Level up your at-home neck skincare

Should you apply skincare to your neck? Most necks are woefully neglected when it comes to skincare regimes, but they are one of the first parts of the body to show the signs of premature ageing. And they needn't be, as the easiest way to take care of the skin on your neck is to treat it as a natural extension of your face.

Most of us use good-quality cleansers, serums, moisturisers and broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen on our faces morning and night. Just extend your routine to include the neck and soon it will feel "wrong" to not let below the jaw in on the love. Read on to discover everything about neck skincare, from which products you should use on your neck and how to apply them.

The neck has some of the thinnest skin in the body, which is why changes in this area are seen more quickly than in places with thicker skin. The neck also has fewer sebaceous glands than the face, so it doesn't get the benefit of the natural oils to moisturise itself. To remedy this issue, add an extra boost of hydration to your skincare routine – try serums, thicker moisturisers, hydrating masks or a targeted neck cream – to keep the skin on the neck looking fresh and plump.

One of the best ways to keep skin looking its healthy best is by decreasing the external causes of premature ageing –and the number-one culprit is the sun. Ultraviolet light penetrates into the dermal layer of the skin to break down collagen and elastin, so wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher on your neck every day, rain or shine, will help.

When it comes to effective products that can help tighten neck skin, there are some specific ingredients you should look for. Just like on the face, skincare ingredients that help to reduce lines and wrinkles on the neck include retinols, hyaluronic acid and L-glutamine – all of which help boost collagen synthesis. A great night cream that replenishes the skin while you sleep also goes a long way.

By now we know the importance of diligently slathering on neck-loving skincare daily, but when it comes to how to actually apply it, take note. As the skin on your neck is thinner and the muscle and skin tissue are weaker, use gentle pressure when applying your skincare below the chin, and always move in upward strokes along your neck. For extra indulgence, use a neck roller to apply your serum.