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