Anti-Aging Neck Firming Cream

Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee,

I have a youthful face for being 46, but my neck is showing aging with a little sagging and some creases. I tried using my anti-wrinkle face cream on my neck, but it gave me a rash. My best friend uses the same anti-wrinkle face cream on her neck with no problem. Why would face cream irritate my neck?

Signed,

Neck lines

Dear Neck lines

Different people have different skin reactions to products. Some women can use the same anti-wrinkle lotion or cream on both their face and neck. Others have a more sensitive neck area and may find their anti-wrinkle face cream irritates their neck and will need an anti-aging neck cream.

Sunscreen is probably the most important step to reduce the signs of aging. Always apply a product with sunscreen to both the face and neck area all year round. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 90-95% of the wrinkles are caused by sun exposure (http://www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet/non_facial.html).

A firming neck cream may help decrease the appearance of sagging and the lines. However, creams are not a permanent solution and will not make wrinkles disappear, but they may help tone, smooth, and reduce wrinkles.

There are dozens of anti-aging neck creams on the market. To help narrow down your search, below are some products that have been given overall positive ratings by consumers at Sephora.com and Avon.com. The 2007 Allure Best of Beauty winner for neck cream went to Dr. Brandt V-Zone Neck Cream (www.allure.com).

TOP RATED NECK FIRMING CREAMS (alphabetical)

1. Avon Skin So Soft Renew & Refresh Age-Defying+ Corrective Neck & Chest Treatment

2. Bliss thinny thin chin

3. Clarins Advanced Extra-Firming Neck Cream

4. Dr. Brandt v-zone neck cream

5. Shiseido Benefiance Concentrated Neck Contour Treatment

6. StriVectin Neck cream

To read the reviews, to go www.avon.com and www.Sephora.com

To see all the Best of Beauty award winners, go to www.allure.com