You know very well what you should be doing every single day and you may start the week with the best of intentions but sometimes the pace of modern life just takes over.  So what is the minimum daily anti aging skin care routine that you can get away with?

All experts agree nowadays that you should be doing four things on a regular basis for an effective anti-aging skin care routine: cleanse, tone, moisturize and exfoliate.  The first three you should be doing twice a day - the fourth you can do twice a week. 

No matter how much you want that younger looking skin, there are times - let's be realistic - when you just don't want to - or can't - do it all. Much better to cut down on parts of your regular skin care routine than to just abandon it completely. 

Here's some tips on how to do that.

A great way of saving time on the cleansing and toning is to use an all in one wipe.  There are many on the market and they are wonderful time savers to rid your skin of all your make up - particularly in the evening after a long day or good night out when what you most want to do is hit the sack - quickly.

Get one that takes off mascara and eye make up too - some are less efficient at doing that.  Those that remove even waterproof mascara should say so on the packet.  Pick one that is good for older skin or for your skin type.  Using a cleansing wipe is a quick easy process - even if you miss out the toning bit from your routine and just moisturize afterwards.  This way you will still be giving your skin a much better chance to recover from free radical damage overnight than going to bed with all your war paint on.  Time expenditure doing it this way - about 5 minutes - maximum.

On the nights when you're not so tired or haven't been out partying or burning the midnight oil - you can add the exfoliation step to your routine.  Try Philosophy's miraculous Microdelivery Peel Kit or follow the celebs and use Tracie Martyn's Enzyme Exfoliant. Two nights during the week and once at weekend should do it.  Go the whole hog and do a proper cleanse first and then follow the instructions on your chosen exfoliating cream. 

Finish with a gentle toner to close the pores - June Jacobs Elastin Collagen Toner is fabulous - and follow with a good all round anti aging cream like Philosophy Hope in a Jar or Freeze 24/7 Double Scoop Intensive Anti Aging Moisturizer.  Don't forget the delicate eye  area - you need a lighter cream to lift and tone - Prevage Anti Aging Moisturizing Eye Cream is one of the hottest around currently. 

Okay on these evenings you may take ten minutes over this extended routine but that's hardly a lot of time to spend on something as important as your skin - especially if it's going to help make you look younger.  In any case - just think of the glowing you that will greet you in the mirror in the morning!

On weekday mornings when you're really pushed just trying to get out of the door and do a million other things at once - cut the cleansing out and use a good gentle toner like the June Jacobs product to freshen your face before applying your moisturizer and make up - provided, of course, that you took your make up off the night before. 

This shorter version of cleanse and tone is probably a couple of minutes at most.  Even the most time challenged amongst us can manage that.

Sticking to a routine means finding one that suits you.  It's no good trying to follow an impossible standard that other people manage if it doesn't work for you.  The important thing for younger looking skin is to follow some kind of regular routine that involves the four key steps - adapted to suit your life.

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