How to Get Rid of Turkey Neck & Tech Neck

You never really understand why they call it “turkey neck” until you see it on yourself for the first time.

Oh.

Suddenly, the name makes perfect sense.

The neck has a way of sneaking up on us. You can be happily taking care of your face and then one day notice something happening underneath your chin that you definitely don’t remember being there before.

And thanks to all the time we spend looking down at our phones, there’s tech neck to think about too.

So what’s the difference, and more importantly, what can you do about either one?

What’s the Difference Between Turkey Neck and Tech Neck?

Turkey neck is exactly what it sounds like once you’ve seen it: loose, lax skin underneath the chin and along the neck that starts to resemble the folds of a turkey’s neck. Collagen loss, sun exposure, genetics and the natural aging process all contribute to it.

Tech neck refers to the horizontal lines and creases across the neck that can become more noticeable from repeatedly looking down at phones, tablets and laptops.

And yes, you can have both. Lucky us.

How to Improve the Appearance of Turkey Neck

After seeing turkey neck on myself for the first time, I became pretty determined to find something that would help.

A consistent neck routine can improve hydration, texture, fine lines and the appearance of firmness. And you don’t need a complicated routine to do it.

KrX Neck Lift Intensive Firming Neck Cream

If you’re going to choose one product specifically for your neck, this is where I would start.

KrX Neck Lift Intensive Firming Neck Cream is made specifically for the neck and décolletage. It deeply hydrates while helping crepey, less-firm skin look smoother and firmer.

Pila’s tip: Start your skincare routine with your chest and neck, then move up to your face. You’ll never forget to do your face, but it’s surprisingly easy to get lazy about everything below it.

How to Smooth Horizontal Neck Lines

This is where I like Intraceuticals Atoxelene Daily Serum.

Atoxelene is a targeted peptide serum I use for visible expression lines around the eyes, forehead and between the brows. I also like using a small amount directly along horizontal neck lines.

Concentrate it where you see the lines, then follow with your neck cream.

Add Retinal at Night

I also use Green Envee Retinal Renewal Complex on my neck three nights a week.

Retinal helps improve the appearance of fine lines, uneven texture and other visible signs of aging. Because the neck can be more sensitive than the face, you don’t need to use it every night to make it a consistent part of your routine.

If you’re new to retinal, start with one or two nights a week and gradually increase depending on how your skin responds.

How to Use Your Neck Skincare

Morning: Apply Atoxelene directly along horizontal lines, followed by KrX Neck Lift Intensive Firming Neck Cream. Finish with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher over your neck and décolletage.

Evening: Apply Atoxelene to targeted lines and follow with KrX Neck Cream. Three nights a week, add Green Envee Retinal Renewal Complex to your routine.

You don’t necessarily need all three. Start with the concern that bothers you most and build from there.

Don’t Forget Sunscreen

This may be the least exciting recommendation in this entire article, but it’s one of the most important.

Most of us are much better about putting sunscreen on our faces than on our necks and chests. Years of incidental sun exposure add up.

Bring your sunscreen all the way down over your neck and décolletage every morning, and reapply when you’re spending significant time outside.

And Then There’s the Neck Part of Tech Neck

Skincare can help with what you see on the surface, while posture and neck strength address another part of tech neck.

Bringing your phone closer to eye level and being more aware of how much time you spend looking down can help reduce the repetitive folding of the neck. Strengthening the neck itself is another piece of the puzzle.

One Decidedly Unglamorous Addition

I’ve also been using NeckX, a resistance-training system for the neck. It’s not exactly chic, but neither is tech neck.

I like it because it gives you a simple way to actually strengthen the muscles of your neck through resistance instead of just reminding yourself to sit up straighter or stop looking down at your phone. Stronger neck muscles can help support better posture and make it easier to hold your head in a more neutral position throughout the day.

It’s a completely different approach from skincare, which is exactly why I think it belongs in the tech-neck conversation.

Take a Before Photo

Before you start, take a clear photo of your neck in natural light.

Then don’t obsess over it.

Skin changes gradually, and when you look at yourself every day, it can be surprisingly difficult to see progress. Take another photo after 30 days, and again at 60 days, and compare them in similar lighting.

Otherwise, you may mostly be documenting the difference between good lighting and bad lighting.

Most importantly, don’t wait for your neck to become an entirely separate skincare project. Whatever you’re doing for your face, remember to do it a few inches south.

Turkey Neck and Tech Neck FAQ

Q: Can skincare get rid of turkey neck?
A: A consistent skincare routine can help improve the appearance of crepey texture, fine lines, hydration and firmness. More significant skin laxity may require professional treatment for a more dramatic change.

Q: What is the best skincare product for turkey neck?
A: I recommend starting with a neck-specific moisturizer such as KrX Neck Lift Intensive Firming Neck Cream, then adding targeted skincare based on your specific concerns.

Q: Can you use retinol or retinal on your neck?
A: Yes. Because the neck can be more sensitive than the face, introduce retinol or retinal gradually and adjust the frequency based on how your skin responds.

Updated September 2026 with new product recommendations and information about tech neck.