Most of us were born with flawless skin, smooth, elastic, evenly toned, and dewy. The big trick is to keep this look for as long as possible in spite of the ravages of sun, weather, and time. While no one can expect to look the same in middle age as in youth, it is possible to keep wrinkles at bay with a few precautions.

Start by looking at the parts of your skin that are seldom, if ever, exposed to the sun and wind. Can you detect a difference? You should be able to. Your protected skin should be smoother, creamier, and more elastic. The sun is your worst enemy and baking under its rays to promote a deep tan is your first class ticket to premature wrinkles and looking older than your years.

It is never too late to start improving your skin and undoing the damage caused by too much sun and not enough care. You may not be able to regain the flawless skin you were born with but you can still repair a lot of damage and halt further damage in its tracks.

Apart from avoiding too much sun and sunburn, the key to keeping a flawless complexion is regular moisturizing and exfoliation. Moisturize after bathing or showering for the best results and select a product that will penetrate into your skin quickly and does not leave a greasy residue behind. A moisturizer can be as simple as applying a thin film of petroleum jelly over damp skin to an elaborate and expensive cream or lotion with exotic ingredients. What ever you select just be sure to use it regularly, more often in winter.

Pay special attention to the delicate skin around the eyes as this is where wrinkles are first to appear. The eye area can become dry and crepey from too much sun, exposure to drying wind, or cold temperatures. When you apply a moisturizer to the eye area be careful not to get too close to your eyes. Some products can cause irritation and red eyes are hardly ever attractive. You may need a different, hypoallergenic, moisturizer for the eye area, depending on your own degree of sensitivity.

Exfoliate your facial skin at least weekly, depending on your skin type. Dry skin needs special care to keep its flawless appearance so if this is your skin type, use a mild exfoliant. Normal to oily skin can and probably needs a stronger product. Some exfoliating products contain ground nut shells, sea salt, fine sand, or other abrasives which help remove the dead, sloughing skin layer, exposing the flawless skin surface beneath. A few products are for use on the entire body but some of these are too harsh for facial skin.

Some chemical peels also do a fine job of stripping off the dead surface cells. These are generally made with fruit acids and come in a mask form. If you end up with red, blotchy skin, discontinue use of that product and never use a fruit acid exfoliant that is made from a fruit you are allergic to.

Take care of your skin and it will reward you with a youthful, flawless appearance for years longer, a small price to pay for turning back the clock.