Why Spraying Perfume on Your Neck Could Give You a Turkey Neck (and How to Avoid It)

Why Spraying Perfume on Your Neck Could Give You a Turkey Neck (and How to Avoid It)

We all want to smell fabulous, but here’s something to consider: regularly spritzing your favourite perfume on your neck might be giving you an unexpected side effect—premature ageing in that area, or what we affectionately call "turkey neck." And let's be honest, while turkeys are delightful around Thanksgiving, we’d rather not have our necks resembling one. So, why does perfume on the neck speed up ageing, and how can you avoid it?

Why Perfume and Your Neck Might Not Be the Best Pair

Perfume is loaded with alcohol and other drying ingredients, which are great for making a fragrance last but not so great for your skin. The high alcohol content evaporates quickly, taking moisture with it and leaving the skin on your neck parched. When skin is dry, it’s more likely to form lines, wrinkles, and that telltale sagging we associate with, well, a turkey’s wattle.

To make matters worse, some of the chemicals in perfume can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight. When these ingredients mix with UV rays, it can lead to photosensitivity—essentially speeding up collagen breakdown. This weakens the skin’s structure, making it more prone to wrinkles and sun spots. And while a little sun-kissed glow might be nice, wrinkly neck skin? Not so much.

How to Apply Perfume Without Accelerating Ageing

Good news! You don’t have to ditch your favourite scent entirely. Here are some creative ways to apply perfume without risking "turkey neck":

1. Spray Your Clothes, Not Your Skin: Fabric holds scent beautifully, often even better than skin. Spritz a little on your top or scarf, and enjoy the fragrance without compromising your skin.
2. Pulse Points to the Rescue: Your wrists and inner elbows are excellent spots for perfume, and they’re also less likely to see sunlight. These areas emit warmth, which helps release the scent.
3. Behind the Ears, Not the Neck: Want that close-to-your-face scent without the skin damage? Try applying a tiny dab behind your ears instead. You get all the fragrance without exposing delicate neck skin.
4. Hair Mist: If your perfume comes in a hair-friendly formula, or if you have a hair mist version, spritz a little on the ends of your hair. The fragrance will linger around you, and your hair will smell amazing.

How to Prevent or Address Ageing on the Neck

If you’re worried your neck is already looking a little too “Thanksgiving-ready,” here are some steps to keep it looking smooth and youthful:

• Moisturise: The skin on your neck is thinner and has fewer oil glands, so it needs extra hydration. Use a good moisturiser, preferably with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides to support skin elasticity.
• Sunscreen Is Non-Negotiable: Apply SPF daily to your neck, even if you're not in direct sunlight. Sunscreen protects your skin from UV damage, which is the biggest culprit behind those dreaded turkey neck lines.
• Consider a Gentle Retinol: Retinol is a powerful anti-ageing ingredient that helps boost collagen, but use it cautiously on the neck, as this area can be sensitive. A low-strength formula a couple of nights a week can make a big difference over time.

So, there you have it! With a few small tweaks, you can keep smelling fabulous while protecting your skin. Let’s keep turkeys where they belong—in the oven, not on our necks!