Ageless skin? As if. Skin ages, that’s just the way it is–and quite frankly, there’s not a thing wrong with older skin. That said, I’d be kidding myself if I didn’t admit to paying a bit of attention to my skin as the years trickle by! Here is the three-step method to ageless skin recommended by Natural Solutions magazine–with some Care2 DIY recipes to accompany their product suggestions.

1. Exfoliate: “Routinely exfoliating increases the turnover of fresh skin cells, helping to get rid of dead cells that can dull skin,” says Denise Santamarina, a holistic aesthetician in Las Vegas. “The result is a clearer, smoother, more even-toned complexion.” If you’ve got oily skin or you’re prone to acne, opt for a purifying scrub with tea tree oil and lavender–like Trillium Organics’ Facial Polish ($15, 2 oz; trilliumorganics.com)–and use it up to three times a week. For dry or mature skin, use a fruit enzyme treatment like Lily Organics’ Rejuvenating Enzyme Mask ($26, 1.7 oz; lilyorganics.com). Or try the Care2 DIY formula for cornmeal exfoliate, or this homemade Pumpkin Face Mask.

2. Moisturize: As the weather cools and the humidity drops, your complexion can become dry and flaky. Moisturizing every day not only keeps skin soft and supple, it actually improves the barrier function of your skin, which helps ward off toxins and improves the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Look for products containing botanicals, such as free radical-fighting hibiscus or skin-calming chamomile. Great choices include: Lotus Moon Hibiscus Flower Hydrating Creme ($28, 1.7 oz; lotusmoon.biz) or Real Purity Azulene Creme ($30, 2 oz; realpurity.com). Or try the Care2 DIY formula for Honey Sweet Moisturizer.

3. Bronze: Give some year-round color to your complexion with a sweep of natural bronzing powder. For a healthy glow, apply bronzer only to the areas of your face where the sun would naturally strike, such as the nose, cheekbones, forehead, and chin. Look for a talc-free bronzer–inhaling talc can irritate the respiratory tract. Try Larenim Goddess Glo Bronzers ($25, 0.2 oz; larenim.com) or Jenulence Mineral Makeup Bronzer ($10, 0.1 oz; jenulence.com).

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