What worked for my crepey neck skin and jawline after feeling totally stuck?

Skin care & Anti-Aging
1

I hit 45 last year and suddenly felt like my neck belonged to someone twenty years older. I tried expensive creams that did nothing but smell like perfume. I felt really stuck and honestly a bit depressed about it, especially seeing myself on Zoom calls all day. It felt like no matter what I did, that ‘crepey’ texture just wouldn’t budge.

After six months of a more focused approach, things are finally looking firmer. Here is what actually made a difference for me:

The Timeline

  • Month 1: Mostly just getting used to the routine. No visual changes, just some slight redness while adjusting.
  • Month 3: Skin felt more hydrated, less ‘papery’ when I pinched it. The fine lines started to blur slightly.
  • Month 6: Real improvement in the crepe texture and a slightly sharper jawline. It is not a facelift, but it is significant.

My Routine Breakdown

  • AM: Vitamin C serum (brought all the way down to my chest) and a dedicated SPF 50. Sun protection was the biggest thing I had been skipping on my neck for years.
  • PM: A gentle retinoid sandwich. Moisturizer, then a pea-sized amount of retinol, then more moisturizer. I only do this three times a week to avoid irritation.
  • Weekly: A mild lactic acid exfoliant to help with cell turnover without stripping the skin.

If you are feeling frustrated, do not give up. Start by asking yourself:

  1. Am I applying my face products all the way down to my collarbone?
  2. Is my neck getting enough moisture at night, or just a leftover swipe from my face?
  3. Have I been consistent for at least 90 days?

It is a slow process, but you can definitely see progress if you stay patient. What has your experience been with neck-specific concerns?

22 Likes
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Thank you for sharing this. I’m 51 and the neck area is exactly where I’m struggling right now. I always forget the sunscreen there!

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3

The ‘sandwich’ method for the neck is so important. I tried to go full strength with my tretinoin on my neck once and it was a red, itchy disaster. Lesson learned.

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4

Do you use a specific type of Vitamin C? I find some of them too sticky for the neck area when I’m wearing a scarf or high collar.

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5

The Zoom camera is so cruel lol. I noticed the same thing last month. I’m going to try bringing my serum all the way down starting tonight.

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6

I’ve been doing something similar but added a silk pillowcase. I think it helps with the ‘scrunching’ lines we get overnight if we sleep on our sides.

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Six months is a realistic timeline. Most people quit after three weeks because they don’t see a miracle. Glad you stuck with it!

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Have you noticed any difference in the jawline tightness specifically from the retinoid, or do you think it’s mostly the hydration?

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9

I second the lactic acid. It’s much more forgiving on the neck than glycolic acid in my experience. Great breakdown.

10

I really appreciate the supportive tone here. I’ve been feeling so down about my ‘tech neck’ lately. This gives me a bit of hope to try again.

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Don’t forget to moisturize the back of your neck too! My derm told me that once and it actually helps the overall skin tension in that area.