Looking youthful, refreshed, and healthy is becoming increasingly important to women. Gone are the days of washing your face with soap and water - now facial cleansing has become a beauty regimen of its own.

Some women even start this regimen as early as their teens, in hopes of maintaining their fresh, vibrant glow. They have found that they have to start early, due to the harsh effects of various environmental factors such as pollution and utlraviolent rays from the sun.

One key element of many women's skincare routine is a protective daily moisturizer. Considering the harsh effect of pollution, chemical exposure, the sun, and other elements we are exposed to daily, a quality moisturizer with an SPF (sun protection factor) agent is of utmost importance.

Although the basic physiology of everyone's skin is the same, age can cause some changes. For instance, hormone levels change as a person ages, which can affect the appearance of one's skin.

The truth is, wrinkles themselves aren't the problem. Rather, they stem from other issues, such as dehydration, a thickening of the skin's outer-most layer, thinning of the skin's fragile middle layer and repetitive facial movements (think "laugh lines" and "crow's feet"). A successful product will hydrate, chemically exfoliate, even out blotchy or discolored skin and reduce swelling and inflammation. Considering these factors will help you find the best wrinkle cream for your needs.

The results experienced will vary from person to person, since everybody's skin is somewhat different. Thus, it is recommended that you test a small area on the back of your hand or on your inner arm to ensure that you will not develop a rash from the cream.

Remember, too, that how you apply the produce makes a difference. Because the best wrinkle cream contains a mix of both active (those that actively improve your complexion) and inactive ingredients (those that help deliver or stabilize the active elements), the success of the product is dependent upon the ingredients' effectiveness and whether they can penetrate your skin cells.

The application of the product can also make a difference in its effectiveness. Before using it, you should wash your face with warm (never hot) water. The cream should be applied while your skin is slightly damp, using short, firm motions. You should never rub the cream in or stretch your skin. Following these simple steps will help keep your skin looking fantastic for years to come.