Is 50 the new 30?

How to grow old gracefully.

"Women are looking younger than ever because we know more about how to take care of our skin," says Doris J. Day, M.D., a New York City dermatologist and author of Forget the Facelift. In fact, only 30 percent of how we age is based on our genes
. "The rest are factors we can control." Try her skin saving tricks to welcome every birthday.

Make it a Habit
"Your skin is your greatest asset for looking good," says Dr. Day. She advocates cleansing (to prevent clogged pores), moisturizing (to quench dry patches) and using sun protection with at least SPF 15 daily. "There is no greater enemy than sun overexposure," says Dr. Day. Use an exfoliating scrub twice a week to slough off dead skin. Once a month, treat yourself to a tightening facial mask: Mix together 1 tsp each ground almonds and tea tree oil, 1 Tbsp honey and 1 egg white; apply to face and leave on for 3 to 5 minutes. read more