1. Put your skin stash in proper order. The sequence in which you apply your products could be even more important than the products themselves. Reach for those with the most active ingredients as soon as you wash and pat skin dry. "These are the most powerful, so you want them to come into direct contact with your skin," says Syed Amiry, a dermatologist practicing in Reston, Virginia. If you're using more than one active product (like an antioxidant serum and Retin-A), start with the thinner one. "Anything that's water soluble should go first, followed by the product that's thicker and creamier. If you do it in reverse, the heavier cream will block the ingredients of the lighter one from penetrating the skin, so they won't have any impact." If you need moisturizer, it's next up in line, followed up by—what else?—sunscreen each morning.

2. Drop dairy from your diet (even that little bit in your latte). "Dairy products—even those that are organic—contain cow hormones that stimulate your oil glands and your pores, leading to acne," explains Wu. Beware of hidden dairy in foods like salad dressing, protein bars, and shakes. And if you have to go there, stick to skim. "The hormones are concentrated in the fat, so it's your best option."

3. Start using retinol. "Everyone should use retinol," says New York dermatologist Doris Day. "It has decades of clinical data to support its efficacy, helps skin cell turnover, and boosts collagen production to keep skin firm and youthful." Most dermatologists agree that if you're only going to use one anti-aging product, prescription Retin-A (and even over-the-counter versions like RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 or Olay Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment) is the magic bullet, and can even reverse abnormal and cancerous growth, among other forms of sun damage. "It has great anti-inflammatory effects, which is why it's as effective at treating acne as it is at treating wrinkles and other signs of aging," adds Amiry.

4. Hit the sack early. We know, you've heard it all before, but it's called beauty sleep for a reason. "Sleep deprivation lowers circulation, which is why you look pale and washed out if you only get a few hours," says Amy Wechsler, one of only two U.S. physicians board-certified in both dermatology and psychiatry. It's also the best time to rejuvenate your skin. "Your body's cellular renewal team has the night shift, so this is when you want to equip your skin with as many nutrients and hydrating ingredients it needs to do a fine job," she says.

5. Exfoliate for smaller-looking pores. It's amazing how something so tiny can feel so huge, but enlarged pores are one of the most common beauty complaints. "Pores appear larger when they're filled with dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and keratin, a protein that lives on the surface of skin," explains Amiry. "Remove those plugs, and they seem to shrink." To clear out the gunk, start exfoliating regularly with daily applications of salicylic and glycolic acid, like those in Murad Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel. Then add in microdermabrasions (like Physicians Formula Derm@Home Mineral Microdermabrasion System) once or twice a week to clear the dead surface cells. To keep pores from getting even bigger as you age, practice safe sun. "Sun damage breaks down collagen, which can affect pore size as well."

Credit: Women’s health mag