They say there's no stopping the passage of time, but women can reduce its effects with a daily regimen of these tips for best anti aging skin care.

There's no substitute for good health habits as the best anti aging skin care methods. These include getting plenty of sleep, drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water daily, and always wearing a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 (SPF 30 or higher is even better) to protect against sun damage.

Likewise, the formula for daily facial care - cleanse, tone, moisturize - doesn't change just because a woman passes age 40. What changes are the products she'll use to keep smoother, softer, younger-looking skin.

Since skin over age 40 tends to be drier, many dermatologists recommend gentle cleansing products that take off dirt and makeup without stripping the skin of natural oils. Look for products that are less acidic, and thus will be less drying to older skin. Many skin care experts also recommend that over-40 women rub their faces gently for at least a minute when cleansing to be sure to loosen dirt and makeup from pores.

Toners are another product that needs to change as women age. Always choose toners without alcohol and if necessary selected a toner for sensitive skin, which is gentlest. Don't skip toner, however, because it helps restore the pH balance of skin after cleansing.

Some dermatologists think that silicone is one of the best additives to skin care creams ever found for over-40 skin care. Silicone helps products go on like silk, stay smoother and keep in that all-important ingredient - moisture. Experts say to look for dimethicone or cyclopentasiloxane on product labels.

In addition, moisturizers with antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, those molecules from the sun and pollution that age skin more rapidly. Look for products containing Vitamins C and E, plus green and/or white tea. There's also a manufactured antioxidant, idebenone, that's showing good results.

Omega-3 is another natural ingredient recommended by doctors recommend as a part of the best anti-aging skin care. A healthy diet including fish, eggs and walnuts will provide Omega-3, but some people who can't eat those foods, such as those with allergies, may need to take supplements. Omega-3s are vital because they boost the immune system of the body, protect against cell damage (including skin cells) and help the body repair cells when damage occurs.

Since the body's cell renewal process slows with age, dermatologists often recommend that over-40 women regularly exfoliate and moisturize not just their faces, but their bodies as well. This practice helps eliminate rough patches on the skin and any buildup of dead skin cells around hair follicles, which can cause unsightly white bumps. Exfoliators still should be as gentle as possible, and the best ones for over-40 skin care are made from sea salt or sugar, rather than harsher crushed walnut shells or apricot pits.

There are a number of skin care procedures you can have performed by your dermatologist or skin care professional that help the effects of time. One of the most popular procedures performed these days is the microdermabrasion treatment. Microdermabrasion treatments are extremely successful in restoring that youthful look, and are not only safe, but pain free.

Microdermabrasion is the process in which very fine granules are blasted onto the skin with a hand held device operated by a skilled skin care professional. The microdermabrasion treatments clear away the top layer of skin removing those little imperfections and flaws that plague us all. The procedure has proven extremely successful in a number of circumstances. Microdermabrasion treatments have been well known to reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging, but can also successfully remove acne scarring, mild burns, and other skin trauma. With all its success it's often considered a cheap alternative to plastic surgery.

Finally, many dermatologists urge that women in their 40s and older use some form of a retinoid, or Vitamin A. Experts say that retinoids are the strongest ingredient found to slow skin aging. Retinoids have been proved medically to lighten age spots, increase the turnover of skin cells to give a more youthful look, and best of all, diminish the fine lines that are telltale marks of aging.