Vitamin C for Neck Wrinkles: Should You Exfoliate First?

by Jolie
(Ontario, Canada)

Vitamin C cream for neck wrinkles

Hi All,

I have two questions.

Can anyone recommend a good skin cream with vitamin C? I have very dry skin and worried that the vitamin C might dry my skin out. So I need a cream that is going hydrate well.

Also, do I need to exfoliate my skin before using vitamin C for neck wrinkles?

I am working on fixing the skin on my neck and read that vitamin C creams and serums might be able to help.

I'm already doing the face and neck exercises and read this might help speed up the process.

Thanks,
Jolie

Editor's Note:

Hi Jolie!

Oh, I can relate to this! I've spent years working on the skin around my neck, and vitamin C has been one of the ingredients I've enjoyed using along with my facial and neck exercises.

But since your skin is very dry, I would be a little more careful about which vitamin C product you choose and how often you use it.

What vitamin C would I use on dry neck skin?

Personally, I've always liked using fresh vitamin C serums, including ones I mix myself. But that doesn't mean a homemade serum is the best choice for everyone, especially if your skin is dry or sensitive.

Vitamin C can help improve uneven skin tone and the appearance of fine lines over time. But stronger formulas, especially L-ascorbic acid, can sometimes feel drying or cause stinging.

For your neck, I'd start with a gentle, moisturizing vitamin C cream or a lower-strength serum, rather than jumping straight into a strong formula.

And don't forget your moisturizer! I like using a good moisturizing cream after my serum to help keep my skin soft and comfortable.

If you're curious about the different forms of vitamin C and how I use them, take a look at my Vitamin C for Skin guide.

Should you exfoliate before applying vitamin C?

Here's where I'd do things a little differently than you might expect.

No, you don't have to exfoliate before applying vitamin C. In fact, with very dry neck skin, I wouldn't recommend exfoliating right before putting on a strong vitamin C serum.

Both can irritate your skin, and the neck is one area where I think being gentle really pays off.

I do like gentle exfoliation as part of my skincare routine, but I would use it on a different day from a stronger vitamin C treatment, especially when starting out.

And if your skin already feels dry, tight, or irritated, I'd concentrate on moisturizing first.

What helped the appearance of my neck?

I've been combining facial and neck exercises with skincare for years, and I've taken pictures along the way to see how things have changed.

One thing I noticed was that my neck skin gradually looked smoother, and some of the brown discoloration became less noticeable.

I've also had a couple of brown spots fade while using vitamin C. I can't say vitamin C alone caused every improvement because I've used several techniques over the years, but it's one ingredient I keep coming back to.

You can see my pictures and read more about what I've tried in Neck Wrinkles: 4 Treatments That Worked for Me.

And since you mentioned exfoliating, you might also find my article about using vitamin C after dermaplaning helpful. I explain why freshly exfoliated skin needs a little extra care before applying potentially irritating serums.

My advice, Jolie? Start with a gentle vitamin C product, use a good moisturizer, and give your skin time to adjust. You don't need to exfoliate more often or use a stronger serum to get better results.

And keep taking pictures of your neck! Sometimes improvements happen so gradually that you don't notice them until you compare photos taken several months apart.

Hope this helps, Jolie! I'd love to hear how it goes.

Best,
Linda