look younger longer

Step 1

Cleanser
Starting with clean skin makes the rest of your skin-care arsenal more effective. Try a gentle cleanser that leaves protective oils and moisture behind (we like Dove Beauty Bar and Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Bar.) "For an extra boost, use a product made with alpha-hydroxy acids , or AHAs, to exfoliate the dead cells, help plump up your skin, and give a healthy glow," says Francesca J. Fusco, M.D. AHAs make the outermost layer of skin stronger and more resistant to irritation.

Juice Beauty Green Apple Cleansing Gel
$26 for 4 oz, juicebeauty.com

Step 2

Anti-aging serum
These potent formulas pack concentrated power in small doses. The best contain antioxidants (look for vitamins C and E and green tea) or peptides (amino-acid chains believed to bolster the skin's collagen production), according to Diane Berson, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Blend a few drops onto freshly cleansed skin—it absorbs better when pores are wide open.

Skin Effects Cell2Cell CNS Cellular Nutrient Serum
$20 for 0.5 oz, cvs.com

Step 3

Moisturizer
When skin cells become dehydrated, they shrivel up, making skin look older, dull in tone and texture, and even wrinkled. What's more, says Yohini Appa, Ph.D., a researcher at Neutrogena, "free radicals can penetrate more easily through dry skin to attack the layers of collagen and elastin." (In other words: You get saggy skin.) Look for a lightweight formula that has an SPF of at least 25 and contains petrolatum or glycerin, the gold standards for moisture retention.

Grassroots Vitamin C Power Brightening Cream SPF 25
$32.50 for 1.7 oz, kohls.com

Step 4

Sunscreen
The sun can seriously speed up the aging process, causing damage, hyperpigmentation, and cell breakdown. "Your best defense is to be thorough with your sunscreen," says New York City dermatologist Ellen Marmur, M.D. "Even if you've applied a moisturizer or foundation with SPF, be sure to use a sunscreen if you'll be out for more than an hour or so." Look for one that contains Parsol 1789 or Mexoryl—both block deep-penetrating UVA rays effectively. And reapply often.

BareMinerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen
$28 for 0.14 oz, sephora.com

Step 5

Retinoid
Anti-aging ingredients aren't immediate people-pleasers; they need time to do their good deeds. Take, for example, retinoids. These vitamin-A derivatives—prescription-strength are sold as Retin-A and Renova; the similar but less powerful over-the-counter version is retinol—smooth away fine lines and wrinkles, help even out skin tone, and may even reverse the effects of UV exposure. However, they can make skin more sensitive to UV light, so doctors recommend applying the cream before bed. That way, it can do its thing while you doze.

RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
$20 for 0.5 oz, drugstore.com

Step 6

Sleep
Getting plenty of shut-eye is as good for your complexion as it is for your body. When medical researchers at Cornell University deprived 11 women of sleep for just one night, it was enough to deplete their skin's defenses. To make the most of your z's, try to get seven to eight hours of sleep a night, and use a humidifier to keep your skin moist and help your nighttime treatment sink into your pores.

Elizabeth Arden Intervene Night Cream
$49.50 for 1.7 oz, elizabetharden.com

Get a Flawless Compexion

Luminosity

For many women, glowing skin comes from a compact. But it's possible to achieve a radiance that doesn't wash off with soap and water. The first step is to understand why the face in your mirror looks dull. "When skin is clean and smooth, it reflects light evenly and appears luminous," explains Doris Day, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the NYU Medical Center. But dry, scaly skin "reflects light in a more chaotic way," she says. To remedy a blah complexion, slather on a rich moisturizer morning and night, and use a weekly exfoliant with ingredients that encourage cell turnover. "The best formulas contain retinols, which are effective at sweeping away the dead surface cells and buildup that lead to dullness," says Heidi Waldorf, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Quick Fix Smooth on a skin brightening serum before applying your usual day cream. We like Aveda Embrightenment Brightening Correcting Serum, which diminishes the appearance of dark spots and discoloration while illuminating your complexion.

Doctors' Orders If your skin is truly lackluster, a quick in-office resurfacing treatment like microdermabrasion or a chemical peel could perk it up. Each treatment costs $150 to $250; you may need multiple sessions.

Aveda Embrightenment Brightening Correcting Serum, $50 for 30 ml, aveda.com

Small Pores

First, a hard beauty truth: You cannot change the size of your pores. But you can make them appear much smaller. "Pore size is determined by genetics and how efficiently your skin turns over cells and oil," Waldorf says. If your skin is oily and clogged, it's likely that your pores look much bigger than they actually are. So use a manual or chemical exfoliant regularly. "Look for one containing salicylic acid or, for sensitive skin, alpha-hydroxy acids," Day suggests.

Quick Fix Makeup primers minimize the appearance of pores by temporarily filling them with microspheres (small particles that sink into the pores to smooth the skin), absorbing shine and creating an even finish. One to try: Dr. Brandt Pores No More.

Doctors' Orders If your pores seem perma-clogged despite regular exfoliation, your dermatologist might suggest a prescription retinoid cream. "I like Tazorac, which is very effective for people with oily complexions, and Differin, which works well for those with drier skin," Waldorf says. Another option: a noninvasive laser treatment such as Fraxel, which rebuilds the collagen that surrounds pores so they appear smaller.

Dr. Brandt Pores No More, $45 for 1.7 oz, sephora.com

Even Tone

Sun damage and scarring from having picked at blemishes are the two biggest culprits that cause uneven skin. To improve it, use an over-the-counter lightening cream. Day loves anything containing Sepiwhite, an ingredient that fades existing pigmentation and prevents new spots from forming; she recommends Olay Professional Pro-X Discoloration Fighting Concentrate. Day also notes that women on the Pill or the Patch sometimes develop melasma, a condition that produces brown spots on the skin; if that's you, talk to your doctor about switching meds.

Quick Fix Apply a skin-tone corrector under your makeup. We like Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector for neutralizing redness and brown spots.

Doctors' Orders If your skin doesn't seem to be responding to topical solutions, your doctor can prescribe a hydroquinone or retinoid cream.

Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector, $40, clinique.com

Smoothness

Soft texture and luminosity go hand in hand—you can't have one without the other. To ensure that your skin is both glowing and silky, you first need to eradicate all traces of roughness. "Dryness and excessive sun exposure prevent cells from turning over normally, and that causes them to pile up," Waldorf says. "The real key is to keep skin well-hydrated by using a nondrying cleanser and moisturizer regularly." Look for a product that contains humectants, which pull in moisture from the air, and emollients, which smooth out the spaces between cells.

Quick Fix Apply an at-home glycolic peel. They deliver instant smoothness that lasts for hours. Consider: Ren Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask.

Doctors' Orders If at-home treatments aren't potent enough, try an in-office chemical peel. But "if you have bumpy spots that are persistently rough and red, they could be precancerous and should be evaluated," Day says.

Ren Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask, $55, renskincare.com

Suppleness

We'd like to take a moment to introduce you to your new best friends: collagen and elastin. These connective proteins are responsible for supporting your skin and keeping it taut. As you age—or smoke, or sun—they start to break down and your skin begins to sag. The bad news? Elastin can't be replaced. The good news? Collagen can. "Once collagen starts to disappear, products containing innovative ingredients such as human growth factors or retinoids can help rebuild it," Lewis says.

Quick Fix For a visible lift that lasts for a few hours, a firming mask is your best bet. You'll notice smoother skin and fewer fine lines. Try Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Mask, a moisturizer treatment that helps plump up the skin temporarily.

Doctors' Orders If collagen loss is severe, "consider an injection of Juvederm or Restylane," Lewis says. Both contain hyaluronic acid, which is effective at filling in facial depressions and lines. Each injection costs $550 and up.

Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Mask, $40 for 2.5 oz, esteelauder.com