I do all of the points listed below, and sometimes it's hard to convince people that I am well into my 40s, because all of these tips help keep my skin looking young.

Drink plenty of water - parched skin will look dry and flaky and any lines you have will look more obvious. Good hydration helps keep your skin looking fresh. You will be less prone to breakouts.

Always take your make-up off before you go to bed - never, ever go to bed whilst still wearing even the lightest of make-up. Sleeping in your make-up will make you prone to breakouts, and over time will leave your skin looking dull and grey. If you want something quick and easy, there are plenty of good remover wipes on the market. Pick one that does the job, but doesn't leave your skin feeling tight or dry. Many of these wipes say that they will remove mascara too, but personally I recommend using a separate remover specifically designed for the job. It will dissolve mascara more efficiently and you won't drag the delicate skin around the eyes trying to get the last vestiges of mascara off. Always apply moisturiser after removing all traces of make-up. I find that once I have finished my eyes a cotton wool pad dampened with tepid water and pressed over the eye lids has a pleasantly refreshing effect. It removes any remains of the product and helps to reduce any puffiness caused by being tired, or from removing the make-up. Plus it'll show up any tell-tale signs of left over make-up that still needs to be removed.

Moisturise morning and night. The younger you start doing this the more benefits you will reap as you grow older. Experiment until you find a moisturiser that suits your skin type. This will be one that sinks into your skin without leaving a greasy residue after application. Use a lighter one during the day and a thicker night cream before you go to bed. Mature skin will also benefit from a good eye cream. Whether you are using an eye cream or your ordinary moisturiser, apply to the eye area carefully. Gently pat the cream in rather than rubbing, as that's much kinder to the delicate skin. Don't forget to apply moisturiser on your neck as well as your face, as this will reduce the onset of 'crepe-y' neck. it's also worth remembering that our skin changes as we get older. It doesn't just lose its' elasticity, its' moisturising requirements change too. Make sure that you use a moisturiser appropriate to both your skin type and your age.

Moisturise you body regularly. It only takes a few moments to apply and will help give you a nice healthy glow. There are lots of good ones on the market, simply choose what best suits your skin type. I really like Nivea's Firming Lotion - it's easy to apply, has a pleasant but not overpowering fragrance and doesn't leave a sticky residue. Many cosmetic and perfume ranges offer a body lotion as part of their product range - a lotion is a lovely, more subtle method of wearing your favourite perfume.

Use a sun screen all year round. I absolutely swear by this! I have fair skin which is very prone to freckles (freckles are sun damage) and I never leave home without applying a sunscreen. Many sunscreens can be used in place of your daytime moisturiser. If you prefer to stick to using moisturiser apply sunscreen carefully around the eye area to help reduce wrinkles. The sun can damage your skin at all times of the year, so year-round protection is essential for younger looking skin. Don't rely on the 'sunscreen' properties of foundations to protect your skin. Sunscreen needs to be topped up regularly to be effective - you only apply foundation once before leaving home! Try and avoid over exposure to the sun. Apply sunscreen to your neck as well as your face, and in the summer months apply to your upper breast area too, as it will help keep the area from your face down to your bust looking the same skin tone. Fake tans look just as good as the real thing and your skin will look youthful for longer as a result!

Wear a pair of good quality sun specs whenever it's sunny, regardless of the time of the year. Over time, squinting to see through glare simply increases the number of wrinkles you end up with!

Give up smoking! A sure-fire way of improving the look of your skin!

 

Last, but not least - make sure that you get plenty of sleep! Too many late nights and/or early mornings will leave you with tiredness circles under your eyes. They will become increasing more difficult to disguise as you get older.

Disclaimer:
Afra is a make-up artist, not a skin care expert. The tips listed above are based on her own routine, which over the years has proved to work on her own skin.

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