Your radiant skin guide

We all want clear, healthy and young-looking skin -- skin that is free from acne, blemishes, dark spots, discoloration and wrinkles. Especially as we age and our skin begins losing its elasticity or showing other signs of aging, we want to protect and rejuvenate it. And luckily, dermatologists have identified a number of ingredients that can work to defend your skin from the elements, clear your complexion and eliminate wrinkles.

Key steps
Gentle cleansing, toning and moisturizing are key steps in a skin-care regimen at any age. Along with hydrating your skin and restoring elasticity, many moisturizers work double-time to protect your skin from the sun and prevent a host of other problems, including eliminating blemishes and wrinkles.

What's your skin type?
Choosing the right moisturizer depends on which type of skin you have. Though skin types are most commonly categorized as dry, normal or oily, you may have combination, sensitive, aging or acne-prone skin that has needs of its own. Dry skin is characterized by dry patches and flakiness, whereas oily skin produces excess amounts of sebum (or oil) on the surface of the skin. Combination skin is identified by both dry and oily areas (typically on the forehead, nose and chin), while sensitive skin may react more to the sun or specific ingredients.

Beauty by the ages
In your 20s: Beautiful skin in your 40s and 50s starts when you're in your 20s. Although young skin appears healthy and youthful, it is important to treat it so that it stays that way as you age. Regular deep cleansing is essential to your skin's long-term health. All skin, starting when you're young, needs to be protected from the damaging effects of the sun, to prevent premature aging.

In your 30s: Everybody's skin ages, but not at the same pace. You may begin to see signs of aging in your 30s, while others may not experience wrinkles or fine lines until into their 40s. As skin ages, it becomes drier and thinner. An anti-wrinkle cream with retinol will visibly reduce fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging. A product with provitamin B5 and vitamin E will also help keep your skin feeling soft and smooth.

In your 40s: As you age, your skin requires extra attention. As skin matures, it generates fewer new cells, which can lead to discolouration and diminished elasticity. As women enter menopause, skin can also begin to behave differently. Cleansers and moisturizers specially designed to combat signs of aging can rehydrate skin, restore moisture and suppleness and eliminate fine lines.

In your 50s and beyond: Once you reach your 50s, you want your skin to retain its youthful glow for as long as possible. With the right care, this is simple to do. Though you still need to cleanse and moisturize the same as you did when you were 20, now you should look for products with ingredients that will target the imperfections specific to aging skin. Cleansers with salicylic acid, for example, work to treat and prevent blemishes by getting deep into your skin and removing dirt and oil. Alpha hydroxy acid will work to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.

Page 1 of 2