The skin on our necks deserves just as much attention as the one on our face. The neck is easily one of the most commonly overlooked areas when it comes to doing our skincare, which is why it can be the first to reveal fine lines, diminished elasticity, and discolouration, all of which are completely normal and doesn’t require intervention but because of the thinner epidermis and constant movement, you might notice these changes quicker than expected. If the neck is an area of concern, fret not: are plenty of ways to give the area some extra attention, from red light therapy to classic neck creams and now, there are Korean formulas designed to help replenish any lost moisture and restore the skin health.
Rather than focusing solely on wrinkles, tightening, and lifting, many Korean formulas take a more holistic approach. They prioritise hydration, strengthening the skin barrier, and supporting long-term skin health while also addressing concerns such as firmness and visible signs of ageing. ‘That’s one of the reasons I’m so obsessed with Korean formulations,’ says Evangelo Bousis, the CEO and founder of men’s skin care brand Enhanse. ‘They’re able to pack so many high-performance ingredients into one formula, but somehow it still feels lightweight, gentle, and really easy to use.’
From deeply hydrating sheet masks designed specifically for the area to firming creams and targeted treatments, the best options make extending your skin care routine below the jawline surprisingly simple.
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What should you look for in the best Korean neck products?
Bousis looks for hydrating and firming ingredients that support skin quality over time. ‘Peptides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and retinoids can all be great, but the neck can also be sensitive, so you don’t want to destroy your skin barrier trying to get a result,’ he says. ‘That’s another thing Korean skincare does so well: You can get really sophisticated, high-performance formulas that still feel gentle on the skin.’
How often should you use Korean beauty neck products?
‘Consistency is everything,’ says Bousis. ‘For hydrating and firming products, use them every morning and night, and bring whatever you’re using on my face down onto your neck. If you’re using something stronger like a retinoid, I would start with a few nights a week and build from there depending on how your skin reacts.’ SPF always goes down the neck, too.
Can you just use your facial skincare on your neck?
Yes, and experts recommend always taking your skincare products down to your chest (just be careful if it contains exfoliating acids or strong retinoids, as the neck can be much more sensitive). That said, if you tend to forget the neck, having a dedicated neck cream can help serve as a reminder to always include the extra step. Plus, neck creams are especially formulated for the area, so there’s less to worry about when it comes to unwanted reactions.
Medicube PDRN Collagen Gua Sha Neck Wrinkle Cream
‘This feels very representative of where Korean skin care is going right now,’ says Evangelo Bousis. The formula features PDRN, collagen, peptides, retinol, and NAD in one formula, plus the packaging boasts a built-in gua sha applicator. ‘I’m always drawn to products that combine strong ingredients with an easy ritual, and this does both,’ he adds.
Key ingredients: PDRN, collagen, peptides, volufiline
Anua PDRN Collagen Melting Patch For Neck
This unique mask melts into the skin to deliver a visibly firmer neck and deep hydration. After applying the patch to your neck, you must activate the product with a mist (any will do, including water). A quick spritz is all you need to dissolve the collagen and PDRN right into the skin.
‘I love the innovation here. It takes the idea of a treatment mask and makes it specifically for an area most of us forget about,’ says Bousis. ‘I also love anything that makes neck care feel like an actual treatment rather than just bringing whatever is left on your hands down from your face.’
Key ingredients: Collagen, PDRN
Dr. Melaxin Necksphalt ECM Neck Barrier Cream
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‘This one stood out to me because it really focuses on the quality of the skin itself,’ says Bousis. ‘It combines peptides with ingredients that support hydration and the skin barrier, which is so important for the neck because the skin there can become thin, dry, and crepey as we age.’ The gel-like formula feels incredibly lightweight while being deeply hydrating and effective.
Key ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, glycerin
Rejuran Advanced Face & Neck Firming Cream
This face and neck cream features c-PDRN (the brand’s patented marine-derived ingredient), peptides, and hyaluronic acid for firming, hydrating, and smoothing wrinkles. ‘Rejuran is a name I already associate with Korean skin treatments, so I was immediately interested in this,’ shares Bousis.
‘The formula uses their c-PDRN along with multiple peptides and hyaluronic acid, and it is actually formulated for both the face and neck. It really represents that crossover between Korean clinical skin care and something you can easily use at home every day.’
Key ingredients: C-PDRN, peptides, hyaluronic acid
Beauty of Joseon Revive Firming Moisturizer
While this isn’t necessarily positioned as just a neck product, it works amazingly as a firming and hydrating formula for all-day wear. ‘Korean skin care is very good at creating formulas that can work across different areas of the skin, rather than convincing you that you need a completely different product for everything. I like using a firming moisturiser like this one on the face and bringing it all the way down onto the neck,’ Bousis tells ELLE.
Key ingredients: Peptides, retinol, hyaluronic acid
Enhanse Super Moisture Firming Serum + Moisturizing Spray Gel
The next time someone heads to the US, get them to bring you back this hydrating mist (it’s currently unavailable in the UK). ‘I created Super Moisture because I love the way Korean skin care approaches both hydration and firming the skin,’ says Bousis. ‘I wanted something that deeply hydrates and gives you that plump, healthy look, but also helps firm, tighten, and smooth the skin over time.” The mist combines 10 types of hyaluronic acid with neuropeptides and NAD+. It’s a firming serum-and-moisturiser in one, delivered as a lightweight spray you can use every day.
Key ingredients: Cica, peptides, hyaluronic acid
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