For all ages

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, nearly 80 percent of aging skin is due to exposure to the elements — including UV rays. Hopefully your mother slathered your skin with sunscreen from day one (and taught you the importance of sun protection), but even if she didn’t, it’s never too late to begin protecting your skin.

• For young skin. A proactive approach to anti-aging begins before adolescence. TESS Out And About Lavender Oil-Free SPF 15 Sunscreen is a handy spray, formulated for young skin. Apply daily to all exposed areas 30 minutes before heading outdoors and reapply every two hours.
• For mature skin. Just like younger skin, you should practice daily sun protection. Try B. Kamins Therapeutic Diamond Radiance Cellular Matrix Fortifier SPF 15, which shields against UV damage and corrects existing signs of aging.

20s

What’s happening. Thirty may be the new 20, but not when it comes to skin care. Twenty-somethings are faced with unprecedented stress — school, career, children — and it takes a toll on their skin. Dermatologist Amy Wechsler, M.D., tells AOL Life & Style that stress hormones, like cortisol, contribute to a plethora of skin problems, including inflammation, dryness and the premature breakdown of collagen, which can cause wrinkles.

So, signs of aging aren’t uncommon during this exciting stage of life, but don’t let them stand in your way. The way skin ages will vary among 20-somethings. If you’ve observed little change in your skin, then you can probably postpone special anti-aging products, including eye creams and night serums.

Take control:

• Antioxidants. When skin is exposed to the environment, stressors such as pollution, herbicides and smoke can increase the presence of free radicals — which accelerate aging. Thankfully, antioxidants can fight these free radicals and prevent premature aging. For fantastic free-radical defense, try Obagi Professional-C Serum 15% Strength.
• Gentle night cream with retinol. Your dermatologist may recommend a mild over-the-counter cream that contains retinol — a form of vitamin A, which can reduce fine lines and stimulate collagen. Try Peter Thomas Roth UnWrinkle Night Cream to renew skin cells, boost collagen and restore moisture to your skin as you sleep.
• SPF moisturizer. If you’d like to shorten your morning routine, use a moisturizer that contains SPF protection. Apply Boscia Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF 15 every day to hydrate the skin and prevent sun damage.

30s

What’s happening. As age 30 rolls around, even those with the best of skin will notice signs of aging. For many, the first signs include fine lines — created when collagen and elastin begin to break down beneath the skin. Others will observe the fragile skin beneath the eyes thinning; and some will notice their skin type changing, from an oilier complexion to drier skin. Plus, not getting enough sleep will impact your skin as it never did before.

Take control:

• Night cream. Try Murad Perfecting Night Cream, an ultra-emollient moisturizer that uses key ingredients, including fatty acids and green tea, to help restore suppleness and elasticity, soften fine lines and add essential hydration as you sleep.
• Eye cream. Combat premature aging of the delicate skin around your eyes by using an anti-wrinkle dermatological eye treatment. La Roche Posay Active C Eyes reduces dark circles while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.

40s and 50s

What’s happening. You can have fabulous skin in your 40s and 50s, only you’ll find yourself more committed to skin care than ever before. According to iVillage UK, you might notice the following changes: the lines around your mouth and eyes may deepen along with the furrows on the forehead. Unfortunately, even after a fantastic night’s sleep, you might notice dark pouches under the eyes while the skin becomes drier and more sensitive post-menopause. In addition, as elastin and collagen continue to break down, skin loses its resilience and can appear saggy.

Take control:

• Attack with vitamin A. Because retinol is considered one of the most effective ways to reduce the signs of aging skin, try SkinMedica Retinol Complex to achieve a firmer, younger-looking complexion well into your 40s and 50s. If you don’t experience dramatic improvement, consult your dermatologist about retinoid products — powerful, prescription-strength vitamin A derivatives.
• Correct pigmentation problems. Repair dark spots from aging and sun damage using a specially formulated product such as pH Advantage Boosters, Pigmentation Fade.

• Facial peels. Refresh and revitalize dull skin by revealing what’s underneath. At-home peel products work wonders at sloughing off dull, rough skin to reveal a softer and smoother complexion. Try Cellex-C Speed Peel Facial Gel for impressive and immediate results. Also, talk to your dermatologist about in-office chemical peels to rejuvenate mature skin.

60s and beyond

What’s happening. Even those blessed with the most beautiful, smooth skin are bound to encounter fine lines and wrinkles after 60. For most post-menopausal women, these wrinkles may deepen into folds. In addition, changing hormones can cause thinner, more fragile skin.

Take control:

• Hydrating creams. Skin may be drier than ever. Apply rich creams to reduce flakiness and dryness. Choose a cream that contains alpha hydroxy acids to stimulate collagen and tighten droopy skin. Try Cellex-C Betaplex New Complexion Cream to deliver smooth skin and reduce the signs of aging.
• Cosmetic treatments and surgery. To tackle aging skin past 60, at-home treatments and products are far less effective. For dramatic results, consider consulting a doctor or specialist about procedures such as laser treatments and feather lifts — a non-surgical alternative to facial lifting that uses a specially patented Aptos thread.
• StriVectin SD. If you don’t care for cosmetic procedures, there's a proven at-home skin care treatment that effectively reduces stretching skin and wrinkles. Whether you’re 63 or 36, try StriVectin SD to erase aging skin.

See also:

Skin Care Products: How to Apply the Right Amount