Throughout all of human history man has endeavored to make himself appear more beautiful. The ancient Romans used ingredients such as lentils, barley, lupine, honey and oregano seeds to make their creams and lotions. The ancient Egyptians used many ingredients we still use today, including clay, salt, and olive oil. So what has a few thousand years and a lot of science told us? Read on for today’s secrets for beautiful, ageless skin.

DON'T SMOKE

It seems pretty simple. You’d think with all of the education out there on how damaging cigarette smoke is to our bodies that people would simply not start smoking to begin with. Tell that to the billion-dollar tobacco industry and you’ll probably get an arched brow to accompany a smug smile. According to the Mayo Clinic, smoking can speed up the normal aging process of your skin, contributing to wrinkles. And smoking doesn't just cause wrinkles on your face. Smoking also is associated with increased wrinkling and skin damage on other parts of your body including your inner arms. While the skin wrinkles may not be reversible, you can prevent worsening of wrinkling by quitting smoking now.

WEAR SUNSCREEN

Imagine identical twins at birth, both starting off with the same DNA. One sibling stays out of the sun and always applies sunscreen, the other frequents tanning salons and never applies sunscreen. Care to wager which sibling will look older, sooner? Slather on the sunscreen, and save your skin from a host of unsavory characteristics later in life.

KEEP SKINCARE SIMPLE

Don’t overuse products and don’t use too many different products on your skin. If you’re a novice to skincare, visit your aesthetician for a customized skincare regimen. Bombarding your skin with a ton of new products can be irritating. And of course, the simpler your skincare routine the more likely you are to stick to it.

USE RETINOIDS

The term describes Vitamin A derivatives that unclog pores, boost collagen to reduce fine lines, and speed cell turnover to even out discoloration and smooth the skin—sometimes in as little as four weeks. The first retinoid—tretinoin—was FDA approved (under the brand name Retin-A) almost 40 years ago as a prescription acne treatment. Dermatologists soon noticed that patients on Retin-A experienced not just clearer but softer, brighter, less-lined skin. Today there are three prescription-strength retinoids: tretinoin (brands include Atralin, Avita, Retin-A, Retin-A Micro, Renova), tazarotene (Avage, Tazorac), and adapalene (Differin). Many dermatologists find tazarotene stronger (and potentially more irritating) than tretinoin; adapalene is the gentlest but may be less effective. Ask your dermatologist which formula is right for you.

GIVE PRODUCTS TIME TO WORK

Don’t be too hasty. While products can start to effect an immediate change in your skin, you might not see the results for a few weeks. Choose your products wisely. Read reviews before you make the big purchase. Did these products work on others with similar skin issues? If you’ve done your homework and the products you are using have positive reviews, stick with it. You will be glad you did!