5 Skincare Tips for Women of All Ages

Feb. 4, 2010— -- What's the secret to healthy, younger-looking skin? We spoke to dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons and skin experts who told us there's no magic pill or secret mask. However, there are lots of simple ways to keep your skin in its best condition no matter what your age.

Here are the experts' top five tips to keep your skin looking healthy and beautiful.

"Avoiding excess exposure is the song I sing every day," says Dr. Amiya Prasad, a New York cosmetic surgeon and the author of "The Fine Art of Looking Younger."

"The advice I'd give first is to be very smart about using sun block, even on the days when it's not sunny," he said.

Protecting yourself from the sun is not just about avoiding skin cancer. Wearing sunblock and avoiding tanning beds will also improve the look of your skin down the road.

"One of the things I've observed in women in their 20s and 30s is that a lot of women have developed fine lines and wrinkles that are disproportionate to their age," says Dr. Prasad. "The main reason for that is sun exposure."

"The lighter your skin, the more susceptible you are the effects of UVA and UVB light."

That's not to say that women shouldn't step out of their houses for fear of premature wrinkles or leathery skin.

"Enjoy life," says Dr. Ellen Marmur, chief, dermatologic and cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center and author of "Simple Skin Beauty."

"Go running outside, but don't lie out [in the sun], and never step into a tanning salon."