StriVectin-TL Tightening Neck Cream Review

I’ve reviewed a couple of StriVectin products in the past, and to my great dismay, I never found them to be “Better than Botox^TM” or, quite frankly, even close.  Then along comes StriVectin-TL^TM Tightening Neck Cream, and I started to give the StriVectin brand another look.

What impresses me in StriVectin-TL^TM Tightening Neck Cream is the 5% NIA-114^TM.  Specifically, NIA-114^TM is myristyl nicotinate, an ester derivative of vitamin B3, or niacin, which forms of have been proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness (yellowing), increase elasticity, hydrate, alleviate symptoms of rosacea, and even fight acne with similar efficacy to a 1% clindamycin gel (Dermatologic Surgery, 2006; Cutis, 2005; British Journal of Dermatology, 2002).

Other forms of vitamin B3 besides myristyl nicotinate include the basic form, niacinamide, found in 4% concentration in many Olay products, and the acidic form, nicotinic acid, found in up to 5% concentration NIA-24 products.  Myristyl nicotinate has been established as a non-vasodilating form of niacin that has long been used to improve skin barrier function, mitigate signs of sun damage, and reduce the incidence of atopic dermatitis (U.S. Pharm, 2009).  The fact the prescription version is also 5%  myristyl nicotinate – the same as StriVectin-TL^TM Tightening Neck Cream - impresses me greatly.

How to Choose Your Form of Vitamin B3

Although all forms of vitamin B3 on the market have similar documented effects, myristyl nicotinate and niacinamide are the most pleasant for those with rosacea or other skin disorders in which the skin tends to “flare up.”  This is because nicotinic acid use is associated with facial flushing in the initial few days to weeks of use (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2007).  However, having used all three forms of vitamin B3 at some point in time, I will say that I also found nicotinic acid to result in the fastest results.  In summary, the reasons to choose each are:

• Niacinamide:  Least expensive; does not typically cause facial flushing
• Myristyl nicotinate:  Available in up to 5% concentration; does not typically cause facial flushing
• Nicotinic acid:  (Personal opinion) Produces fastest results; may cause facial flushing, particularly in susceptible individuals

Likely to Improve Appearance in Six Weeks with Twice-Daily Use

Basically, like all forms of vitamin B3, NIA-114^TM (myristyl nicotinate) will improve fine lines and wrinkles, hydration levels, mild hyperpigmentation, and even alleviate mild sagging a bit when used twice daily over the course of six weeks.  However, given that myristyl nicotinate has similar efficacy to niacinamide, I would personally still choose Olay Regenerist or Olay Pro-X products over StriVectin-TL^TM Tightening Neck Cream.  Even though StriVectin-TL^TM Tightening Neck Cream contains 20% more of the active ingredient – 5% versus 4% in Olay products – there’s too much difference in the price tag for me to select Strivectin ($89.00 retail versus $20.00 retail for Regenerist).  Still, if you have money to burn, StriVectin-TL^TM Tightening Neck Cream is a better $100 investment than most of the higher-priced skin care products out there; it guarantees results, and is backed by science.  So I say go for it!  Product Rating: 7.5/10 (High concentration of proven ingredients: 3/3  Unique formulation or new technology: 3/3.  Value for the money: 1.5/3.  Sunscreen: 0/1).

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Ingredients in StriVectin-TL^TM Tightening Neck Cream

Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter *shea Butter), Myristyl Nicotinate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic/capric Tirglyceride, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Peg-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ppg-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Dimethicone, Ethylene/acrylic Acid Copolymer Glycol, Sodium Polysytrene Sulfonate, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol Acrylates/c10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Surghum Bicolor Stalk Juice, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid, Laureth-7, Chlorphenesin, Cyathea Cumingii Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrapeptide021, Lepidum Sativum Sprout Extract, Diprpylene Glycol, Ctirus Aurantium Dulcis Oil (orange) Oil, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Hexamethylindanopryan, Ehtyl Linalool, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract.