How to look younger with a good skin care plan

Healthy skin can be youthfut-tooking skin, so here's-how to get yours into tiptop shape and fight lines and other signs of ageing. From the day we were born, our skin goes through a normal aging process and, as we get older, we start to notice changes. From childhood through to our late 20s, our skin will have looked bright and fresh. During our 30s, fine lines start to appear, while the 40s sees the onset of folds between the nose and mouth. In our 50s, skin becomes slacker, and in our 60s and beyond, it's dryer and thinner.

But we're so much luckier than our mums or grans, who, by and large, had to just never take your skin for granted put up with the cards nature had dealt them, because there's never been a better time for women to mature. There's so much more awareness of what happens during the aging process, more advice on skincare, and anti-aging products for the 40-plus woman. So there's no reason why, with a little care and attention, You can't slow down the visible signs of getting older.

The first thing to discover is your skin type which, basically, comes down to knowing how much oil (sebum) your skin Produces, and where on your face it's most heavily produced. Remember, though, your skin type will change with age, hormonal changes (which occur during the menopause) and your prevailing health.

• Normal skin
  • Known as the "ideal" skin type, normal skin is smooth and produces enough sebum to keep it looking and filling supple.
  • Tip: Don’t take your skin for granted – endure you moisturize regularly dint think you can get away with going to bed without removing you make- up.
• Oily skin
  • When too much sebum is produced, the skin’s pores are stretched and the surface becomes oily and looks shiny.
  • Tip: Cleanse skin twice daily and go for mattifying make-up, plus skincare products that claim to control oil.
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• Dry skin
  • This type of skin is thin and feels tight, while the surface may appear rough and flaky.Dry skin is, unfortunately more prone to wrinkles.
  • Tip: Moisturise at least twice a day, preferably applying to damp skin to help lock in moisture.
• Combination skin
  • A very common type of skin, this occurs when moisture and oil very in different parts of the face. For example, the nose may be oily, while the cheeks and chin are dry or normal.
  • Tip: Treat different areas separately according to their skin type, and use separate and appropriate products on different part of your face.

Extra boosters

These are not essential to your daily cleansing routine, but, if you can make time, they’ll improve your complexion…

• Exfoliate- this clears pores, leaves skin looking brighter and feeling softer and smoother. Massage an exfoliating cream into your face twice a week, although it's worth bearing in mind that many cleansing products contain natural exfoliators - AHAS - that do the job for you. Check the label on your regular Product.
• Use a face mask - to increase blood circulation and give your skin a pleasant afterglow. Effects are temporary, but having a mask on your face gives you a great excuse to relax and unwind.
• Steam-clean - holding your face over a bowl of steaming water is one of the cheapest and most effective treatments around. Cover your head with a towel, let your skin absorb the steam for around five minutes, then splash your face with cold water.