, formulated with dermatological ingredients that may also help to support a more even-looking complexion and reduce the appearance of dark spots over time.

How to tighten neck skin naturally with exercise

In some cases, practising daily neck exercises can help improve the appearance of turkey neck.

Exercises to try include a:

  • Forehead push - an exercise where you gently push your forehead against your hands until you feel resistance in your neck muscles.
  • Chew exercise - a simple exercise where you chew with your head tilted back, and mouth closed for 3-5 minutes.

These may help to strengthen the muscles in your neck, which can in turn help to reduce the appearance of sagging skin on your neck. While these exercises can improve the strength and appearance of sagging skin, they are less effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles. For this reason, it's best to try exercises alongside the use of a targeted cream or serum.

Explore La Roche-Posay's skincare range for ageing neck skin

Caring for the skin on your neck with a consistent daily routine can make a positive difference to its appearance over time. Using targeted creams and serums alongside daily SPF application may help to support skin hydration, improve the look of fine lines, and protect against further UV-related changes to the skin's appearance. If you are looking to improve the appearance of your neck skin as part of a wider skincare routine, browse La Roche-Posay's anti-ageing skincare products today.

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