When we were young, our mothers may have told us to take care of our skin, but did we listen? Or did we spend our summers baking in the sun and our winters bracing against the cold and frost with nary a sign of moisturizer? Even if we abused our skin in our youth, the good news is that it's never too late to begin a good anti-aging skin care regimen. Just like we've made it a habit to watch calories and get regular dental check-ups, we can develop the habit of good skin care. When we do, our inner radiance will be reflected in our outer glow.

Cleansing

The first element of a good skin care regimen is regularly cleansing our skin. That doesn't mean scrubbing your face with a bar of soap in the shower; it means treating your skin - all of it - to the pampering it deserves.

For the face, it's important to use a mild cleanser, and to use it at least twice a day, morning and night. Aveeno, Olay, and Biore, for example, all offer cleansers for various skin types that are gentle. They even have cleansing cloths, which makes developing a twice-daily cleansing routine even easier.

For the hands, use mild, antibacterial hand soap. Keep some hand sanitizer in your purse for those times when water isn't available. Keeping your hands clean is important to prevent spreading viruses and germs, but keep in mind that washing with harsh soaps can dry out your skin.

For the rest of your body, make it a point to exfoliate at least once a week. You can use a loofa sponge or a soft scrubber that will slough off the dead skin cells and leave you with a healthy glow. Again, choose a cleanser that is mild and hypoallergenic.

Moisturizing

The second element of a good anti-aging skin care regimen is moisturizing. Always, always, always moisturize your face both in the morning and at night. Choose an oil-free moisturizer with UV protection for daytime, and a penetrating moisturizer for the night. Again, Aveeno, Olay, and Biore - as well as other manufacturers - offer terrific products that fit every skin type.

When it comes to moisturizing, don't neglect your hands. As we age our skin loses its elasticity and its natural moisture, so it's up to us to replenish it. Again, use an oil-free hand cream during the day, and keep a small dispenser at your desk or in your purse. Make it a habit to use lotion several times each day.