I've been adhering to a 10-step beauty regimen for more than a decade now--and I'm glad I still have the patience to set aside at least 10 minutes in the morning and night to properly cleanse, exfoliate, tone, moisturize, and protect my skin every single day.

The regimen begins with two cleansers: an oil type of cleanser to properly remove waterproof makeup, then a foaming cleanser to remove any remaining traces of dirt, grime, and makeup.

After this, I use an exfoliant to help slough off dead skin cells (skin looks a lot brighter when you do this), then I use a moisturizing mask to target fine lines that appear when skin isn't properly hydrated.

Once skin has been properly cleansed and hydrated, it helps to use a toner or face lotion to prep skin for the application of an anti-aging serum, a serum which contains potent ingredients that are delivered to the skin swiftly and efficiently.

Use a moisturizer afterwards to "seal the deal." I use two types: an oil-free moisturizer for my T-zone, then a heavier cream for the rest of the face. I then use an eye cream to help keep dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness at bay, then finish off with a generous amount of SPF (I use 50!) all over my face. The last step entails the use of a nourishing lip balm.

Our January 2012 beauty story "Six Skin Rules You Shouldn't Break" (pp. 132-137) teaches you how to properly care for your skin, and places emphasis on the need to start early. Like the beauty experts say, when it comes to anti-aging, prevention is key. So load up on all the goodies, and make the time to treat your skin right. You won't regret it.

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