Most of the time the neck is uncared for as part of your skin care routine. The neck area and décolleté, as known as the V zone, has very thin skin and is prone to show signs of accelerated aging, similar to the skin around the eyes. Therefore, the neck and décolleté area need attention in order for the skin to stay supple and smooth.

The daily routine for skin care on our face can also be applied to the neck area. However you may want to consider a cream rich in moisture as the V zone has very few glands to produce the natural oil as the face does. The general principles for a good skin care regimen for the neck and the face are to cleanse tone and moisturize. Additionally a gentle exfoliate once a week should be in your skin care routine.

Furthermore, just as you protect your face from harmful UV rays you should also be applying sun screen to the neck and décolleté area. Because the skin in the V zone is so thin, UV rays play havoc on the skin in this area causing unsightly brown spots. Your daily moisturizer should contain at least a SPF of 15 to prevent sun damage to the face, neck and décolleté.

So go ahead and throw away the turtle necks and scarves and treat your neck and décolleté with these simple homemade recipes.

Anti-Aging Banana Mask
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 med. banana - peeled
1 vitamin E capsule

Mix banana and whipping cream and mash to form a paste, stir in 1 vitamin E capsule. Spread over face and neck and leave on 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and follow with toner and moisturizer.

Banana used in cosmetic masks has perfect emollient, moistening and smoothing effects

Reduce Wrinkles with a Banana Mask

Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy and apply on face and neck. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, then cold water to close pores. Follow with toner and moisturizer.

The Banana Peel
1 quarter banana
1 egg white
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Mash 1 quarter banana in small bowl
In separate bowl whip one egg white briskly until very frothy. Slowly stir in 1 tablespoon cornstarch while continuing to stir until well mixed. Add the mashed banana to the egg white and cornstarch mixture until well blended. Apply a thin layer to face and neck and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse completely with warm water then cool water to close the pores. Follow with toner and moisturizer.

Bananas are often used in skin care treatments as they are rich in vitamins, offer deep cleaning and toning. Regular use of bananas in skin care can give your skin a fresh, healthy glow; additionally they offer a rich moisturizer for your skin.

Another alternative is to cover the neck and cleavage area with a moisturizer and place a warm wet cloth over the area for twenty minutes.

For more skin care recipes, how to videos and informative articles, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy and click on the recipes tab.