Skin loses some of its elasticity as you age. You are more likely to have wrinkles and deep-set lines caused by exposure to the sun, pollution and stress as you get closer to 40 years old.You may experience dry, chapped skin and discoloration from a variety of factors.According to the Mayo Clinic, you can make certain lifestyle choices that will help to keep your skin looking healthy. You can also use skin care products to help minimize some of the effects of aging.Reduce Sun DamageAvoid prolonged exposure to the sun to slow down the skin aging process. Do not stay outdoors for long periods of time in the middle of the day when the sun's rays are the most intense and can cause the most damage.If you must be out in the sun, wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 and reapply as needed. Wear a hat or visor to shield your face and wear sunglasses to prevent squinting.Clean Skin,/b>Use a gentle, water-based cleanser for your face and a mild soap for the rest of your body. Wash your face twice a day---in the morning to freshen your skin and at night to remove excess oils, dirt and makeup.Shower or bathe with a body wash gel that isn't too harsh and won't dry out your skin. Use a fragrance-free cleanser or shower gel if you have sensitive skinHydrationDrink plenty of water. Most people need to consume eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. An insufficient amount of water can cause your skin to become dehydrated, resulting in wrinkles and a dull surface.Drinking the recommended amount of water will also help flush toxins from the body, which is good for all organs including the skin.Avoid SmokingCigarette smoke robs your body and skin of the oxygen it needs. According to the Mayo Clinic, smoking contricts the blood vessels next to the outer layer of the skin, causing your blood flow to decrease.Furthermore, the repeated motion of puckering your lips when you smoke may cause wrinkles to form around your lips.Healthy FoodsThe Mayo Clinic recommends eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein and grains. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that fight elements that are damaging to skin cells.Foods that are rich with omega-3 fatty acids, such as oily fish, will also help keep your skin looking younger, according toSleepYou need to get plenty of sleep, advises Yale dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, MD, in an article in the "Huffington Post". As you sleep, your skin cells go through a repairing process.Without enough sleep, your skin may develop an unhealthy pallor, which will make dark circles beneath your eyes appear more prominent. An adequate night's sleep can also reduce puffy eyes, which can make you look older and unhealthy.MoisturizeChoose a moisturizer that is right for your skin rather than your age. Moisturizers come in formulas for dry, oily and combination skin. If you still have oily areas with a few dry spots, you'll want one for combination skin.Moisturizers lubricate the skin and add other nutrients to keep it supple. Look for products with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to nourish the skin.MakeupYou may need to wear moderate to light makeup to provide adequate skin coverage as you get older. Heavy makeup may appear caked on your skin and emphasize the wrinkles you're trying to cover.If the makeup is too light, you may not get the coverage you desire. Since your skin tone may change as you reach 40, you'll need to reevaluate the color of your foundation.Find a professional makeup artist to show you methods for applying makeup and how to bring out your best features. Invest in quality makeup brushes to make application better and more even toned.Source: Livestrong.com

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