Neck cream with retinol: how to choose and use one

What can retinol do for your neck?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A and belongs to the retinoid family. It increases skin cell production and collagen production, helping reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen is part of the skin's supporting structure, which declines as skin ages. Retinol also helps improve uneven tone and texture. It is a reasonable option for mild lines or mild pigmentation changes, rather than a way to erase every sign of aging. Creams, gels and lotions cannot correct all age related changes, so decide which visible change you want to address before buying.234

How do you choose a retinol neck cream?

Many products used on the face can also be used on the neck. A jar labelled for the neck is not compulsory, even if the packaging treats the jawline as an international border. Look at the actual ingredients rather than relying on the product's name. Paying more does not make a cream more potent or more likely to work, however seriously the jar takes itself.1

Choose the lowest retinol strength you can find. There is no standard requirement for an over the counter product to disclose its retinol percentage, so some labels will not give you a number to compare. The practical starting point is the least intense formula, not the strongest percentage available. Retinol and retinaldehyde are commonly used in cosmetics; prescribed retinoids include tretinoin and tazarotene. These are different ingredients, so do not treat their names as interchangeable. For prescribed topical retinoids, cream formulations are generally the least irritating, while gels are the least noticeable on the skin. Follow the specific medicine's directions.35

Can you use retinol on your neck?

Yes, but the neck needs a gentler starting approach than the face. Neck skin can be thinner and more sensitive, and it has fewer oil glands. A strength that works on your face is not automatically the right starting strength for your neck. Start low for a few weeks and consider increasing potency only if there is no irritation, burning or redness. If you already use a prescription retinoid, ask your prescriber how to use it on your neck rather than extending the facial instructions yourself.12

How to apply retinol to your neck

1. 1Test a small amount on a small area of skin first. Wait a couple of days and check for redness or itching before adding retinol to your bedtime routine.
2. 2Cleanse gently in the evening and pat the skin dry. Do not scrub while using retinol.
3. 3Apply the amount directed on the package in a thin layer. The general pea sized instruction for facial retinol is a face dose, not a separate neck dose.
4. 4Follow with a nighttime moisturizer. Begin every other night for the first few weeks rather than applying it nightly immediately.
5. 5The next morning, apply broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher to your neck, chest and other exposed skin. Sunscreen goes last in the morning routine.

What should you use alongside retinol?

Introduce one new aging focused product at a time. Starting several together can irritate skin and make signs of aging more noticeable. Moisturizer traps water in the skin and can reduce the appearance of fine lines. Hyaluronic acid is a moisturizing ingredient you can use morning and night. Keep sun protection broader than sunscreen alone: seek shade and cover exposed skin with clothing. Retinoids increase sun sensitivity. If your skin is sensitive, look for a sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.134

How long before you see a difference?

Expect wrinkle improvement to take several months of retinol use. Early changes in how skin looks or feels can take several weeks. Moisturizer can plump the appearance of fine lines within a few days, so that early improvement is different from retinol's slower effect. Some people find that retinol lightens dark spots, but that also takes months and can involve irritation. Prescription tretinoin can reduce some signs of sun damage with long term use beyond six months. Continue using an effective product if you want to maintain its results; applying more than directed can cause excessive dryness rather than accelerate progress.245

Who should avoid retinol or get advice first?

• Do not use retinoids during pregnancy. If you are breastfeeding, discuss retinol with your healthcare provider before using it.
• If you have skin allergies, substantial dryness or sensitive skin, consider an alternative with a dermatologist. Avoid retinoids on skin with significant redness or inflammation.
• Retinoids can worsen eczema because of their drying effect. Do not start one on an affected neck without medical advice.
• If you have darker skin, watch closely for irritation because it can trigger dark marks, called hyperpigmentation. Starting slowly and using moisturizer helps reduce that risk.

Dryness, peeling, redness, itching and burning are possible side effects. Stop an over the counter product that stings, burns or tingles rather than pushing through. For a prescribed product, contact your dermatologist about those symptoms before changing treatment. If irritation persists, or the cream does not address the changes that concern you after consistent use, see a dermatologist to discuss a different approach.24