Contributed by Cindi Pearce, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

We all have routines, some more so than others. We get up at a certain time, go to work at a certain time, eat at certain times and go to bed when the clock strikes … well, whatever.

One routine that you may not have (yet) but should have is a good skin care routine.

Your face is the first thing the world sees. You might be the brightest person in the universe but if your skin is damaged, dry, flaky, pimply, and you have dark circles under your eyes and look generally lack-luster you might not be taken as seriously as you would be otherwise.

Food for thought.

Here are the top 10 skin care routines that will get your facial skin in tip top shape before you know it:

10. Establish a routine

Don’t have any skin care routine and live to regret it. Really. You need to put some time into caring for and protecting the skin on your face, or else you’re going to look like a weathered prune by the time you are 40.

9. Regular facials

Get a facial by an expert or a do it yourself facial. Most women don’t have the time, money or luxury of getting facials, every whipstitch, and you don’t need them all the time, but it is a treat for your face if you can get one every now and then. If you can’t afford to go to the salon regularly, do it yourself (DIY.) You can give yourself a wonderful facial using products that are already in your kitchen: Vinegar, milk, bananas, yogurt, eggs, honey, sugar and lemons.

8. Retinol

Regular use of products that contain retinol will benefit your skin, although be aware that retinol makes your skin sensitive to the sun so you must be religious about wearing sunscreen. Retinol is a vitamin A compound and an antioxidant. The antioxidants neutralize unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals that break down your skin cells and result in wrinkles.

7. Exercise

Do facial exercises. Yes, they may look weird but exercising your face will tighten and tone your facial muscles.

6. Use toner

After washing your face, apply toner or astringent to your face. Put some on a cotton ball and wipe your face with the saturated pad. You might be surprised how much dirt is removed by the toner or astringent even though you’ve just washed your face. Toners are intended to cool your skin and refresh it. Astringent means that the product has a higher alcohol content and is more suitable for those with oily skin. If you have extremely sensitive skin, skip this process altogether because toners and astringents can be too harsh and drying for already dry skin. If your skin is prone to breakouts and acne – even if you are an adult – this is the time to institute a regular acne treatment routine.

5. Remember sunscreen

And where are those sunscreen and sun protection products? After you’re washed your face and used toner Apply a moisturizer that has a SPF of at least 15. Make this a habit. In one fell swoop, you are providing protection for the delicate skin on your face. Your face will thank you.

4. Exfoliate

There are some women who SWEAR by the efficacy of exfoliating. Actress Kim Cattrell says she exfoliates her entire body every time she’s in the shower. …… and look at her and her skin. She’s in her fifties but you would never know it. Apparently, it works! When you exfoliate you are getting rid of dead skin cells. Your skin feels smoother afterwards. Alpha hydroxyl acids are synthetic versions of acids that come from fruits that contain sugar. This is a good exfoliate because it removes the upper layer of dead skin that is old. Cell growth is stimulated and you end up with evenly pigmented and smooth new skin. However, alpha hydroxyl makes you photosensitive so you must wear sunscreen after using it.

3. Cleansing

Decide what you’re going to clean your face with. Regular soap is far too drying for most skin. It makes your face feel puckered and tight so don’t use it. Instead, use a cleansing bar that is made for the face. It lathers but it is gentle on the skin. Face washes are good. They dissolve dirt, grime and make-up residue and don’t dry you out. If you have dry skin, use a cream cleanser because it contains oils and puts moisture back into your skin while also getting rid of dirt, grime and make-up. Washes keep your pores clean so that you are less likely to suffer a break-out. Wash your face every morning and again at night. Carry towelettes with you. Use baby wipes such as you use on your baby that you can swipe over your face anytime you’re feeling grungy.

2. Always moisturize

Now moisturize. Use a facial moisturizer that is specifically made for nighttime use. The world certainly isn’t going to end if you use a regular moisturizer at night, but you will reap more benefits from one that is formulated for the night. The night creams don’t have SPF in them because you don’t need it at night. They are richer in hydrating, moisturizing and emollient content, which replenishes fats in your skin and provides a protective barrier. Good things happen when you sleep. Your body, mind and skin re-group and recover from the sometimes damaging and accumulative effects of the daylight hours while you are sleeping. Sleep is restorative.

1. Remove your makeup every night

Remember what your mama told you: Remove your make-up before you go to bed at night. Yes, yes, you’re pooped and are desperate to get horizontal but take a minute, two at best, and wash off your face, get rid of that make-up. If you don’t wash off make-up before going to bed nothing horrendous is going to happen although it is possible that your pores will get clogged if you sleep with your face pressed against a pillow. Back sleepers don’t have to worry about this. Furthermore, your pillows are going to get mucked up with make-up.