The majority of women who buy anti-aging products today did NOT take care of their skin when they were younger. Part of it isn’t their fault; the dangers of UV light were simply not mainstream news 20 years ago. Even if they were, the skin care products available back then were nowhere near the caliber they are now.

In other words, technology and time are on your side. Just as saving for retirement pays off if you start in your 20s, so does skin care. The actions you take now will dictate how young your face looks at 35, 45, 55, and beyond.

Your strategy at this point is to prevent sun damage. That’s it. You can do some other things that will help (see below), but your primary concern right now, by far, is blocking and avoiding UV rays.

In order of importance, here are the steps you need to take right now to ensure a youthful face for as long as gravity will let you.

1. Wear sunblock. I repeat, wear sun block. Unfortunately, not all sun blocks are the same. In fact, some mainstream sunblocks will do nothing for you.

#1, it must block both UVA rays (the ones that age you) and UVB rays (the ones that burn you). But this is tricky, because even bottles that say they block both rays sometimes don’t do so. They mostly block UVB rays, which means the UVA rays will still come through.

Make sure the bottle you is a “broad spectrum” UVA/UVB blocker. Ingredients to look for are zinc oxide, titanium oxide, avobenzone, Mexoryl, or Helioplex. Our favorite is La Roche Posay Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 3.4oz. It doubles as a moisturizer and is one of the few products on the market to truly block UVA rays, making it particularly attractive.

#2, it must have an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher. A higher SPF doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting more protection. Remember, SPF refers to UVB protection, so a high SPF means nothing unless the sunscreen blocks UVA rays.

#3, wear it all the time. Just because you are in the shade, or indoors, does not mean you are safe from the sun. Rays deflect, and that umbrella you use to shield the sun is only partially effective. When you’re indoors, the windows allow UVA rays to come in the house and age you when you least expect it. Cover up at all times, and re-apply a few times a day if you’re going to be outdoors a lot.

#4, the weather doesn’t matter. Clouds block some UVB rays, but UVA rays still come through. No matter the weather, wear sunscreen. Besides, wind also damages your skin, so you need as much protection as possible at all times.

#5, don’t just protect your face. Don’t forget your ears, hands, arms, legs, shoulders, etc. Even your lips need protection (from an SPF lip balm, not sunscreen).

#6, apply sun block correctly. This is extremely important. Sun block does you no good unless there is absolutely nothing between your skin and the sun block cream. That is, sun block must be the first thing you apply after washing your face in the morning. You must then wait at least 10 minutes before applying anything else or going outside, since the sun block needs time to sink in.

2. Stop smoking and drinking. Even if you don’t smoke, you might be around someone who does. Both smoke and second-hand smoke badly damage your skin. Smoking can also kill you in other ways, so the benefits go far beyond skin care.

My aunt has smoked for years, and I could stick nickels in the deep wrinkles all around her mouth and face. Smoking has made her look 20 years older than she is. Stop smoking now, and don’t hang out with people who do, because they’re badly aging your skin for you.

3. Hands off the face! Try not to let anything, whether it’s your hands or rough towels, touch your face.

Whenever you rest your face on your hand, you’re wrinkling your skin. If you rub towels over your face in rough fashion, you’re wrinkling your skin. And when you sleep face down on a pillow, you’re wrinkling your skin all night long.

Hands off the face, for one. Secondly, never scrub your face with anything. Instead of drying your face with a towel, pat it down gently. And when you sleep, lie on your back. The effects of gravity will be minimized, and you won’t be pressing your face into a pillow for 8 consecutive hours. Speaking of 8 hours…

4. Get some sleep. Lack of sleep is one of the #1 causes of premature aging, and not just for your skin. Aim for at least 7 hours, and ideally 8 or 9. “Beauty sleep” really is beauty sleep. So hit the sack.

5. Keep a poker face. People with straight, emotionless facial expressions are considered to be boring. But they also age well. Here’s why.

Excessive facial expressions such as laughing, smiling, frowning, and other silly clown faces, wrinkle your face. They bend, twist, and churn your skin into a wrinkled mess. There’s a reason clowns wear make-up.

I don’t suggest you give up laughing, because that’s impossible unless you watch the lifeless sit-coms on network TV these days. I do suggest you minimize the width of your smiles and laughs, and frowning is absolutely out of the question. Also, get a good pair of UV-protecting sunglasses. They’ll cut down on your squinting in the sun, and squinting causes that annoying wrinkle in your furrow.

Your face is not an Etch-a-Sketch, so treat it well. And crack a smile (but just a little).

6. Eat right. You know you need to eat right, but many of you don’t. And when you do, it’s usually a fad diet like Atkins, South Beach, or the Zone.

Bottom line: eating right is simple. The hard part is having the discipline to do it, but since you are interested in aging well, you’re going to learn discipline.

1) Drink lots of water. Water is good for every organ in your body, including your skin.

2) Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. They are filled with nothing but goodness, including the vitamins and nutrients your body (and skin) needs.

3) Minimize your portions. Find out what a serving size is, and eat just that. You’d be surprised what a serving size of meat really is (about the size of a deck of cards).

4) Eat lean protein. Fish, lean beef and poultry, egg whites, low-fat dairy products, beans, lentils, and nuts are all good sources of protein.

5) Choose your carbs. Forget about simple carbs like white bread, white pasta, and baked goods and desserts. Your carbs need to come from whole grain sources like flourless (or 100% whole wheat) bread, high-fiber cereal, wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa, bulgur wheat, fruits, and vegetables.

Summary

A lifetime of these habits will ensure youthful skin for as long as it is able to do so. Everyone ages, and wrinkles are inevitable… BUT you can delay those wrinkles for a long time by following the strategy outlined above. Look good, feel good, and lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy aging.

Try telling that to your skin. The 30’s are when gravity begins to rear its ugly head, and you’re guaranteed to see wrinkles no matter how well you protect your skin.

The good news is that if you’ve been good to your skin up to this point, your signs of aging will be far less noticeable than your prune-faced peers. The bad news is that if you abused your skin in your 20’s by sun-bathing or living under tanning beds, this is the decade where you’ll see the results of your sunny sins.

If you fall into the latter category, all hope is not lost. You still have a chance to prevent further damage, and yes, there are products that can help reduce the signs of aging you have (or will have very soon).

Technology and time are somewhat on your side. The 30’s are still your younger years, and new products are coming on the market every week. Best of all, there is tons of research going on all around the world in the field of anti-aging. Why? Because if something actually works, billions of dollars can be made. Let their greedy motivations be your peace of mind.

Your strategy at this point is to prevent further damage and begin correcting the damage that has already been done. That will take some work, because there are scores of skin products to choose from, but after reading this, you will have a clearer plan of attack. That’s why we’re here, to review products and educate you on your way to your ageless face.

In order of importance, here are the steps you need to take right now to ensure a more youthful face for as long as gravity will let you.

The first 6 steps listed here are the same as the steps listed for the article on your 20’s. That’s not because we’re lazy, but because your core strategy will stay the same for the rest of your life… with one exception: you’ll need to add more steps as you get older.

1. Wear sun block. I repeat, wear sun block. Unfortunately, not all sun blocks are the same. In fact, some mainstream sunblocks will do nothing for you.

#1, it must block both UVA rays (the ones that age you) and UVB rays (the ones that burn you). But this is tricky, because even bottles that say they block both rays sometimes don’t do so. They mostly block UVB rays, which means the UVA rays will still come through.

Make sure the bottle you is a “broad spectrum” UVA/UVB blocker. Ingredients to look for are zinc oxide, titanium oxide, avobenzone, Mexoryl, or Helioplex. Our favorite is La Roche Posay Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 3.4oz. It doubles as a moisturizer and is one of the few products on the market to truly block UVA rays, making it particularly attractive.

#2, it must have an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher. I personally use the highest SPF I can find, which right now is about 55. You probably don’t need to go that high, but aim for above 15. Remember, SPF refers to UVB protection, so a high SPF means nothing unless the sunscreen blocks UVA rays.

#3, wear it all the time. Just because you are in the shade, or indoors, does not mean you are safe from the sun. Rays deflect, and that umbrella you use to shield the sun is only partially effective. When you’re indoors, the windows allow UVA rays to come in the house and age you when you least expect it. Cover up at all times, and re-apply a few times a day if you’re going to be outdoors a lot.

#4, the weather doesn’t matter. Clouds block some UVB rays, but UVA rays still come through. No matter the weather, wear sunscreen. Besides, wind also damages your skin, so you need as much protection as possible at all times.

#5, don’t just protect your face. Don’t forget your ears, hands, arms, legs, shoulders, etc. Even your lips need protection (from an SPF lip balm, not sunscreen).

#6, apply sun block correctly. This is extremely important. Sun block does you no good unless there is absolutely nothing between your skin and the sun block cream. That is, sun block must be the first thing you apply after washing your face in the morning. You must then wait at least 10 minutes before applying anything else or going outside, since the sun block needs time to sink in.

2. Stop smoking and drinking. Even if you don’t smoke, you might be around someone who does. Both smoke and second-hand smoke badly damage your skin. Smoking can also kill you in other ways, so the benefits go far beyond skin care.

My aunt has smoked for years, and I could stick nickels in the deep wrinkles all around her mouth and face. Smoking has made her look 20 years older than she is. Stop smoking now, and don’t hang out with people who do, because they’re badly aging your skin for you.

3. Hands off the face! Try not to let anything, whether it’s your hands or rough towels, touch your face.

Whenever you rest your face on your hand, you’re wrinkling your skin. If you rub towels over your face in rough fashion, you’re wrinkling your skin. And when you sleep face down on a pillow, you’re wrinkling your skin all night long.

Hands off the face, for one. Secondly, never scrub your face with anything. Instead of drying your face with a towel, pat it down gently. And when you sleep, lie on your back. The effects of gravity will be minimized, and you won’t be pressing your face into a pillow for 8 consecutive hours. Speaking of 8 hours…

4. Get some sleep. Lack of sleep is one of the #1 causes of premature aging, and not just for your skin. Aim for at least 7 hours, and ideally 8 or 9. “Beauty sleep” really is beauty sleep. So hit the sack.

5. Keep a poker face. People with straight, emotionless facial expressions are considered to be boring. But they also age well. Here’s why.

Excessive facial expressions such as laughing, smiling, frowning, and other silly clown faces, wrinkle your face. They bend, twist, and churn your skin into a wrinkled mess. There’s a reason clowns wear make-up.

I don’t suggest you give up laughing, because that’s impossible unless you watch the lifeless sit-coms on network TV these days. I do suggest you minimize the width of your smiles and laughs, and frowning is absolutely out of the question. Also, get a good pair of UV-protecting sunglasses. They’ll cut down on your squinting in the sun, and squinting causes that annoying wrinkle in your furrow.

Your face is not an Etch-a-Sketch, so treat it well. And crack a smile (but just a little).

6. Eat right. You know you need to eat right, but many of you don’t. And when you do, it’s usually a fad diet like Atkins, South Beach, or the Zone.

Bottom line: eating right is simple. The hard part is having the discipline to do it, but since you are interested in aging well, you’re going to learn discipline.

1) Drink lots of water. Water is good for every organ in your body, including your skin.

2) Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. They are filled with nothing but goodness, including the vitamins and nutrients your body (and skin) needs.

3) Minimize your portions. Find out what a serving size is, and eat just that. You’d be surprised what a serving size of meat really is (about the size of a deck of cards).

4) Eat lean protein. Fish, lean beef and poultry, egg whites, low-fat dairy products, beans, lentils, and nuts are all good sources of protein.

5) Choose your carbs. Forget about simple carbs like white bread, white pasta, and baked goods and desserts. Your carbs need to come from whole grain sources like flourless (or 100% whole wheat) bread, high-fiber cereal, wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa, bulgur wheat, fruits, and vegetables.

7. Identify your flaws. This is the hard part, because it requires taking a long, hard, honest look at yourself in the mirror. In your 30’s, these are some of the flaws you might see:

-Lines around the eyes

-Drooping furrow

-Lines around the mouth

-Adult acne

-Excessively dry or oily skin

Since there are so many skin products on the market, identifying your most noticeable flaws will help you narrow down your search considerably. Be your worst critic, and check all flaws that apply. And then rank your flaws from most noticeable to least.

8. Consider your alternatives. The fact that you’re at this website shows that you’re willing to do something about your aging. That’s the good news, because some people just don’t care. If you’re content with aging and wrinkling, that’s your choice. But for those who want to enjoy looking young as long as possible, be prepared to do what it takes.

Prevention is great, but at your age, that’s just half the battle. The other half is turning back the clock the old fashioned way. And for that, you’ve got only 3 options:

-Botox, or some other cosmetic procedure (Restalyne, etc)

-Topical anti-aging skin products

-Cover up with makeup

Botox and other similar outpatient treatments aren’t discussed here. Some of them are very effective, but also very expensive and invasive. At your age, you’ll probably respond very well to Botox because Botox attacks fine lines and wrinkles before they develop into permanent, deep wrinkles. If you want to do Botox, check the ads in your local newspaper and pay a visit for a free consultation.

You’re probably well skilled at covering up with makeup, and I encourage you to continue doing that. But this is the decade where you’ll realize that makeup isn’t enough anymore.

Your most affordable alternative is to use topical anti-aging skin products. This is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that there are more than enough products on the market to choose from. The curse is that there are so many products, how can you possibly choose the best ones? That brings us to….

9. Select the best product(s) for you. Let us be frank with you: the skin care industry is not regulated, and thus you are peddled countless of worthless products that are NOT proven to work. You need to avoid these or else you will waste a lot of money and lose confidence in yourself and your potential to look your best.

This website is dedicated to not ripping you off. We’re comfortable telling you that there are only a handful of skin care ingredients that are scientifically proven to work. Do not be fooled by any ads, before/after photos, or testimonials.

Check out our ingredient guide, and experiment with some creams that contain the ingredients you feel might work best. They may work, and they may not work. This is normal. Try a product for a few months before deciding if it has made a difference. If so, great. If not, try a different product with different ingredients.

The secret is knowing which ingredients work. Visit the ingredient guide, check out the reviews, and make your decision today.

Summary. A lifetime of these habits will ensure youthful skin for as long as it is able to do so. Everyone ages, and wrinkles are inevitable… BUT you can delay those wrinkles for a long time by following the strategy outlined above. Look good, feel good, and lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy aging.

Relax, there’s no need to panic. Being 40 isn’t quite what it used to be. And thanks to technology and smarter health habits, celebrities aren’t the only ones who have the ability to look younger anymore.

Unlike when you were in your 30s, you’re no longer going to be able to look like a fresh twentysomething; it’s physiologically impossible. The biggest hurdle of turning 40 is accepting that reality. You can look younger, but you cannot look like you did 15 years ago. Nobody does.

But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. At 40, you’ve stopped being a girl and you’ve become a woman. Don’t chase after what you no longer have (flawless complexion, tight skin, no wrinkles). Instead, embrace what you do have now: poise, confidence, wisdom, experience, and for some of you, more financial stability and career advancement.

That said, there are still lots of things you can do to look younger. Remember, you won’t look 25, but you shouldn’t want to. Looking 25 wouldn’t match your new attitude and outlook on life. Embrace 40, don’t run from it.

Your strategy at this point is to prevent further damage and continue correcting the damage that has already been done. That will take some work, because there are scores of skin products to choose from, but after reading this, you will have a clearer plan of attack. That’s why we’re here, to review products and educate you on your way to your ageless face.

In order of importance, here are the steps you need to take right now to ensure a more youthful face for as long as gravity will let you.

The first 6 steps listed here are the same as the steps listed for the article on your 30’s. That’s not because we’re lazy, but because your core strategy will stay the same for the rest of your life… with one exception: you’ll need to add more steps as you get older.

1. Wear sun block. I repeat, wear sun block. Unfortunately, not all sun blocks are the same. In fact, some mainstream sunblocks will do nothing for you.

#1, it must block both UVA rays (the ones that age you) and UVB rays (the ones that burn you). But this is tricky, because even bottles that say they block both rays sometimes don’t do so. They mostly block UVB rays, which means the UVA rays will still come through.

Make sure the bottle you is a “broad spectrum” UVA/UVB blocker. Ingredients to look for are zinc oxide, titanium oxide, avobenzone, Mexoryl, or Helioplex. Our favorite is La Roche Posay Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 3.4oz. It doubles as a moisturizer and is one of the few products on the market to truly block UVA rays, making it particularly attractive.

#2, it must have an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher. I personally use the highest SPF I can find, which right now is about 55. You probably don’t need to go that high, but aim for above 15. Remember, SPF refers to UVB protection, so a high SPF means nothing unless the sunscreen blocks UVA rays.

#3, wear it all the time. Just because you are in the shade, or indoors, does not mean you are safe from the sun. Rays deflect, and that umbrella you use to shield the sun is only partially effective. When you’re indoors, the windows allow UVA rays to come in the house and age you when you least expect it. Cover up at all times, and re-apply a few times a day if you’re going to be outdoors a lot.

#4, the weather doesn’t matter. Clouds block some UVB rays, but UVA rays still come through. No matter the weather, wear sunscreen. Besides, wind also damages your skin, so you need as much protection as possible at all times.

#5, don’t just protect your face. Don’t forget your ears, hands, arms, legs, shoulders, etc. Even your lips need protection (from an SPF lip balm, not sunscreen).

#6, apply sun block correctly. This is extremely important. Sun block does you no good unless there is absolutely nothing between your skin and the sun block cream. That is, sun block must be the first thing you apply after washing your face in the morning. You must then wait at least 10 minutes before applying anything else or going outside, since the sun block needs time to sink in.

2. Stop smoking and drinking. Even if you don’t smoke, you might be around someone who does. Both smoke and second-hand smoke badly damage your skin. Smoking can also kill you in other ways, so the benefits go far beyond skin care.

My aunt has smoked for years, and I could stick nickels in the deep wrinkles all around her mouth and face. Smoking has made her look 20 years older than she is. Stop smoking now, and don’t hang out with people who do, because they’re badly aging your skin for you.

3. Hands off the face! Try not to let anything, whether it’s your hands or rough towels, touch your face.

Whenever you rest your face on your hand, you’re wrinkling your skin. If you rub towels over your face in rough fashion, you’re wrinkling your skin. And when you sleep face down on a pillow, you’re wrinkling your skin all night long.

Hands off the face, for one. Secondly, never scrub your face with anything. Instead of drying your face with a towel, pat it down gently. And when you sleep, lie on your back. The effects of gravity will be minimized, and you won’t be pressing your face into a pillow for 8 consecutive hours. Speaking of 8 hours…

4. Get some sleep. Lack of sleep is one of the #1 causes of premature aging, and not just for your skin. Aim for at least 7 hours, and ideally 8 or 9. “Beauty sleep” really is beauty sleep. So hit the sack.

5. Keep a poker face. People with straight, emotionless facial expressions are considered to be boring. But they also age well. Here’s why.

Excessive facial expressions such as laughing, smiling, frowning, and other silly clown faces, wrinkle your face. They bend, twist, and churn your skin into a wrinkled mess. There’s a reason clowns wear make-up.

I don’t suggest you give up laughing, because that’s impossible unless you watch the lifeless sit-coms on network TV these days. I do suggest you minimize the width of your smiles and laughs, and frowning is absolutely out of the question. Also, get a good pair of UV-protecting sunglasses. They’ll cut down on your squinting in the sun, and squinting causes that annoying wrinkle in your furrow.

Your face is not an Etch-a-Sketch, so treat it well. And crack a smile (but just a little).

6. Eat right. You know you need to eat right, but many of you don’t. And when you do, it’s usually a fad diet like Atkins, South Beach, or the Zone.

Bottom line: eating right is simple. The hard part is having the discipline to do it, but since you are interested in aging well, you’re going to learn discipline.

1) Drink lots of water. Water is good for every organ in your body, including your skin.

2) Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. They are filled with nothing but goodness, including the vitamins and nutrients your body (and skin) needs.

3) Minimize your portions. Find out what a serving size is, and eat just that. You’d be surprised what a serving size of meat really is (about the size of a deck of cards).

4) Eat lean protein. Fish, lean beef and poultry, egg whites, low-fat dairy products, beans, lentils, and nuts are all good sources of protein.

5) Choose your carbs. Forget about simple carbs like white bread, white pasta, and baked goods and desserts. Your carbs need to come from whole grain sources like flourless (or 100% whole wheat) bread, high-fiber cereal, wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa, bulgur wheat, fruits, and vegetables.

7. Identify your flaws. At your age, you’re probably well familiar with the flaws you think you have. In your 40’s, these are some of the flaws you might see:

-Laugh lines

-Drooping furrow

-Lines around the mouth

-Facial sagging

-Excessively dry or oily skin

Since there are so many skin products on the market, identifying your most noticeable flaws will help you narrow down your search considerably. Be your worst critic, and check all flaws that apply. And then rank your flaws from most noticeable to least.

8. Consider your alternatives. The fact that you’re at this website shows that you’re willing to do something about your aging. That’s the good news, because some people just don’t care. If you’re content with aging and wrinkling, that’s your choice. But for those who want to enjoy looking younger as long as possible, be prepared to do what it takes.

Prevention is great, but at your age, most of the damage has already been done. You’ll need to turn back the clock the old fashioned way. And for that, you’ve got only 3 options:

-Botox, or some other cosmetic procedure (Restalyne, etc)

-A facelift

-Topical anti-aging skin products

-Cover up with makeup

Botox and other similar outpatient treatments aren’t discussed here. Some of them are very effective, but also very expensive and invasive. At your age, you’ll probably respond very well to Botox because Botox attacks fine lines and motion wrinkles before they develop into permanent, deep wrinkles. If you want to do Botox, check the ads in your local newspaper and pay a visit for a free consultation. Just remember that in your 40s, you’ll develop wrinkles that Botox won’t be able to erase (such as around the mouth).

Facelifts have a high success rate if you pick a good surgeon, but if you’re considering one, you may want to wait until your 50s. It can be done now, as long as you’re willing to pay for it and deal with the recovery time. Facelifts are not covered on this website.

You’re probably well skilled at covering up with makeup, and I encourage you to continue doing that. But as you learned in your 30s, makeup can only do so much.

Your most affordable alternative is to use topical anti-aging skin products. This is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that there are more than enough products on the market to choose from. The curse is that there are so many products, how can you possibly choose the best ones? That brings us to….

9. Select the best product(s) for you. Let us be frank with you: the skin care industry is not regulated, and thus you are peddled countless of worthless products that are NOT proven to work. You need to avoid these or else you will waste a lot of money and lose confidence in yourself and your potential to look your best.

This website is dedicated to not ripping you off. We’re comfortable telling you that there are only a handful of skin care ingredients that are scientifically proven to work. Do not be fooled by any ads, before/after photos, or testimonials.

Check out our ingredient guide, and experiment with some creams that contain the ingredients you feel might work best. They may work, and they may not work. This is normal. Try a product for a few months before deciding if it has made a difference. If so, great. If not, try a different product with different ingredients.

The secret is knowing which ingredients work. Visit the ingredient guide, check out the reviews, and make your decision today.

Summary. A lifetime of these habits will ensure youthful skin for as long as it is able to do so. Everyone ages, and wrinkles are inevitable… BUT you can delay those wrinkles for a long time by following the strategy outlined above. Look good, feel good, and lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy aging.

First the bad news. Gone are the days when you can look 25 or even 35. But you probably learned to cope with reality in your 40s, so it shouldn’t be the major shock that turning 40 may have been. You’re simply not going to look like a college student at 50 years old, no matter what you do.

The good news is much more plentiful. For many people, the 50s are the peak of their careers, and with that brings more financial freedom. Yes, health becomes more of a concern, but medical science allows us to enjoy life well into our 80s and 90s if we play our cards right. And in your 50s, you have a different outlook on life that you didn’t have 25 years ago. You’re seasoned, wise, and something of a mentor. In short, it’s a very rewarding decade for you.

At your age, your strategy will be different from that of women younger than you are. Their aim is to look 25, while your aim is to age gracefully while still looking much younger than you are. This goal is certainly within your reach.

Your strategy at this point is to reverse some, but not all, of the damage that has already been done. And since you’ve reached 50, your best and quickest results will come from plastic surgery. This website doesn’t discuss surgical procedures, and such procedures would be your best options right now.

Of course, not everyone wants to have invasive surgery. If that includes you, I certainly don’t blame you. You will not get the same results with topical anti-aging skin products, but you can still see some noticeable improvements at your age. That will take some work, because there are scores of skin products to choose from, but after reading this, you will have a clearer plan of attack. That’s why we’re here, to review products and educate you on your way to your ageless face.

In order of importance, here are the steps you need to take right now to ensure a more youthful face for as long as gravity will let you.

The first 6 steps listed here are the same as the steps listed for the article on your 40’s. That’s not because we’re lazy, but because your core strategy will stay the same for the rest of your life… with one exception: you’ll need to add more steps as you get older.

1. Wear sun block. I repeat, wear sun block. Unfortunately, not all sun blocks are the same. In fact, some mainstream sunblocks will do nothing for you.

#1, it must block both UVA rays (the ones that age you) and UVB rays (the ones that burn you). But this is tricky, because even bottles that say they block both rays sometimes don’t do so. They mostly block UVB rays, which means the UVA rays will still come through.

Make sure the bottle you is a “broad spectrum” UVA/UVB blocker. Ingredients to look for are zinc oxide, titanium oxide, avobenzone, Mexoryl, or Helioplex. Our favorite is La Roche Posay Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 3.4oz. It doubles as a moisturizer and is one of the few products on the market to truly block UVA rays, making it particularly attractive.

#2, it must have an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher. I personally use the highest SPF I can find, which right now is about 55. You probably don’t need to go that high, but aim for above 15. Remember, SPF refers to UVB protection, so a high SPF means nothing unless the sunscreen blocks UVA rays.

#3, wear it all the time. Just because you are in the shade, or indoors, does not mean you are safe from the sun. Rays deflect, and that umbrella you use to shield the sun is only partially effective. When you’re indoors, the windows allow UVA rays to come in the house and age you when you least expect it. Cover up at all times, and re-apply a few times a day if you’re going to be outdoors a lot.

#4, the weather doesn’t matter. Clouds block some UVB rays, but UVA rays still come through. No matter the weather, wear sunscreen. Besides, wind also damages your skin, so you need as much protection as possible at all times.

#5, don’t just protect your face. Don’t forget your ears, hands, arms, legs, shoulders, etc. Even your lips need protection (from an SPF lip balm, not sunscreen).

#6, apply sun block correctly. This is extremely important. Sun block does you no good unless there is absolutely nothing between your skin and the sun block cream. That is, sun block must be the first thing you apply after washing your face in the morning. You must then wait at least 10 minutes before applying anything else or going outside, since the sun block needs time to sink in.

2. Stop smoking and drinking. Even if you don’t smoke, you might be around someone who does. Both smoke and second-hand smoke badly damage your skin. Smoking can also kill you in other ways, so the benefits go far beyond skin care.

My aunt has smoked for years, and I could stick nickels in the deep wrinkles all around her mouth and face. Smoking has made her look 20 years older than she is. Stop smoking now, and don’t hang out with people who do, because they’re badly aging your skin for you.

3. Hands off the face! Try not to let anything, whether it’s your hands or rough towels, touch your face.

Whenever you rest your face on your hand, you’re wrinkling your skin. If you rub towels over your face in rough fashion, you’re wrinkling your skin. And when you sleep face down on a pillow, you’re wrinkling your skin all night long.

Hands off the face, for one. Secondly, never scrub your face with anything. Instead of drying your face with a towel, pat it down gently. And when you sleep, lie on your back. The effects of gravity will be minimized, and you won’t be pressing your face into a pillow for 8 consecutive hours. Speaking of 8 hours…

4. Get some sleep. Lack of sleep is one of the #1 causes of premature aging, and not just for your skin. Aim for at least 7 hours, and ideally 8 or 9. “Beauty sleep” really is beauty sleep. So hit the sack.

5. Keep a poker face. People with straight, emotionless facial expressions are considered to be boring. But they also age well. Here’s why.

Excessive facial expressions such as laughing, smiling, frowning, and other silly clown faces, wrinkle your face. They bend, twist, and churn your skin into a wrinkled mess. There’s a reason clowns wear make-up.

I don’t suggest you give up laughing, because that’s impossible unless you watch the lifeless sit-coms on network TV these days. I do suggest you minimize the width of your smiles and laughs, and frowning is absolutely out of the question. Also, get a good pair of UV-protecting sunglasses. They’ll cut down on your squinting in the sun, and squinting causes that annoying wrinkle in your furrow.

Your face is not an Etch-a-Sketch, so treat it well. And crack a smile (but just a little).

6. Eat right. You know you need to eat right, but many of you don’t. And when you do, it’s usually a fad diet like Atkins, South Beach, or the Zone.

Bottom line: eating right is simple. The hard part is having the discipline to do it, but since you are interested in aging well, you’re going to learn discipline.

1) Drink lots of water. Water is good for every organ in your body, including your skin.

2) Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. They are filled with nothing but goodness, including the vitamins and nutrients your body (and skin) needs.

3) Minimize your portions. Find out what a serving size is, and eat just that. You’d be surprised what a serving size of meat really is (about the size of a deck of cards).

4) Eat lean protein. Fish, lean beef and poultry, egg whites, low-fat dairy products, beans, lentils, and nuts are all good sources of protein.

5) Choose your carbs. Forget about simple carbs like white bread, white pasta, and baked goods and desserts. Your carbs need to come from whole grain sources like flourless (or 100% whole wheat) bread, high-fiber cereal, wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa, bulgur wheat, fruits, and vegetables.

7. Improve other signs of aging. There are physical characteristics we have besides our skin that can make us look older. Clothes (be stylish but not a teeny bopper), hair style (longer hair shows youth), hair color (dye out the gray), makeup (don’t overdo it), weight (exercise is good for both your health and appearance), and energy (get some sleep and minimize stress). Your skin is important, but it’s not the only sign of aging we have. If you work on the others, you’ll do a lot more for your youthful appearance than any wrinkle cream will.

8. Identify your flaws. At your age, you’re probably well familiar with the flaws you think you have. In your 50’s, these are some of the flaws you might see:

-Laugh lines

-Deep wrinkles

-Drooping furrow

-Lines around the mouth

-Facial sagging

-Bags under the eyes

-Acne scars

Since there are so many skin products on the market, identifying your most noticeable flaws will help you narrow down your search considerably. Be your worst critic, and check all flaws that apply. And then rank your flaws from most noticeable to least.

9. Consider your alternatives. The fact that you’re at this website shows that you’re willing to do something about your aging. That’s the good news, because some people just don’t care. If you’re content with aging and wrinkling, that’s your choice. But for those who want to enjoy looking younger as long as possible, be prepared to do what it takes.

Prevention is great, but at your age, most of the damage has already been done. You’ll need to turn back the clock the old fashioned way. And for that, you’ve got only 3 options:

-Botox, or some other cosmetic procedure (Restalyne, etc)

-A facelift, or some other invasive surgery

-Topical anti-aging skin products

-Cover up with makeup

Surgical procedures aren’t discussed here. As discussed, your best and quickest option is probably surgery, though there are drawbacks. At your age, you may not respond as well to Botox, since your wrinkles are probably deeper than the motion wrinkles Botox is most effective at treating.

You’re probably well skilled at covering up with makeup, and I encourage you to continue doing that. But as you learned in your 30s and 40s, makeup can only do so much.

Your most affordable alternative is to use topical anti-aging skin products. This is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that there are more than enough products on the market to choose from. The curse is that there are so many products, how can you possibly choose the best ones? That brings us to….

10. Select the best product(s) for you. Let us be frank with you: the skin care industry is not regulated, and thus you are peddled countless of worthless products that are NOT proven to work. You need to avoid these or else you will waste a lot of money and lose confidence in yourself and your potential to look your best.

This website is dedicated to not ripping you off. We’re comfortable telling you that there are only a handful of skin care ingredients that are scientifically proven to work. Do not be fooled by any ads, before/after photos, or testimonials.

Check out our ingredient guide, and experiment with some creams that contain the ingredients you feel might work best. They may work, and they may not work. This is normal. Try a product for a few months before deciding if it has made a difference. If so, great. If not, try a different product with different ingredients.

The secret is knowing which ingredients work. Visit the ingredient guide, check out the reviews, and make your decision today.

Summary. A lifetime of these habits will ensure youthful skin for as long as it is able to do so. Everyone ages, and wrinkles are inevitable… BUT you can delay those wrinkles for a long time by following the strategy outlined above. Look good, feel good, and lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy aging.

The Claim: Works in a non-paralytic way through a reduction over time of neurotransmitters that mediate or initiate muscle contractions. Helps prevent fine lines induced by repeated facial movements without loss of natural expression. Reduces intensity of muscle contraction. Reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Minimizes and softens lines.

The Good: Contains pentapeptides, which is one of those promising ingredients that still needs more research to vindicate it, but so far has shown good results for lots of people.

The Bad: Again, there is insufficient research behind it, and some of that research has the potential to be biased based on who funded it.

Final Word: If normal retinoid creams irritate your skin, and if the price tag won’t bankrupt you, then a product like this is always worth a shot. There don’t appear to be any short term hazards to using it, but long term, we don’t know yet.

DDF Wrinkle Relax 0.5oz FREE Shipping. 115% Price Protection. This was previously known as Faux-Tox. Only the name has changed. A non-toxic, anti-aging peptide chemically combined from naturally derived amino acids. Works in a non-paralytic way through a reduction over time of neurotransmitters that mediate or initiate muscle contractions. Helps prevent fine lines induced by repeated facial movements without loss of natural expression. Reduces intensity of muscle contraction. Reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Minimizes and softens lines. Directions: Gently massage into muscle points. Apply a thin coat to clean, dry skin twice daily. Results can be seen starting in two weeks with maximum visible reduction of fine lines and wrinkles up to 50% within 45 to 60 days. Most effective in orbital eye area and forehead. After 60 days once a day application maintains results. May be used as other facial treatments diminish.

The Claim: Uses a “patented pentapeptide” to fight wrinkles, stretch marks, fine lines, and other visible signs of aging. Often heralded as an alternative to Botox.

The Good: The isolates used by StriVectin show promise, especially in the ability to stimulate collagen synthesis. It is much less irritating to the skin than Tretinoin (Retin A and Renova), which makes it a popular alternative.

The Bad: Very expensive. More independent studies are needed before it’s time to celebrate pentapeptides, as most of the studies out there now were done or sponsored by the manufacturers. Peptides also deteriorate rapidly, so refrigeration is needed. Your results may vary, as we found people who loved it to death and others who found it did little for them.

Final Word: If you’ve got the cash and your skin is easily irritated by prescription medication, this is definitely worth a try.

StriVectin SD (Better than Botox *?) 6 ozStriVectin-SD was originally developed to repair stretch marks but has grown in popularity as a wrinkle reducing cream and claims of being “Better than Botox.” StriVectin-SD is clinically proven to reduce the actual length, depth, and volume of wrinkles.

The Claim: “This PM POWER PRODUCT/treatment moisturizer contains maximum levels of Vitamin C Ester therapy in the restorative sleep hours which provides more efficient cell turnover. Wake up to a firmer, brighter, and overall more youthful appearance.”

The Good: Research has consistently shown the superiority of vitamin C derivatives over regular vitamin C, especially for those with sensitive skin. This particular formulation is a good combo, and also has DMAE, which has been shown to reduce facial sagging in some studies.

The Bad: There are appears to be no major drawback other than, like any skin product, it will work well for some of you and have little effect on the rest of you.

Final Word: Dr. Perricone definitely has his fans and detractors, but when reviewing skin products, we like to judge based on ingredients and concentrations, not brand name. Vitamin C ester is a proven-to-work ingredient, and while your results will vary, it’s better to side with science instead of hype. We endorse the ingredients in this product, and with a little luck, this might actually work for you.

N.V. Perricone Concentrated Restorative Cream 2ozFREE Shipping. 115% Price Protection. Maximum levels of Vitamin C Ester therapy in the evening restoration period provide the improved results of a firmer, brighter, and overall more youthful appearance. This unique blend of NTP Complex (containing DMAE), glycolic acid, and Vitamin C Ester gently and effectively improves the appearance of skin tone and evens out skin imperfections. Directions: Apply product to entire face and neck, avoiding contact with eyes. Recommended as an evening treatment.

The Claim: Increases cell speed to restore damaged and aged skin back to its natural vibrancy. Penetrates deep to help the damaged layers of the skin recover. Enhances the functions of the skin at the cellular level, which improves the skin to look act younger and healthier. Reduces freckles, age spots, and helps prevent the onset of new pigmentation. Also helps increase collagen and elastin to firm the skin. The Nu-Derm System includes the following:

Foaming Gel (Cleanser) 6.7 fl oz

Toner 6.7 fl oz

Clear 2.0 oz (Rx only)

Exfoderm Forte 2.0 oz

Blender 2.0 oz (Rx only)

Sunfader 2.0 oz (Rx only)

Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35 1.0 fl oz

Travel bag

Patient brochure

The Good: Includes some ingredients that are actually proven to work, such as alpha- hydroxy acids. Lots of products included, making it a 1-stop shop.

The Bad: Expensive, even for the amount of product included. May make the skin red and flaky, but in most cases those side effects should subside after a few weeks of use.

Final Word: It’s a popular system by one of the most well known brands, with some proven ingredients like AHA. If you can stand the cost, it’s one of the more effective products on the market.

Obagi Nu-Derm Foaming Gel Essential Kit (Original Price $390.00)The Essential Obagi Nu-Derm Kit for normal to combination, oily and acne prone skin! Comes with everything you need to start your Obagi Nu-Derm regime.

The Claim: This cream contains a glycolic compound that aids in correcting the visible signs of aging without irritating the skin. It contains higher levels of Alpha Hydroxy Acid than other MD Forte products, which helps diminish the look of deeper lines and wrinkles while increasing clarity, softness, and hydration of the skin.

The Good: The main ingredient, glycolic acid, is very effective at exfoliation. In fact, it’s widely used in chemical peels and found in many other skin care products. It should help your skin feel smoother and reduce some of the fine lines.

The Bad: Beware of overuse, which may lead to irritation.

Final Word: If you’re looking for a good combination of exfoliation and fine line reduction, it’s worth a try.

M.D. Forte Facial Cream III 1ozFREE Shipping. 115% Price Protection. Hydrate and smooth the skin while giving it a healthy glow. M.D. Forte Facial Cream III contains 30% glycolic acid compound, and is recommended for customers who have used Facial Creams I and II and are ready for 30% Glycolic Acid. Perfect for those individuals who have been using 20% AHA (such as M.D. Forte II products) for awhile, and are looking to find a product that will give their skin rejuvenation a boost. Lifts dead layer of skin and restores youthful appearance. Try it alternately with your Forte II initially to acclimate your skin to it’s high potency. For people with extremely dry, and photodamaged skin who have previously used the 20% glycolic acid compound. Apply once a day after cleansing, preferably at night. This product is quite strong and will likely cause exfoliation upon initial use. May be combined into a skin rejuvenation program that uses it periodically as well.. * Glycolic Compound is a complex, pH-balanced mixture of glycolic acid, ammonium glycolate, purified water, and higher-molecular-weight oligomers of glycolic acid, with an approximate activity level of 60%, and is designated on product labels as the ingredients “glycolic acid” and “ammonium glycolate.”

The Claim: This product comes in a 1.3-ounce tube and functions as a lightening agent that was specifically designed for overall facial brightening. Almost immediately upon use, your skin takes on a baby-like glow, followed by the reduction of dark areas and freckles within a few weeks. This facial brightener can be used on the entire face and aids in restoring skin color, tone, while increasing your skin’s luminescence and clarity.

The Good: For those with a tired and haggard looking face, this will help your face look younger and radiant. Apply after washing, before moisturizing (use at night, because during the day, you’ll want to wear sun block instead). You should see results after a couple of weeks, and some people noticed a fading of their freckles.

The Bad: May cause slight burning upon initial use. Some of the reviews on the internet have not been kind, however my wife is very, very pleased with it.

Final Word: Not a wrinkle reducer, but definitely a facial refresher.

Bremenn Research Labs Lumedia Facial BrightenerLumedia Facial Brightener