Glowing skin at any age

How to look good not only today, but 20 years down the road, by stocking up on the right products!

Yes, you can grow old gracefully with nary a needle or scalpel in sight: you just have to fight back with the right products at the right time. Donna Paty say, she is national education manager for Kiehl's in Canada, for her top picks on what to stock your medicine cabinet with today to guarantee radiant, youthful skin tomorrow. Trust us, she knows what she's talking about - she's been in the beauty and skincare biz for over twenty years and, at 45+, she looks ah-mazing!

In your 20s
What's going on: Don't fool yourself into thinking the worries of aging skin are years down the road. "By our twenties, we're already starting to see visible changes such as slower cell renewal and dehydration," warns Paty. Skin type also plays a role here: drier skin ages faster than oilier skin.
How to fight back: Forget about "I love you," sun protection factor (SPF) are the three little words that should be on your lips, and your face, every single day. Eighty percent of sun damage has already accumulated by the time we hit our tumultuous twenties says Paty. Other fun environmental factors, such as smoking, staying up late and a not-so-healthy diet will also contribute to unflattering aging later in life. Now is a good time to take a pro-active approach with products packed with skin-friendly antioxidants.
Get glowing with: Ultra Facial Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15, 75 ml, $32; and Lycopene Facial Moisturizing Lotion, 50 ml, $50.

In your 30s
What's going on: Loss of elasticity, thinning around the eye area and dryness are the main troubles of a gal in her dirty thirties.
How to fight back: To remove dead skin cells and enhance the absorption of moisturizers, Paty suggests incorporating a twice-weekly exfoliation into your skincare routine. Either a physical or a chemical exfoliator will even out skin tone and texture. Protect and prevent your delicate eye area by religiously using an eye cream that addresses specific concerns, be they puffiness, dark circles or fine lines.
Get glowing with: Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub, 113 g, $36.50; and Abyssine Eye Cream, 50 ml, $43.

By Ingrie Williams