A woman's skin is under constant attack from stress, pollution, tanning, smoke, caffeine, infact every modern lifestyle habit. By the time women hit their 40's the skin looks as if it's been around a lot longer. Adopting a good skin care regime ensures that we give something back to our skin. The most important way to maintain our skin is to follow a basic cleansing regime on a daily basis. Here are a few tips to keep your skin looking radiant and beautiful.

First of all establish what your skin type is. Unlike male skin, a woman's skin can vary from greasy to very dry or combination. Your skin type will determine what products are best for you. A woman's skin type changes with age, medication, season and with levels of stress, so don't just assume that your skin is the same it was a year ago - re-evaluate regularly.

Step 1 - cleansing

• Choose a cleanser that is suitable for your skin type. A water soluble cleanser can be washed away, so avoids the dragging on the skin, which is inevitable with cleansing cloths.
• Don't use soap on your face as this can be very harsh and strip off the natural oils.
• If you wear mascara or heavy eye make up, then remove this first with some eye make up remover.
• Use a pea size bit of cleanser and gently massage in a circular motion to loosen the dirt from the pores.
• Rinse with tepid water - never wash your face with hot or cold water as this can cause broken capillaries.
• Pat dry with a towel - never drag the skin

Step 2 - exfoliate

You don't often see this step in a woman's daily cleansing routine, but research has shown that a key to glowing skin is to use a very gentle exfoliator every day, a routine like brushing your teeth.

A woman's skin cells replenish every 3 weeks from the lowest level of the epidermis to the surface, therefore dead skin on the surface needs to be constantly removed to make room for the new cells.

Choose a gentle exfolitor that suits your skin type. Exfoliate in circular motions, paying particular attention to the nose and the chin. Avoid excessive pressure as this can cause broken capillaries. Avoid the sensitive eye area. Wash with tepid water and pat dry.

Step 3 - toning

With such good cleansers on the market these days, women are finding that the need for a separate cleanser is not needed. Toners were used to remove the remaining traces of dirt and grease, but if you are using a high quality cleanser then this step can be a bit of a waste of money - so go ahead and skip it.

Step 4 - moisturizing

All women should moisturize, no matter what your skin type is. The benefits of moisturizing is that it draws moisture into the skin and plumps skin cells and seals in the skin's natural moisture and prevent the loss of water through the skin. For dry skin, moisturizing is a crucial step to soothe and protect the skin.

Night creams for women have also recently gained recognition after research has shown that the skin repairs and renews itself during the night and the skin absorbency rate is higher at night, hence making night time applications far more affective than daytime creams. So the key is to use a moisturizer that offers protection during the day and treatment at night.