How your skin looks is part genetics and part environment. The environment we can do something about. Skin care should start at an early age. I started tinkering with skin care products when I was 14. My desire to become a model led me to read the beauty magazines for tips on helping my skin stay clear and moist. I didn't care about wrinkles until I was in my 20's and living in Arizona.

Now in my 40's fighting wrinkles and age spots are a part of my morning and nightly skin care routine. But it doesn't stop at the face. It is important to keep the body moist and smooth.

As we age, we lose moisture in our skin. Those of us who started out with oily complexions find that our skin is less oily as we mature. Thos who began with normal and dry complexions will find that our skin becomes taut and overly dry. But taking care of our skin doesn't require a large pocketbook, just some simple steps and products that you can find at your grocery store.

• Wash, tone and moisturize your skin morning and night even if you didn't wear makeup that day.

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• Wash your face with a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type. Do not use soap! Soap is not as good a quality of cleanser, especially for your face.

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• Toning your skin after cleansing helps to further clean the pores, closes them and prepares your skin to better absorb your moisturizer. I use witchhazel from the grocery store. Use a cotton pad to apply or get a small spritzer to spray it on your face. To dry, take a tissue and cover your face with it and press lightly to let the extra toner be absorbed into the tissue. Toner is milder than what men put on their face after shaving but the same principle.

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• Now time for moisturizing. Have a facial moisturizer and also an eye cream. Why two different products for the same area? Regular moisturizer is too heavy for the delicate eye area and will create wrinkles rather than minimize them.

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• Now for sunscreen or sun block. I use sun block even though my moisturizer has sunscreen. That, along with wearing a hat is my regular practice outside even though I have an olive complexion. If you are fair skin, go for the sun block. In fact, sun block for everyone!

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• Regarding the rest of your body, cleanse thoroughly daily and moisturize afterwards. You may consider a shower puff and liquid moisturizing cleanser that lathers up great and leaves little residue on your skin. The shower puff and the good ole' washcloth do wonders exfoliating dead skin cells helping the skin to stay radiant and smooth.

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• Two to three times a week exfoliate dead skin cells from your face. There are many products out there that can accommodate your skin type. Exfoliation is vital to keeping the skin smooth and radiant.

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• To minimize wrinkles and help exfoliate the skin, consider beta hydroxy acids glycolic acid or retinol based creams that are put on prior to the moisturizer. What a difference they make regarding the texture of the skin and wrinkles!

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• A couple of other tips in saving your skin. Remember you are what you eat. If you eat unhealthful foods, smoke and drink alcohol it will show up on your face.

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• Aerobic exercise is great for warding off wrinkles since it helps the blood circulate throughout the body and face and invigorates the skin. Truly a fountain of youth!

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• Minimize sun exposure by wearing a hat in the car, drawing the shades at work and covering your face if you're determined to get a suntan on the rest of your body. In the pool, the reflection of the sun on the water can bring on a sunburn easily so apply sun block prior to swimming.