Dermatologist shares top neck skincare tips to prevent premature aging

Why the neck deserves its own routine

The neck is one of the first places to betray sun damage and early aging, not because it is neglected by design, but because its skin is often thinner and more sensitive than the skin on the face. Dermatology guidance consistently points to sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, hands, and forearms as the places where wrinkles tend to appear first.

That matters because the signs are not just cosmetic. Over time, ultraviolet exposure breaks down collagen and elastin, the structural proteins that help skin stay smooth and resilient. The result can be deeper wrinkles, crepiness, redness, sagging, and the broader pattern of photoaging that makes the neck look older than the rest of the face.

What Dr. Nkem Ugonabo says to do first

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nkem Ugonabo used a CBS Mornings appearance to drive home a simple message: skincare should not stop at the jawline. Her background is unusually broad for a clinical voice on cosmetic care. She is board-certified, has advanced training in cosmetic dermatology and lasers, and her biography lists degrees from Stanford University, the University of Michigan, and Harvard School of Public Health, along with dermatology training at NYU Medical Center, where she was appointed chief resident in her final year.

Her practical advice is straightforward. Bring skincare down from the face to the neck, and treat the area as part of the same routine rather than as an afterthought. She has also said publicly that a dedicated neck cream can be useful for firmness and texture, but she pairs that with the same foundation every dermatologist keeps returning to: broad-spectrum sunscreen on the neck every morning, with reapplication when the skin is exposed to sunlight.

Sunscreen is the non-negotiable step

The most evidence-based habit for the neck is also the most boring one: daily sun protection. The American Academy of Dermatology says protecting skin from the sun can reduce the risk of skin cancer, sunburn, and premature skin aging, including age spots, sagging, and wrinkles. The Skin Cancer Foundation advises broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day on all exposed skin, and that is especially important for a neck that sees frequent light exposure but is often left out of the routine.

Mayo Clinic adds the key biological reason this works. UV exposure slowly damages the skin’s support structure by breaking down collagen and elastin, which contributes to wrinkling and visible skin changes. That means sunscreen is not just about preventing a burn on a beach day. It is about reducing the cumulative damage that shows up years later as lines, looseness, and texture changes.

Common habits that speed up damage

The biggest mistake is inconsistency. Many people apply sunscreen to the face and stop there, leaving the neck unprotected even though it is sitting in the same sun. Others apply it once in the morning and assume the job is done, despite the need to reapply when the skin remains exposed. That gap matters because the neck is not just catching incidental rays, it is often fully visible throughout the day.

A second problem is treating the neck as a separate zone until damage is already obvious. Dermatologists commonly point to the early signs that show up there first: crepiness, redness, and fine lines that appear before people expect them. A third factor is smoking, which Mayo Clinic notes can contribute to wrinkling, making it one of the few non-sun habits that directly accelerates visible aging.

• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every morning.

• Extend sunscreen below the jawline and over all exposed skin.

• Reapply when the neck stays in the sun.

• Do not let the area become an afterthought while the face gets all the attention.

• Avoid smoking, which can deepen wrinkling over time.

What actually helps the neck most

For most readers, the smartest neck routine stays simple. Start with the same sunscreen discipline used on the face, then add a dedicated neck product only if it fits the goal, such as improving firmness or texture. Ugonabo’s guidance points to the neck cream as a targeted step, not a replacement for sun protection, and that distinction matters.

That is where marketing often tries to overcomplicate the issue. The neck does not need a dramatic overhaul before the basics are in place. The strongest evidence in the research points to prevention: daily SPF, careful coverage below the chin, and reapplication when the skin is exposed. Anything beyond that should be viewed as secondary to sun protection, not a substitute for it.

The bottom line

Neck care works best when it is treated as part of skin care, not as a separate category reserved for special products. Dr. Ugonabo’s message aligns with the broader dermatology playbook from the American Academy of Dermatology, the Skin Cancer Foundation, and Mayo Clinic: protect exposed skin, keep sunscreen broad-spectrum and at least SPF 30, reapply when needed, and avoid habits that speed visible aging.

The neck is thin, sensitive, and highly exposed. That makes it vulnerable, but it also makes prevention unusually effective. Consistent sunscreen and a routine that reaches below the jawline remain the clearest defense against premature aging there.