Neck Care

The neck might be quick to reveal your true age. Weight loss, stress, a low-protein diet, and other reasons can lead to unappealing sagging, double chin, and

wrinkles. It is, therefore, important to maintain a generous share of TLC for that specific area. Multiple recipes are provided in this chapter for you to choose

from according to your own needs.

Moisturizer Plus Mask

We all know that the neck deserves a daily share of the facial moisturizer. However, we sometimes feel that we need a little extra lifting and tightening of that skin. Because of their high protein content, egg whites offer a skin-tightening effect, while egg yolks supplement the skin with

cholesterol and unsaturated fats. Vitamin C, from orange juice, will help rejuvenate the skin and fight aging; vitamin E will allow for the antioxidant effect of vitamin C and provide a wrinkle-fighting effect. Just a little cologne is added to improve the fragrance. Once prepared, you can store this mask in the refrigerator for up to a week.

INGREDIENTS

1 egg

1 teaspoon freshly squeezed orange juice 10 drops (0.5 ml) baby cologne

5 drops (0.5 ml) vitamin E

4 teaspoons (20 ml) of your usual daily moisturizer

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Beat the egg and continue beating it as you slowly add the juice, cologne, and

vitamin E.

2. Pour the egg mixture over the moisturizing cream gradually and in a very thin stream, whipping vigorously to incorporate.

3. Transfer the mixture to a pump bottle and apply like a lotion. Wait for 10

minutes before rinsing with water; then using your usual cleanser. Follow with

your moisturizer. Apply twice a day, over a week, to tone the skin.

4. Store the mask in the refrigerator for no longer than a week.

Extra-Nourishing Neck Care

This mask has virtually all the nutrients that skin could lack. Use it once a week on the neck to tighten, brighten, firm, and rewind age.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups (500 ml) freshly made linden tea 1 egg yolk

1 medium-size potato, cooked and mashed 1 tablespoon royal jelly

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon almond oil

5 drops vitamin E

gauze strips

Note: You can substitute honey for the royal jelly, according to availability.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Start by preparing 2 cups of linden tea (1 teaspoon per cup of water), and set it

aside to cool. Add the egg yolk to the mashed potato. Mix well until

completely blended. Pour the royal jelly over the mixture and blend again.

Finish by adding the lemon juice, almond oil, and vitamin E.

2. Put the mixture in the refrigerator to chill. Meanwhile, prepare rectangular

gauze sheets in double layers, making sure they will easily cover and wrap

around the neck and under the chin.

3. Spread the chilled mixture on gauze strips and apply directly to your neck and

under your chin. Sit back and relax for 15–20 minutes.

4. Remove the mask and wash your skin with the lukewarm linden tea. Follow

with a facial moisturizer.

5. Use this mask weekly over a three-month period for better-lasting effects.

Biweekly Neck Lift Mask

This formula will improve the skin’s elasticity. The acidity of the yogurt will help get rid of old skin cells, while the avocado oil nourishes the skin with essential fatty acids and generous amounts of vitamin E. Borage seed oil

prevents wrinkles, and vitamin C rejuvenates the skin.

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon avocado oil

1 medium-size potato, cooked and mashed 2 ounces (60 ml) full-fat plain

yogurt (preferably organic) 1 tablespoon orange juice

1 teaspoon borage seed oil

gauze strips

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pour the avocado oil over the mashed potato and mix well until absorbed. Add

the yogurt and orange juice and mix again. Finish by blending in the borage

seed oil.

2. Cover and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare your gauze

strips. Cut generous double layers of gauze in rectangles. Make sure the strips

will cover your neck and under the chin area. Allow extra length to wrap

around the neck.

3. Remove the mixture from the refrigerator and spread it like sandwich filling between the layers of gauze.

4. Wash your neck with warm water, dry with a towel, and then apply the gauze

pads. Sit back and relax for 10 minutes. Flip the gauze strips to renew contact

and relax for another 10 minutes. Remove the gauze and rinse the area.

Follow with your daily moisturizer.

5. Use any leftovers three days later, and try to use this mask twice weekly for

three months for most sustainable results.

Neck Tight and Bright Serum

This egg-based serum has wonderful effects on the skin, especially

when used regularly in combination with one of the previous neck masks. It is easy to make and has a high protein content that can help tighten skin.

INGREDIENTS

2 egg whites

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 ounce (30 ml) aloe vera gel

1 teaspoon avocado oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Whisk the egg whites and lemon juice together; then add the aloe vera gel and

whisk again. Use a stick blender if you like. Pour the avocado oil very slowly

into the mixture, continuing to whisk until completely blended.

2. Transfer the mixture to a pump bottle, and always shake the bottle before

pumping.

3. Spread on your neck and under the chin area every evening. Allow at least 20

minutes contact time before rinsing, or rinse the following morning. Follow

with a moisturizer and sunscreen.

4. Store this mixture in the refrigerator for up to a week.