Chemical peels
Chemical peels utilize concentrated forms of AHAs, which shed and regenerate skin cells quickly. Most peels are derived from fruit acids, and you can find weaker at-home treatments that have a low percentage of acid or stronger treatments at your derm's office. Chemical peels can address problems like sun damage and those subtle, crepe-y lines around the eyes and mouth, says Dr. Lancer.

Ceramides
"Ceramides form a plate-like barrier between our skin cells and help restore the skin's natural barrier," says Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, co-founder of Specific Beauty Skincare. Think of ceramides as the giant padlock that holds in your skin's moisture. As you age and your skin gets drier, topicals containing ceramides can help you achieve dewier, more radiant skin.

Vitamin C
Every day, your skin gets exposed to sun, environmental pollutants and a whole lot of other damaging gunk that causes uneven skin texture, sagging, dryness and fine lines. Vitamin C not only helps reverse free-radical damage, it also boosts collagen production. Look for daytime serums that contain vitamin C and be sure you're getting the maximum recommended daily allowance (90 milligrams) in your diet. (One navel orange contains a whopping 82.7 milligrams of vitamin C.)

Vitamin D
News flash: Laying in the sun or tanning in a salon are not excusable ways to get your vitamin D intake. This will only age you faster. But vitamin D is important in helping with calcium absorption, which in turn supports healthy cell turnover according to Dr. Lancer. Fish, dairy, fortified cereals and mushrooms are all rich in vitamin D.

Exfoliate
Exfoliating is a crucial step in your anti-aging skin care routine. Dr. Lancer recommends exfoliating with a mechanical or chemical exfoliant once per week at night, then exfoliating more frequently as you learn what your skin can tolerate. (Exfoliate less often if you have sensitive skin or rosacea.) "Chemical exfoliants are topical agents that can contain citric, glycolic or lactic acids," he explains. "Mechanical agents use some sort of grain or bead." But be cautious when using those scrubby exfoliants. Irregular or jagged particles, such as walnuts or apricot pits, can tear the skin.

Exercise
"Moderate exercise, such as Pilates, yoga and stretching, is crucial to skin health," says Dr. Lancer. "It increases circulation, oxygenating the skin and organs and helps to flush toxins out of the skin through our sweat." You can even do facial yoga! See six face yoga poses.

Fire
It's only natural to want to curl up next to a fireplace or scoot a little closer to that heater vent when it's freezing outside, but sitting too close to a heat source can break down collagen, thin the skin, and ultimately cause premature wrinkling similar to the damage done by UV rays. "If you use a small space heater near your desk or chair, change its position so it doesn't continually hit the same part of your skin," says Los Angeles dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu.

Glycolic acid
"Glycolic acid is the most widely used AHA (see A) in skin care products," says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. Dr. Lancer recommends introducing glycolic acid into your skin care routine as a chemical exfoliant gradually, because it can irritate or scar darker skin tones.