A conscientious anti-aging skin care treatment routine will pay off in greatly improved skin tone and elasticity, which keeps your skin looking young. Daily care consists of three steps: cleansing, moisturizing and protecting. In addition, you may want to try some special treatments such as masks and exfoliants.

Your basic anti-aging skin care treatment begins with thorough, but not harsh, cleansing. Those with older, dryer skin should use rich cleansers such as creams, lotions and oils. Oily skin can benefit from bar soap, medicated if you have acne. But don't scrub your skin; it will only make acne worse. Wash twice a day, rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

Moisturizer is necessary for all skin types. Those with oily skin may want to skip the T-zone of forehead, nose and chin, but should still moisturize the cheeks and around the eyes. Dryer skin can use moisturizer twice a day: a lotion for daytime and a richer cream at night. Finally, everyone should use a sunscreen daily. Eighty percent of skin problems are caused by sun exposure, so this is the most important element of your anti-aging skin care treatment.

Masks and Exfoliants for Anti-Aging Skin Care Treatment

Exfoliants are products that gently scour away the dead cells that collect on the surface of the skin. For younger people with oily skin, exfoliating once a week may help clear clogged pores and minimize acne breakouts. On older skin, removing that dulling layer makes the skin look brighter and healthier. Masks, which are applied and left on for a period of time and then removed, come in a multitude of formulas. Mud masks and peel-off masks are best for oily skin, while masks with soothing and tightening ingredients such as cucumber are recommended for older skin.