With so many skin care treatments dedicated to the face, it can be easy to overlook what’s just below: your neck. Yet, no matter how youthful one’s face looks, the neck can reveal the honest truth when it comes to telling a person’s age.

If reducing signs of aging is important to you, we have four words to the wise: don’t neglect your neck! First off, let’s address some frequently asked questions about neck care.

Why is my neck aging so quickly?

There are a few reasons why the neck is one of the first places on the body to show signs of aging.

First, the neck is often exposed to the sun’s damaging rays but easily overlooked when it comes to sunscreen application. Because UV light from the sun damages the neck’s elastin and collagen, cumulative exposure year over year results in discoloration, wrinkles and loose skin.

The neck and face are also different from a physiological standpoint. “Unlike the skin on your face, which is held up by bone, the skin on the front of your neck is relatively unsupported,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “This can lead to greater sagging over time.”

Can’t I just use my face moisturizer on my neck?

It’s true the skin on your neck can benefit from many of the same anti-aging ingredients you would also use on your face. However, adding a high-quality treatment that is specifically formulated to penetrate the skin on the neck can be more effective. The concentration of certain active ingredients in your facial products, such as retinol, may also be too irritating for the delicate skin on your neck.

How else can I make my neck look younger?

In addition to adding a neck treatment to your skin care routine, Dr. Schlessinger recommends diligently using a high-quality sunscreen on your neck any time you are also applying it to your face. Even incidental exposure can add up to noticeable signs of aging over the years. Are you ready to add a neck product to your skin care routine? Here are five of the latest and greatest neck treatments.

SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair

If your neck is showing early to advanced signs of aging, try this lightweight, non-greasy cream. Tripeptide concentrate helps increase your skin’s firmness and resilience, while glaucine complex (a substance derived from the poppy plant) helps reduce future damage. This treatment also features retinol in a slow-release formulation to reduce irritation while providing anti-aging benefits.

NassifMD Deco-Lift Neck Firming Complex Serum

This gel-style serum is packed with potent ingredients to keep the skin on your neck looking hydrated and firm. A proprietary ingredient called Aquaxyl soothes dryness by circulating water to the areas that are most dehydrated while Renovage (an anti-aging complex) actually extends the lifespan of skin cells to make your skin appear more youthful. Lastly, vitamin C provides a brightening boost of antioxidants.

Revision Skincare Nectifirm ADVANCED

This gentle, nourishing neck treatment works well for all skin types and is specifically formulated to treat moderate to advanced signs of aging. A masterful mix of proteins and peptides boosts collagen production to help skin appear younger, while lingonberry extract helps strengthen the skin, making it less vulnerable to future damage. It also contains red microalgae, which soothes as it tightens.

NEOSTRATA Skin Active Triple Firming Neck Cream with MicroDiPeptide229

Three potent proprietary ingredients team up in this treatment to help firm sagging skin: NeoCitriate promotes new collagen, Pro-Amino Acid increases procollagen and NeoGlucosamine strengthens the skin’s surrounding support matrix. “I was the principal investigator for the clinical study that evaluated this product’s effectiveness, so I’ve seen the results up close,” says Dr. Schlessinger. “I saw a noticeable decrease in sagging, wrinkles and crepiness as well as an increase in volume over the 8-week trial.”

Replenix Neckletage

If sun damage on your neck is a concern, this anti-aging neck cream deserves a place in your daily skin care routine. Niacinamide helps lessen uneven texture and tone caused by sun exposure over time, while an antioxidant blend helps guard against future damage. It also contains peptides to help firm the skin and a proprietary ceramide complex to boost the skin’s elasticity.

The delicate skin around the eyes is another place that can show early signs of aging. For our latest product recommendations, read our recent blog post: Top 5 Eye Creams for Wrinkles, Dark Circles, Bags, Puffiness and More.