HEALTHY SKIN BEGINS WITH THE BASICS.

Overexposure to the sun causes wrinkles and premature aging.

The most important thing you can do to help minimize wrinkles is to stay out of the sun. If you suntan now, you will pay for it later. Over time, exposure to the sun causes permanent damage to your skin. This causes freckling, dark spots, wrinkles, and thickening or roughening of the skin, and you can end up looking years older than your actual age. More seriously, it can also lead to skin cancer. Wearing a sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection daily is a must. Don't forget your lips—use a lip balm with sunscreen daily. A darker shade of lipstick will offer some additional protection. Some people who are sensitive to the sun also find excessive sun exposure aggravates/promotes cold sores.

Diet and Exercise Make a Difference.

Younger looking skin starts from the inside, with a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoid refined sugars, flours and processed foods. Try to eat more whole grains and seafood and less red meat. Learn to regard beans and legumes as a tasty source of protein and fiber. You have probably read many times about the importance of drinking lots of water, but do you actually do it? One of the best things you can do for healthier, younger looking skin is to drink lots of water, at least eight 8-ounces glasses a day, more if exercising. Drinking water helps keep your body hydrated, your skin will be softer and wrinkles will be less apparent.

An exercise program is vital to staying healthy and younger looking. Exercise, both aerobic and strength training, has so many benefits. Here are just a few:

Strengthens your heart and lungs

Lowers blood pressure and raises the percentage of HDL (good) cholesterol and lowers the LDL (bad) cholesterol

Strength training helps prevent loss of bone mass as you age

Healthier skin - exercise increases blood flow to the skin and helps release toxins

Gives you a better night's sleep. A good night's sleep helps rejuvenate you mentally and physically.

Just 20 minutes of exercise a day, 3 days a week, can make a tremendous difference.

Try Wrinkle Creams and Anti-Aging Skincare Products.

Now that you've armed yourself with protection from the sun, a good diet and exercise, you can explore the myriad of wrinkle creams and anti-aging skincare products for reducing the appearance of your wrinkles and to help prevent new ones.

There are many on the market. The best ones include alpha hydroxy acids or beta hydroxy acids, which help exfoliate the skin to reveal the softer, smoother skin underneath. Other hot products include those with argireline, which is a peptide that helps relax facial muscles when applied topically.

Valerie Goettsch is webmaster of the site Skin-Sage.com, which is dedicated to reviewing anti-aging and anti-wrinkle skin care products and offering tips on achieving younger looking skin.