Younger looking skin doesn't just happen. Keeping skin properly cleansed, hydrated, toned and moisturized on a daily basis is vital.

Proper skin care helps protect skin from the aging process and even reverses some of the damage already done.  You know the steps - cleanse, tone, exfoliate and moisturize.  But are you doing all you can?  Are you following a regular anti aging skin care routine?

There's no doubt about it - proper skin care will keep your skin looking younger for longer.  So start now - brush up your skin care and see great results quickly.

Step 1: Cleanse

Don't ever be tempted not to remove your makeup.  Not cleansing properly can strip the skin of natural oils that are important to keep it soft and healthy. Use a gentle cleanser rather than a facewash.

Always use special products that are formulated with high active ingredients for an anti aging effect. One of the best is Tracie Martyn's wonderful Amla Purifying Cleanser.

Tracie Martyn has a devoted celebrity following for her naturally based skin care - Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer and Kate Winslett are just a few big names to use her products. Amla Purifying Cleanser is a skin clarifying anti aging cleanser that gives skin an amazing glow and vitality.  The success of all her products lies in the extremely high levels of naturally active ingredients.

Or why not try Kinerase Gentle Facial Cleanser a really lovely gentle facial cleanser from the excellent Kinerase range of physician strength skin care products.

Removing eye make up can be a painful business with the wrong product.  Eyes need thorough cleansing yet for anyone who wears dark mascara, eye liner and shadow the combination of cleanser and make up can cause irritation and stinging.  Use a gentle make up remover specially formulated for the eyes rather than a facial cleanser which is too heavy and creamy for the delicate eye area.

Two I particularly like are: Ahava Gentle Eye Make Up Remover and Bliss Lid+Lash Wash.  The Bliss Lid+Lash is an amazing product - especially if you wear lenses like I do.  It's a fluid gel which dissolves really quickly but never runs into your eyes.  It also has a lovely cool feel so eyes never get inflamed and it actually reduces puffiness. 

A great tip is to moisten the cotton wool pad first with a little water to stop fibers sticking to your lashes and wipe downwards so you don't pull or drag the skin around your eyes.

Step 2: Exfoliate

Dead cells prevent moisture from being absorbed into the skin, so exfoliation is a vital part of your anti-aging beauty routine. 

The good news is you don't need to do this every day - 2 or 3 times a week is enough - and there are some wonderful products around now which get rid of those dead cells with very little fuss and bother.  

Now famous for it's quality range of affordable skin care, Philosophy was actually the company that launched the first ever microdermabrasion machine for use in beauty salons. Their best-selling Microdelivery Peel Kit gives the same salon type effects but in your own home and at a much better price!

For a really self indulgent exfoliating treatment which leaves your skin radiant try Susan Sarandon's favorite beauty product: Tracie Martyn's Enzyme Exfoliant.

Step 3: Tone

Applying toner to your skin is an essential part of your anti aging routine. If you don't think it matters - just try applying moisturizer to skin which hasn't been properly toned.  It will be very difficult to apply and won't be absorbed evenly.

Toners tighten and close the pores as well as restoring pH balance.  But mature skins need to be treated with respect.  Anything too harsh or alcohol-based is not a good idea. 

Go for a gentle anti-aging toner like June Jacobs Elastin Collagen Toner which has a beautiful feel on freshly cleansed skin and is formulated to stimulate collagen production in mature skin.   

Step 4: Moisturize

After cleansing, exfoliating and toning, apply a good anti aging moisturizer (day and night) to nourish and protect the skin. Applying moisturizer immediately to freshened, receptive skin will enable the nutrients to sink deeper into the skin, protecting it and feeding it throughout the day.

Applying moisturizer last thing before you go to bed enables the skin to feed and restore itself properly during the crucial night time hours.  Try June Jacobs Age Defying Copper Complex an ultra light - almost weightless cream - packed with high strength active antioxidants including copper peptides and vitamins A,C and E. 

But be warned - once you try it you may not want to try anything else.  It is an extremely rich cream - despite the lightness of texture - and a little goes a very long way.

Or take a look at the 'Top Picks' section for my selection of five of the best anti aging moisturizers.

Remember to take extra care applying moisturizer around the eye area - many creams can simply be too heavy for the thin skin of the eye socket.  Ideally use a lighter anti-wrinkle cream for eyes like MD Skincare Lift and Lighten which uses physician strength active ingredients to target the special problems of the eye area especially puffiness and under eye circles.

So when you've finished moisturizing - that's it you're done. 

It sounds a lot when you read it but do it regularly and the whole process can be completed in around ten minutes. 

And when you see the change in your skin after a few weeks of tender loving care - you'll be so glad you bothered!

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