Simple steps to younger-looking skin

Moisturization and exfoliation are two steps you can take to achieve a younger-looking complexion. Moisturizer and peels you can do at home refresh and brighten skin, for a more youthful appearance.

Tip 1: Make moisturizer work for you. When skin is dry, it looks dull and fine lines and wrinkles look worse. But dry skin doesn't stand a chance against these tricks from top dermatologists:

• Scan the label for hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Acne-prone skin can benefit from an oil-free moisturizer.
• Not everyone needs a thick cream. If your face is shiny a few hours after applying it, switch to a lighter cream or a lotion. If your face feels tight, then you need something richer (a cream with the consistency of yogurt should work), or consider applying a hyaluronic acid gel before your moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin that is responsible for binding and holding water.
• Be sure skin is damp before applying, giving the cream even more water to trap. The only exception: If you're using an anti-aging or acne treatment, smooth that over dry skin, then wait ten minutes before putting on moisturizer.
• Smooth a kidney-bean-size blob of moisturizer over the face - a little goes a long way. A second bean-size drop will cover the neck.
• Makeup may not glide as easily over a thick moisturizer. Allow at least five minutes for the cream to absorb before putting on your makeup.

Tip 2: Do a home peel. It's one of the best, instant anti-aging treatments you can do at home. Here's how to brighten your skin with just one sweep of a peel:

• Exfoliating with a scrub is one way to make skin look fresher, but peels containing glycolic, lactic, citric, and malic acids (all known as AHAs) and salicylic acid (BHAs), penetrate skin more deeply. As you get older, cell turnover slows, more dead skin accumulates on the surface, pores get clogged, and the outer layer becomes irritated and coarse.
• There are two types of home peels: Some peels are two steps: the acid followed by a separate neutralizer to keep the acid from irritating skin.
• Others are acid-and-neutralizer in one. Be sure to read the directions on the box and test it under the chin or behind the ear to be sure you don't have a reaction. Women who use retinoids (including retinol) or have sensitive skin can get red or flaking skin from a peel.

Come back next week for new advice from Allure.

 ADD YOUR COMMENTS