*Product was gifted by SkinCeuticals South Africa, though, the review therein is based on the author’s experience and opinion. Aesthetic Appointment reviews are intended to be for information purposes only, nor should they be regarded as a replacement for sound medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or skincare therapist if you have any concerns*

I have often wondered why all the neck idioms we have are negative – to have someone breathing down your neck, up to the neck with something, putting your neck on the line, wringing someone’s neck, a millstone around your neck…. etc.etc.

It’s only recently that I’ve realized that my own neck is becoming a bit of a pain, in terms of lines, wrinkles and my very strong platysma muscle – the broadsheet of muscle fibres extending from the collar bone to the angle of the jaw. This produces bands down the neck (they just appeared overnight!) and I do believe that botulinum toxin injections are able to relax the platysma – but it’s only temporary, and quite frankly, I’d rather have those injections around my eyes, or my frown.

So what to do?

Well if you have a healthy budget for aesthetic treatments, both surgical and non-surgical – there are many options available to you.

But there are many things that we can do to improve the neck and chest area – we tend to forget about it with our skincare and it takes a little time and care to start including this region in your regime.

Start with applying sunscreen to the neck and chest every single day – don’t miss out, even on a rainy, cloudy day. The skin of the neck is thinner and very susceptible to UV damage, so putting your favourite sunblock on daily is really going to help to protect your neck and chest.

At some stage, I will probably opt to have a tightening treatment, like Tixel, (I will share when the time comes) but in the meantime, for the last 8 weeks, other than using my sunscreen religiously, I have been trying to improve the look of the skin by testing the SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair cream – a skin treatment that targets visible ageing around the neck. It’s packed with Pure Retinol, as its key ingredient, as well as a tripeptide that strengthens the skin and Glaucine Complex which supports the skin’s resistance to visible neck ageing.

skinceuticals tripeptide neck repair serum

How to use

It’s a lovely, lightweight cream in a bottle with a pump – I use 2 pumps per application.

My experience

In the first week, I experienced a little itchiness, which indicated how active this product is – I have very balanced skin which is used to prescription Retin A. So I alternated nights until my skin got used to the strength of the cream.

On week 8, I am using it in the morning and at night (I really wanted to test this product to the nth degree!) and I am pleased with what my skin looks like. The bands haven’t miraculously disappeared if that’s what you are thinking – that requires a little more intervention. But the quality of my skin has certainly improved, due to the active ingredients in the Tripeptide cream.

2 neck

So, the verdict?

If you have a healthy budget for your skincare, this is a fabulous addition to your routine – but it’s pricey – Skinceuticals is known for its high standards of clinical studies that are overseen by dermatologists – that’s what you are paying for.

It’s a good idea to give your skin a chance to be its best before you embark on any other interventions. The Tripeptide-R Neck Repair will certainly do the trick.

Price?

R2300.00 (50ml)

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Website: www.skinceuticals-za.com

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Paola Chellew

Paola Chellew is a freelance journalist and regularly writes for a number of publications. A former professional contemporary dancer, she has always loved the arts in all their forms. She has been a freelance writer for many years and has been published in various magazines including Live Out Loud, Private Life and Do It now magazines. Her passion for beauty and skincare started in her teens, when she would read every beauty editor’s picks and reviews. Serious about skincare, she has researched medical-grade products for over ten years, as well as aesthetic treatments to restore and repair skin to look its best. Having turned 60 last year, she has dedicated her blog to the “over 50s and beyond Club”, shining a spotlight on a generation that is seemingly side-lined by the beauty industry. “There is no age limit for when you stop being beautiful – a gorgeous lipstick, a sexy fragrance, radiant skin- these are not synonymous with youth- they are just things that add an extra sparkle to my day”.

📸 Profile photo credited to Lerissa Kemp Photography