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Dermatologists and cosmetologists agree that the skin which has been properly cared for, stays youthful for a longer time. And, it is also true that neglected skins develop symptoms of aging prematurely. A regular skin-care routine, adopted in good time, helps to delay aging signs. In fact, regular professional care, along with a daily skin-care regime from the age of thirty pays rich dividends. Heredity does play a role in determining the rate at which one ages, but it is regular and preventive skin care that goes a long way in delaying the manifestation of aging signs on the skin.

Nobody is immune to the aging process. Time passes on and brings with it many changes, specially where the skin is concerned. We identify these changes as the manifestations of aging. In fact, no other organ of the body manifests the signs of age the way the skin does. However, some skins begin to age prematurely, with the tell-tale signs of age beginning to form early, in terms of tiny lines and wrinkles, gradual loss of skin elasticity and resilience and so on. Some skins also suffer from blemishes, like dark patches. The thirties are the child-bearing years and the problem of hyperpigmented patches or "chloasma" is quite common.

How do wrinkles form on the skin? With the loss of moisture, the skin cells can become dry and gradually lose their ability to retain moisture. This can happen due to habitual dryness and lack of moisturizer. In the dry season, the skin loses moisture to the atmosphere, which needs to be replaced. Sun-exposure can also deplete moisture. The gradual decrease in oil-gland activity after the age of 25 can also aggravate moisture loss.

A dry skin becomes crepey and vulnerable to fine lines and wrinkles. The cells of the outer layer may also become dry and shriveled, giving the skin a rough texture. Some skins show a tendency towards cellular build-up, when excess skin cells accumulate on the surface, coarsening the skin texture. This may even be accompanied by an increase of pigment, which accumulates on the skin surface in a patchy manner. Another important change that takes place is a loss of elasticity and resilience.

Thus, the stage is set for lines, wrinkles and aging of the skin. These symptoms may also appear due to habitual neglect of regular skin-care. Those who have a dry skin type are more vulnerable to the premature manifestation of skin aging. For them, the right kind of protective and preventive daily routine is very important.

So, from the age of thirty, begin to protect the skin from drying up. Your daily routine should lay more emphasis on moisturizing the skin and prevention of moisture loss. Begin to protect the skin from the factors that cause dryness, like exposure to the sun, excessive exposure to artificial heating and air-conditioning, chemical air pollutants, make-up cosmetics and so on. A suitable sunscreen, along with a moisturizer, should be used before going out during the day. In the case of blemishes, protection from sun-exposure is even more important. I recommend the use of a daytime transparent cover by mixing together a sandalwood protective cream and a moisturiser that is suited to individual skin type. This would also help those who are exposed to long hours in air-conditioned or heated rooms.

Use products that have built-in moisturizers. I have found that a cleanser containing aloe vera helps to cleanse the skin without disturbing the moisture balance. In cases of deep dehydration, the use of soap can be discontinued, so that further dryness and sensitivity are prevented and the sensitive skin can be nourished and nursed back to good health. A cleansing gel should be used morning and night. After cleansing in the morning, tone the skin with a rose-based skin tonic, using cotton wool pads. First wipe the skin, then pat it briskly. Night-time cleansing is imperative for all skin types, to rid the skin of the chemical pollutants and grime that have been deposited on its surface. After cleansing, if the skin still feels dry, apply a light moisturizing lotion.

If you have normal to dry skin, nourishing of the skin is very important, in order to provide the emollients that the skin requires. At night, after cleansing, apply a nourishing cream and massage it on the skin with outward and upward strokes. The neck should be included in the daily nourishing routine. Apply the cream on the neck too and massage from the chin downward, one hand following the other. Then wipe off the cream with moist cotton wool. We have formulated Shalife as an anti-aging "skin food" nourishing cream. It contains natural extracts, which are rich in Vitamins A and E, like wheatgerm oil, carrot seed, cabbage, almond. They also provide the skin with anti-oxidants. Shalife should be massaged on the skin with a few drops of water, in order to help better absorption and penetration of the cream. It also helps to minimize blemishes.

Weekly salon facials after the age of 30 would help to delay aging and also revitalize the skin. They increase the skin's capacity to function more efficiently. Facials include various procedures, but the main aspect is facial massage for normal to dry skin. Modern research on the skin has revealed that facials have several benefits, which are both physical and psychological. A facial involves specialized cleansing and refinement of the skin. Moisturized cleansers are used for dry and dehydrated skins, along with refinement of skin texture. Blood circulation to the skin surface improves and helps to correct the oil-moisture and pH balance. Toning procedures are also followed, which benefit the skin tissue and facial muscles. The skin's normal functions improve, including that of cell-renewal. The youth of the skin depends on this. Facials not only help to delay aging signs, but also rejuvenate the skin. Another important benefit is that they induce relaxation, thus reducing stress, nervous tension and fatigue.

In order to improve the skin's ability to receive moisture and nourishment, the cellular build-up on the skin surface must be removed. This is done by the use of specialized masks and exfoliation of the skin. These also help in the removal of blemishes. When the build-up is excessive, other methods are employed to refine the skin. Intensive moisturization methods are used to correct the effects of dehydration, as well as to protect the skin from further moisture depletion. When skin problems show up, take the help of professional care. Blemishes, for instance, can be minimized with exfoliation masks, nourishing and the use of specialized products.

Apart from sun-protection, a main part of the treatment of blemishes (dark patches) is removal of cellular build-up on the outer layer of the skin, along with their contained pigment, through the use of facial scrubs or cleansing grains and masks. The skin's normal functions are enhanced with revitalizing treatments, in order to step up the process of regeneration of healthy new skin cells. Specialized products, like anti-blemish ointments, lotions and creams are prescribed to produce an even colour tone. Clinical procedures, like vegetable peel and thermoherb are also followed, depending on the problem. Specialized rehydrant cleansers, containing aloe vera and lemon, along with rose-based skin tonic and nourishers are also recommended for daily care.

Certain areas of the skin are more vulnerable to aging signs. The area around the eyes requires particular attention, as it is one of the first to show age. In fact, it reflects age, neglect, abuse, stress and the state of your internal health very easily. The skin around the eyes is very delicate and much thinner than most other areas of the face. It has a fine texture and there is an absence of oil glands. That is why wrinkles and lines show up early on the skin around the eyes, not to mention puffiness and dark circles.

It is imperative that the area around the eyes be included in your daily skin care routine. Remember to use extremely gentle movements and a light touch while removing make-up or applying creams. Take great care to see that the skin does not get pulled or stretched in any way when you remove make-up or cleanse the eyes. A cleansing gel or cream should be used to remove make-up, using moist cotton wool. Gels and creams help to dissolve make-up products and grime and thus facilitate their removal. Remember that removing eye make-up is as important as applying it. Remove eyeliner, eye shadow and mascara using the cleansing gel and moist cotton wool. Close the eyes and wipe gently from the inner corners outwards. You can repeat this a few times, using the gel and moist cotton wool, till you are sure that all the make-up has been removed.

A cream which has been specially formulated for the area around the eyes should be applied. Heavy creams are not suitable. A cream with a light texture and consistency is ideal. Apply the cream and remove it with moist cotton wool after ten minutes. Cream should never be left on the area around the eyes during the night. Remember also that normal facial masks should not be applied around the eyes.

I have found that a cream containing almond is good for the area around the eyes, as it not only nourishes the skin, but has a lightening effect on the colour tone, if used over a period of time. A light milky lotion has also been formulated by us for the treatment of the region around the eyes, along with a mask containing seaweed. This seaweed mask is highly specialized, with a light watery consistency. The revitalization of the area around eyes has been done with the seaweed mask, since it is ideal for the delicate skin around the eyes. Research has revealed that seaweed helps to rehydrate the skin and restore the natural balances. It also provides the necessary mineral salts, amino acids and Vitamins A,B,C,D and E. Seaweed penetrates the skin easily and makes it supple, smooth and firm. Apart from delaying wrinkles and lines, these treatments have been used to remove dark under-eye circles. Professional facials also include massage of the region around the eyes, after which the skin is toned with eye pads soaked in a rose-based skin tonic.

So, after the age of thirty, remember these points:

• Have regular salon facials to cleanse and tone the skin.
• If you have dry skin, step up daily moisturization.
• Pay attention to the area around the eyes, using specialized products for cleansing and nourishing.
• Seek professional help for problems and blemishes in good time.
• Avoid the sun as far as possible and protect the skin against the effects of sun-exposure.

Daily moisturisation and nourishment, weekly professional care and the use of specialized products would go a long way in rejuvenating the skin and making it look soft, smooth, resilient and youthful. With the skin, you have one major advantage...it will respond to the right kind of care. Helena Rubinstein once said, "The skin has a tremendous capacity for self-regeneration of properly cared for."

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