The Easier Way to Erase Wrinkles

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Step 1: Cleanse less (but exfoliate daily).

"As you get older, washing twice a day is unnecessary -- there's no medical reason for it," says Boston-based dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD. So skip the morning suds; a splash of warm water is all you need. Before bed, use a creamy exfoliating cleanser to remove makeup, oil, and old skin cells. The best formulas combine humectants, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, with mild fruit acids or non-scratchy microbeads. (Try Exuviance Gentle Cleansing Creme, $30, or Aveeno Positively Ageless Daily Exfoliating Cleanser, $9.) They'll also help the active ingredients in your creams and serums penetrate better.

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