IF you’re looking to take years off your appearance, a good skincare routine is the first step.
But while you might have your facial care down to a tee, it can be trickier to banish a ‘crepey’ neck.
Now, one skincare expert has spilled the details on why your neck creams aren’t working, and what you should be using instead.
What is a crepey neck?
If you’re not familiar with the term, a ‘crepey’ neck is a natural result of ageing.
It happens when the skin on your neck starts to develop a thin, wrinkled and saggy texture.
As you grow older, your body produces less collagen and elastin, which are proteins needed to keep skin firm and elastic.
Some skincare fanatics find themselves forking out hundreds on expensive creams, only to be disappointed with results.
Skincare expert Dr. Emily (@dr_emilly) took to TikTok to explain why, and offer some helpful tips and tricks to banish the problem.
Posting a video to her 7,000 followers, she told viewers their neck creams aren’t working because they are “overrated,” and broke down what to use instead.
Toners
Dr. Emily advises starting with a “nourishing” toner, and warns people to avoid ones with lots of AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, glycolic and salicylic acids.
Instead, she advises using a gentler option like the TirTir Milk Skin toner, which contains niacinamide to brighten your complexion.
Peptide serums
The skincare pro says to follow this up with a peptide serum, which will help to build collagen and elastin in the skin.
Dr. Emily said: “It’s probably one of the single biggest things you need to do to your neck that’s going to stop it sagging, looking crepey, looking wrinkly, and showing your age.”
Naming the Medik8 Liquid Peptide as her favourite choice, she says it contains a “cocktail of goodies” while remaining “gentle enough for the neck area.”
Vitamin C
To brighten up your skin and boost collagen and elastin, Dr. Emily recommends incorporating some Vitamin C into your neck routine.
Not only will this work alongside your sunscreen to help protect you from harmful sun rays, but it will give your neck “bounce” and “flexibility.”
Serums
She recomends the GHK Copper serum by Skin Biology, which she says has some “really great anti inflammatory properties” and “anti-aging benefits.”
Retinoid
For those keen to banish fine lines and wrinkles on the neck, Dr. Emily reccomends “a retinoid, retinol, retinal or tretinoin.”
However, she warns to be “cautious” – as the skin on your neck is more sensitive than your face.
It’s best to do a patch test first, to make sure your skin can handle the concentration of the retinoid.
“Generally speaking, I don’t recommend you use tretinoin on your neck – that wants to be used at night on a clean dry neck and you can pop a barrier serum or a moisturizer over the top to lock in that goodness and make sure it’s hydrated,” she said.
Users react
Beauty buffs filled the comment section with gratitude for Dr. Emily’s top tips.
One person wrote: “Oh, thanks so much for this, I will try as my neck needs a lot of help!”
Another person said: “Thanks for tips, so much info about faces not much advice about necks!”
While another persons shared her stance on neck creams: “I agree they’re totally overrated.”
Biggest skincare trends for 2025
Face The Future’s Head of Clinic, Kimberley Medd, shared the five skincare trends predicted to take off in 2025.
1. Exosomes
Exosomes are the buzzword for 2025, taking advanced skin regeneration to new heights. These micro-messengers signal skin cells to repair damage, boost collagen, and accelerate recovery, and they’re a gamechanger for targeting ageing.
2. Streamlined Skincare
The age of 12-step routines is fading as consumers shift to more intentional, multi-functional products. Streamlining skincare not only saves time but also reduces the risk of overloading your skin. In 2025, we’ll see a rise in hybrid products that combine active ingredients for simplified, effective results.
3. Vegan Collagen
Plant-based collagen will dominate the skincare world this year, providing a sustainable, ethical alternative to traditional animal-derived collagen. Expect vegan collagen in everything from moisturisers to serums.
4. The Rise Of AI
AI is revolutionising the beauty landscape, making it possible for consumers to get truly personalised skincare solutions. In 2025, we predict a dramatic shift towards AI-powered tools that help people understand their skin on a deeper level.
5. Hair Loss Solutions –
Hair loss is an issue that affects more men than we often realise, and it’s no longer just something we’re talking about behind closed doors. This year, expect to see a continued rise in demand for treatments that not only tackle hair loss but also nurture overall scalp health.
