The most popular and very often the first skin-care product a woman purchases is a moisturizer for her face. But the product choices these days are many, and their differences can be confusing. Years ago, it used to be all about oily, normal, combination or dry skin types. Today, however, it's not a one-size-fits-all world of moisturizers, but rather a custom fit for your skin's well-being. Here's my guide to finding the products that are right for you.

Step 1: Take into consideration the elements that affect skin.
• Age: In your 20s, you need products with a higher SPF to protect your skin from future damage. In your 30s, look for hydrating products that address fine lines in the eye area. For your 40s, anti-aging and repair products impart elasticity and glow and diminish deeper lines. In your 50s and 60s, use ultrarich, deeply moisturizing creams to treat thinning skin surface and intense dryness.

• Climate: Use lighter moisturizers for summer and warm, moist climates; use a richer moisturizer in wintertime and in cold, dry climates.

• Lifestyle: Are you stressed? Do you exercise? Do you get enough sleep? How's your diet? To understand how specific behaviour affects your skin, pick a time when your skin is looking its best and try to recreate the circumstances that brought it about. Were you sleeping more? Drinking less? Exercising?

• Environment: Pollution and sun exposure are natural enemies of the skin, so you must cleanse skin daily and use a daytime product with an appropriate SPF. (Click here for 5 of our top picks.)

Step 2: Determine your main skin care concern.
Is it visible signs of aging from excessive sun exposure? Is it surface imperfections like flakiness or lines and wrinkles? Is it sagging and dark shadows under the eyes? Are you noticing a loss of elasticity?

Page 1 of 2

---

Excerpted from The Handbook of Style: Expert Fashion and Beauty Advice as told to Francine Maroukian and Sarah Woodruff. Copyright 2007 by Francine Maroukian. Excerpted with permission from Quirk Books. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.

Step 3: Put yourself in the hands of someone who understands how to help you find a product that reflects those personal needs.
Although I cannot speak for every person working in skin care today, we make the education of our beauty advisers a top priority. Focus your search on larger department store beauty counters or specialty stores to find the right person who understands and can accommodate your needs.

Step 4: Sample the product.
That little dab that you try on the back of your hand at the counter can tell you a lot! Do you like the texture? The absorbency rate? The way it smells? Does it leave your skin silky? Smooth? Ask for a sample size to try over a period of days at home.

Step 5: Apply the moisturizer you selected twice a day on clean, dry skin.
Use an upward circular motion, working across your face and then lightly stroke downward, to flatten fine hairs. Don't forget your neck and décolletage.

Step 6: Target your eyes.
I strongly recommend using a product specifically designed for this delicate area, because the skin around the eye is thinner and more vulnerable than other areas of the face, with few oil glands. Moisturizers for the eye area are specially formulated to hydrate, protect and repair the delicate skin. They also address the most typical eye care concerns: lines, loss of firmness, darkness and puffiness.

"Help! I need to look fresh -- fast."
Before you go out in the evening, especially if you need to go straight from work, pat a little matte eye cream under the eyes and over makeup to soften wrinkles and refresh your whole look. Be gentle, and pat, never rub. Excess eye cream can also be used around the lips. If it's good for your eyes, it's certainly good for your lips!

Page 2 of 2

---

Excerpted from The Handbook of Style: Expert Fashion and Beauty Advice as told to Francine Maroukian and Sarah Woodruff. Copyright 2007 by Francine Maroukian. Excerpted with permission from Quirk Books. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.