There are some things you should definitely not do if you want to keep your youthful skin at sixty. A wise woman knows that her skincare routine should change as she ages. When I turned 60 I was dealing with menopause and hormonal changes, which in turn affected my skincare regimen.

Through out the years, skin naturally loses its elasticity and it becomes thinner. The layer of fat giving skin its plump and firm appearance begins to shrink and does not regenerate. This shrinking fat layer also reduces the amount of moisture in the skin, leading to dryness and wrinkles. As estrogen levels drop, the natural oil production of the skin decreases as oil glands reduce in size. Skin is more fragile, making it easier to injure and slower to heal. Augmented roughness, wrinkling, irregular pigmentation, keratosis, inelasticity, sun spots, freckles, and enlarged pores are all products of a long life exposed to the elements.

Want skin rejuvenation at 60 without surgery, and avoid the aforementioned problems?

Aging Skin Care: The Six Don'ts

Step #1: Quit Smoking

Smoking adds years to your face and makes your skin look like leather. It also steals the nutrients right out of your skin. I smoked from the age of 21 until I was 30, and then I quit. Right away my skin began to look better. On the bright side, as soon as you quit smoking, your body begins to heal itself immediately.

Step #2: Don't Eat Junk Food

Plenty of vegetables and a multivitamin should be a primary part of your diet. Increase the calcium, vitamin E, and vitamin A, as these are all skin related vitamins which become depleted from our skin as we age. Calcium is important namely for the loss of skin density, because once we hit 60, our skin calcium levels drop dramatically. Vitamin E helps your skin to rebuild itself, while vitamin A contains retinoids which assist in reversing the signs of aging.

Step #3: Don't Use Cheap Moisturizing Cream

At sixty skin tends to be dry and tight, with a rough, wrinkled texture and a dull appearance. Hormonal changes, reduction in the water content of the uppermost layer of the skin, a decrease in intercellular lipids, and a decrease in sebum secretion all contribute to increased dryness. If you want your skin to stay soft, supple and smooth, moisturize in the morning, after a bath and while you sleep. The moisturizer you choose should contain soy, retinol and alpha hydroxyl acids that are beneficial for a woman's skin, and it should be a high quality, thick consistency. Any treatments that encourage collagen and elastin stimulation are a good bet.

Step #4: Don't Dehydrate Yourself

Loads of water consumption will keep your skin youthful. Skip the soft drinks and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to account for the increased dryness your skin will go through as a mature woman.

Step #5: Don't Skimp Out on Your Basic Skin Care

Use high quality cleansers and scrubs to keep your skin fresh. Use masques to increase moisture and firm the skin. In addition, use products with retinoids, also known as Vitamin A, and anti-oxidants to help the skin rebuild cells. Lastly, ease up on makeup and switch to lighter products, such as powders instead of heavy concealers. Enjoy your age instead of trying to hide behind a heavy mask of makeup. The makeup will clog the pores of your face increasing the dryness there or it will cause acne.

Step #6: Don't Go Out Without Sunscreen

More wrinkles, sunspots and leathery skin are all results from being over exposed to the sun. Sometimes, cancerous lesions can occur on the skin, leading to a premature death from cancer. Sunscreen is important to prevent further sun damage. Save time by choosing a moisturizer with at least SPF 30 for proper protection against the suns damaging rays. Remember to get regular skin cancer exams from a dermatologist. With early detection and proper treatment, the cure rate for skin cancer averages 95%. When detection and treatment are delayed, the outcome is not as favorable.