Your 5-Step Game Plan To Address A Crepey Neck — From Topicals To Treatments

If it bothers you, there are solutions that can help ease the appearance—some more complicated and intense than others. Here, what you can do to help the skin on your neck and chest right now:  

Listen, I get it: The neck can be something of a no man's land of skin care. I write about beauty for living, and even I neglect the area! When applying facial creams and serums, I often forget to spread the formulas past my chin. Not to mention, facial products are often pricey: I can understand why people are stingy with the surface area of application. But your neck and chest need hydration, according to board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D.: "Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize—this can improve the appearance."

Pick a high-quality, hydrating formula that can strengthen the skin barrier, feed the skin antioxidants (to help fight free radical damage and support the collagen layer), and is safe for sensitive skin. mindbodygreen's postbiotic body lotion uses biome-friendly actives, antioxidants like CoQ10 and watermelon extracts, plant oils like oat and moringa, and hydrating botanicals like aloe and coconut oil. Sometimes the easiest solution is the most effective solution.

Going internal can also enhance natural collagen levels: Collagen supplements are made up of collagen peptides, which can be absorbed by the body and used to enhance your own collagen production. This, research shows, can improve your skin's overall appearance1, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration. Check out our favorite collagen supplements here.

However, please remember that the skin on the neck is some of the thinnest and most sensitive. Often folks get the instructions to exfoliate and will find the strongest AHA serum they can find and apply it nightly. Unless you want an irritated neck, this isn't the move. Instead, use gentle chemical exfoliators like lactic acid, mandelic acid, and PHAs. These will all buff away excess dead skin cells without stripping the delicate skin barrier of the area. And always hydrate after you exfoliate—hydration is the priority in this area.

While getting time outdoors in the sun is important for mental health, you should always protect your skin with sunscreen or clothing to reduce the chance of UV damage. 

On the lower end of the spectrum, many estheticans will do neck and chest add-ons to regular facials. You can also get microneedling and skin toning done in the area. Finally, you can opt for lasers as an in-office procedure done by a dermatologist—these can be uncomfortable and cause downtime, but they will greatly improve the appearance of your skin.