Our skin reveals our overall wellness as well as our age. Everyone desires healthy, evenly toned, blemish-free skin, but the search for how to achieve beautiful skin can be frustrating and confusing. I know, because that is how I felt when I began my personal quest to find answers to my adult acne many years ago. That in turn led me to research and develop some basic principles and daily routines in caring for and enhancing the body's largest organ.

As consumers, we purchase product after product in an endless search to find the magic potion that will effortlessly give us the beautiful skin we have always imagined. As a result we have helped build the cosmetics industry into the multibillion-dollar behemoth it has become.

A recent study asked women how long they use a product before expecting results. The answer - one week! The result? Half-used jars cluttering our counter tops. The key to healthy skin is finding the right skincare program for you and being consistent. It is essential you allow a product at least six weeks before giving up on it. The good news is that with the right products and routines you can have great-looking skin. And it does not have to be expensive, time-consuming, or complicated.

First of all, you must remember that the skin is the outward manifestation of our inward health. Therefore, it is essential to have a healthy lifestyle. That means reducing stress (how hard is that these days?), exercise, a good diet, and no smoking. Next, you need a good basic daily skincare routine.

Your basic skincare routine includes three steps in the morning and two steps at night. Remember, consistency is the key. If you are consistent, you will notice an even tone, blemish free and an overall improvement in the texture of your skin within six weeks.

Your Morning Routine

1. Cleansing

The type of cleanser you choose is a personal preference. If your skin is oily or acne prone, a foaming cleanser is best for you, such as Clinque Mild Liquid Facial Soap or Almay Cleansing Lotion with Cucumber. If your skin is normal to dry, try dermatologist recommended Cetaphil or Prescriptives All Clean Fresh Foaming Cleanser. I believe a toner is also part of the cleansing process, but the choice to use one is a personal preference. Some like the way their skin feels after using one and many do not. Just do not use a toner in which alcohol, which is drying to the skin, lis listed as one the first three ingredients.

Tip: If your skin feels too tight and dry 15 minutes after cleansing, try a cleansing lotion instead. If it still feels oily, try a foaming cleanser. I do not recommend cleansing more than twice a day with the exception of cleansing after sweating, such as a gym work out. For those who are oily and acne prone, cleansing too much can make the oil glands overactive, so more is not better.

2. Apply Antioxidants

The second step after cleansing is to apply a serum, lotion or cream that contains an antioxidant. Antioxidants include vitamin C, E, Idebanone, Co Q 10 enzyme and green tea. An antioxidant helps to neutralize free radicals caused by factors such as sun exposure, stresses in our lives and smoking. Free radicals interfere with normal reproduction and repair of skin cells. Several good products are Good Skin Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle fixer or SkinCeuticals Vitamin C, E, and Ferulic. After applying, wait several minutes before the next step.

3. Moisturize

The third step is to apply a moisturizer with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. A moisturizer with sunscreen does double duty and it's one less step for you each morning. This is the most important step - 1.3 million people will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. Choosing the right sunscreen is just as important as application. Be sure your moisturizer/sunscreen contains one of the following four ingredients: Mexoryl (ecamsule), parsol (avobenzone), zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

The difference between a chemical and physical block is that a chemical blocks such as mexoryl and parsol absorbs the suns rays, where as a physical block, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide deflect the suns rays. The non-chemical or physical blocks are best for those who have sensitive skin or rosacea because they are less likely to irritate the skin.

Daily sun protection is essential for those who use a Vitamin A derivative, alpha hydroxy or beta hydroxy acids because these products make the skin more sun sensitive. Moreover, the sun is the primary reason for the aging of the skin, brown spots and poorly textured skin. Ninety percent of aging skin is due to the effects of the sun. Some sunscreen/moisturizers to try are Neutrogena for Sensitve Skin or Peter Thomas Roth Oil Free sunscreen.

Tip: for those who wear a foundation, I highly recommend a foundation that contains minerals, which will provide additional sun protection. Try a liquid foundation such as Clarins Truly Matte Foundation or mineral powders by Physician's Formula, Youngblood and L'Oreal.

Your Evening Routine

1. Cleanse

The first step is to cleanse your skin. Cleansing every night is especially important to remove oil, makeup, pollution and sweat in order to have a clean slate in which to apply your skin care products.

2. Exfoliate

The second step after cleansing the skin is to apply one of several options. Alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy acids or enzymes exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells revealing fresher skin and keeping the pores clear for the prevention of acne. The application of an exfoliant also stimulates collagen production. Some to try are Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-wrinkle cream or M.D. Formulations Cream with glycolic acid.

OR

Apply a vitamin A (retinoic acid) derivative, which is beneficial for the production of collagen. Vitamin A products range from over-the-counter retinols such as Roc, to prescription-strength Retin A, Tazorac, Avita and Differen. Prescription-strength retinoic acids have been studied extensively over the past 30 years and have been proven to benefit the skin by stimulating collagen, decreasing brown spots, improving skin texture and even for the treatment of pre-cancerous lesions.

You can achieve wonderful benefits by using several nighttime products. For example, alternate an alpha hydroxy acid and retinoic acid with the application of retinoic acid every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, then an exfoliant on the alternate nights.

Tip: The key to using AHA, BHA and retinoic acid products is to start on a gradual basis. Apply twice a week then every other night, then increase application as tolerated. By starting gradually you can avoid the endless peeling and irritation that can occur. This is also the reason many discontinue the use of these products thinking they are allergic to them or that they will always have the peeling and irritation.

Once your skin acclimates to the use of the products healthier skin begins to manifest. Within six weeks family members and friends will notice how refined, smooth and even toned your skin is looking. As you continue with your new routine it just keeps getting better.

Deborah Francesconi has had a diverse 25-year career in many aspects of nursing from psychiatric nurse to medical surgical nurse. She has been an Aesthetic Nurse Specialist specializing in cosmetic treatments of the skin since 1991. She is a member of The Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care Specialists and also trains registered nurses and physicians in minimally invasive cosmetic treatments. She is a frequent guest on the popular No. 1 talk radio show, "The Joanie Greggains Show" on KGO Radio 810 Am in San Francisco, Calif. Deborah manages, researches and writes all of the material for her website.