What causes neck skin and muscles to age and sag so quickly, loose elasticity and tone?
Guide to the best neck skin and muscles care
Neck often ages much quicker then the rest of our face giving out our true age or even making us look older then we really are.
Wrinkles and loosen skin seem to be appearing out of nowhere and all of a sudden.
It is important to pamper and treat our neck with love and care; it is possible with proper care to prevent and reverse signs of aging and other unpleasant problems.
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Why does neck ages so quickly?
- There are several factors contributing for faster aging of the neck:
- Skin on the neck is thinner than facial skin.
- Neck muscles are weaker than facial muscles.
- We spend a lot of time bending our neck forward while reading, watching TV, working with a computer, using phone. This contributes to wrinkle formation, weakening of the neck muscles and loosened skin.
- People often neglect applying sunscreen to the neck area allowing sun damage the skin and speed up aging.
- Neck skin does not have the same oil glands like your face; oil glands keep your skin hydrated
- The way a person sleeps can also contribute to wrinkles and creases formation. For example, using too many pillows will cause creases which will end up being wrinkles.
- People often neglect proper neck skin care: we do not cleanse, exfoliate, apply masks or even simple moisturizers to the neck as we do to the face.
It is very hard to get rid of neck wrinkles, you cannot inject fillers into them or botox as you can into other parts of your face.
How to tighten neck skin and strengthen the muscles?
1. Firming exercises for neck
The best way to tighten neck skin and strengthen the muscles at home is to do face and neck firming exercises. Just think about it: our face and neck has muscles as the rest of our body. Many people join a gym and sweat there toning arms, legs, working on abs and back etc. Yet, facial and neck muscles get neglected; these muscles do loose their tone and become “flabby” thus facial exercises should become a part of daily routine.
There are many exercise routines all over youtube. I picked the ones that I personally love and do. On that note, I’ve been doing facial and neck exercises for over 10 years now; I cannot say I looks “so much younger” then my age, but I think I look good.
(Video by Khichi Beauty)
2. Neck Massage
Facial rollers are excellent for giving your neck and face a much needed massage.
There are two types of facial rollers I would personally recommend (from my own experience)
Jade Facial roller – it looks like a miniature paint roller with an oblong piece of pure jade at the end of the handle. Some jade rollers have two ends: one containing a larger sized stone (intended for the forehead, cheeks, jawline, and neck) and one containing a smaller stone (for the under eye area).
Jade rollers are used to aid lymph drainage, which will reduce puffiness and promote clearer, healthier skin without a buildup of toxins and fluids. Massaging your face and neck with jade roller will also increase blood flow, which will promote oxygen and nutrients delivery to the skin. It also delivers oxygen and nutrients to muscles supporting neck and face caracas. All of these will assist in wrinkles reduction, improved muscle and skin tone.
Secret Key 3D roller – an ergonomic roller equipped with an ergonomic handle and plated rollers to help massage and counter face, arms and body. It really helps with lymphatic drainage, shaping and firming of chin and neck muscles. As mentioned it can be used all over the body for slimming and firming results.
3. Skin care creams for neck and chest
Chest is like an extension of your neck, whatever you apply to the neck, should be applied to the chest as well.
Pick creams and skin care products that are designed to provide hydration, nourishment and have lifting effect.
Here is an optimal neck skin care routine:
a) Cleansing
Our neck skin deserves the same cleansing treatment as our face. I strongly recommend double-cleanse method for thorough skin cleaning and removal of all impurities.
b) Toner
Pick any moisturizing and lifting toner.
In Korean skin care there is a multi-layer application of any toner. It means that you apply a layer of any toner, let it absorb by the skin, an then apply another layer, let it be absorbed, apply another and so on. I usually stop at the 5th layer (I just go by the way my skin feels), however, you can continue until you reach level 7. It is a really powerful skin care method that extremely hydrates and nourishes the skin.
HYALURON Soft Micro-Peel Toner by Secret Key (from $15.66) – Korean toner that contains mild BHA and AHA acids. This toner is very lightweight and absorbs by skin very quickly. It hydrates and exfoliates the skin perfectly, clears up blackheads and minimizes pores. Use it once a day during winter times.
Mango Seed Toner (Face Shop) (from $4.66) – an amazing toner that is very nourishing. However many people find it a bit heavy for a facial use and strongly recommend it for neck use. This toner has concentrated milk consistency. It is infused with mango seed butter and mango seed extract that provide extra hydration and create protective barrier on the skin to avoid moisture loss.
Nelly Devuyst Lifting Complex Toner (from $36.00) – this toner helps to maintain the optimal pH of the skin. It hydrates and gently tones the skin. It also works as a makeup setter so it is best to use it in the morning routine.
c) Serum/ampoule/essence
Similar to a regular skin care serums and essences are an essential part of neck care. Apply serums/essences after the toner.
Clarins Extra Firming Tightening Life Botanical Serum – excellent lifting and tightening product. You will notice results after 4 weeks of use.
N 7 Renew and Restore Face and Neck Multi Action Serum (from $16.50) – around 1000 women tested this serum and about 87% noted firmer skin, visibly reduced wrinkles and evened skin tone.
Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 10.5% Vitamin C – contains 10.5% of Vitamin C; an excellent solution for dullness, fine lines and wrinkles and dryness. It also improves overall skin texture and tone; provides anti-oxidant protection and exfoliates to reveal healthier-looking skin.
24K Gold Anti-Wrinkle Neck Essence ($9.95)– an effective essence for weakening wrinkles, neck firming, whitening and retaining moisture. The features are the following: anti-wrinkle and neck firming, replenishes moisture and nutrients, increases skin elasticity and whitening, activates collagen and reduces puffiness.
Shiseido Bio-Performance LiftDynamic Serum – visibly lifts and firms skin for youthful-looking density. Skin appears tightened and looks more visibly sculpted with continuous use. This serum helps to restore elasticity and moisture of the skin.
d) Creams
Neck cream should be thick and very nourishing. The trick here is to ALWAYS pick cream specifically designed for dry skin – this way you will receive extra benefits for hydration and nourishment.
Here are examples of some creams with good reviews and some that I personally tried.
StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream – gives actual results with consistent use. It contains both patented technology called NIA-114 and special lifting complex (Gravitite-CF Lifting Complex). Both ingredients help fade wrinkles, fine lines and lift sagging skin. This cream also contains hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid and shea butter.
RoC Multi Correxion 5 in 1 Restoring Anti-Aging Face and Neck Night Cream – this cream contains SPF of 30 which is one of the most important ingredients in skin care as it protects skin from sun’s harmful rays. It also contains moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and others which improve firmness, elasticity, dullness and dryness of the skin. It is made with Hexinol Technology and vitamin E which are potent anti-aging ingredients. This creams boosts overall radiance leaving skin feeling smoother and younger looking.
Prai Ageless Throat and Decolletage Crème – this cream is infused with shea butter, prai oil and vitamins A and E which make this cream excellent affordable option for the skin. Mulberry, Saxifrage and Grapeseed Extracts brighten discouloration and reduce the appearance of age spots.
Naite Thread Neck Cream by Medi-Peel (from $16.90) – Enriched with hydrolzed collagen, niacinamide and adenosine which improve elasticity, whiten and lift skin around the neck and decollate. It is a very unusual cream and many people do not like it due to its sticky consistency. However, many people do not know that you need to apply any oil to your palms or fingers first and then handle the cream; also you need to apply a bit of any carrier oil to your neck. This way cream will not be sticky and will absorb faster. I must admit it is not on my favourites list due to its consistency and smell; however, results are phenomenal – I can see wrinkles disappearing, so I continue using the cream.
BareMinerals Ageless Genius Firming and Wrinkle Smoothing Neck Cream – Powered by mineral gold, age-defying peptides, this rich, fast absorbing cream deeply hydrates the skin while visibly reducing the appearance of wrinkles and horizontal neck lines around the delicate neck and décolleté areas. Edelweiss extract helps to improve skin’s elasticity for a more lifted-looking contour while algae, jasmine and gardenia extracts help to smooth rough, dry skin. As a result you skin becomes youthful, sculpted and healthy looking across the neck and décolleté.
Innisfree SoyBean Energy Neck (from $15) – amazing Korean cream that is extra nourishing and lifting. It also has amazing smell. Even though this cream is very nourishing, I do not find it heavy; it absorbs fast and does not leave this yucky greasy feeling.
Shiseido Concentrated Neck Contour Treatment – specially designed to support the unique needs of the neck and décolletage area; it restores a feeling of firmness and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and creases while nourishing the skin.
Black Tea Skin Care Multi-Tasking Neck Cream – visibly eliminates “turkey neck”, sagging skin, reduces appearance of wrinkles and age spots, lifts and tones skin without breaking one’s budget.
e) Masks
Neck requires extra care and masks are an excellent source to provide it. You can use overnight sleeping mask as an extra skin care layer few times a week. Complete your usual night skin care routine and finish up with a layer of sleeping pack.
Sheet masks could also be applied to the neck area for extra hydration and nourishment.
Trick: eye patches are filled with numerous amazing ingredients. You could apply those patches to troubled neck area, leave them on for 15-30 minutes and then remove. It is a very useful trick that won’t require you buying an extra product.
f) Retinol
Clinical studies proved that retinol minimizes appearance of fine lines and prevents the formation the new ones. The downsize here is that you need to use retinol regularly for at least a month to see any results.
Please, read about Retinol and its uses by following this link.
g) SPF
Do not neglect your neck when applying sun protection. Sun damage might not be instant but over the years you will see the negative aging effect on your skin.
Homemade Masks for Neck care
If you prefer a natural homemade products, consider the following neck tightening and lifting masks. They are rich in fatty acids, anti-oxidants, have anti-aging and lifting properties. All masks are also infused with vitamins and minerals that promote healthy and young looking skin.
Homemade Potato Neck Tightening Mask
Potato is known to whiten skin, it also tightens pores, promotes blood circulation, smooths and brightens skin.
Egg White Homemade Neck Tightening Mask
Egg whites is traditionally used for lifting and tightening properties.
Blueberry, strawberry and yogurt homemade facial mask
This mask is full of anti-oxidants and anti-aging properties that are very beneficial for skin care.
I hope you liked this article and found answers to all your questions. If there are still some aspects of neck care that you would like to learn about, please, do not hesitate to ask in comments. I wanted to remind that I only write about non-invasive skin care. Dedicate some time for yourself, you do deserve self-care and pampering.
Stay beautiful!!!!
